As someone living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (often called Brittle Bone Disease), I rely on a wheelchair for mobility and have firsthand experience with the realities of being disabled. So, when I received free tickets to an America’s Got Talent taping, I was excited for a fun afternoon break. Little did I know I’d encounter someone who’d completely exploit disability accommodations—my new “friend” whom I’ll call Miracle Woman.
An Exciting Start, Then an Annoying Surprise
The staff at Lakefront Arena was great about providing accessible parking and letting wheelchair users in first. As I waited, I noticed a woman in a push wheelchair who kept rolling into my assistant’s feet. She was clearly inexperienced with her chair. That was frustrating, but we shrugged it off, collected our disabled seating tickets, and proceeded to the top of the first tier (where wheelchair users had to sit).
The sound system wasn’t great and we couldn’t hear the judges very well, but we had free seats, so it was fine. However, soon came an announcement that any audience members wanting closer seats on the floor could move down—first come, first served.
The Miracle of the Disappearing Disability Unfolds
Much to my astonishment, the same wheelchair-using woman hopped up, walked her chair over to the stairwell, and briskly walked down to the floor seats. My assistant and I just stared, dumbfounded. Did she really take advantage of disability accommodations? She got preferred parking and early admission only to leave her wheelchair behind the second she could grab a better seat?
She was gone before I could process my thoughts or say anything. Clearly, she didn’t need a wheelchair at all. She’d simply used it to secure special treatment, ignoring the fact that real wheelchair users don’t have the choice to stand up and march down the stairs.
Why It Matters
As someone who genuinely needs a wheelchair, I rely on every accessible seat or parking space I use. People like Miracle Woman aren’t just gaming the system. They’re diminishing resources meant for people who are truly disabled. It’s akin to borrowing a relative’s handicap parking placard just to park near the mall entrance, blocking spaces for those who can’t walk distances at all.
My Perspective on Disability “Miracles”
I have no ill will toward someone who’s momentarily hurt or healing, but Miracle Woman’s swift exit from her chair made it clear she never needed one in the first place. My hope for her is that she learns to appreciate her ability to walk. Life in a wheelchair isn’t something anyone chooses for convenience.
For me, these experiences are both infuriating and enlightening. I came to enjoy a TV show taping. Instead, I got an up-close look at how some folks can misuse disability privileges without a second thought.
Final Thoughts
Despite Miracle Woman’s antics, the America’s Got Talent taping was fascinating. Watching the judges and crew in action was a unique experience. Yet, it was also a potent reminder of why genuine accessibility matters, and how important it is to respect accommodations meant for truly disabled individuals who rely on them daily.