disability
Holland to Harwich by ferry
05/July/2010 07:33 PM Filed in: Travel
Journey: Hook of Holland to Harwich
via Stena Lines - Hollandica Superferry
This ferry was launched in
April this year and will join another Superferry
in Autumn. These cost £375 million pounds. Shame
they didn't spend much on thinking about the
overall experience for disabled people. Granted
the ship had some nice touches but compared to
our first crossing, the staff support was very
poor.
Cabins.
Again, we pre booked a
cabin with wheelchair access. We had our tickets
printed at the car booth which they told us also
acts as your room key. This was the same as our
first journey.
On locating the cabin (which had us wandering the isles of cabins to work out the number system) we found the door had a small low touch pad with a slot to insert the room key card. It also had a normal handle on the door. I believe the door was supposed to open automatically. I say supposed, because it didn't work.
My husband tried several times and the light flashed but nothing opened. Eventually a member of staff said we had to have a normal key to put in the door. What use is that! The automated door was not working and when we got in we could see why - the opening door arm was not fitted but the electronics were there.
On entering you can see the
cabin above (the lighting made the picture a bit
orange). The bathroom featured a level entry
(roll in) shower area with seat and lots of grab
rails. The toilet had two grab rails either side
and room to side transfer to one side. I'm not
that fat but due to scoliosis, lean to the right
side. When the grab rails come down they
basically wedged me onto the toilet and are
closer than what you would find in your average
UK accessible toilet. The floor surface is very
soft, with good grip but like the previous
ferry, the sink is not suitable for hair washing
and difficult to reach for me personally.
The bathroom is rather nice but the flat push panel to open the bathroom automatic door is situated above the side unit of the bed on the left of the cabin. So if you have to sleep on the right bed (which I do because of my spine) you can't press the button from bed. However, if you are a wheelchair user, how someone could sit on the bed, press the button, transfer into their chair and then get through the door before it closed again in about 10 seconds is beyond me anyway! The bathroom door swings back and because it is wide, there is only a few set places your wheelchair can go or it hits you and closes again. If you are standing in the way of the door the force would knock you off your feet - my wheelchair would rock with the force and it's a weighty machine. The location of the switch hasn't really been thought through in the overall design I felt and the close mechanism is rather violent (but possibly needed to close a large heavy door).
The cabins were nice though putting these problems to the side even if they did vibrate something chronic.
Customer service.
I was a bit miffed that the free wifi was only for 3 hours and the 'reception all over the boat' meant one bar if you're lucky. We also got an incredibly poor service when purchasing food as what we wanted from the menu wasn't actually available and my husband ended up with a microwave meal and I ended up with a chicken burger that makes McDonalds look like a 5 star restaurant. The guy who 'cooked' our meal was more interested in the football on the plasma tv installed in the food court than customer service. We had no offer of help to carry the tray and no 'quiet area' as in my previous blog. Too much money spent on umpteen plasma screen tvs and bars than on customer care I think.
Cabins.
On locating the cabin (which had us wandering the isles of cabins to work out the number system) we found the door had a small low touch pad with a slot to insert the room key card. It also had a normal handle on the door. I believe the door was supposed to open automatically. I say supposed, because it didn't work.
My husband tried several times and the light flashed but nothing opened. Eventually a member of staff said we had to have a normal key to put in the door. What use is that! The automated door was not working and when we got in we could see why - the opening door arm was not fitted but the electronics were there.
The bathroom is rather nice but the flat push panel to open the bathroom automatic door is situated above the side unit of the bed on the left of the cabin. So if you have to sleep on the right bed (which I do because of my spine) you can't press the button from bed. However, if you are a wheelchair user, how someone could sit on the bed, press the button, transfer into their chair and then get through the door before it closed again in about 10 seconds is beyond me anyway! The bathroom door swings back and because it is wide, there is only a few set places your wheelchair can go or it hits you and closes again. If you are standing in the way of the door the force would knock you off your feet - my wheelchair would rock with the force and it's a weighty machine. The location of the switch hasn't really been thought through in the overall design I felt and the close mechanism is rather violent (but possibly needed to close a large heavy door).
