PSA:Never, under any circumstances, “help” somewhere in a wheelchair unless you have been given clear instructions on how to do so.
I was visiting my step-dad and we were around a dozen elderly people.
I had just arrived and I was doing a small wheelie to get up the lip of the garage. It was a double lip so it wasn’t as easy as a single, but not a big deal.
An older gentleman (maybe 70? 75?) came up behind me and pushed me down. I lunged forward am most fell out of my chair because he pushed me with such force and I went down and my front wheel caught on the second lip. Luckily I was by the edge of the garage door and was able to grab onto the railing.
I Immediately started fussing at him telling him to never touch me unless given permission.
He Looked me point blank in the eyes and said but you’re supposed to go up backwards. That’s why you almost fell.
Uh. No. I Feel because you shoved me.
I told him after 16 years I think I know what I’m doing far better than he does.
I don’t have handles on my wheelchair for a reason.
You need to wait for instructions on how to assist me when and if I need it.
My mom’s reaction to my reaction was to tell everyone it’s scary not having legs that work.
I Said no it’s annoying to have people touch you when they haven’t been given permission.
It has nothing to do with whether my legs work or not.
Luckily this is an extremely rare occurrence for me.
Interesting yet somewhat surprising reaction from your mother….
She’s 80 and blind and compares everything to her inability to see. 🙁
Hm. Well that is better than your mother not really understanding your life. I’m glad that you didn’t get hurt; getting pushed out of a chair can be very hard on your knees.
Glad you weren’t hurt. I’m in a power chair so I don’t have people trying to push me (unless I get stuck, which happens.) But people do try to help me in ways that only make it so much worse. Probably the worst is when I’m changing clothes at the pool and someone tries to dress me. I’ve even had someone come over and pull my underwear up. Sheeeeesh!
I’m sure people mean well and they haven’t seen the instruction manual on how not to help those in wheelchairs.
Laurie, is it true you have an overweight Westie? My wife and I have owned Westies most of our married life. We are on our 6th Westie. We bred them a bit around the millennium, have showed them in dog shows, done lots of interesting activities with them. Just thought I’d share this with you…
Yes! I’m so glad that you spoke up. A lot of people won’t tell off someone that’s elderly just because they think that they shouldn’t because it might be considered disrespectful. How else is someone to learn? I’m very glad that you weren’t injured.
I’ve had too many people touch my chair. When kids do it parents are horrified as if the child will be harmed, they are easier to deal with. I was going into a supermarket and there is a slight incline at the door and I guess I wasn’t going fast enough because a man, that I had not seen, without saying anything pushed me up the incline and then into the store lobby…and then left without a word. I hate that. I get so little exercise and I need to do things for myself.
Speaking of power chairs Laurie, does that new-ish assist – the Max Mobility SmartDrive – really work as they advertise? Price seems pretty onerous tho’…
I’ve never used the smart drive. I hear it’s cool though.
Hey very nice article. I came across this on Google, and I am stoked that I did. I will definitely be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just taking in as much info as I can at the moment. Thanks for sharing.
Lightweight Transit Wheelchair