DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m 13 and I’m in a wheelchair. It’s been three years. How do I get people to stop asking what happened to me?
I’m very happy -- I’m active with friends and involved with a lot of activities -- but it’s painful to talk about, and I don’t want to anymore.
GENTLE READER: Here is a secret that will serve you in many situations: You don’t always have to match your answer to a nosy question.
In this case, you should reply, “I’m fine, thank you; how are you?” If the questioner persists, repeat that you are fine, but ask in a concerned voice, “But are YOU all right?”
Just please promise Miss Manners that you will not apply this trick to your schoolwork.