The cabins were nice though putting these problems to the side even if they did vibrate something chronic.
Customer service.
I was a bit miffed that the free wifi was only for 3 hours and the 'reception all over the boat' meant one bar if you're lucky. We also got an incredibly poor service when purchasing food as what we wanted from the menu wasn't actually available and my husband ended up with a microwave meal and I ended up with a chicken burger that makes McDonalds look like a 5 star restaurant. The guy who 'cooked' our meal was more interested in the football on the plasma tv installed in the food court than customer service. We had no offer of help to carry the tray and no 'quiet area' as in my previous blog. Too much money spent on umpteen plasma screen tvs and bars than on customer care I think.
Harwich to Hook of Holland
05/July/2010 06:51 PM Filed in: Travel
Journey: Harwich to Hook of Holland
+ Overnight stay at Premier Inn
Premier Inn is situated at
the port next to Lidle and adjoining a Brewers
Fayre. One night cost £61 at the time we booked
in January. We had to stay overnight because it
meant getting to the ferry 45 mins before we
sailed at about 9 am. Much less than 8 hours
sleep and my body falls apart. We had a roll in
shower, plenty of space and the sink was at a
good height to wash my hair in. Lacking in
personality like all of these sorts of rooms -
it did the job for the night and we were
relatively comfy with little noise outside.
Stena Line - to Hook of Holland on board Britannica (older ferry).
This slightly older ship was refurbished in 2007 and was fantastic.
We selected a disabled cabin for one person as a space to chill out and appeared to be the only wheelchair user on the boat getting a large disabled cabin with tables for 1-2 disabled people.
You can see a 360 of that cabin (with roll in shower) on their web-site here.
The only difficulty was the sink is quite high and basin is inset a way from the edge as opposed to the usual type of sinks in say a Premier Inn. It was airy, clean and the beds were firm with a soft mattress topper which even I found comfy having scoliosis.
On board we had free wifi
for the duration available on the decks which
suited me and my iPhone!
Top Class Service
We were met just outside the lifts by a steward who said they had a reserved area for wheelchair users on board away from the crowds of people and closely packed tables. So, just to the side of everyone else were 3 tables by a window, with a rope barrier and larger access space clearly signed 'reserved for our wheelchair accessible guests' which made me giggle as perhaps the intention got lost in translation now everything was Dutch/English bilingual. Either way, our steward said just to ask if anyone took our spot and he would 'hoof them out'. Sounds good. Not a single person or child tripped over us in our lovely corner and it was away from the hustle and bustle which was lovely. Some people might see it as segregation but there are times and situations you really need your own spot - not just wheelchair users but other people with impairments too. Our steward watched out spot as we went to get some lunch, went to get our cutlery whist my husband carried the tray and basically got us anything we needed. We felt like royalty,
Our meal was lovely and the journey didn't last long at all. Right from pulling up in the car, to boarding near the lift through our journey and off the other side it was very good. The ship was clean and tidy and not many people onboard in general. 10/10.
Stena Line - to Hook of Holland on board Britannica (older ferry).
This slightly older ship was refurbished in 2007 and was fantastic.
We selected a disabled cabin for one person as a space to chill out and appeared to be the only wheelchair user on the boat getting a large disabled cabin with tables for 1-2 disabled people.
You can see a 360 of that cabin (with roll in shower) on their web-site here.
The only difficulty was the sink is quite high and basin is inset a way from the edge as opposed to the usual type of sinks in say a Premier Inn. It was airy, clean and the beds were firm with a soft mattress topper which even I found comfy having scoliosis.
Top Class Service
We were met just outside the lifts by a steward who said they had a reserved area for wheelchair users on board away from the crowds of people and closely packed tables. So, just to the side of everyone else were 3 tables by a window, with a rope barrier and larger access space clearly signed 'reserved for our wheelchair accessible guests' which made me giggle as perhaps the intention got lost in translation now everything was Dutch/English bilingual. Either way, our steward said just to ask if anyone took our spot and he would 'hoof them out'. Sounds good. Not a single person or child tripped over us in our lovely corner and it was away from the hustle and bustle which was lovely. Some people might see it as segregation but there are times and situations you really need your own spot - not just wheelchair users but other people with impairments too. Our steward watched out spot as we went to get some lunch, went to get our cutlery whist my husband carried the tray and basically got us anything we needed. We felt like royalty,
Our meal was lovely and the journey didn't last long at all. Right from pulling up in the car, to boarding near the lift through our journey and off the other side it was very good. The ship was clean and tidy and not many people onboard in general. 10/10.
