We were walking (very slowly) back to the house after we got home from our adventure last week, Addy with her bright pink crutches and crazy bright knee splint, when a neighbor we've never met before walked past with his dog. (We were walking right by the house, he was about 20 feet away near the street.) He sees the situation and calls out to us "Well, that doesn't look very fun!" and keeps on walking.
First off, that's kind of an awkward first (and only) comment to make to a stranger and not a very friendly first impression to make to a neighbor. If you're going to be an anonymous neighbor, at least be silent and anonymous. Second off, she's smiling and has hot pink crutches. Think for 2 seconds about the situation and I'm pretty sure you'll realize that she thinks she's having fun and this isn't just some temporary thing like a broken leg. Third, even if she had broken her leg, which is about the only thing I can think of for him to assume, don't try to discourage her by telling her she isn't having fun. Pardon my French, mais cela ne fait que vous regardez comme un âne.
What I wanted to retort back was a rather expletive-filled rant, blaming him and his ignorant attitude for the poor treatment of disabled people by our society and holding him personally responsible for perpetuating the situation. The kind of thing that would put him to shame and make him beg for Addy's forgiveness and lead him to become a vocal advocate for disabled people everywhere. Alas, I was unprepared to deliver such a tongue lashing. Instead I turned to Addy and said, "What do you think? Are you having fun?" She looked up at me and grinned. "Of course I am! I love walking!"
