The Contingencies Associated with a Physical Disability

An analysis of the following quote referenced in the following article:

"Public Transit" by John Hockenberry

"All around me, crowds of commuters with briefcases and headphones walked by, stepping around me without breaking stride. If I had worried about anything associated with this venture, it was that I would just be in the way. I was invisible...by stepping around me as I slid, two steps at a time, down toward the tracks, they created a quarantined space, just for me, where even the air seemed depraved" (Hockenberry 316)

      Disability is a topic that is too often overlooked in terms of diversity studies due to the inaccurate colloquial belief that it isn't as important an issue as concepts such as race, gender, or sexual orientation. This article delves into the story of one's mans experiences corresponding to his paralysis and the fact that he is bound to a wheelchair. He first describes the laborious task of hailing a cab while in New York, and the challenges that he faces with the many different types of "cabbies". He describes the types of people that he encounters and, (according to them), how terribly difficult it is for them to take the time to assist him by putting his wheelchair in the back of their car. He points out the abhorrent truth that too often people don't offer to help others due to the fact that they don't want to be inconvenienced! He also describes the arduous task of taking on numerous stairs as he rides the subway. As seen in the quote above, even though he is in plain sight of all those he encounters, he feels entirely invisible. Those who actually take the time to notice him either do so with utter disdain, or seldom the case, with the intention of assisting in some way. This fact of feeling "in the way" and "invisible" due to either inaccessible options or societal views of his disability, is one of the author's main points throughout his article. He mentioned that he even took the time to record the audio of his experiences on the subway so as to make a radio special regarding public transportation. To his surprise, he describes that his audio would more likely reflect the the correlation associated with willingness to assist others and race. He mentioned that those who he believed to be "white" ignored him almost always, and those who he believed to be "black" continuously offered to help him in some way. Throughout the entire article, he touches upon the fact that those who could be considered part of a minority group are the ones that treat him more like a human, and less like an inconvenient aberration. 

      While reading this article, I felt angry at both society and myself. While reading about the difficulties of hailing a cab, I was reminded of the trepidation everyone faces on those crowded streets, but I was blind to the fact that in the author's case, it was even more challenging. While reading about his subway endeavors, I remembered how intense and intimidating it can feel to be on those platforms, but until now, couldn't imagine or fully understand how difficult it might be for one who is disabled. While reading, I truly began to question some of the choices that I made while in that rough hustle-and-bustle city, and whether or not I should have acted differently... Being from New York originally, and having gone to college and some grad school literally where he was describing truly brought me back to the "New York" mentality. People aren't seen as caring or altruistic in NYC. Instead, they are seen as fast-paced go-getters that need everyone to get out of their way so they can get their stuff done. However, in my opinion, I had naively believed that this mentality might change for those who are "disabled", but I guess that doesn't even sway their moral compass...

      It really astounded me that so many cab drivers refused to take the time to get out of their cabs and place his wheelchair in the trunk. It's not that difficult, and they are still making money off of a customer! I was also astonished to hear that people literally stepped over and past him, as if he was not there at all...I understand what that's like as it has happened many times to me if I had dropped my books or something, but I would think it would've been different for someone who is "disabled"...The article presented me with a vastly different perspective on life, that I would have otherwise been entirely oblivious to. Often when I see a person in a wheelchair or with some sort of other physical disability, I feel some sort of inherent desire to assist in some way, yet at the same time, am faced with the paradoxical contention that maybe they don't want to be helped. For example, there was one time when a women in a wheelchair was attempting to cross a busy intersection, (slower than the traffic had anticipated), and I kindly asked if she would like me to push her along to help get her there faster. She replied with a moderately frustrated, "I can manage...I'll get there when I get there. They can all shove it"... One part of the article that supported this idea was seen when the author stated at the end that he "believed he could do it", without help from anyone, although he was pleased that he was at least acknowledged by some. Even though some "disabled" people may not want to feel that others pity them and thus feel obligated to help them, they don't want to be invisible and disregarded as inconvenient and in the way. There is also another important fact in this article that, in my opinion, showed the power of community. This was seen when he described those who actually respected him, acknowledged him, and took the time to assist him. Those who belong to minority groups, and might have some empathetic understanding of what he is going through to some extent were the ones more likely to help him. As mentioned before, he stated that those who were "black" offered to help him, and in addition, described the story of the Egyptian cab driver that helped him twice. One amazing thing that I think can be taken from the cab driver's story is the fact that due to his heinous crime of setting a bomb in the World Trade Center, no one in society, besides the author, would know that he actually was a kind, helpful, and respectful man at one point. Even someone who has the audacity to commit such a terrible crime had better morals than many other cab drivers at the time...

      I think this article truly speaks to the problems that "disabled" people face in our society. There are many constraints that society places, with too few solutions to assuage any of these issues. We avoid helping somebody because it could be seen as an inconvenience. Taken even further, we frequently try to disregard their existence due to the fact that they may make us uncomfortable or unsure of how to react. Too often do we ask the question, what is wrong with these people, rather than what do we need to change in order to make life more accessible. Too often do we take for granted the ability to complete commonplace tasks and not offer to help those who may be struggling. Education and awareness about these issues is truly the only way to combat these travesties, and I certainly look forward to learning more ways to make a difference...