DLA Assessment
22/June/2010 05:51 PM Filed in: Health | Independent
living
So, medical reassessment for all in 2013?
If by existing claimant they also mean people like me with progressive impairments / life limited then what a waste of money.
I remember my first two medicals when I could walk a few steps. It was tearful and stressful - like most of these things seem to be.
The first test was scheduled in a GP surgery (considering most GPs had never heard of my condition and 20 years later still don't).
The test was up a flight of stairs.
Between my mum helping (pushing, pulling etc) and my wobbly legs, we made it. I was shattered and it took all my strength. It was also a dangerous thing to do because I could have collapsed and tumbled down at any point.
I got to the top, I remember a few questions about how far I could walk - 1 football pitch, half .... and they basically said if you can walk up a flight of steps you must be fine. Failed.
So I had to appeal. This time I went in my leg splints. I obviously did not look disabled enough. I also entered the surgery in my 'buggy' aka adult pram as they were in those days. Mum lifted me out in front of them and I sat on a chair. I can remember what it looked like, how it felt, the colour and feel of the cold wooden desk I clung onto so I didn't fall flat on my face before I sat on the chair. I can see it all now like a nightmare.
I was told to stand up by the doctor/assessor. I moved my legs a bit and said I couldn't. It was the truth.
He said I wasn't trying hard enough and shouted at me ... PUSH, try harder.
I wanted to cry. I held back the tears, they received a large pay cheque for drilling me.
I passed the test. I was awarded it for life eventually. I hope to God the next medical is not like that. A list of endless questions about what you can't do - just like every social care assessment and review is. Some things never change?
If by existing claimant they also mean people like me with progressive impairments / life limited then what a waste of money.
I remember my first two medicals when I could walk a few steps. It was tearful and stressful - like most of these things seem to be.
The first test was scheduled in a GP surgery (considering most GPs had never heard of my condition and 20 years later still don't).
The test was up a flight of stairs.
Between my mum helping (pushing, pulling etc) and my wobbly legs, we made it. I was shattered and it took all my strength. It was also a dangerous thing to do because I could have collapsed and tumbled down at any point.
I got to the top, I remember a few questions about how far I could walk - 1 football pitch, half .... and they basically said if you can walk up a flight of steps you must be fine. Failed.
So I had to appeal. This time I went in my leg splints. I obviously did not look disabled enough. I also entered the surgery in my 'buggy' aka adult pram as they were in those days. Mum lifted me out in front of them and I sat on a chair. I can remember what it looked like, how it felt, the colour and feel of the cold wooden desk I clung onto so I didn't fall flat on my face before I sat on the chair. I can see it all now like a nightmare.
I was told to stand up by the doctor/assessor. I moved my legs a bit and said I couldn't. It was the truth.
He said I wasn't trying hard enough and shouted at me ... PUSH, try harder.
I wanted to cry. I held back the tears, they received a large pay cheque for drilling me.
I passed the test. I was awarded it for life eventually. I hope to God the next medical is not like that. A list of endless questions about what you can't do - just like every social care assessment and review is. Some things never change?
DDA - sword or a poking stick?
February 5th 2010 - The day it all started.
On Friday the 5th of February, 2010, I entered Waterstones to purchase a travel book at 19 Earl Street. I was accompanied by my personal assistant (PA/carer). The travel section was located on a split level with stair access. On asking a member of staff at the till how I could get up to that level, she directed me to 'the accessible entrance' around the outside of the building. [The building is on a slight hill].
On leaving the store I located the second entrance which had a large step [left]. I have Muscular Dystrophy and use an electric wheelchair due to limited limb movement. As such, I was unable to access this level. I sent my PA back into the shop to ask about a ramp for this step but she came back and told me there was no ramp.
