I only understand it in theory.
Having cerebral palsy, I never learned how to ride a bike. I tried several times, with training wheels, tricycles, you name it, but it always resulted in injuries. I didn’t have the balance to hold myself steady, and when I did inevitably fall, the weakness on the right side of my body prevented me from bracing myself, making the injuries even worse.
My parents were so supportive and even attempted to get me to try a bike designed specifically for people with mobility issues, but, being a little kid that wanted to fit in, I was too embarrassed to even sit on the thing. I don’t have a problem with not knowing how to ride a bike now. I know myself and my body, and I know that it’s something that’s just too dangerous for me.
I drew this scene from season 10 episode 16 of Frasier because I find it hysterically relatable. Both Frasier and Niles didn’t know how to ride a bike, and Frasier says in the saddest and funniest way possible, “People are always saying in conversation, ‘It’s just like riding a bike.’ I can smile and nod, but I only understand it in theory.”
Is there anything that people typically say in conversation that you can’t relate to at all, but have to smile and nod? Let me know and we can laugh about it! Stay tuned for more CP and disability-related art, as well as clips from my podcast, Thank You So Much for Asking.
