Howdy.
In order that the spirit of this blog be considered and understood, I am going to give a brief idea of just who I, The Annoyed Droid, am.
I am a 27 year old man, who, through a series of unfortunate convergences, is permanently confined to a motorized wheelchair. The name "Annoyed Droid" stems from my youthful reading of sci-fi being applied to my current state of mobility by using a machine. Yes, I know a more proper title would be "The Annoyed Cyborg", but that just doesn't rhyme, so cut me some slack. I have absolutely no motor function from the waist down, and limited motor function in my upper body. It takes time to write this stuff.
I currently am employed as a software engineer. Fortunately the company I work for (which I can not name, NDA, sorry) has the grace to allow me to work from my home. I work slow, but well. Aside from some minor assistance from my loving wife of four years, I live an independent life, and am able to accomplish most everyday tasks on my own. I am not one of those politically correct whiners, but it does suck to be crippled. Oh my! Did I just use that term? Terms do not bother me, I make light of my situation. As I see it, you play the hand you are dealt, so don't take it so seriously.
However, while terms of that nature don't bother me unless used in spite, I am troubled by complete disregard of my condition. While I am able to do most things on my own, it is far from easy. Don't laugh in my face and say, "Ha! You can't walk!".
This blog is an attempt to allow you into my daily life. When I have the option, I will leave minor snippets of things I love, things I don't love, and just general bits and pieces. I hope it gives some insight into what it's like to be not just a "cripple", but one with a can-do attitude.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Why GEICO, why?
In reference to my disability, I sent this message to GEICO.
I will post the response (if any).
__________________________
Dear GEICO,
Recently, GEICO began airing commercials featuring cavemen being placed in offensive situations, and documents their attempts to end the discrimination. These commercials are quite amusing in making light of the problems of discrimination facing the world. The humor brings the thoughts into the forefront and makes for an excellent satire of the nature of these problems. While I find them amusing and they achieve the goal of both promoting awareness of problems, I must take issue with another recent campaign.
While the cavemen excellently take a fake issue and make it a real one, which is wonderful in the promotion of awareness, your recent commercial parodying "Larry King Live" does the exact opposite. When saying that using GEICO.com is as easy as "standing up", you seem to forget those of us without that specific ability. Have you perhaps considered the feelings and abilities of persons that suffer from a severe, paralyzing disability? To a person unable to walk, forced to spend life in a wheelchair, these commercials are a slap in the virtual face. Imagine being told that something is as easy as "standing up" when you yourself are absolutely unable, and likely never will be able, to stand up. It is cold and insensitive and making light of some of our unfortunate circumstances.
I would appreciate a response and perhaps an attempt to justify your heartless actions.
__________________
It's absolutely lacking in considerationn what they do.
I will post the response (if any).
__________________________
Dear GEICO,
Recently, GEICO began airing commercials featuring cavemen being placed in offensive situations, and documents their attempts to end the discrimination. These commercials are quite amusing in making light of the problems of discrimination facing the world. The humor brings the thoughts into the forefront and makes for an excellent satire of the nature of these problems. While I find them amusing and they achieve the goal of both promoting awareness of problems, I must take issue with another recent campaign.
While the cavemen excellently take a fake issue and make it a real one, which is wonderful in the promotion of awareness, your recent commercial parodying "Larry King Live" does the exact opposite. When saying that using GEICO.com is as easy as "standing up", you seem to forget those of us without that specific ability. Have you perhaps considered the feelings and abilities of persons that suffer from a severe, paralyzing disability? To a person unable to walk, forced to spend life in a wheelchair, these commercials are a slap in the virtual face. Imagine being told that something is as easy as "standing up" when you yourself are absolutely unable, and likely never will be able, to stand up. It is cold and insensitive and making light of some of our unfortunate circumstances.
I would appreciate a response and perhaps an attempt to justify your heartless actions.
__________________
It's absolutely lacking in considerationn what they do.
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