On re-entering the store I spoke to the same member of staff who said that "other people manage".
How I felt
I was made to feel an inconvenience and bothersome customer which caused me great distress. I was also uncomfortable about having to express my frustration in-between the staff member serving other people. No attempt was made to find out if staff could have helped (e.g. locating a book from that level for me etc). I said I had rights under the Disability Discrimination Act and wanted to speak with the manager. She replied that she didn't know anything about the DDA and that there was no one I could speak to. I repeated that I wanted to see someone and she said there was no ramp because of the building being listed.
I felt she was not listening to me and treating me with the respect that other customers would receive. I was then told the manager was in and on an upper floor. Feeling deceived and insulted I went upstairs and a helpful member of staff called to see where the manager was (in another branch) and offered me his e-mail address.
February 9th 2010 - Next steps.
I phoned the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and a very helpful person went through the questions to see if I had a case for discrimination. Once he knew that I met the requirements (i.e. was disabled by the definition of the DDA) he gave me my case number and advice to start down the route that is usual. This meant clearly explaining what had happened to the manager and seeking a response to a template list of questions provided by the EHRC within 14 days, recorded delivery.
February 13th 2010
My letter was confirmed to have been received by the assistant manager who said that he had passed my letter to their DDA expert which should enable a portable ramp.
February 18th 2010
The manager confirms sight of my letter and writes to me. [Click here to see letter 1]
Step 2 - Raise it up a notch
April 8th 2010 - no further response so I moved to official proceedings.
I phoned the EHRC and they sent me the paper work for the next step.
April 9th - I served documents to Waterstones 'Questions Procedure'
Using the Questions Procedure can help a disabled person:
- decide whether or not to bring legal proceedings in the county court in England and Wales, or sheriff court in Scotland; and
- present his or her complaint to the court in the most effective way.
A question in a questionnaire and any reply by a defendant is admissible in evidence in court if the claimant’s questionnaire is ‘served on’ (sent to) the defendant.
April 15th
I receive a letter from the manager. He said
"Waterstones as a company has undertaken a full survey of all of its branches to ascertain how they meet the needs of its disabled customers. It has a list of work to be done, with those branches with the most shopfloor space that is inaccessible at the top of the list. The Earl Street Branch in Maidstone is some way down the list, with approximately 10% of space inaccessible. Waterstones as a Company is committed to acting on as soon as possible as many of these issues as it can, given the current financial situation of the Company
We have decided as a Branch not to wait, and to act straight away to change the situation.Your experience has prompted us to review the use of the back of our Ground Floor as a sales area. As a result of this review we have decided no longer to use this as a shopfloor area and to close it off, relocating those sections to other more accessible parts of the Branch. We are looking to do this work in June 2010."
This very cleverly dodged the key question in the papers that were served where they can declare that they did indeed act unlawfully (or they can say they didn't and explain why it was lawful).
I didn't really want to go to court - I just wanted them to hold their hands up and say 'what we did was unlawful, discriminatory and we apologise'. I hadn't had this part of my question answered.
April 26th - Seeking the answers to the papers that were served.
I e-mailed to remind them they had not answered the specific question form the questionnaire. Did they agree they had failed to make reasonable adjustment and provided a service in a worse manner because I was a disabled person? Had they failed to train their staff adequately?
I started making enquiries about legal action - it could cost me over £1000 to get a judge to make them respond and it didn't look hopeful I would be entitled to legal aid type support.
June 4th 2010 - I received an e-mail to say their response was in the post - the papers came back, completed, on the day of the 8 week response deadline.
They agreed with my statement of what happened and how they discriminated against me by failing in a range of different ways. I had what I wanted and the alterations to the building were due to start a few weeks ago.
There are still thousands of stores, of all kinds, who won't make reasonable adjustments until they receive a complaint. Even things which are relatively cheap and quick to action - like the portable ramp and a friendly member of staff who had been trained in disability equality AND the DDA. Training is not just a few hours on 'how to communicate' and a top ten crib sheet about dealing with customers who have impairments (which is what this member of staff got). Attitude is a huge thing and just good old customer service! Smiles are free for example.
