Ask Liz Anything!:
Afraid I'll Make a Fool of Myself
By Elizabeth, age 20, Pennsylvania
Paige, 15
Dear Paige,
I totally understand how you feel, being seen as different. One thing is: "always stay true to yourself." Don't let your disability define who you are, or stop you from doing something. To tell you the truth, I'm in the same situation: I knew him a long time ago, but he doesn't remember, so I was myself. Now I like him but don't know how to say it.
What I'd do is simply start by a friendly conversation. Then, try and work into the conversation "what type of girls interest you?" You have to figure each guy out. For example, you have to understand and get him to expand on his answers. Decide if he is interested, or just wants to be friends. Eye contact means a lot, body language as well. Does he get nervous? Does he look at your eyes when speaking, etc.?
Do's:
1. Be yourself.
2. Use technology.
3. Have confidence in yourself. Don't let being in a wheelchair stop you from talking to him. If he isn't interested then it's his loss. Remember, what goes around comes around.
4. Be ready. In life there will always be guys who look at appearances first. (Like myself, "they fear what they don't understand." If they were to give me 5 minutes they would forget that I'm amputated.)
5. Have respect for yourself and others.
Don'ts:
1. Don't ever let your guard down.
2. Don't let being in a wheelchair stop you. In life when you want something, go for it. You may not always succeed, but you will learn and move on.
3. Don't think you're going to make a fool of yourself. In life we do things because we want to know what could happen, learn from it, and apply it for the next time.
4. Don't be scared!!!
Hope this helps.
Liz
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