Using mobility aids on public transport

Darking said:
There seem to be different attitudes towards we who use mobility aids, ranging from helpfulnes to hostility. Do other members have experience to share?
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I don't have any experiences of my own since I only just started having to use a walker once in a while, but something that I heard about: an Independent Living place--which is essentially living for seniors who no longer want to cook or clean their apartments and maybe can't drive but are wealthy so they can afford the $4,000 or $5,000/month fee--here in this town put in a rule that only ambulatory seniors were allowed to live there.

And the corporation that owns the place said that the rule meant no walkers (zimmer frames) of any kind were allowed. So they decided that some of the seniors were going to have to stop using their walkers or move. (They had a waiting list of people who wanted to move in there so they knew they could get away with this.)

And I heard that some of the residents who used walkers were thinking about suing ("Hey, this walker makes me ambulatory!"), but go try to sue a corporation, sigh. In fact--and I've learned some about this since my nephew and niece-in-law both have worked at these places here--there have been labor laws violated more than a few times at those places here and were told by the best labor lawyer here in town that corporations can't be sued for violating labor laws, they're extinct from that.

And the corporation claimed that the residents there who didn't use walkers were complaining about them, saying there was always a "darned old, icky walker" in their way every time they tried to walk down the hall. So maybe that's true--there's usually at least one chronic complainer in every setting--but one wishes the corporation had responded to those complaints, "Better get used to seeing walkers around; if you live long enough, you'll need one too someday."
 
I rely on a three-wheel rollator, which is essentially a wheeled walker equipped with a seat, allowing me to take breaks and rest when needed. The rollator is quite practical because it’s foldable, so I can easily store it in a cupboard or tuck it under a desk when it’s not in use.
While it provides me with the mobility and support I need, I’m unsure how this might affect your plans or environment, so I wanted to bring it to your attention. If there’s anything specific you need to consider, I’m happy to discuss it further.
 

Darking said:
I rely on a three-wheel rollator, which is essentially a wheeled walker equipped with a seat, allowing me to take breaks and rest when needed. The rollator is quite practical because it’s foldable, so I can easily store it in a cupboard or tuck it under a desk when it’s not in use.
While it provides me with the mobility and support I need, I’m unsure how this might affect your plans or environment, so I wanted to bring it to your attention. If there’s anything specific you need to consider, I’m happy to discuss it further.
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Yes, that's the kind I have; when I have to use it, I really appreciate having the seat also.
 
Darking said:
There seem to be different attitudes towards we who use mobility aids, ranging from helpfulnes to hostility. Do other members have experience to share?
Click to expand...
While I was wheelchair-bound, I only used a private medical transport service because public transport while I had to use a walker was an extremely unpleasant experience. Maybe it was because I lived in a "bad area" at the time, but I got way more hostility than helpfulness. One look at my walker, and suddenly everyone was in a hurry....impatient sighs, rolling eyes, and audible under-the-breath curses, and I'd be thinking "You idiots, I literally have a useful weapon in my hands."

But I couldn't have cared less that I disrupted 5 to 7 minutes of their stupid day.
 
The problem I see with that rule is that many people who move in there now do not know what their future holds for them. They may end up with a walker or mobility chair in a few years.

I use both and have never had anyone treat me badly because of it. In fact, people offer to help me if I need it.
 
In England, I frequently encounter a significant issue when using my wheelchair on buses. Despite the buses having clearly designated wheelchair spaces, these areas are often occupied by buggies.

Unfortunately, many of the parents or caregivers refuse to make room for me when I need to use the space. The situation is further complicated by bus drivers who seem hesitant to intervene, likely out of concern for causing conflict.

As a result, I have been left behind on multiple occasions, sometimes even in the rain, unable to board the bus due to the lack of available space.
 
This may be addressed better as the problem worsens. There are more old farts roaming the Earth every day now.

We're finally starting to see a crackdown on "handicapped plates" and mirror hang-tags. Far too many abled-bodied folks obtain them and take up reserved parking spaces. When you see a luxury SUV with two bicycles racked on the back and a handicapped plate... you know something might be fishy.
 
Our city buses lower so they’re sidewalk accessible. If someone gets on with a wheelchair, the driver straps them and their chair in. I’m on a quiet route and only take the bus occasionally so haven’t noticed if there‘re issues with rollators.
 
officerripley said:
I don't have any experiences of my own since I only just started having to use a walker once in a while, but something that I heard about: an Independent Living place--which is essentially living for seniors who no longer want to cook or clean their apartments and maybe can't drive but are wealthy so they can afford the $4,000 or $5,000/month fee--here in this town put in a rule that only ambulatory seniors were allowed to live there.

And the corporation that owns the place said that the rule meant no walkers (zimmer frames) of any kind were allowed. So they decided that some of the seniors were going to have to stop using their walkers or move. (They had a waiting list of people who wanted to move in there so they knew they could get away with this.)

And I heard that some of the residents who used walkers were thinking about suing ("Hey, this walker makes me ambulatory!"), but go try to sue a corporation, sigh. In fact--and I've learned some about this since my nephew and niece-in-law both have worked at these places here--there have been labor laws violated more than a few times at those places here and were told by the best labor lawyer here in town that corporations can't be sued for violating labor laws, they're extinct from that.

And the corporation claimed that the residents there who didn't use walkers were complaining about them, saying there was always a "darned old, icky walker" in their way every time they tried to walk down the hall. So maybe that's true--there's usually at least one chronic complainer in every setting--but one wishes the corporation had responded to those complaints, "Better get used to seeing walkers around; if you live long enough, you'll need one too someday."
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Doesn’t the State have laws against discrimination?
 
We have unique abilities, but the challenges we face are often a result of how our environment is designed. Our abilities are different, not less, yet the world around us can impose limitations that make it difficult for us to thrive.

It's important to recognize that much of the difficulty comes from external barriers, physical, social, and attitudinal that fail to accommodate our diverse needs. By creating more inclusive environments, they can reduce these obstacles and enable everyone to reach their full potential.
 
My friend and I shop at Walmart together and ride the local bus. We both use rollators and the bus driver gets off the bus and opens the ramp for us. Then we walk on the ramp onto the bus. We sit in seats like everyone else. Actually we enjoy the bus ride.
 
Murrmurr said:
While I was wheelchair-bound, I only used a private medical transport service because public transport while I had to use a walker was an extremely unpleasant experience. Maybe it was because I lived in a "bad area" at the time, but I got way more hostility than helpfulness. One look at my walker, and suddenly everyone was in a hurry....impatient sighs, rolling eyes, and audible under-the-breath curses, and I'd be thinking "You idiots, I literally have a useful weapon in my hands."

But I couldn't have cared less that I disrupted 5 to 7 minutes of their stupid day.
Click to expand...
I prefer to be called a wheelchair user, or someone who uses a wheelchair rather than wheelchair-bound.
 
dilettante said:
This may be addressed better as the problem worsens. There are more old farts roaming the Earth every day now.

We're finally starting to see a crackdown on "handicapped plates" and mirror hang-tags. Far too many abled-bodied folks obtain them and take up reserved parking spaces. When you see a luxury SUV with two bicycles racked on the back and a handicapped plate... you know something might be fishy.
Click to expand...
The UK Blue Badge Scheme makes a real difference to millions of disabled people every day. However, it is clear that it is in real need of modernisation after forty years without major reform.

Such are the high levels of fraud in the current system that 50% of Blue Badge holders now find it difficult to get a parking space and Blue Badge fraud is estimated to cost £46 million a year.
 

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