So all in all - it gave them a poke but it is not the mighty sword that will get Waterstones thinking about all their other stores on a 'waiting list' for action.
I certainly will never shop there again and I will share my story with others so they can decide where they buy their next book from.
When is a sex gadget not a sex gadget?
14/May/2010 06:43 PM Filed in: Independent
living
I have blogged before about the price of equipment
once it is given a disability label. Now I have found
another layer - the sex gadget. It seems to work as
so:
Product without a disability label = £X
Same product 'for disabled people' = £X + 50% at times.
Same product for sexual intimacy £X + less than the above!
Here is an interesting example:
A Shower Locking Foot Rest with suction cup. It is basically a foot print sized contoured foot rest that can be stuck on a shower wall. So if you need to rest your feet on a ledge to shave, wash or do whatever it becomes easier with this little gadget (assuming you don't lean too heavy, slip and kill yourself in the shower that is).
So onto the price:
Amazon appears to sell it as a 'Safe-er-Grip' with a slight disability angle on the marketing for £12.99.
bekinky.co.uk are selling it at £9.18 as an aid to having sex in the shower (and packed as such) Other sex shops sell it up to £13.45 according to Shopwiki.
So the moral of the tale is - try a sex shop or two for a bargain on useful disability gadgets and watch your PAs face as they open it for you!
Product without a disability label = £X
Same product 'for disabled people' = £X + 50% at times.
Same product for sexual intimacy £X + less than the above!
Here is an interesting example:
A Shower Locking Foot Rest with suction cup. It is basically a foot print sized contoured foot rest that can be stuck on a shower wall. So if you need to rest your feet on a ledge to shave, wash or do whatever it becomes easier with this little gadget (assuming you don't lean too heavy, slip and kill yourself in the shower that is).
So onto the price:
Amazon appears to sell it as a 'Safe-er-Grip' with a slight disability angle on the marketing for £12.99.
bekinky.co.uk are selling it at £9.18 as an aid to having sex in the shower (and packed as such) Other sex shops sell it up to £13.45 according to Shopwiki.
So the moral of the tale is - try a sex shop or two for a bargain on useful disability gadgets and watch your PAs face as they open it for you!
Loo story with wobbles
Archive from 2006
I noticed a recent article where a woman in Chicago went to use the loo in her local book store and is now suing them
In Chicago, a woman claims an unsecured toilet seat in a Borders Bookstore caused her to fall and become “permanently disfigured.”
The seat “shifted to the side,” causing her to be thrown onto the tile floor. The suit said she landed on her bum, causing her to suffer “multiple spine injuries, including the need for multiple neurosurgical spine surgeries.”
It made me recall the time when I was at work in Ashford and assured my meeting room had 1 accessible loo. On arrival I saw a sign 'out of order' I enquired and was dismayed at having to stay there for many hours with no loo to use!
A maintenance guy came back and said oh don't worry, it's just that the seat wobbles as it is broke (giving me a demo of a very wobbly seat that was totally unsafe). Considering I have no balance at the best of times I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to cross my legs. He then said something like 'it's not that far to fall anyway... I'm sure it will be ok'. Eh hmmm. Guess I'll be wetting myself then...
I noticed a recent article where a woman in Chicago went to use the loo in her local book store and is now suing them
In Chicago, a woman claims an unsecured toilet seat in a Borders Bookstore caused her to fall and become “permanently disfigured.”
The seat “shifted to the side,” causing her to be thrown onto the tile floor. The suit said she landed on her bum, causing her to suffer “multiple spine injuries, including the need for multiple neurosurgical spine surgeries.”
It made me recall the time when I was at work in Ashford and assured my meeting room had 1 accessible loo. On arrival I saw a sign 'out of order' I enquired and was dismayed at having to stay there for many hours with no loo to use!
A maintenance guy came back and said oh don't worry, it's just that the seat wobbles as it is broke (giving me a demo of a very wobbly seat that was totally unsafe). Considering I have no balance at the best of times I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to cross my legs. He then said something like 'it's not that far to fall anyway... I'm sure it will be ok'. Eh hmmm. Guess I'll be wetting myself then...
