Perspective: Height

Since I have been a child, I have always been tall. People constantly assumed I was older than what I was. When my parents would ask for the children’s menu or the kid’s entrance price, the employee would sneer at them and claim I was too old, even though I was only 5 or 6 years old. When I was 8 years old, I went trick or treating with my friend. Neighbor after neighbor told me I was too old for this event. Really? Eight years old was too old? But no one ever believed me when I told them my age.

After becoming severely sick many years ago, I needed to use a wheelchair for mobility. Suddenly, I appeared short. Instantly, people guessed I was much, MUCH younger than what I was. When I was approaching my 29th Birthday, a woman stopped me after I exited the car and told me I was too young to drive. She thought I was 15 years old! There have been many other instances such as this. A few months ago, a nurse thought I was 17 years younger than what I am. It simply amazes me that a person’s height has so much influence on people’s perception of age.

There is a different side to height as well. Tall people are often assumed to be more knowledgeable than short people. Before needing a wheelchair, strangers assumed I was in a management position at my job. If a dispute arose, customers would often seek me out because I looked like I was the person in charge. (The true leadership was significantly shorter than I. Even though their name badge indicated their position of authority, people would still come to me for assistance.)

Once I started using a wheelchair, I instantly found people guessed I had low level intelligence. Strangers would talk to me like I was a three year old. They would use exaggerated hand gestures and overly cheerful expressions. “Oh, isn’t it such a wonderful day. And YOU! You are so wonderful and special too!” It often is annoying, but I have learned to just smile and reply, “Yes, it certainly is a lovely day.”

The most amusing part about using a wheelchair is seeing people’s expressions when I stand up. Quickly, my appearance changes from one of being short into one of being tall. Often the person witnessing this metamorphosis stares at me in shock and awe. The person usually mutters, “WOW! You are so tall!” (When I was a very young child, I had a step stool I used to reach the bathroom faucet. It read, “Step up to be tall. Sit down to be small.” This phrase usually runs through my mind during times like this.)

For what it is worth, it is a blessing to be tall and use a wheelchair. Few people have the opportunity to view the world from both perspectives and know a person’s height has nothing to do with his age or level of knowledge.