update: can I have stickers on my wheelchair at work?

by Alison Green on December 4, 2024

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past.

Remember the letter-writer asking if it would look unprofessional to have stickers on their wheelchair at work (#3 at the link)? Here’s the update.

Now that I have graduated and got my first post-uni job, I thought I would give an update. I really appreciated your reassurance about my wheelchair stickers as I was super anxious about it at the time.

I ended up completing two internships while using my wheelchair and the decorations weren’t an issue at all. The first was at a local indie bookstore, so it actually fit the vibe pretty well, and the second was a mostly remote summer internship in a department at my university.

I never found out how my decorations would fare in the professional world though, as last summer I unexpectedly underwent a surgery that has greatly improved my ability to walk! I now only use my wheelchair very occasionally and, while still far from able-bodied, I can get around mostly okay with a crutch. I have hopes of improving further in the future!

I now work a few days a week in an office, and do my freelance dream job from home the rest of the time. I never thought I’d be capable of this, but the surgery has truly changed my life.

I think if I ever return to needing a wheelchair full time, I will buy a patterned spokeguard (like Izzy Wheels style) and keep my old stickered ones as a memento instead. It’s not that I think the stickers would be a problem at my current job, but more I feel the way I want to present myself has changed, and having started work I’m realizing the benefit of being able to choose which bits of my personality and hobbies to reveal at a time, rather than having it all there on show.

Thank you again for your advice and the site. I’ve read every day since 2021 and it’s helped me through every internship, job interview, and work problem I’ve ever had.

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{ 45 comments }

{ 45 comments… read them below }

  3. LW*

    Since sending in my update earlier I realised I hadn’t even come close to explaining the positive impact AAM has had on me. I’ll try not to get too heavy but I just wanted to add that as someone who grew up in not the healthiest household situation and spent years in very high pressure education, AAM has taught me so much about… well it feels like everything! It’s been so invaluable to have literally thousands of examples of how to approach different problems in healthy and sensible ways, and what sort of treatment is normal and what is unacceptable. AAM has helped me feel stronger and more capable of whatever I might face, at work or just in life. I feel a bit silly getting emotional thinking about it right now haha but yeah, I really want to thank Alison and the community for that. Stay gold, everyone!

    2. BigLawEx*

      You’re not the only one. Kudos to you! I love the part about knowing what aspects of your personality others get to see. I went through a similar stage years ago. Buttons, stickers, every keychain that meant something was with me always. It’s so great to witness your growth. Much appreciated for sharing. I truly believe your example helps others.

    5. Toxic Workplace Survivor*

      Love love LOVE this, LW! Truly such a wonderful update. Like you, I have found regular and specific examples have helped to build skills up in a way that a one-time seminar never could. Thank you for sharing your story and update, hopefully it will be helpful for others to read.

    6. Insufficient Sausage Explainer*

      Such a great update – getting quite emosh myself reading it and your comment here. Sending you all the love and luck for the future!

    7. Gaia Madre*

      You’re not alone in that, AAM is like getting reparented in some ways. Congratulations on your recovery. You stay gold!

    10. Jules the 3rd*

      I agree – I recommend AAM and Captain Awkward to all the teens I know, and a good chunk of the people I know who are older. Reasonable answers for reasonable people!

    11. Chauncy Gardener*

      You’re not the only one! I’ve learned so very much here about how to say anything in a factual, unemotional, yet kind manner. It’s a work blog, sure, but work is part of life and I view this as a life blog, really. Alison and the super constructive commenters are AWESOME

    12. LW*

      Thank you to everyone for all the kind responses! I’m glad my update could bring some cheer to others, and everyone being happy for me has reminded me to take some time and really appreciate what’s happened :)

  4. boof*

    Nice; and thank you for the ref to Izzy Wheels! (not a wheelchair user myself but I love seeing how to jazz up medical supplies as a physician)

    1. Alexander Graham Yell*

      RIGHT?? I’m writing a novel and a character uses a wheelchair and this is exactly the kind of thing I want for her and didn’t know I was looking for (and what I’d want if I ever start using one). They’re so cool.