Too pee or not to pee... that indeed is the question
During my training I often talk about the most
important things in my life that give me personal
choice and freedom. It fits nicely into the how
Direct Payments could be used more flexibly and
demonstrates rights and freedoms disabled people
aspire to.
My number one thing in life is the toilet - and to hear the full story you will need to sign up to a course! So, of critical importance was to make our own bathroom accessible (cue clever hubby in the DIY field). That was in about 2004 and we are still completing it! Anyway, here is the story so far because I know others have written to me about the toilet in particular - so I have moved it onto the web again.
--
Talking about gadgets, the best invention in my bathroom has to be the vertical toilet riser.
Now you see, for all us none mobile sorts the biggest cause of incontinence is inaccessible toilets. This is a complete bug bear because the amount of thought that goes into designing accessible toilets is equivalent to the intellectual capacity of a goldfish.
Then if you can get into the room - there is the question - can I get on and off. Anyway, at home we have specifically designed our bathroom around easy access for me personally, visual appearance and use of gadgetry to make life easier.
In the beginning...
This was our layout to start with.
1) I need to transfer to my left so the toilet is the wrong way round.
2) Not enough room for hubby/PA to lift and transfer.
3) I need quite a low toilet - lower then normal. However it is really hard to lift me up from a low surface - so some gadgetry is needed.
4) Sink not correct height, shape etc and no room at the side for PA/hubby to wash/dress me.
5) Flooring needed to have enough grip so PAs and myself don’t slip when transferring, but not
so grippy that I can’t slide my feet across the floor to transfer.
6) Door needs to move for access.
Our own design.
Then we have transformed and rebuilt it to a 'wet room' which will have a second door leading to the bedroom if we later install a ceiling hoist. (large brown door on right side).
New features:
1) level entry shower i.e. now a wet room.
2) Door now in middle of the room (where it was originally as the owner had wall papered over the door!
3) Huge space (including shower area) on the floor to move around.
4) Chose a sink that is free standing with nothing underneath for lots of leg room, a big space to wash my hair in the sink (in reach of shower head) and room for someone to stand at the side to wash my hair.
5) A ledge behind the sink for a foot stool - so I can balance.
6) And a unique toilet (see below) with a round, bevelled seat (essential for posture and balance). It’s from Denmark (land of fabby toilets) and features rise and fall (and looks like the Starship Enterprise.
More to follow in future days.
My number one thing in life is the toilet - and to hear the full story you will need to sign up to a course! So, of critical importance was to make our own bathroom accessible (cue clever hubby in the DIY field). That was in about 2004 and we are still completing it! Anyway, here is the story so far because I know others have written to me about the toilet in particular - so I have moved it onto the web again.
--
Talking about gadgets, the best invention in my bathroom has to be the vertical toilet riser.
Now you see, for all us none mobile sorts the biggest cause of incontinence is inaccessible toilets. This is a complete bug bear because the amount of thought that goes into designing accessible toilets is equivalent to the intellectual capacity of a goldfish.
Then if you can get into the room - there is the question - can I get on and off. Anyway, at home we have specifically designed our bathroom around easy access for me personally, visual appearance and use of gadgetry to make life easier.
This was our layout to start with.
1) I need to transfer to my left so the toilet is the wrong way round.
2) Not enough room for hubby/PA to lift and transfer.
3) I need quite a low toilet - lower then normal. However it is really hard to lift me up from a low surface - so some gadgetry is needed.
4) Sink not correct height, shape etc and no room at the side for PA/hubby to wash/dress me.
5) Flooring needed to have enough grip so PAs and myself don’t slip when transferring, but not
so grippy that I can’t slide my feet across the floor to transfer.
6) Door needs to move for access.
Our own design.
Then we have transformed and rebuilt it to a 'wet room' which will have a second door leading to the bedroom if we later install a ceiling hoist. (large brown door on right side).
New features:
1) level entry shower i.e. now a wet room.
2) Door now in middle of the room (where it was originally as the owner had wall papered over the door!
