In all my years of flying, I have never encountered a situation where my disability could not be accomodated. No FA has ever had a problem accommodating me. No passenger has ever complained that my disability has inconvenienced them in any way. Most people are happy to help, or don't even notice my disability. However here on FT, I have encountered a number of individuals who beleive that my disability somehow interferes with their all important comfort or indispensible business computing. For example, I have been told that because I must recline my seat, I am 'stealing' someone elses space. I have been told that I must think I'm 'king of the air' because I sometimes receive help with my carry-on. I thank god that I have never encountered these people in real life, yet somehow I look forward to the day I do.

Higher, the anonymous nature of the internet oftentimes brings out the worst impulses in people. Without the usual societal restraints, people say things that they would never dream of doing in polite, "actual" company (as opposed to "cyber" company).

On the other hand, you will certainly find lots of useful information on FT and on the internet in general. Don't let a few people who are "acting up" drive you off. Just ignore provocations and move to the next post or thread.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by OttoGraham:
Higher, the anonymous nature of the internet oftentimes brings out the worst impulses in people. Without the usual societal restraints, people say things that they would never dream of doing in polite, "actual" company (as opposed to "cyber" company).

On the other hand, you will certainly find lots of useful information on FT and on the internet in general. Don't let a few people who are "acting up" drive you off. Just ignore provocations and move to the next post or thread.

</font>

Thank's! Rest assured I'll not be driven off. However I find it difficult not to respond to arrogant intollerance. I pity those who cannot see beyond their laptop screens, but not so much that I won't recline when my back starts to spasm.

I have read the thread on Travelbuzz that you are referring to and can only offer this advice.

I to have a disability, though hardly class myself as "disabled". Until I was injured I had no idea what was invovled in a disability such as mine and repurcussions of that on my daily life.

I never gave any thought to travelling and using a wheelchair, I didn't have to. It was something that just didn't enter my mind. And many people are exactly the same. I would hardly class it as intolerant or uncaring..perhaps you over-reacted just a tad.

I have never found FT'ers intolerant of PWD's, in fact, just the opposite. I am sure if you do a search, particuarly on Travelbuzz, you will find that anytime anyone asked a question regarding travelling and disability they were answered with compassion.

It's a shame to see the thread on Travelbuzz turn into name calling and threats..but lets leave it there.

Phoebe

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Feebster:
I have read the thread on Travelbuzz that you are referring to and can only offer this advice.

I to have a disability, though hardly class myself as "disabled". Until I was injured I had no idea what was invovled in a disability such as mine and repurcussions of that on my daily life.

I never gave any thought to travelling and using a wheelchair, I didn't have to. It was something that just didn't enter my mind. And many people are exactly the same. I would hardly class it as intolerant or uncaring..perhaps you over-reacted just a tad.

I have never found FT'ers intolerant of PWD's, in fact, just the opposite. I am sure if you do a search, particuarly on Travelbuzz, you will find that anytime anyone asked a question regarding travelling and disability they were answered with compassion.

It's a shame to see the thread on Travelbuzz turn into name calling and threats..but lets leave it there.

Phoebe</font>

Thank's, & you're right. Most people on FT are more than helpfull and friendly to boot! That's why I was so taken aback by a certain poster's attitude, name calling, etc., when all I did was post my experiences. I din't mean to imply that flyertalk itself was to blame. If the title of my post is vague on that I apologize. I suppose some of my responses might be a bit terse, but it is only in response to pointed comments by another poster, and I always try to make it clear that any comments I make are only my opinion. It was also not my intention to bring the controversy to this forum, only to ask for advise on responding appropriately to such personal attacks, and to vent a little so I don't say anything inappropriate.
BTW that thread on travel buzz is only the most recent in a series of threads that have deteriorated into me responding angrily to pointed comments. I wish I could just let it go, but the ignorant will never learn unless someone speaks to them. (I learned that from lobbying polititians!)

[This message has been edited by HigherFlyer (edited Dec 15, 2003).]

Just thought I'd drop in cuz I remembered Otto said this forum existed.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm often stunned/appalled at some FTer's lack of consideration, viciousness, name-calling - and not just on matters of disabilities.

In fact, I almost stopped visiting FT at the beginning because I thought - wow, if this is the way people are, not a healthy place to be. But I persevered, and have learned lots from the many helpful FTers. Ignore the mean ones & learn from the good ones.

Try to gently educate & if it continues to go Omni (speaking of a vicious place to be), then let it go & move on. And feel sorry for the person(s) who has that much problems w/ so many things. Their life can't be that happy; don't let it bring down yours. Cheers.

PS - About had a heart attack when I read that George Steinbrenner had a fainting spell at Otto Graham's memorial service - and then realized probably a dif Otto!

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Sharon

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SkiAdcock:
If it makes you feel any better, I'm often stunned/appalled at some FTer's lack of consideration, viciousness, name-calling - and not just on matters of disabilities... Try to gently educate & if it continues to go Omni (speaking of a vicious place to be), then let it go & move on. And feel sorry for the person(s) who has that much problems w/ so many things. Their life can't be that happy; don't let it bring down yours. Cheers.</font>

I concur 100% with you - it is very true that people who do not have disabilities or who have never been injured may react in thoughtless ways to those who do have disabilities. This IBB is not much different than other IBB's in that there really are people who post thoughtless, hurtful, spiteful, vicious and negative things. I think everyone is tempted to post such things from time to time, but some people seem to actually thrive off of it. Thank God Randy takes the high road on that issue, and let him be the referee in your corner. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Put together an "Ignore User" list, and whenever you are scrolling down a thread and you see such a user's name pop up, simply look to the side of your screen, scroll past the post, and disregard it altogether. It works! Sadly, there's no way to predict when someone is going to post something thoughtless, but "once bitten, twice shy" is a good rule of thumb.