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Troll Offends Woman In Wheelchair On Twitter, Gets Brilliantly Shut Down By Other Wheelchair Users
Recently, Twitter started buzzing with a hashtag #hotpersoninawheelchair after Annie Segarra, a blogger and activist for the rights of people with disabilities, discovered a 4-year-old tweet from Kenn Jennings, an American game show contestant and author. The tweet said that there is "nothing sadder than a hot person in a wheelchair," and this phrase has raised many eyebrows.
Annie decided to respond with a picture of herself in knee-high socks and red lipstick, adding: "Cry about it, babe." She didn‘t invite anyone to join, but other people with disabilities quickly started to share their own photos, showing Ken Jennings how wrong he was, and that there‘s nothing wrong with the lives they live.
More info: twitter.com
4 years ago Kenn Jennings surprised Twitter users with the following post which left many people speechless
Image credits: KenJennings
A blogger Annie Segarra decided to respond with a picture of herself proving it's not true, which inspired other people to start sharing their own stories
Image credits: annieelainey
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Yep, hot. No, not in the remotest bit sad. Do not pass 'Go' Ken Jennings, do not collect $100, go straight to jail.
I'd feel blessed to have a partner in a chair, if they looked at me with that love. That's pure joy, not sadness at all.
Nomzi is a fine, fine hottie. Seriously, where does Ken Jennings get off saying rubbish about people in chiars?!
Hottie - check. Chair - check. Sad - sorry, got none of that here.
she looks like she could school in both economics and medieval french literature.
I dig this just because yes, they are really good looking people. If the personality matches thier look, well then damn, thats a keeper! Forget about the wheel chair, that should never matter!
Thank you for this comment! Luckily I have found my SO who also thinks like this. (never thought I would find myself a man) He doesn't mind that I am in a wheelchair (yes, there are actually people who are ashamed of walking around with someone in a wheelchair next to them!). And he even puts up with my lack of energy. Because of my lack of energy, we can't do many things. But he loves me just for who I am. My personality and me bing pure. Again, thank you for that nice comment!
Load More Replies...I'd rather say "nothing sadder than a healthy and non-disabled who does nothing with their life"...
I do not quite get the movement and this "differently-abled" b******t. Wheelchair is not a fashion choice. Seeing any person, pretty included, in a wheelchair is sad. I'm not disabled, but due to being sick often I'm barely able to go for an half-a-hour walk. I have VERY hard time imagining ever telling anybody that I'm proud for being a minorty which have their lives a lot harder instead of wanting to get better.
Even though you are not completely healthy yourself. Being in a wheelchair is not necessarily sad. I can actually say my personality even got better since I ended up in a wheelchair. I used to be a shy and quite person. Only in 2 places I was able to be myself, my sport and my home. Since I ended up in my wheelchair, in the beginning it was hard of course, but I ended up more confident than ever! And I am able to be myself everywhere! Yes, I am in a lot of pain 24/7. I am not able to work or study. But I am living a really happy life! So do not think of people in a wheelchair (like you said, pretty or not) as sad! It is not sad. Please do not qualify us as sad. And most of us don’t want pity! I think I can speak for a huge minority of people that depend on a wheelchair or have other challenges. And like you say, you have difficulties to put yourself in this group of so called “disabled” people. But by others we mostly are.
Load More Replies...Going to look for a nice picture of myself. I do not think I am pretty per se. but I want to join the movement! It is pretty sad actually that I always dress up and put on make-up when I go outside. Since there is a stigma over here (and maybe more places / countries) that most people in wheelchairs are not taking care of themselves (how they look especially). So I want to show everyone I encounter that there are people who take care of themselves and make themselves pretty, despite being in a wheelchair. All it takes is just a little effort. Like many walking people do. (yes, I know there are a lot of people who never use make-up and still look good. But I look very sick without make-up. I don't want pity!) There is no reason to neglect yourself because you are in a wheelchair! You have to take care of yourself, especially your body! No matter how much you might (I do not) hate it!
Well said! Whether you are in a wheelchair or not, you should take pride in the way you look, whether that means wearing makeup, dressing up, or not wearing makeup, not dressing up, doing your hair up, whatever the case! There’s no reason you should just give up and lose confidence just because of a disability. :)
Load More Replies...I wonder if Ken Jennings ever responded. Lost a LOT of respect for that man today!