3) Huge space (including shower area) on the floor to move around.
4) Chose a sink that is free standing with nothing underneath for lots of leg room, a big space to wash my hair in the sink (in reach of shower head) and room for someone to stand at the side to wash my hair.
5) A ledge behind the sink for a foot stool - so I can balance.
6) And a unique toilet (see below) with a round, bevelled seat (essential for posture and balance). It’s from Denmark (land of fabby toilets) and features rise and fall (and looks like the Starship Enterprise.
More to follow in future days.
Naidex - the alternative review.
April 2006 - An alternative view to the value of
Naidex.
This week is Naidex week. For all you none-disabled sorts - that's the NEC Birmingham Show for all things related to disability equipment.... or at least that was my memory of it.
It used to be the 'try it and see' for health and social care staff and of course 'we' the great public. - Everything from accessible kitchens and bathroom equipment to the latest in colostomy bags and leisure things (my favourite being the wheelchair accessible roundabout and swing for children - I wish they had them for big kids as well!!).
Some things you thought - never in a million years will disabled people want one of them in their homes because it looks horrible, uncomfortable and only comes in 'medical green' as a colour option .... only to overheard an OT place an order for 500. Do they ever learn... no I think NOT.
I happened to be browsing the list of exhibitors last nights and the latest inventions that are up for 'an award'. Oh how things have changed over the years.
Fantastic NEW products include....... The Great John. Of course this can only be one thing - a reinforced toilet for obese people which boasts a 200% larger seat and - you guessed it is an American invention. A new commode and large wheelchair ... for Bariatric patients (obese people)... and so on. Can you see a theme here.
The UK is now benefitting from more disabled people (to balance the demise of our people due to genetic testing LOL) and of course there needs to be appropriate adjustment in the equipment field.
Also in the past years there has been a rise in the number of stands devoted to discrimination (yes the DRC are there) and organisations of disabled people - now we are getting somewhere - life isn't always about trying to 'fix us' in some way with a bit of equipment.
What does make me angry - the cost of these 'liberating' gizmos.... see my other posts.
This week is Naidex week. For all you none-disabled sorts - that's the NEC Birmingham Show for all things related to disability equipment.... or at least that was my memory of it.
It used to be the 'try it and see' for health and social care staff and of course 'we' the great public. - Everything from accessible kitchens and bathroom equipment to the latest in colostomy bags and leisure things (my favourite being the wheelchair accessible roundabout and swing for children - I wish they had them for big kids as well!!).
Some things you thought - never in a million years will disabled people want one of them in their homes because it looks horrible, uncomfortable and only comes in 'medical green' as a colour option .... only to overheard an OT place an order for 500. Do they ever learn... no I think NOT.
I happened to be browsing the list of exhibitors last nights and the latest inventions that are up for 'an award'. Oh how things have changed over the years.
Fantastic NEW products include....... The Great John. Of course this can only be one thing - a reinforced toilet for obese people which boasts a 200% larger seat and - you guessed it is an American invention. A new commode and large wheelchair ... for Bariatric patients (obese people)... and so on. Can you see a theme here.
The UK is now benefitting from more disabled people (to balance the demise of our people due to genetic testing LOL) and of course there needs to be appropriate adjustment in the equipment field.
Also in the past years there has been a rise in the number of stands devoted to discrimination (yes the DRC are there) and organisations of disabled people - now we are getting somewhere - life isn't always about trying to 'fix us' in some way with a bit of equipment.
What does make me angry - the cost of these 'liberating' gizmos.... see my other posts.
Some archived blogs
26/January/2010 02:24 PM Filed in: Health
Today I am moving some blog posts from a past blog,
over onto IforI. Starting with this one from the
Archives:
January 2006: Maidstone Hospital - no access
Today I received a phone call saying they wanted me to go for a Barium swallow on Thursday. Despite having changed my name twice at the clinics they still had me under my maiden name which confused the issue. I then said a 'by the way, I'm a wheelchair user', to which they replied 'ah, that could be a problem.' Does anyone actually read medical notes - its pretty obvious! Apparently the room where they are doing them is not accessible due to moving around of departments or something. The lady was very polite and said she would find out what they could do....
