A few months ago, my husband and I went to the clinic to see my hematologist. We took a van service as neither of us drive. It was a blustery, gray November afternoon and I was nervous because it was my first time there.
Phil*, my van driver, came in with us to obtain a signature, a required practice. He was a competent driver, and secured my wheelchair well enough, but was not very friendly. I didn't mind Phil's lack of communication beyond a perfunctory greeting, everyone is different when it comes to human interaction.
When the three of us came in and I stated the purpose of my visit, we were told we used the wrong entrance. Oops, but no problem. We could either go outside and around to the other door, or down a hallway and turn. As I was watching the woman explain the indoor directions, Phil came up behind me and started trying to push my wheelchair towards the exit.
Woah! Wait a second!
He knew I use my motorized wheelchair without issue as he watched me use it. He heard me speak clearly and with a moderate intelligence to him, my husband, and the receptionist. There is nothing in any file with my information stating I need assistance making decisions.
I wouldn't move for him and, since the brakes were engaged on my over 300-pound wheelchair, he couldn't get me to move. After tugging a few times, he walked away and held the outside door open, motioning me to come. He didn't speak a single word to me through this whole thing, though I knew he didn't have issues communicating (he spoke well with the receptionist). Brandon and I went back outside, though I was still chilled, because I didn't want to have an argument.
Later in the visit, he rolled his eyes when I told him I needed unscheduled blood work done and then slammed the door to the facility when they didn't call me back to lab right away and I didn't leave and just reschedule.
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Note to readers: You do not touch a person's wheelchair without permission, even if you think you're being helpful. You are basically grabbing someone's legs and forcing them to walk in whatever direction you want them to go. It is rude, invading, and presumptuous.
And, if you do it because you have no patience or respect because someone rides instead of walks, you are a jerk.
Don't be Phil.
Has anyone ever treated you like you couldn't decide for yourself? What did you do?
*Not his real name
Yikes, schmikes! I'm so annoyed on your behalf.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question, unfortunately yes. Being a woman comes with being underestimated and talked down to under a lot of circumstances. The ones that annoy me most are doctors. Luckily, I live in an area with lots of medical care options, so if you condescend to me, you're fired.
Greetings, earthling! Can't stay for long, gotta git back ...yet, if I'm a sower, we plant the Seed; if I'm an artist, we write the Word:
ReplyDeleteI actually saw Seventh-Heaven when we died: you couldn't GET any moe curly, extravagantly-surplus-lush Upstairs when my beautifull, brilliant, bombastic girl passed-away at 17 (<--God calls U.S. home regardless).
"Those who are wise will shine as brightly as the expanse of the Heavens, and those who have instructed many in uprightousness, as bright as stars for all eternity"
-Daniel 12:3
Here's what the prolific, exquisite GODy sed: 'the more you shall honor Me, the more I shall bless you'
-the Infant Jesus of Prague.
Go git'm, girl. You're incredible.
See you Upstairs...
I won't be joining'm in da nasty Abyss
Thesuperseedoftime.blogspot.com
-YOUTHwitheTRUTH
A-L-L the time, dear. I have trouble A-L-L the time when people assume. C'est la guerre. Thank God this is only our finite existence.
ReplyDeleteGod blessa youse
-Fr. Sarducci, ol SNL