Guest Author - Jessica Steinmetz
Some disabilities make feeding yourself very difficult. A quadriplegic cannot use their arms so it's hard to eat. Someone with cerebral palsy might have a challenging time due to involuntary movements. Whatever the reason, people do not really see a person needing fed in public.
Since I was born, I need assistance to eat. I have cerebral palsy so the actual getting food into my mouth is messy and frustrating. I can and will do it occasionally when I'm at home, but its way too difficult when I'm out and about.
Eating is not the problem. Some people tend to believe that if you need help eating, you have difficulty eating, chewing, or swallowing. This is not always the case. If you need to feed someone, you should not assume their needs. Simply ask them what kind of help they need.
A few years ago while I was eating at a restaurant, I noticed that you rarely see people who need help to eat. I wonder why that is. Is it embarrassment? I do not know, but I hope people with disabilities don't let that deter them.
Sometimes people do look or watch me being fed. When I was younger, being stared at bothered me. Now that I'm older, I realize people are just curious and want to learn. I don't think excessive staring is a good thing, but a little bit is only natural and nothing to be offended by.
Rules For Feeding A Person
- Ask First - I admit if I am alone somewhere and people are eating, I normally decline food because of being shy and not wanting to impose on someone. I wish people would offer their help. I know they are in a tough position as well, but if you suspect anything, just ask if they need help with feeding.
- Wash your hands - Please wash your hands before and after feeding someone. You don't want to spread any germs.
- Ask if they need anything done special to their food - Some need it cut smaller or something like that.
- Pace yourself - I always feel bad when someone feels compelled to eat feed me everything, and they do not eat themselves. You can eat at the same time. You don't have to feed them so fast.
- Relax - As you get going, you'll ease in to it. You'll see it's nothing to fear, and you're helping someone more than you know.
