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Hi,
It’s Jeff.
When you are walking with a wheelchair user, have you ever wondered if you should walk by her side, in front of her or behind her?
Guardian Style – commonly used by station staff in Japan
In our case, Mizuki likes me walking in front of her.
She wants me to make a path in crowds for her so she can pass through safely and easily.
However, I don’t like to walk in front of her because:
- She sometimes doesn’t pay attention to me when I am walking in front of her and she may hit me with her footrest unintentionally. That hurts a lot!
This can possibly happen when walking in front of a Moon Rider.
2. The crowds won’t notice Mizuki is behind me if I am stand in front of her.
That could be dangerous sometimes when there are someone rushing and running in the crowd.
3. The crowds will make a way when they see her, not me.
People in Japan are very nice.
The crowds usually make a path for wheelchair users when wheelchair users pass.
I feel like Moses parting the Red Sea walking behind Mizuki.
Personally, I think this is the safest way at most scenarios.
4. I will be able to notice it when accident happens.
There isn’t a best way. The best answer is always to discuss with the wheelchair user directly.