One of the earliest known creatures to walk on two legs is called lucy, whose fossil remains were found in east Africa – Ethiopia, I believe. She is ancient, but what is interesting about lucy is the size of her brain. It is comparable to a modern monkeys.

In other words, you don’t have to be very clever to walk upright, what counts is your ability to interact with others, and be happy, regardless of how you get from a to b. Bipedalism is overrated. Ok, I’m happy to trot about the house – the ability to raid the fridge is valuable – and my controlled falls around campus have their uses, but my point is walking is not the be all and end all. Its easier – and probably safer – to go in my chair. The preconception that the disabled must walk at all cost stems from ancient ideas of what it is to be human, which stem from the bible. These ideas mean that disabled kids are subjected to all sorts of often painful physio during time when their non-disabled peers are learning, playing, or just being kids. Thus the benefits of walking must be weighed against the costs: after all, a wheelchair does the job perfectly well. If a child is happy not walking, why should it be subjected to painful therapies against its will. (this, incidentally, is the social model as I understand it)

Of course, I have no intention of abandoning walking, I’m just saying that other ideas should be engaged, ideas which do not demand that ‘thou shalt walk upright with both heels on the floor.’ For reference, see this