I was on my way to Starbucks. Not that I fancy SB immensely, but to prevent caffeine withdrawal headaches. A must. I had slept for three hours only following an anxiety attack, and felt already very crappy. I did not feel up to challenges.

Across the street I saw a disabled man in a wheelchair with his dachshund on a leash. A thin grey-bearded man. I recognized him - he usually hangs out in front of my local grocery store. He probably begs, though I am not positive. I think, but not positive. I usually avoid him. He seems disinhibited, and I do not know if it is a mi or just being incredibly lonely (I am glad at least he has his dachshund).

I needed to cross diagonally - in other words, there were two equally good routes for me to take. I took the route to avoid him. It was very early in the morning, and no one else was in sight. Something tells me that he realized that I was avoiding him, even though there was a 50/50 chance for me to take either route.

I did not feel like saying "Morning", I withheld a smile, I did not muster courage to say (probably honestly, I did not check my wallet, but usually I just carry credit cards) "Sorry I do not have change". I went to SB where everyone was able-bodied and (seemingly) mentally well. And, of course, no one begged. There was a bunch of well-behaved kids with lovely unkempt blonde hair. I felt crappy about myself and did not stay; I promptly took off with my coffee.

On the way back, I started generalizing. When I sit and wait at the county's MH clinic, I avoid eye contact with other patients.

So here you go - I have just contributed to the stigma felt by the disabled.

Nice.