We’ve all had those cringe-worthy moments we wish we could erase from memory. Living with a disability comes with its own set of awkward situations no one prepares you for. A few brave peers are sharing their embarrassing stories to prove that sometimes all you can do is laugh.
“Years ago, I flew into Kosovo for a service project. Kosovo only had a military airstrip, so passengers deplaned via steep narrow staircases. Two airport staff carried me off the plane, and after a three hour flight without an aisle chair, all I cared about was reaching the toilet. Then I realized I was sliding out of my insulated pants with every step they took! It was -20°C and I held onto their shoulders for my life while waiting for my wheelchair. It wasn’t until I got into my chair that I saw my pants were barely hanging on and realized I had mooned all the aircraft passengers as they deplaned. Not the first impression I’d been hoping to make!”
—JM
“I went to use the restroom and found the door to the wheelchair stall was opened inwards and I couldn’t get access! Thinking this was totally unacceptable, I grabbed a staff member. A polite young man dutifully followed me into the restroom and I showed him, with some indignation, the problem. He stepped forward, pulling the door open externally. Lots of room to get in now. I smiled sheepishly and said ‘hmmm, I didn’t think to try that.’ He was very gracious, and I was very embarrassed!”
—PC
“I was crossing the road at a busy intersection during rush hour when my caster caught the lip of the curb. I went flying Superman style out of my wheelchair to face plant on the concrete. My friend, a fellow wheelchair user, thought it was hilarious! The karma gods were swift though. When he pushed my chair over to me, he somehow managed to tip over backwards. We made such a spectacle that dozens of people raced out of their vehicles to rescue us. This left traffic at a complete standstill and motorists were honking at us. I also remember being embarrassed when I had a tire blow out in a bar and people were scared by the noise and screamed!”
—BS
“I travelled with my girlfriend to a conference where I was giving a keynote to over 300 people. We woke up at 5 AM to do the necessary bowel routine before my keynote at 8:30 AM. My girlfriend helped me set up in the bathroom with my tea and speech notes before leaving to grab breakfast. At 7:30 AM, she realized she had forgotten the keys inside the room and tried climbing through the ground floor window to no avail. Meanwhile, I’m helpless in the bathroom. After much excited conversation through two heavy wooden doors, she ran to get an extra key. We scrambled like humans on jet fuel to get dressed, switch the chairs, and wheel over to the conference hall. At 8:31 AM, I pulled up onto stage and acted as if nothing had happened!”
—MJF
“My buddy and I crossed the border into Mexico, where a border patrol agent detained us and had a dog sniff us. I ran my mouth (maybe not the best idea) and he let us go an hour and a half later. A week later, I’m crossing back by myself. I was wheeling down a path with a pretty good decline when an elderly man bumped into me. My front casters hooked on an uneven stone, and I flew out of my chair like Superman! As he apologized, the same border agent from the week before approached. I’m thinking things are gonna go sideways. To my surprise, he lifted me up and threw me into my chair! You would not believe how grateful I was. When I crossed the border, I did not say a peep, only yes or no to their questions.”
—Big T
Have a funny, relatable or embarrassing story of your own you’d like to share? Email thespin@sci-bc.ca for a chance to be featured in the next PeerSay!
This article was originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of The Spin. Read more stories from this issue, including:
- Ferry accessibility
- Disability worker rights
- Next gen clinical trials
- Breastfeeding
And more!
