It’s hard to understand someone unless you’ve been in their shoes. When I found out I had an anxiety disorder at the age of 12, none of my peers knew why I felt sick every morning before school. It didn’t make sense to them that I’d panic before exams or worry weeks before a presentation in front of the class. And by the time I was at the legal driving age, nobody hardly understood why I was so shaky behind the wheel and why I kept a barf bag in my center console. But I get it; it’s hard to sympathize with something that’s so foreign to you. You can’t imagine being in that person’s place if you don’t know what you’re supposed to imagine.
That’s exactly why 14-year-old Alex Johnson asked his classmates to try using a wheelchair for a full day, to understand a glimpse into the life of someone who’s physically handicapped.
The Lebanon, Tennesee eighth-grader uses a wheelchair himself and has been since the second grade when he was diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia, which impacts how his bones and cartilage grow. Not only do people not understand how it feels to have a condition like Alex’s, but they’re unable to see how difficult it can be to get around in a wheelchair.
Dozens of his peers already participated in his challenge. Even better, 10 lawmakers in his state decided to try the challenge for themselves during a February bipartisan event led by Tennessee Rep. Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon.
Boyd, who partook in the challenge himself, was surprised by the difficulties he encountered.
“Even in a building that is handicap accessible, still you bump into doors,” Boyd said. “You bump into walls. Some of the doors become very heavy for someone in a wheelchair. Opening a refrigerator door, doors seem to be a pretty big challenge.”
By better understanding what it’s like to be physically disabled, the legislators will hopefully have an easier time forming laws that can help make accessibility easier for those using wheelchairs. Now that they know first-hand what some of the accessibility challenges are for these folks, they’ll know where to start first.
“Our whole community is very supportive of Alex and proud of the effort he’s made to create greater understanding about what it’s like to live with a disability. He’s an amazing young man who has found a way to use his disability as an ability to educate others.”
Alex’s challenge definitely outbeats the Cinnamon, Kiki, Tide Pod, and Kylie Jenner Lip Challenges! Gaining a different perspective is one of the best ways to sympathize with someone and, in Alex’s case, to bring forth change for the entire community.
Watch below to learn more about Alex’s “Spend a Day in My Wheels” challenge and how it has impacted the Tennessee legislators.
