Today I was wheeling down the hill from the bus stop toward my apartment building when I saw my landlord. I was listening to my ipod (Tiff’s podcast, actually) so I didn’t hear exactly what she said, but it was along the lines of “Getting your exercise today, hmm?” I just smiled and nodded and didn’t think much of it at the time.

Actually, I should have told her that I took today off from going to the gym. She probably would have thought I was joking. When I thought about her remark later, I realized it represents an odd idea- that just because I, as a wheelchair user, am out and about, I’m somehow exerting myself more than normal or getting a workout. Maybe this is because most people aren’t used to seeing people in wheelchairs in public places (at least not by themselves). Sure, it takes effort and strength to push my chair around, but I do it all day, every day. I’m sure that every time she runs into able-bodied residents outside the building, she never thinks to joke about them getting exercise. I certainly wouldn’t.

This doesn’t piss me off or anything, like many comments people make to me; it’s just that the more I thought about it, the weirder of an idea it seemed. For the record, things I do that I consider exercise include swimming, cycling, and yoga. Note the absence of “leaving my house to go downtown”.