Stupid Things You Hear In A Wheelchair

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This cartoon is by me and Becky Hawkins.

Becky writes:

As a cartoonist in the internet age, I’m really lucky to have access to drawing tutorials as well as reference photos! I found wheelchairs really hard to draw from photos (what are all those bars for? WHAT’S HAPPENING UNDER THERE?!). But I knew there were some tips and drawing tutorials out there. I saw them on timeline every once in a while, when a cartoonist hadn’t done their due diligence before a comic went to print.  So I wanted to thank Art Resources & Tutorials on Tumblr, and Aurelia Ceitinn, who created this image.

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Barry writes:

(Makes a mental note to review all the stuff Becky linked the next time I need to draw someone in a wheelchair.)

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Speaking of research: I’m not a wheelchair user. When I write strips like this, research is essential. Because my imagination just is no match for the real shit ablebodied people say to disabled people in real life. (In the case of panel seven, it’s combining lots of similar experiences into a single panel).

For instance, one of the better strips I’ve made (in my opinion, anyway) is You’re So Brave, I’d Rather Be Dead. Once, I wouldn’t have believed that this was a common experience. It’s still hard to believe. But I’ve read dozens of responses from disabled people to that cartoon, saying “this is spot on” or chiming in with their similar experiences.

A user on Reddit wryly replied:

My favorite is when someone suddenly feels the need to pontificate in my general direction and how the medical community keeps people alive when they have no quality of life and it’s just tragic. That people should just be allowed to die.

My go to is always “you first.”

Every panel in this cartoon is based on real things people have said, as reported by disabled people on social media.

When I first began doing strips like this one, years ago, I was worried that people wouldn’t like me putting their experiences of discrimination into cartoons – that they might find it appropriative. And of course, I remain concerned that I’ll screw up and say something stupid. But what I’ve found over the years is that most people, far from being mad, really enjoy seeing things that reflect their experiences in a comic.

(And writing that out, it seems very much like saying ‘I’ve discovered that the floor will keep me from falling through to the basement.” Obviously many people enjoy seeing their own experiences reflect in media. But it took me a while to absorb that, as applied to my own work.)

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TRANSCRIPT OF CARTOON

This cartoon has nine panels. In the center of the cartoon is the title: STUPID THINGS YOU HEAR IN A WHEELCHAIR

PANEL 1

A woman in a cardigan spreads her hands beatifically.

WOMAN: Open your heart and Jesus will heal your legs!

PANEL 2

A passenger sitting on a plane grouses to the person next to him.

MAN: I saw this guy get pushed onto the plane in a wheelchair and then he stood up! This whole “disability” thing is a scam!

PANEL 3

A man rushes through an airport, rolling a suitcase:

MAN: You’re so lucky you don’t have to walk places like normal people!

PANEL 4

A man points and laughs.

MAN: You got a license for that thing? Haw haw!

PANEL 5

Below the title of the strip, a smiling woman clasps her hands.

WOMAN: You’re so brave!

PANEL 6

A woman in a wheelchair angrily speaks to a cheery woman pushing the chair.

WOMAN: Let go of me!

PUSHER: But I’m helping you!

PANEL 7

A man rubs his chin as he rambles. He’s drawn in front of his words, so we can’t see every word.

MAN: Have you really tried to walk? Have you tried seeing a doctor? Have you tried yoga? Have you tried going gluten free? Have you tried exercise? Or this thing I saw on YouTube? Have you tried positivity? Have you tried healing crystals? Have you… alkaline water? Maybe… diet? Have you tried… more water? …for Munchausens? …essential oils? …superfoods can… have you…

PANEL 8

A woman smiles eagerly and leans in.

WOMAN: So can you have sex?

PANEL 9

Two men walk away from a store carrying a bunch of grocery bags, and looking at a disabled parking sign. Nearby, a wheelchair user overhears and looks annoyed.

MAN: Man, I wish I was disabled!

CHICKEN FAT WATCH

“Chicken fat” is an obsolete but beloved (by me) term for fun but unimportant details in a cartoon.

In panel 3, the sign shows a flying saucer next to the bus and rental car icons.

In panel 6, the sign to the bus has an arrow that, instead of pointing in one direction, shows a circuitous and zigzagging route, because public space is not designed with the convenience of transit riders in mind!

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Stupid Things You Hear In A Wheelchair | Patreon