What Happened to You?

Lucy & James Catchpole

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Jennie Berry says…

"I was asked 5 times in one night by complete strangers… let me drink my mojito in peace FFS” - Jennie Berry. Photo: Jennie - a white disabled woman in her twenties. She's sitting in her wheelchair in front of a sofa and wearing a red patterned dress. She's looking directly at the camera and smiling.

“Why it can be harmful to ask ‘what happened’:

“It’s a tiring question. On a night out a few weeks ago I was asked 5 times in one night by complete strangers. FIVE times in the space of a few hours. Do you know how monotonous that is? I cannot get on with what I’m doing without people seeing me as a medical mystery. Let me drink my mojito in peace FFS.

“It adds NO value in terms of education. None whatsoever and I’ll argue this point till the cows come home so don’t @ me…”

“This question comes before people even ask me my name and it’s really upsetting. This, coupled with the fact that I don’t want to relive the most traumatic day and 5 months thereafter of my life, to Tony, the complete stranger in the street…

“I just want to get on with my day.”

Jennie Berry @wheelie_good_life – Instagram, February 2022

Jennie Berry is a campaigner and content creator, living in the North of England. She posts as @wheelie_good_life on Instagram, talking about disability and travel, and campaigning for improved accessibility on airlines. You can also find her on her website.

Read this Instagram post (also embedded below) for the full context of her quotes.

Photo: Jennie - a white disabled woman in her twenties. She's sitting in her wheelchair in front of a sofa and wearing a red patterned dress. She's wearing dark lipstick, has long blonde and brown hair, and is looking directly at the camera and smiling.
Jennie Berry
[Image description: Instagram post from @wheelie_good_life. Jennie, a white disabled woman in her twenties sits in her wheelchair, smiling at the camera. She has long brown hair swept to the side, and wears a white t-shirt and black leggings.]
[Video description: an Instagram reel from @wheelie_good_life and @gem_turner. Jennie and Gem Turner sit in their wheelchairs, captions:  
Strange things people say to us as wheelchair users:
What’s WRONG with you?
Can I have a go of that thing?
My next door neighbours second cousin removed once broke her leg – do you know her?
It’s SO good to see you out and about!!]
"I was asked 5 times in one night by complete strangers… let me drink my mojito in peace FFS” - Jennie Berry. Photo: Jennie - a white disabled woman in her twenties. She's sitting in her wheelchair in front of a sofa and wearing a red patterned dress. She's looking directly at the camera and smiling.
“I was asked 5 times in one night by complete strangers… let me drink my mojito in peace FFS” – Jennie Berry. Photo: Jennie – a white disabled woman in her twenties. She’s sitting in her wheelchair in front of a sofa and wearing a red patterned dress. She’s looking directly at the camera and smiling.
“I don’t want to relive the most traumatic day... of my life, to Tony, the complete stranger in the street.” - Jennie Berry @wheelie_good_life
“I don’t want to relive the most traumatic day… of my life, to Tony, the complete stranger in the street” – Jennie Berry @wheelie_good_life
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