In a wheelchair, dealing with the well-meaning is the worst

Something weird happened to me when I got into an argument at the weekend.

- JAMES MOORE

I’d rocked up at a regular spot that I love to meet my friends for coffee, a game or two of backgammon, and where there are stacks of movies on DVD that can't be easily found on streaming services.

However, the place where I usually park was deemed a problem. I was told that it might get in the way of the talent sweeping into a film festival in their posh motors. But the weirdness, in fact, came when the usher squatted on his haunches while we debated disability rights, inclusion, exclusion, and the fact that people like me always seem to get shoved to one side.

Squatting. It is not the first time I've come across this tactic. A part of me wanted to say, “Sir, please, stand up while we argue. You don't need to squat. It's patronising. It's what people do with children and I don't even think they like it.” I sure as hell know that I'm fed up of being infantilised.

It's something people get wrong about talking to people in wheelchairs. Believe me, there's a long list. The squat was well-intentioned, I think. Maybe some disabled people like it, perhaps because otherwise they keep having to crane their necks.