I don't get it. How did he offend her/them? Or is it me just not catching the tone as a non native speaker? From my understanding it wasn't a comment directed at any specific picture, trying to shoot it down, just...a comment? Don't get me wrong, I know how much people with disabilities can achieve and I think it's absolutely amazing and an inspiration for all of us, I just don't get the whole "big offence" note here. That aside, sure, these are cool pics:)
He said that hot people in wheelchairs are a bad thing. He meant that they are somehow disappointing or inadequate. (FYI, just a clarification. No hard feelings)
Load More Replies...Wow. I totally just lost my respect for Ken Jennings, whom I (as a Jeopardy fanatic) have admired for years. What an a*****e thing to say. Shame on you, Ken.
I always thought "hot" meant far more than just looks or ability (or lack thereof) - I've known "dis"abled people who had the most WONDERFUL personalities, minds, talents, ABILITIES!!!
Thank you! Personality is what love is about. Not looks. Great looks are fun and nice of course. But they do not define happiness. Thank you!
Load More Replies...Nothing sadder than an idiot that is blessed with the ability to walk judging people who can't.
Noice But a legit question... Since they don't use their legs would they become nice and thick (as long as they have a normal diet) or would the muscle wear away since they're not being used?
Both can happen. They can slim down, if this is a part of your disease or not. But I have gained weight due to medication use. Especially my left lower leg, which is affected the most, is thinner than my right lower leg. It all depends on the disease and what you can do with your legs or not. I am in a wheelchair, but I am still able to use my right leg partially. But since both of my feet are turned inside, like the freeze moment you sprain your ankle (and then turned to the inside), I can’t walk on it. Though I can still move them. So there is no straight up answer for your question.
Load More Replies...My mom and my best friend both had legs amputated due to diabetes, so someone being in a wheelchair would never stop me from finding them attractive. It's about the person, not the chair, people!! I find people attractive because of their hearts, their minds, their sense of humour, their kindness, etc. I'm disabled also, and a wheelchair may be in my future, but you'd better bet I'll run over anyone's foot who has a nasty word to say about those of us who are disabled!!!
Was this another case of someone trying to be funny and just coming off as an a*****e? Either way, I have a few hot friends in wheelchairs. They don't let it slow them down in the least.
How, exactly, are they shutting down a troll? Dude posted that 4 years ago. People, stop being so damned Offended over everything you see on social media by people you don't know. I have to wonder, did anyone reach out to Jennings and ask what he meant? Not that he can probably remember from 4 years ago.
I think they miss understood the post - he's saying there are plenty of hot people in wheelchairs but it's sad (for him) because he'll never date one of them. (Basically he's 'losing out' on a hot chic because he doesn't date girls in wheelchairs). He's not saying they are sad...he's not saying they are ugly. Some people do have preferences or 'types'... such as "i don't date people shorter than me" (a common thing girls say which is just as offensive).... Sometimes it better if people just keep their preferences to themselves though. People can help being in a wheelchair, or their height, or their 'disabilities', or their sexuality etc.
If he does not date people in a wheelchair because they are in a wheelchair, then he is not right in his mind in my opinion. Seriously. Yes, people have types. But I might hope people especially fall for someone because of their personality. Looks might help, yes. But not dating them because they are in a wheelchair? That is just pathetic! I don't know if it was meant like this. But if it is. It is really pathetic! But, maybe that is just me. My opinion..
Load More Replies...It's always interesting when a "troll" offends someone ... then the offended party spends all sorts of time and effort trying to convince the troll and others that he/she is actually, really, seriously, undoubtedly above it all ... really.
Sometimes there can be a misunderstandig, I don't know if this is the case. I'd understand his words as "I'm sorry for those who are on a wheelchair". But you all are brave people!
He specifically said "hot" people. Whatever hot means. Hot to me means beautiful, and I think everyone is beautiful in their own way. But since he used the word "hot" so clearly (suggesting that there are also mediocre and ugly people). This to me suggest something like he thinks it is sad (literally what he said) because they are so "hot". Or sad that he can't date them because he might (I say MIGHT! I can't look into his mind) not want to date someone in a wheelchair. Which offends people in wheelchairs, as you can imagine I hope.
Load More Replies...This post is really inspiring! Thanks for this post to the creatir of the stupid hashtag 'notthing sadder than a person in a wheelchair'. Now I got to see some very good examples of embracing life notwithstanding flaws
The comment is uncalled-for, no question. HOWEVER: Google "Ken Jennings wheelchair comments," and you get news articles dated 4 years ago, from the time he ACTUALLY posted the tweet. So, I find it difficult to believe Segarra just happened to stumble across it; it's more like she's cherry-picking for a certain narrative. Why else would someone dredge up old news? Seems like people are just looking for reasons to be outraged now.
I'm very sure there are "sadder" people walking on two good legs ...
Disabled people in wheelchairs are just normal people. If anything they have a one up on others because they don't have to walk around! There's nothing wrong with being in a wheelchair!