A later phone call that day.....
Now they had booked for me to have it in an accessible room..... I then enquired 'how do you plan on doing this'.... she said 'eh... why' to which I reminded her that I could not sit unaided out of my wheelchair (although she said they had a hoist to get me out of my chair) and also could not hold a cup to drink the barium 'meal' for scan of how I swallow! She said that could be a problem and would have to consult with someone higher up as to what to do and so as to not waste my time or theirs coming in until they had worked something out.
So there you go. It's easy for these medical types to say ' do a scan' but they never put any thought into the needs of patients with impairments.... 0/10 my friends.
Part two... January 26th, 8 weeks from seeing my GP.
So my appointment came through giving no indication of access so I had to phone them to check.
It took two laps of the car park to find parking and then an icy walk into the main building... brrrrrr.
FROM A to B
Anyway I walked from shall we say part 'A' of the building all the way to part 'B' at the opposite end of the hospital.
FROM B to A
On arrive at radiology in part 'B' I was told 'sorry' you need to go to CT as they are doing them up there today'...... so off I went with my PA. There were no signs and asking local wards where this quite critical part of the hospital imaging department is - they hadn't a clue.
Eventually I worked out is was in the cancer unit - back up at part 'A'. So off we went.....
On arrival at reception I was told 'sorry, yours is being done at radiology'.... grrr......
FROM A to B
Back we plodded along miles of corridors to the opposite end of the hospital again.... 2 miles later....
Eventually I had to transfer (for transfer read ' be dragged/slided') to three different places because of different height beds / tables etc.
Eventually I made it and got the thing done - with no great conclusion as to why or what to do about my problem... Still at least it wasn't anything cancerous or that would have topped the day of nicely!
FROM B to A
All that remained was to trek back to 'part A' to get in the car.... now where was CT again?
January 2006: Maidstone Hospital - no access
Today I received a phone call saying they wanted me to go for a Barium swallow on Thursday. Despite having changed my name twice at the clinics they still had me under my maiden name which confused the issue. I then said a 'by the way, I'm a wheelchair user', to which they replied 'ah, that could be a problem.' Does anyone actually read medical notes - its pretty obvious! Apparently the room where they are doing them is not accessible due to moving around of departments or something. The lady was very polite and said she would find out what they could do....
A later phone call that day.....
Now they had booked for me to have it in an accessible room..... I then enquired 'how do you plan on doing this'.... she said 'eh... why' to which I reminded her that I could not sit unaided out of my wheelchair (although she said they had a hoist to get me out of my chair) and also could not hold a cup to drink the barium 'meal' for scan of how I swallow! She said that could be a problem and would have to consult with someone higher up as to what to do and so as to not waste my time or theirs coming in until they had worked something out.
So there you go. It's easy for these medical types to say ' do a scan' but they never put any thought into the needs of patients with impairments.... 0/10 my friends.
Part two... January 26th, 8 weeks from seeing my GP.
So my appointment came through giving no indication of access so I had to phone them to check.
It took two laps of the car park to find parking and then an icy walk into the main building... brrrrrr.
FROM A to B
Anyway I walked from shall we say part 'A' of the building all the way to part 'B' at the opposite end of the hospital.
FROM B to A
On arrive at radiology in part 'B' I was told 'sorry' you need to go to CT as they are doing them up there today'...... so off I went with my PA. There were no signs and asking local wards where this quite critical part of the hospital imaging department is - they hadn't a clue.
Eventually I worked out is was in the cancer unit - back up at part 'A'. So off we went.....
On arrival at reception I was told 'sorry, yours is being done at radiology'.... grrr......
FROM A to B
Back we plodded along miles of corridors to the opposite end of the hospital again.... 2 miles later....
Eventually I had to transfer (for transfer read ' be dragged/slided') to three different places because of different height beds / tables etc.
Eventually I made it and got the thing done - with no great conclusion as to why or what to do about my problem... Still at least it wasn't anything cancerous or that would have topped the day of nicely!
FROM B to A
All that remained was to trek back to 'part A' to get in the car.... now where was CT again?
