A few months ago, I took some non-credit courses at our local community college. The common areas are large and open, and the building that I had my classes in had two stories. Strategically placed in the open areas are three sets of stairs. There is also one lone elevator for handicap access, which is clearly marked for disabled use only.

After one of the last classes of the course, I left the classroom to head downstairs to the car. It was midday and the college was rather busy, so the stairs were bottled up with people. Just then I noticed the doors on the elevator start to close, and quickly darted inside. I was so wrapped up in securing my computer in its case and organizing my papers that I didn't notice the other person in the elevator until he said (in a rather polite tone) "You know, this elevator is supposed to be for the handicapped." I turned, looking for the first time at the man next to me in the wheelchair and said (obviously without thinking), "Yeah, well it beats walking." It somehow stung all the more that his second statement was even more polite than the first. He simply looked at me and said, "No sir, it really doesn't."

Forget embarrassed. I felt like the absolute scum of the earth.

- Joe U.