Why I Don't Class My Wheelchairs As My Legs

I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I have always wanted to write a blog post about it, but I didn't know how to word it so that it didn't seem controversial - a lot of people may disagree with me on this one.

I have seen so many different people talk about their wheelchairs like they are their legs, and that got me thinking; I have never really classed my wheelchairs as my legs, but why? The simple answer is that I don't really know why, because I can't walk unsupported, my wheelchairs do help me get around, and I do say that I walk around when I go out using my electric wheelchair, but for some reason, I seem to have a huge issue with calling them my legs.

I've seen so many different people post on Facebook saying this, and I have always wondered why I don't. It's quite odd really. I know that there must be others who are like me and don't see their wheelchairs as their legs, but I feel like I'm not an "average" wheelchair user because of this.

I completely understand why people do, but for me, I guess I would say that my wheelchairs are kind of like an add-on to my body, if you know what I mean... I can function without it, just not in the same way. Although my legs don't work in the way that they're supposed to, I do still have them and they do a damn good job at improvising when my hands don't work! My wheelchairs are not part of my body, and they certainly do not replace my legs.

I mean, if I had a chair with legs, I suppose I could call that an extra set of legs... That would be accurate, and quite amusing. Although that sort of technology does exist, I think it's only in the very early stages of development, and unfortunately, I don't think it will be available to everyone who it would help. Anyhow, my legs are my legs, and my wheelchairs are my wheelchairs; they are not interchangeable because they're completely separate entities.

Don't get me wrong, I am extremely grateful to have both of my wheelchairs, but I just can't call them my legs. By no means am I ashamed of my wheelchairs, because they allow me to get around when I can't move around on my hands and knees, and my electric wheelchair gives me greater independence, but are they really my legs? No.

Before I wrote this post, I asked a number of people if they class their wheelchairs as their legs, and I was actually quite surprised at the answers I got. I was expecting that most people would have said that they do class their wheelchairs as their legs, but I got a mix of answers, with only 43% saying yes they do. The rest of the answers were either saying they don't or it was unclear whether they do or don't.

One person said “My wheels are an intrinsic part of me. They're not my legs but they are my freedom and part of the bubble that is me.” I find that interesting because I kind of agree in the sense that my electric wheelchair is my freedom when I'm out and about as I can't use my alternative method of moving around on my knees – that would just be dangerous. Another reason why I think it would be odd if I classed my wheelchair as my legs is because I use my foot to drive my wheelchair. Although only my foot is touching the control, my whole leg is contributing to the muscle power that moves my foot, which moves the joystick, and that moves my chair. If I didn't have legs that worked in the way that they do, I wouldn't be able to use that type of wheelchair, so I would not have the independence that I have now.

Another person answered with “my legs are my legs, my wheelchair is an aid”. I completely agree with this statement because wheelchairs mealy help people to get around, not take the place of legs... Some would say they do take the place of their legs, but personally, mine don't, they just help me get around. However, I don't like people leaning on my wheelchair because it is my personal space.

No matter if people do or don't, both sides have extremely valid points. My wheelchairs are just aids to help me move. When I say that my wheelchairs are not my legs, I can almost hear the sheer shock from people's reactions, almost as if to say “How odd” because they can't imagine a wheelchair user saying that sort of thing. As I said before, it makes me feel like an outsider so to speak because of their reaction.

So, to summarise, everyone has very different views on whether they class their wheelchairs as their legs, and that's okay. May I make a suggestion? Whether you use a manual or electric wheelchair full-time, part-time, or you don't use one at all, please don't assume that every wheelchair user classes their wheelchairs as their legs.