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Disabled Access
Friendly Campaign
Think about us!
Level
B2
Age
Teenagers,
adults
Stubbornness
Text and questions by Katie Quartano.
Topic
Grammar
Vocabulary
How people with disabilities
General
Verbs of thinking
may react to offers of help
and awareness
Skill
Reading
Who is as stubborn as a mule?
I find it fascinating to watch how people with disabilities react when
they are offered help. I have come to the conclusion that they fall
into two different categories.
Those in the first category accept help readily and graciously. When
complete strangers approach them to offer a helping hand, they
react positively and politely. It gives them a warm feeling to know
that other people realize that they have needs. They appreciate it
when strangers spontaneously enquire if they can be of assistance.
They welcome help and when it is offered, it validates their opinion
that, in general, people are thoughtful, kind and caring.
However, those in the second category don’t react in the same way at
all. They hate it when people offer help, because they equate needing help with being weak and
dependent. They are offended even when their friends offer help, and prefer stubbornly to do
everything completely by themselves. They respond sharply to anyone offering assistance. They are
very aware of those around them and dislike any looks of sympathy. They want to prove to the world
that having a disability doesn’t mean they have to rely on others.
The people in the former category tend to have a greater level of acceptance of their disability than
those in the latter category. They have come to terms both with their situation and with how other
people perceive them. They recognize that there are times when they need help and they understand
that there is no point fighting against this. Realizing that they will probably always need help with
some things, they decided early on that the sooner they got used to this idea the better.
The people in the latter category are usually less comfortable with their identity as a person with a
disability and are worried about how others see them. This influences their stress levels, as they
get angry when someone sees that they are struggling to do something and offers to help. The anger
comes from hating the way they are perceived. If someone comes up to them to see if they are OK,
it affects them negatively not positively. On the other hand, when someone with a disability insists
on trying to do something for themselves, it can have benefits. Their stubbornness forces them to
do as much as they can, to push their limits and to discover new abilities and new ways of doing
things.
Probably a combination of the two categories is the healthiest way to be. Nothing in excess is ever a
good thing.
Source: http://www.newmobility.com/browse_thread.cfm?id=435&blogID=19
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GLOSSARY
category
combination
dependent
disability
a group of people or things with particular features in common
two or more things mixed together to form a single unit
needing somebody/something in order to survive or be successful
a physical condition when a part of your body doesn’t work easily or
completely
to equate
excess
former
gracious
latter
mule
to offend
to think that something is the same as something else
more than is necessary, reasonable or acceptable
“the former” – used to refer to the first of two things previously mentioned
kind and polite
“the latter” – used to refer to the second of two things previously mentioned
an animal which is half horse and half donkey
to make somebody feel upset because of something you say or do that is rude or
embarrassing
to perceive
to rely on
spontaneous
to struggle
to understand or think of something/somebody in a particular way
to need or be dependent on somebody or something
not planned but done because suddenly you want to do it
to try very hard to do something when it is difficult or when there are a lot of
problems
stubborn
to validate
determined not to change your opinion or attitude
to prove that something is true
1. Match the different uses of “KNOW” with the examples:
a.
b.
be familiar with
feel certain
1.
2.
c.
d.
have information
realize
3.
4.
Do you know his address?
As soon as I walked in the room I knew that
something was wrong.
He knew that he could trust her.
I’ve known David for 20 years.
Which use of “know” is used in the sentence below taken from the text?
It gives them a warm feeling to know that other people realize that they have needs
2. Match the different uses of “REALIZE” with the examples:
a.
achieve something
1.
b.
c.
be/become aware
happen (usually passive)
2.
3.
His worst fears were realized when he saw that
the door had been forced open.
I didn’t realize that you were so unhappy.
She never realized her ambition of becoming a
singer.
Which use of “realize” is used in the sentence below taken from the text?
It gives them a warm feeling to know that other people realize that they have needs
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3. Match the different uses of “APPRECIATE” with the examples:
a.
b.
c.
be grateful for something that someone
has done
recognize sombody’s/something’s good
qualities
understand that something is true
1.
Her family does not appreciate her.
2.
I don’t think you appreciate how expensive
that trip will be.
I would appreciate some help with that.
3.
Which use of “appreciate” is used in the sentence below taken from the text?
They appreciate it when strangers spontaneously enquire if they can be of assistance
4. Match the different uses of “UNDERSTAND” with the examples:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
agree on something with somebody
without it needing to be said
know
how
or
why
something
works/happens/is important
know someone’s character, how they
feel and why they behave in the way
they do
know the meaning of words
think or believe something is true
because you have been told that it is
1.
Can you understand French?
2.
He doesn’t understand women at all.
3.
Doctors still don’t understand much about this
disease.
4.
5.
I understand that you want to see the manager.
I thought it was understood that my expenses
would be paid.
Which use of “understand” is used in the sentence below taken from the text?
They recognize that there are times when they need help and they understand that there is no point
fighting fight against this.
5. Match the different uses of “RECOGNIZE” with the examples:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
know who somebody is or what something
is when you see or hear them, because you
have seen or heard them before
admit or be aware that something exists
or is true.
accept and approve of somebody or
something officially
be thought of as very good or important
1.
Nobody recognized how urgent the situation
was.
2.
He has been recognized as the new leader.
3.
give official thanks to someone for
something they have done or achieved.
5.
His services to his country were recognized by
giving him a medal.
I recognized him as soon as he came into the
room.
She’s a recognized expert on the subject.
4.
Which use of “recognize” is used in the sentence below taken from the text?
They recognize that there are times when they need help and they don’t fight against this.
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6. Match the different uses of “PERCEIVE” with the examples:
a.
b.
notice or become aware of something
understand of think of something in a
particular way
1.
2.
She did not perceive herself as being disabled.
I perceived a change in his behaviour.
Which use of “perceive” is used in the sentence below taken from the text?
They have come to terms both with their situation and with how other people perceive them.
7. Match the different uses of “BE
AWARE OF”
a.
know or realize something
1.
b.
notice that something is present or
that something is happening
be interested in something, know
about it and think that it is
important.
2.
c.
3.
with the examples:
They suddenly became aware of people staring at
them.
Young people are more environmentally aware than
their parents.
He was well aware of the problem.
Which use of “be aware of” is used in the sentence below taken from the text?
They are very aware of those around them and dislike any looks of sympathy.
8. Discuss these questions with a partner:
1.
Do you ever ask for help?
2. How do you feel when someone offers to help you when you don’t want any help?
3. How do you feel if someone insists on helping you, even though you have said that you don’t
want any help?
4. How do you or would you feel if you offered to help someone with a disability and they
refused your help? Why?
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1.
a. 4
b. 3
c. 1
d. 2
Sentence from text: realize
2.
a. 3
b. 2
c. 1
Sentence from text: be/become aware
3.
a. 3
b. 1
c. 2
Sentence from text: be grateful for something that someone has done/will do
4.
a. 5
b. 3
c. 2
d. 1
e. 4
Sentence from text: know how or why something works/happens/is important
5.
a. 4
b. 1
c. 2
d. 5
e. 3
Sentence from text: admit or be aware that something exists or is true
6.
a. 2
b. 1
Sentence from text: understand or think of something in a particular way
7.
a. 3
b. 1
c. 2
Sentence from text: notice that something is present or that something is happening
8.
Students’ own answers.
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