Is This Offensive or Funny?

I think it's funny, and cute, but I'm not disabled, so maybe I'm not a good judge. I would let my kid do it.

As a teen activity, it's better than doing drugs.

I think its harmless. Sounds like good, clean fun and sounds a lot better than a ton of other things they could be doing.

I have seen basketball games and races were those who don't need a wheel chair compete in them, it helps create empathy and understanding in others who don't understand the struggles some may face.

What they are doing is increasing the difficulty of an obstacle course by executing it in a wheel chair. There is nothing offensive about that, if anything it should give them a lesson on the difficulties someone in a wheelchair faces.

Now if they went about doing it saying and doing mocking and rude things about people in wheelchairs, well then it becomes offensive.

At least to me it is the tone. If it is about adding difficulty to the course, which adding the wheelchair element will do, there is nothing wrong with it. If their intent is to mock and belittle, then yes, that is offensive.

I always wanted to do that as a kid!

Not only a fun, creative activitiy but will likely lead to a little thought of what it might be like to spend your life in a wheel chair. Not a bad thing for 15 year old boys to consider IMO.

In the world of everything PC, which makes me nuts, I'm sure you could find someone that would be offended.

Me, I think it sounds like great fun AND I think your son and his friends will come away with a new found respect for those that are confined to a wheelchair, it's a workout!!!

M

They sound like they are planning harmless fun. Maybe they will have even more respect for people in wheel chairs after spending time in one. Who knows, they might even invent something that could help people in wheel chairs....crazier things have happened.

oh my word!! SOUNDS LIKE A BLAST!!! Seriously!!

No, I don't think they are making fun of people in wheelchairs - they are thinking outside the box and going OUTSIDE instead of sitting in front of the XBOX!!!

HOW FUN!!! Can I come over and play?!?!

Sounds fun and creative. I also think it could give them a new appriciation for those who use one all the time cause they will see how hard it is to manuver in one.

It sounds like you have a creative boy and good for him for planning some real fun vs just laying in front of the tv or video games.

I think it will be a hit with the participants!

Actually, by doing this they may be creating empathy for those that are wheelchair bound.

You may want to watch on and listen to their language and intent to make sure they are maintaining a level of respect about it.

I do think that it is going to be a fun activity that could possibly be a fun video for youtube.

I'm thinking it could be anything cheap, accessible, with wheels that would work--scooter, wheelbarrow, office chair, wheelchair....
I don't find it offensive. Seems like thinking outside the box and creating good memories!

Deleting my answer since another poster found my term describing someone who uses a wheelchair so offensive that she had to demean to get her point across.

It's too bad that people don't know how to educate others with grace.

I think it's a great idea! Not only will it show them how hard it is for someone who is wheel chair bound, but it is something they can do that isn't getting into trouble or hurting anyone. They aren't making fun of anyone or trying to mean, they are simply being creative, even if it is a lil "out there!" LOL! I like it! (and I broke my leg and for a very short time, had to use a wheelchair...not an easy thing to do!)

I do know a young man who is paralyzed (he is 13) and you would be shocked to see how well he gets around and what he is capable of...he is truly unstoppable and an inspiration! He played football w/ my son and my husband coached...he didn't actually get much playtime, but he did get in from time to time to get some passes and the other team was always 100% supportive. This kid would also do flips in his chair or pretend to get tackled and fall out of his chair...parents who did not know what he was really doing, would chew my husband and other coaches out...when it wasn't them, it was this young man, having fun!

Anyway, wanted to share that story. :)

I think it funny!!!! And glad to see teens out being physical and creative!!!!! :)

I would think you had a very creative and enterprising teen. This might just be a good learning opportunity. There should be some adult supervison so they know it is not ok to make fun of handicapped people. They should have some races for fun and then some races to learn to deal with disabilities. There is a class I have heard about that people "live in the shoes" of a disabled person to find out what their lives are like and how hard they have to work to overcome disabilities. they might try doing it blindfolded to experience how a blind person in a wheelchair would have to maneuver. Or with blinders to stimulate no peripheral vision. Or wear leg bands to simulate someone with paralysis that uses a wheelchair. There was an episode of the Katie (Couric) show yesterday that had a lot of young people that were wheelchair bound and had overcome tremendous obstacles. See if you can find it on line for your son and his friends to watch. Let us know how this goes.

Why would this be offensive?

I'm sure they'd use anything with wheels that could be navagated through their obstacle course. It has nothing to do with disabled folks. Chill, mom. They're out to have a good time, not make fun of anyone.

Not offensive at all, in my book.

I don't think it's offensive-it may actually give them some perspective on what it is like to be in a wheelchair: a lesson in empathy.

Why would it be offensive?
They're not making fun of anyone. They're playing with a broken down wheelchair.

I don't think it's offensive at all any more than I think my kids playing on my crutches is offensive.