And how do you know I am not hot? You are extremely rude!! Luckily I don't get offended by threats like these! You must be so unhappy with yourself. Just like that Jenn Kennings. You are all the same..
Load More Replies...i am a wheelchair mechanic and if you're hot I will fix your chair for free!
I do not approve of this. So people who are not hot have to pay? And what is hot anyway? Everyone is beautiful/hot in their own way. Are you going to fix everyone's wheelchairs for free?
Load More Replies...Nothing sadder than having to dig out a four year old tweet to get those five minutes of internet fame.
What he said was ableist. It's not 'even more sad for hot people just because they're hot. What he meant was that they are disappointing - a waste of a hot person, which has been proved to be untrue in this post.
Load More Replies...I dig this just because yes, they are really good looking people. If the personality matches thier look, well then damn, thats a keeper! Forget about the wheel chair, that should never matter!
Thank you for this comment! Luckily I have found my SO who also thinks like this. (never thought I would find myself a man) He doesn't mind that I am in a wheelchair (yes, there are actually people who are ashamed of walking around with someone in a wheelchair next to them!). And he even puts up with my lack of energy. Because of my lack of energy, we can't do many things. But he loves me just for who I am. My personality and me bing pure. Again, thank you for that nice comment!
Load More Replies...I'd rather say "nothing sadder than a healthy and non-disabled who does nothing with their life"...
I do not quite get the movement and this "differently-abled" b******t. Wheelchair is not a fashion choice. Seeing any person, pretty included, in a wheelchair is sad. I'm not disabled, but due to being sick often I'm barely able to go for an half-a-hour walk. I have VERY hard time imagining ever telling anybody that I'm proud for being a minorty which have their lives a lot harder instead of wanting to get better.
Even though you are not completely healthy yourself. Being in a wheelchair is not necessarily sad. I can actually say my personality even got better since I ended up in a wheelchair. I used to be a shy and quite person. Only in 2 places I was able to be myself, my sport and my home. Since I ended up in my wheelchair, in the beginning it was hard of course, but I ended up more confident than ever! And I am able to be myself everywhere! Yes, I am in a lot of pain 24/7. I am not able to work or study. But I am living a really happy life! So do not think of people in a wheelchair (like you said, pretty or not) as sad! It is not sad. Please do not qualify us as sad. And most of us don’t want pity! I think I can speak for a huge minority of people that depend on a wheelchair or have other challenges. And like you say, you have difficulties to put yourself in this group of so called “disabled” people. But by others we mostly are.
Load More Replies...Going to look for a nice picture of myself. I do not think I am pretty per se. but I want to join the movement! It is pretty sad actually that I always dress up and put on make-up when I go outside. Since there is a stigma over here (and maybe more places / countries) that most people in wheelchairs are not taking care of themselves (how they look especially). So I want to show everyone I encounter that there are people who take care of themselves and make themselves pretty, despite being in a wheelchair. All it takes is just a little effort. Like many walking people do. (yes, I know there are a lot of people who never use make-up and still look good. But I look very sick without make-up. I don't want pity!) There is no reason to neglect yourself because you are in a wheelchair! You have to take care of yourself, especially your body! No matter how much you might (I do not) hate it!
Well said! Whether you are in a wheelchair or not, you should take pride in the way you look, whether that means wearing makeup, dressing up, or not wearing makeup, not dressing up, doing your hair up, whatever the case! There’s no reason you should just give up and lose confidence just because of a disability. :)
Load More Replies...I wonder if Ken Jennings ever responded. Lost a LOT of respect for that man today!
I don't get it. How did he offend her/them? Or is it me just not catching the tone as a non native speaker? From my understanding it wasn't a comment directed at any specific picture, trying to shoot it down, just...a comment? Don't get me wrong, I know how much people with disabilities can achieve and I think it's absolutely amazing and an inspiration for all of us, I just don't get the whole "big offence" note here. That aside, sure, these are cool pics:)
He said that hot people in wheelchairs are a bad thing. He meant that they are somehow disappointing or inadequate. (FYI, just a clarification. No hard feelings)
Load More Replies...Wow. I totally just lost my respect for Ken Jennings, whom I (as a Jeopardy fanatic) have admired for years. What an a*****e thing to say. Shame on you, Ken.
I always thought "hot" meant far more than just looks or ability (or lack thereof) - I've known "dis"abled people who had the most WONDERFUL personalities, minds, talents, ABILITIES!!!
Thank you! Personality is what love is about. Not looks. Great looks are fun and nice of course. But they do not define happiness. Thank you!
Load More Replies...Nothing sadder than an idiot that is blessed with the ability to walk judging people who can't.
