In Tennessee last week, video captured a 10-year-old boy who uses a wheelchair standing up for the national anthem. It was a story that went viral for what appeared to be a miraculous feat (or, as Fox News put it, for his determination “to show his patriotism”).
However, YouTuber and advocate Annie Segarra tweeted that she “clenche[d] to the ground in rage” over the story, adding the hashtag #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist.
So, no, it wasn’t a rarity that someone using a wheelchair could stand or walk. Some people are ambulatory wheelchair users, Segarra’s tweet asserted, and while they might have the ability to move without their wheelchair, they may need other mobility aids while doing so, such as a cane, and may not be able to move for long periods of time without their chair.
*clenches to the ground in rage*#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist https://t.co/8WozNqN3FS
— Annie Segarra (@annieelainey) August 12, 2018
Yes, this is a normal thing. Some users can walk a bit until pain. The wheelchair provides freedom. Sure some people can’t walk whatsoever and those people use wheelchairs for access. They’re not “bound”. Language is important with how people look at disabled people. https://t.co/E0IsGs59SN
— James Rath (@JamesRath) August 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/LadyVertical/status/1028766237202042880
Hours later, Segarra tweeted about her own experience as an ambulatory wheelchair user, writing that she uses her wheelchair for “anything longer than a minute or so,” so regardless of using her cane, her ability to walk is “on a timer.” She uses her wheelchair for symptoms of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome—a group of connective tissue disorders—including chronic pain, dysautonomia, and injury prevention and aid.
Segarra also encouraged other ambulatory wheelchair users to share their stories with the same hashtag in order to raise awareness for the diversity within disabilities—their limited abilities don’t negate physical disability, and that those with physical disabilities may not always require a wheelchair or powerchair.
#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist
— Annie Segarra (@annieelainey) August 12, 2018
Some wheelchair users can walk.
I need my wheelchair for anything longer than a minute or so, my ability to walk is on a timer with/without my cane.
I use a wheelchair for symptoms of #EDS; chronic pain, injury prevention/aid, & dysautonomia. pic.twitter.com/skdsrPdDOV
I welcome folks to use #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist to post their stories, photos, & videos to show that there are so many diverse disabilities that require the use of a wheelchair/powerchair, and that ability to move, walk, dance, run, etc does not negate physical disability.
— Annie Segarra (@annieelainey) August 13, 2018
Some people said they only need their wheelchairs for longer periods of standing and walking, such as in lines at airports and grocery stores, and use other mobility aids around the house or while moving other shorter distances.
https://twitter.com/lucimacaroni/status/1029003035022958593
I use my wheelchair and crutches interchangeablely, my chair allows me to travel long distances I can’t handle anymore on a frequent basis, I use a cane at home as needed, When I have low pain I use my crutches more, either way you’ll deal. #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist pic.twitter.com/M8IXV3zejU
— Enter the DEI (36 Chambers of Woke) (@Tripping_Crutch) August 13, 2018
It doesn’t mean I don’t need it … pic on the left: speaker pic on the right: running for office… yes it makes my life easier and no it’s not a gimmick…#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist …. pic.twitter.com/iFGFb2JO2m
— Keith Jones (@dasoultoucha) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/A_K_Anderson/status/1028785960857812992
#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist I have CP. I walk most of the time, but my wheelchair gives me freedom to go more places, do more things. pic.twitter.com/PxsgRnhJEj
— Erica Mones ♿️ (@ericamones) August 13, 2018
#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist and I am one of them!
— Jasper 🦡🤟 (@QueerCantHear) August 13, 2018
Although with the progression of EDS ( + others) I now use my wheelchair almost all the time, there are still situations (e.g. inaccessible places) where I alternate between my walking stick, crutches and no aids!
♿♿♿ pic.twitter.com/VPHWJcAgyR
And some use their wheelchair daily, though they can walk short distances with the use of another mobility device.
https://twitter.com/_LeahRachel/status/1028861315333476352
#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist
— Shelby (@shelbymk123) August 13, 2018
Surprise! I can walk for short periods at a time, it just increases my debilitating symptoms. Not all wheelchair users are paralyzed! I use a wheelchair for chronic joint, muscular, & nerve pain, dysautonomia, and sclerosis of my pelvis and hips pic.twitter.com/x6M6Y1xdNk
#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist
— Gullu Kandrou 👒🌸🍁✨ (@onlyasmile_away) August 13, 2018
Some wheelchair users can walk.
I need my wheelchair for anything longer than 5 minutes, my ability to walk is on a timer due to my unstable hips.
I use a wheelchair for symptoms of #EDS; chronic pain, injury prevention/aid, & dysautonomia pic.twitter.com/ss61kbDaIN
https://twitter.com/mccindy72/status/1028812583313309696
https://twitter.com/thatjayjustice/status/1028813039812976641
This is a great hashtag. I use my wheelchair 90% of the time out of the house. For in the house & places w/ a very short walk, I use my cane. Walking & standing are painful & I can still do it when I need to, but my chair gives me freedom. 💙 #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist pic.twitter.com/NslUQC68K1
— Nikki Jeske ⚔️🌿 (@coyotewitch) August 13, 2018
Others can move for longer periods of time but need a wheelchair or other mobility devices for bigger events, or when they’re experiencing symptoms.
Let’s make this a real post #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist ! I use as wheelchair as needed when I have of trouble breathing and low energy or flare ups of my arthritis or vestibular condition! Otherwise I can walk without it! It’s a tool that helps me live a better life! pic.twitter.com/GTw6qmWUmZ
— Elsie Tellier Caballero ♿️😷✊🏼 (@65PinkRoses) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/HellcatAzura/status/1028828929010884608
https://twitter.com/zebrafighterxox/status/1028789698259546113
#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist I use my wheelchair when I know I’m going to be walking around a lot, for example when I’m in Disney. In my daily life I walk pretty much unassisted, sometimes with a cane. A wheelchair is an aid for me so that I’m not in pain after a long day. pic.twitter.com/v11B3whXjv
— Amanda Nicoletta💚 (@amanda_zarb) August 13, 2018
Segarra wrote that though she’s covered the topic of ambulatory wheelchair users in her work, she felt that seeing everyone “self-advocating for their fluid and diverse disabilities on here is so affirming and I hope we’re that much closer to our existence being known, visible, and respected.”
#AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist
— Annie Segarra (@annieelainey) August 13, 2018
Y’all know I’ve been on this topic long before the hashtag but seeing everyone self-advocating for their fluid & diverse disabilities on here is so affirming and I hope we’re that much closer to our existence being known, visible, and respected.
Segarra did not immediately return the Daily Dot’s request for comment.
