# Ending the Stigma Surrounding Mobility Aid Usage Mobility aids are essential tools for independence, yet users face persistent social judgment. - **Source:** [TIME](https://time.com/) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/12a3a8fc-215c-4211-a861-77cc8070e592 ## Mobility Aids as Extensions Mobility aids like wheelchairs and rollators serve as vital extensions of the human body, enabling individuals with disabilities to participate in society. Despite their life-changing potential, these tools remain heavily stigmatized. Many users report feeling patronized or facing invasive questions from strangers, which often discourages them from utilizing necessary support devices. ## Invisible and Dynamic Disabilities Approximately 70% to 80% of disabilities are invisible, meaning they are not externally obvious to the public. Many individuals have dynamic disabilities where symptoms fluctuate daily, leading to misconceptions about their needs. Critics often unfairly judge ambulatory wheelchair users or those who only require aids during specific health flare-up periods. ## Personal Impact of Discrimination Artist Josie Tang, who manages hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, frequently encounters discriminatory comments while using mobility aids. Strangers have questioned their use of handicap parking spots despite having a valid Blue Badge. Such public harassment forces many individuals to endure physical pain rather than face the social stigma of being seen. ## Clinical Perspective on Access Dr. Julie Hershberg of the University of Southern California notes that stigma prevents patients from accessing life-altering care. She successfully modified a wheelchair for a teen with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome to attend a concert. However, many patients still decline aids because they fear being labeled as lazy or disabled. ## Rising Disability Statistics The population of noninstitutionalized people with disabilities in the U.S. grew from 41 million in 2019 to 46 million by 2024. This increase is partly attributed to Long COVID, which affects approximately 6% of those who contract the virus. These conditions necessitate mobility aids to manage energy-limiting symptoms effectively and safely. ## The Calculus of Living For those with conditions like ME/CFS, daily energy is severely limited, forcing difficult choices between basic tasks like showering or cooking. Emily Taylor of Solve ME describes this as the calculus of living. Mobility aids become essential lifelines, yet users are often confronted for supposedly not being disabled enough. ## Practical Tool Selection Choosing the right aid depends on specific physical needs and environmental constraints. Tang utilizes forearm crutches for narrow sidewalks and a rollator for public transit to elevate their legs. Electric wheelchairs are often impractical in small living spaces, highlighting that mobility aid selection is a nuanced process tailored to individual requirements. ## Moving Toward Greater Dignity Normalizing mobility aids is critical for ensuring the basic dignity of individuals living with disabilities. By challenging the fear of judgment and harassment, society can empower more people to utilize the tools they need. Prioritizing accessibility over social perception allows individuals to reclaim their independence and participate fully in life. ## Sources covering this story - https://time.com/article/2026/11/08/no-one-should-be-shamed-for-using-a-mobility-aid/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._