The Invisibility Factor

The weather here’s been beautiful. When the weather reaches the point where it seems as though it just couldn’t get any better, you feel awfully guilty unless you’re outside living in it. I’ve been trying pretty hard to make sure that I’m out whenever possible. Now that doesn’t always work. I tend to be a bit of a sloth regardless of the weather. But I had a pretty good sunburn a few days ago to prove otherwise. Anyway, whenever able I like to wheel myself down to the beach and do a little people watching.

Just the other day though, I got a very good dose of something that unfortunately coincides with being a quadriplegic. Even though this quadriplegic is 6 foot 3 and 215 pounds of bone and atrophied muscle humming along at 5 miles an hour, it seems as though I acquire some form of invisibility. 82% of the time I try to adhere to my policy of “smile, greet and be sweet” when I pass someone on the sidewalk. Usually I’ll get a smile or pleasant hello, but lately with all the tourists going through town, I more often ignored. This is one thing that really burns my short hairs. In the beginning I seldom looked at anyone. As time went by and I grew into my disabled life, I softened up considerably. Nowadays, with all the misery in the world and the usual crap that floats by while you’re trying to hold your head above water, trying to spread a little sunshine is the very least we can do to improve our surroundings. I know people feel uncomfortable when they encounter things icky or unpleasant. All I can say is, I may be icky, but I’m sure as shit pleasant!

This is kind of a silly post. But it happened enough times in the past week that I felt obligated to bitch.

Steven J.

28 years ago a diving accident left me paralyzed from the neck down in a wheelchair. It has been an outrageous experience beyond imagining. All this time I've been learning about myself and just how challenging a Life can get. Beautiful in places, not so much in others. But, I choose Love and to seek out beauty wherever it is. Maybe share some where there isn't any. No matter what, I want to spread the Golden Rule we all learned growing up. Peace and blessings.
Close Menu