04-26-05  13:37, Cindy Haglund told Barbara Mcnay about Cope With Helpers?

 How do, Cindy?

 > How I deal with it, is usually hand signals, and maybe
 > a sharp "NO, thanks."
 
 BM> I have to learn to be a little sharper, sometimes, when people
 BM> persist.  I occasionally tell them that I need the exercise, which is
 BM> true.

 CH> I agree Barbara, just say in a pleasant voice, No thanks, I need the
 CH> exercise...  Is all. I doubt everyone who offers help is out for 'a
 CH> date' pickup or trying to put us down in some way. It's a dying art
 CH> this offering help... Some people in fact will not offer help when
 CH> they see someone in need for fear of being scorned.

I've noticed quite the opposite mostly. 'Round here, we've had a *huge*
influx of head offices in the past few years. When I was struggling with
groceries on each hand, I was floored by the  lady that breezed
past me and didn't even prop the door for the additional two seconds for me
to get my foot on the stoop. This was in my more mobile days, but still...
Her two seconds of greed just floored me compared to the usual assistance I
was used to growing up in the same city.

Just a couple of years ago, I was crawling out of a doctors office, and
only *one* person asked if I needed help. *She* was obviously *very*
pregnant! I laughed with her as we loaded ourselves on the escalator that
the only person to ask was in her condition, I blessed the event the best I
could and I thanked her for her kindness. The thing that struck me, was she
*asked,* and didn't just grab my arm like a security guard to *force* her
help on me.



... Time heals all wounds, and wounds all heels. 

___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.20

--- Maximus 3.01