When it comes to your own safety, these issues translate into potential weak points unless you put together a system and train to work around them.
In essence, someone in a wheelchair cannot fight back as effectively as an able-bodied 25-year-old.
This puts many people in the general population at a decided disadvantage. People in wheelchairs are more appealing targets for criminals as they present a reduced risk of the victim fighting back.
Living with injuries and disabilities shouldn’t mean you spend most of your time at home trying to stay out of harm’s way. You can go out in public just like everyone else, but you need to take a few precautions and prepare accordingly.
Start by doing everything you can to conceal your vulnerability. If you have a leg or arm in a cast, try to avoid making it visible. Use baggy clothing to cover the cast or brace. Stand up as tall as possible and walk as smoothly as your body will allow. Even if this means you having to walk slower, it is still better than giving away the fact that you’re weaker than usual.
Another way to fly under the criminal radar is by blending in. Wear clothing that matches the people and places you’ll be in. Don’t put on anything that makes you stand out.
Hats are a great way to blend in. A person’s choice of a hat triggers stereotyped responses in most people. If you are elderly and trying to appear younger and stronger, the use of a hat can help to camouflage you in plain sight. This is especially true if you utilize hat styles commonly worn by younger generations such as baseball caps or trucker hats.
In certain areas, styles of dress like suits can stand out and broadcast the fact that you don’t belong and may have money. Again if they can’t notice you, people can’t start problems to begin with.
If all else should fail and you are unsuccessful at avoiding conflict, author Bruce N. Eimer, PH.D. has some excellent suggestions for self-defense training in his article “Coping with Physical Disability in Concealed Carry and Defensive Handgun Training” on USConcealedcarry.com:
“Perfect practice makes almost perfect. Develop a personalized exercise program to include (a) improving your cardiovascular strength and endurance, and (b) strength training (weights) to increase your muscle strength and endurance, and (c) stretching to improve your flexibility.” (Read more about disguising a disability at USConcealedCarry.com)