I thought I had experienced everything that the general public has to offer, but I was pleasantly mistaken.
When I say I thought I'd experienced everything the public has to offer, I mean it. I've had people on the sidewalk come up and ask whoever I'm with, "What's wrong with her?" I've had a man in a restaurant dump the remains of his lunch on my lap because he wasn't paying attention to where he was going and them blame me. And my absolute favorite - I've had a woman drive my chair a few feet because I was blocking her view of the cards.
But I had an experience while out shopping the other day that just left me floored and reminded me that some people are still nice to strangers. A woman in the grocery aisle actually asked me if she could help me get anything down from the shelves that were out of my reach. I thanked her, pointed out what I needed and thanked her again when she handed it to me.
I was very pleasantly surprised. Usually, people just reach around me to get what they want off the shelf or sigh impatiently and tell me to hurry up. Some have even gone as far to call an assistant manager and complain that I should have someone with me to help shop because I take too long by myself. When I do ask someone shopping in the same aisle to help me get something, they act like it's the end of the world and how dare I interrupt them.
If you are out by yourself and do need help opening a door or getting something off a high shelf, don't be afraid to ask. Some people may very grudgingly help you, but others will be more than glad to help.
And the rest of society should take a lesson from the latter.
