Originally posted by Oddity
I believe it's absolutely possible.



Powerfully charismatic people tend to share several specific traits. Wheelchair users have an opportunity to embodied most, if not all of them. Starting with the reluctant nature of the predicament they are in. Culminating in their "rising above" it. With several stages in between, to be sure, resulting in profound perceptions of the chair user in the minds of people around them.

I have a long paper, somewhere around here, I wrote analogizing the experience of disability with Campbell's archetypal "hero myth". They strongly parallel each other, IMO. We (instinctively) recognize people on this journey and reward them (equally instinctively) with a deep admiration/respect/attractiveness...or in your term: As being highly charismatic.

Much in the same way we instinctively respect the person on/having completed the "rags to riches" journey more than the "born with a silver spoon" narrative.

So, YES!!! It is not automatic but it IS possible!