      1. LW*

        Other accessories for wheelchairs / users: gloves, rubber coating for push rims, different types of bag that attach on the handles or underneath, reflective things for the spokes, cup holder (very fragile, I’ve got through about 5), rain poncho, and my brother got me a bicycle bell “to clear crowds” (I’d be too embarassed to use it but it’s a funny thought!) Good luck with the novel!

  9. Eurekas*

    My favorite category of update: person updating has really engaged with the advice given, has an opinion on whether it was good advice or not, and knows whether they will follow the advice in the future.

    And the fact that this one is happy because the letter writer has had an unexpected positive health outcome just makes things better.

  10. Huttj*

    I think being able to choose is a good thing. Lets you adjust things depending on how you feel, or even week to week (potentially, depending on how much of a pain the covers are to change).

  12. Rocket Raccoon*

    Aw, I’m so happy for you OP! And yes, I think that not having your whole personality on display is a normal part of maturing as a person, so good on you there.

  15. AnotherLibrarian*

    Wonderful update. I’m so happy about your positive health outcome OP and that you feel as though the advice was helpful.

    I think learning that you can decide how much of yourself to present in any given situation (particularly at work) is really a gift. It’s actually liberating to realize that you don’t have to bring your “whole self” to your work environment.

    1. Nebula*

      I am in total agreement with your last sentence there. I think there’s a balance to strike – trying to be a completely different person at work to who you really are is very draining – but overall, yes, having a ‘worksona’ makes things easier and more pleasant for me at work. Maybe it’s also because I’m quite a private person – I don’t particularly make friends with colleagues (we are friendly, but I’ve never stayed in contact with anyone after leaving a job, for example, except for references), and I like to have strong boundaries between my work and personal life. Being selective about what aspects of myself I bring to work helps with that.

    2. Freelance Bass*

      Absolutely! And it comes with maturity, something OP seems to have a lot of. Congratulations on all your wins, OP!!

  17. Twinklefae*

    Congratulations!

    I would assume stickers on a wheelchair (and I am also a wheelchair user) would be akin to tattoos. If it’s not appropriate to have visable tattoos, then it’s not appropriate to decorate your wheelchair.

    1. Arrietty*

      Hm, I think I’d see it more like jewellery. I’m not sure why, but perhaps it’s because tattoos call attention to bare skin? But then you could say that about jewellery. Hmm.

  18. Mockingjay*

    OP, I don’t have words to express how amazing you are and how happy I am for your update.

    “I’m realizing the benefit of being able to choose which bits of my personality and hobbies to reveal at a time”

    I have been in the workforce on and off for over 4 decades, and it wasn’t until the last 6 or 7 years that I actively began to choose how I present myself at work (and in other environments as well). Kudos to you for realizing such a professional, mature outlook. My career would have been much more satisfying over the long term if I had adopted a more restrained outlook for myself earlier (although I am genuinely happy where I am now).

    I predict you will have a long and satisfying career!

  22. Forrest Rhodes*

    Hooray and hallelujah, OP! I’m cheering and grinning on your behalf, even as I’m tearing up. This news made my day, my week—heck, my whole month. Totally happy for you.

  23. Conservative Cathy*

    I don’t think stickers are professional in a conservative corporate job(legal, finance, etc.). The OP compares them to tattoos, but the thing with those is, they can be covered with clothing. An indie bookstore? Sure, stickers and tattoos!

  24. Powerpants*

    I also am disabled and a part-time wheelchair user. And I think these things need to be professional. But also I think it depends on the environment. Look at how others express themselves through clothing, hair, laptop stickers, etc at work and follow suit.

  25. Jack Straw from Wichita*

    TRUTH: “I’m realizing the benefit of being able to choose which bits of my personality and hobbies to reveal at a time, rather than having it all there on show.”

    That’s why that woman on TikTok up in arms about not being able to be herself in her OOO messages astounds me. I don’t want to be “the real and full” me at work, like ever.

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