Urban Cripple

Is it Okay to Compliment Someone’s Mobility Aid?

Jul 06, 2018

Is there any way to tell someone their wheelchair/other mobility aid is really cool without it being weird/ableist/impolite? I see some really neat wheelchairs, and I’d love to be able to say they’re cool in the same kind of way I’d compliment someone’s shirt or smartwatch/other gadget. I’m just not sure if there’s a way to come at that, and I’d rather just not ask if it’d be uncomfortable.

Unless you yourself use some kind of mobility aid, the answer is generally “not really”. Why not point out something else that you think is cool? Like “Love your shoes!” That’s totally fine. I have really cool shoes.

Generally speaking, disabled people/people who use mobility aids love compliments about the other parts of their appearance more than they love compliments about their mobility aids.