The thing about having a disease which puts you in a wheelchair most of the time is that your perception , view and scope changes. This is not always a bad thing because you sometimes see things that other people don’t . I had real problems mentally getting a wheelchair but in the end I got something quite special. I was struggling to walk any distance and it’s always painful. Then I got into my powered wheelchair and went up our lane and suddenly I found it was a nice day and the birds were singing and I had no pain.
I have a powered wheelchair which can go over rough ground and it’s an unusual design . I have had quite a few people comment on it. I still get some people that stare at you , specially when I walk with sticks , and sometimes treated as though I am a bit slow witted. (I have a degree in geophysics by the way) . But you know they are very much in the minority . I would say that 99 % of people are great . They hold doors and help with things.
My viewpoint for taking pictures is now lower than other peoples. I do have an advantage. I used to not use my heavy SLR because it was cumbersome at times but now it just sits on my lap when I zoom along in my chair. In a town environment I can get up dropped kerbs etc and generally get around ok. I have a blue badge and a hoist fitted in the back of my car so I can rock up on my own and get going in about 5 minutes . I invariably end up chatting to someone and it can be pretty ok. So now I notice the small things much more . I find I have an interest in so many things that I don’t concentrate on any one of them for long enough.