Noice But a legit question... Since they don't use their legs would they become nice and thick (as long as they have a normal diet) or would the muscle wear away since they're not being used?
Both can happen. They can slim down, if this is a part of your disease or not. But I have gained weight due to medication use. Especially my left lower leg, which is affected the most, is thinner than my right lower leg. It all depends on the disease and what you can do with your legs or not. I am in a wheelchair, but I am still able to use my right leg partially. But since both of my feet are turned inside, like the freeze moment you sprain your ankle (and then turned to the inside), I can’t walk on it. Though I can still move them. So there is no straight up answer for your question.
Load More Replies...My mom and my best friend both had legs amputated due to diabetes, so someone being in a wheelchair would never stop me from finding them attractive. It's about the person, not the chair, people!! I find people attractive because of their hearts, their minds, their sense of humour, their kindness, etc. I'm disabled also, and a wheelchair may be in my future, but you'd better bet I'll run over anyone's foot who has a nasty word to say about those of us who are disabled!!!
Was this another case of someone trying to be funny and just coming off as an a*****e? Either way, I have a few hot friends in wheelchairs. They don't let it slow them down in the least.
How, exactly, are they shutting down a troll? Dude posted that 4 years ago. People, stop being so damned Offended over everything you see on social media by people you don't know. I have to wonder, did anyone reach out to Jennings and ask what he meant? Not that he can probably remember from 4 years ago.
I think they miss understood the post - he's saying there are plenty of hot people in wheelchairs but it's sad (for him) because he'll never date one of them. (Basically he's 'losing out' on a hot chic because he doesn't date girls in wheelchairs). He's not saying they are sad...he's not saying they are ugly. Some people do have preferences or 'types'... such as "i don't date people shorter than me" (a common thing girls say which is just as offensive).... Sometimes it better if people just keep their preferences to themselves though. People can help being in a wheelchair, or their height, or their 'disabilities', or their sexuality etc.
If he does not date people in a wheelchair because they are in a wheelchair, then he is not right in his mind in my opinion. Seriously. Yes, people have types. But I might hope people especially fall for someone because of their personality. Looks might help, yes. But not dating them because they are in a wheelchair? That is just pathetic! I don't know if it was meant like this. But if it is. It is really pathetic! But, maybe that is just me. My opinion..
Load More Replies...It's always interesting when a "troll" offends someone ... then the offended party spends all sorts of time and effort trying to convince the troll and others that he/she is actually, really, seriously, undoubtedly above it all ... really.
Sometimes there can be a misunderstandig, I don't know if this is the case. I'd understand his words as "I'm sorry for those who are on a wheelchair". But you all are brave people!
He specifically said "hot" people. Whatever hot means. Hot to me means beautiful, and I think everyone is beautiful in their own way. But since he used the word "hot" so clearly (suggesting that there are also mediocre and ugly people). This to me suggest something like he thinks it is sad (literally what he said) because they are so "hot". Or sad that he can't date them because he might (I say MIGHT! I can't look into his mind) not want to date someone in a wheelchair. Which offends people in wheelchairs, as you can imagine I hope.
Load More Replies...This post is really inspiring! Thanks for this post to the creatir of the stupid hashtag 'notthing sadder than a person in a wheelchair'. Now I got to see some very good examples of embracing life notwithstanding flaws
The comment is uncalled-for, no question. HOWEVER: Google "Ken Jennings wheelchair comments," and you get news articles dated 4 years ago, from the time he ACTUALLY posted the tweet. So, I find it difficult to believe Segarra just happened to stumble across it; it's more like she's cherry-picking for a certain narrative. Why else would someone dredge up old news? Seems like people are just looking for reasons to be outraged now.
I'm very sure there are "sadder" people walking on two good legs ...
Disabled people in wheelchairs are just normal people. If anything they have a one up on others because they don't have to walk around! There's nothing wrong with being in a wheelchair!
And how do you know I am not hot? You are extremely rude!! Luckily I don't get offended by threats like these! You must be so unhappy with yourself. Just like that Jenn Kennings. You are all the same..
Load More Replies...i am a wheelchair mechanic and if you're hot I will fix your chair for free!
I do not approve of this. So people who are not hot have to pay? And what is hot anyway? Everyone is beautiful/hot in their own way. Are you going to fix everyone's wheelchairs for free?
Load More Replies...Nothing sadder than having to dig out a four year old tweet to get those five minutes of internet fame.
What he said was ableist. It's not 'even more sad for hot people just because they're hot. What he meant was that they are disappointing - a waste of a hot person, which has been proved to be untrue in this post.
Load More Replies...