As far as adults go, I've got a second date rule. We've got to be on our second date or meeting, at least, before you ask me the question. Unless there's a reason, it's typically just personal curiosity that drive people to ask. Why are you in a wheelchair? It's not that I mind sharing, not at all. But there's something to be said when a person blurts it out when they still can't even remember your name.
Never ask someone why they're in a chair before you get their name. This may seem obvious, but seriously, it just happened last week folks. I'm sitting at the gym and a teacher who I didn't know just got started talking and before we exchanged names, she popped the question. Poor form.
When first making introductions it's hard enough to take the risk sometimes and step out of your comfort zone. I definitely do not want people to notice my wheelchair before me, because it's definitely my accessory and not the other way around, trust me, I push it all day. I wish there was more an acknowledgement of personal selves before we necessarily had to acknowledge the physical. The out of order introduction of disability then name, allows my disability to come first in my life, and that is never something I want to happen.
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