I still close my eyes to see if I can get around places. I can't and it always reminds me of how grateful I am that I can see and how amazing those are who can't. I'm sure though that there are a few people around who would think it's offensive considering how sensitive people have become. I'm glad to see that those who have replied to your post seem so level-headed =)

You are being just a lot too PC.

They aren't making fun of the handicapped, but just getting new perspective.

I hope they learn a lot. Good luck to you and yours.

I don't think I would find it offensive. I think it would be a lot of fun. And you could suggest that they actually use it to learn about being in a wheelchair - may give them some empathy.

When my kids were younger we always went to a local children's museum that had its own wheelchair obstacle course. That was always the longest line at the place because it was everybody's favorite thing. I see nothing wrong with what they're doing. Sounds like fun!

It's fine and creative.
And I think it gives them an appreciation for what people who HAVE to use wheelchairs go through.

I'd say as long as they are not doing it in a park or parking lot, the PC police should not be coming by.

I think it's okay, but ... I worry about this exact type of thing all. the. bloody. time. So I'm really glad I'm not the only one.

At least they are being creative and not sitting on their butts playing video games.

It may give them the perpective of how difficult it is to have to use a wheelchair al lthe time.

That sounds like so much fun to me!! I wouldn't think its offensive at all! Hes 15 and its summer and I think its a pretty cool idea for him and his friends to come up with. Like one of the other posters said its a whole lot better than other things he could be doing.

It might also give them a new perspective on how it feels to be wheelchair bound ! You never really know until you've walked ,or at least rolled a mile in someone else's shoes /wheelchair, and it would be really great fun !

C. S.

I don't see any harm in it. Sounds like they realize it would be difficult to get around in a wheelchair. I'd use it as an opportunity to learn empathy. When I was a kid I volunteered at a nursing home with the American Red Cross' Elderfriends program. Some of our training exercises had us do things like tape our fingers together and try to peel an orange, to simulate what it is like for someone with arthritis to do simple things; wear glasses with fogged-out lenses to simulate trying to see through cataracts; and navigating a narrow hallway in a wheelchair with med carts, meal carts, and other wheelchairs set up. It was actually a great a memorable training session.

sounds inventive and fun to me.
khairete
S.

Not offensive, and could even be educational. Maybe intead of just doing a race, try to make it a real life obstacle course so they can see how challenging it is to be in a wheelchair.

Sounds like good, clean, creative fun!

I see nothing wrong with it if they are buying it. Not like they are taking something from someone who needs it or stole it. The things that DO bother me are people who do similar things with shopping carts in parking lots, in turn, destroying property that is not theirs (vandalism). Just another way to look at it.

Sounds like a great way for teen boys to have some fun!! Unless they're mocking disabled people, there's nothing offensive about it. To me, it's no different that if they were to use a skate board or bike to run an obstacle course.

Not offensive, but make sure to video the crashes!

Sound like good clean fun. Don't forget to get pics for the scrap book.

I think it's awesome! They aren't making fun of anyone, they're just being creative (and curious) and having fun! :)

I wouldn't say it's offensive, per se, but I don't think it's wise. That said I probably wouldn't stop them.

I'm mainly writing to say that it IS OFFENSIVE to use the term "wheelchair bound." I work in a Center for Independent Living. I have consumers that use wheelchairs. I have coworkers that use wheelchairs. They would ALL be incredibly offended and will correct everyone who uses the term "wheelchair bound" because they are not, in fact, bound to their chairs. Their chairs do not define them. Their chairs are a mode of transportation that they use in place of legs. Some chairs are outfitted with special functions to allow them to reach high shelves, lean backwards, lean forwards, and do other cool things in order to help them live independently.

But for the love of John Lennon dancing on a cracker, think about using People First Language.

James uses a wheelchair.
James has a wheelchair.
James is sitting over there... in his wheelchair.
But James is not ever wheelchair bound. He can get out of his chair. He does get out of his chair. He uses the bathroom. He sleeps in a bed. He sits in a regular chair. He sits in a car. He even rides the rides in the amusement park. See? The wheelchair does not define him.

I can see why you would be a bit concerned, but don't think it's offensive at all.

If it's in a backyard so it's not visible to the public, I don't see a problem with it. Just make sure they know not to make jokes or anything like that.

I can see why people might be offended. However, I think it's fine because I don't think that their intent is to demean, insult, or otherwise portray anything negative about people who truly need wheelchairs.

If anything, maybe it will open their eyes to just how hard life in a wheelchair can be and make them more empathetic in the end.

An a-hole would be someone who went up to someone who was in a wheel chair and made them fall, get hurt, unable to stop, i.e. a person who has a real need for a wheelchair and could become a victim because someone is very selfish. I have two sons and I think I would have been chuckling over it. They need a vehicle, cheap and they found one.

He's 15 wanting to still do fun kid obstacle stuff in the back yard vs smoking, doing drugs and or drinking under a bridge I say buy him 2!!!!

I am going to go on the other side of this.

I love that your boy and his friends shop thrift! Thats the start of some pretty savvy shopping and conservationism!

Like the others, I also love that they are outside having fun!