tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post1821006375030322303..comments2024-03-16T16:44:18.220-07:00Comments on Bad Cripple: New York Times MIsses the Point Yet Again: Inaccessible Doctor Officeswilliam Peacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223601480542461802noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-91692896654253955622013-07-04T03:56:16.756-07:002013-07-04T03:56:16.756-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.new sourcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07404284643582692046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-44919682024682179542013-05-30T10:48:27.713-07:002013-05-30T10:48:27.713-07:00Years ago during a hospitalization at St. Vincent&...Years ago during a hospitalization at St. Vincent's in Manhattan I was allowed to go the rehab floor to use the bathroom. Usually they won't let you go to a different floor. Last time I was in my local hospital I was able to use the bathroom in my room, but only because I was in a newer wing and my wheelchair is slightly more narrow than standard. The showers, though, have a step. In the old wing, the sinks were operated by a foot pedal so if your feet don't work you can't even wash your hands by yourself. Sometimes the staff are so busy at the hospital that if you can't get out of bed yoursslf and use the bathroom, several days may pass without even a bed bath. During one hospitalization the only time I was able to get a really good wash was when nursing students were there for the day. Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04825027972915874475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-36757720107235870862013-05-30T10:48:10.590-07:002013-05-30T10:48:10.590-07:00Years ago during a hospitalization at St. Vincent&...Years ago during a hospitalization at St. Vincent's in Manhattan I was allowed to go the rehab floor to use the bathroom. Usually they won't let you go to a different floor. Last time I was in my local hospital I was able to use the bathroom in my room, but only because I was in a newer wing and my wheelchair is slightly more narrow than standard. The showers, though, have a step. In the old wing, the sinks were operated by a foot pedal so if your feet don't work you can't even wash your hands by yourself. Sometimes the staff are so busy at the hospital that if you can't get out of bed yoursslf and use the bathroom, several days may pass without even a bed bath. During one hospitalization the only time I was able to get a really good wash was when nursing students were there for the day. Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04825027972915874475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-83874953300619706972013-05-26T07:11:44.085-07:002013-05-26T07:11:44.085-07:00Shannon, I avoided any discussion of the animosity...Shannon, I avoided any discussion of the animosity directed at obesity in the comment section. The lack of knowledge regarding post SCI care when hospitalized is frustrating and dangerous. Corners are cut to reduce labor for staff (and perhaps cost control). The best example is one you mentioned--the insertion of a foley catheter. This is convenient for staff but it significantly raises the risk of a serious UTI. And yes patient bathroom are not accessible. In fact I am not sure I have never seen an accessible patient bathroom outside of a rehab hospital. Many years ago I was hospitalized and had to use the public bathroom. This was not a "reasonable accommodation" in my estimation. william Peacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00223601480542461802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-21402367141446819572013-05-25T17:13:58.380-07:002013-05-25T17:13:58.380-07:00I haven't had too many problems getting onto e...I haven't had too many problems getting onto examining tables at the doctor's office, but that is because I am not overweight and do not need to be completely lifted. I read the comments under the article. As often happens, there was a lot of hate directed towards obese people, and of course, ignorance about disability. <br /><br />When I'm an inpatient, though, it's usually a very undignified experience because the patient bathrooms are usually not accessible - and outside of major rehab facilities, the staff do not always understand the needs of spinal cord injured when it comes to elimination issues.... they don't understand why I can't use a bedpan. I usually end up having to use a Foley, and I have to explain why it needs to be flushed when it clogs up. About 1-1/2 years ago I went to a small rehab facility (after acute care hospitalization for a pressure ulcer) that does not often get spinal cord injured patients. My Foley needed flushing or removal. I first asked at 7 am and it was not done until 6 pm. An LPN did not understand why I took so long in the bathroom and needed a large supply of gloves (so your bowels don't work?, she said). They didn't understand why the 3-times-a week p.m. on their schedule showers didn't work well with an a.m. bowel routine. After 3 weeks I went home and the pressure sore improved a lot faster. Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04825027972915874475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-3034305462603979552013-05-25T12:41:22.467-07:002013-05-25T12:41:22.467-07:00Jo, I have no doubt the Canadian system is far fro...Jo, I have no doubt the Canadian system is far from perfect. However, at least you do not fear bankruptcy every time you get ill. <br />Tom, I hold a dim view of what the average American knows. Sadly education is no longer valued. Scholarship is scoffed at. This is a big problem. Yes, progress has been made but it is glacial. And yes education and advocacy are important. At issue is how to make advocacy resonate with the general public. <br />Matthew, It is stunning to me how many doctors are all too willing to dismiss the complaints of women. And yes people with a disability are often given inadequate pain control. As for women and wheelchair use, yes they are out numbered by men. In the SCI population the ratio is of men over women is very high. About 80% men last time I checked. THough this may equal out in time with TitleIX and women now far more active in sports and recreational activities. MiddleChild, What Don experienced was criminal. william Peacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00223601480542461802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-63681579661017225042013-05-25T12:29:12.534-07:002013-05-25T12:29:12.534-07:00Mike Volkman left me the following comment. He has...Mike Volkman left me the following comment. He has given me permission to post it here:<br /><br /> School segregation does not wait until secondary school. When I enrolled in kindergarten in 1970, the procedure was to place me automatically in "special ed" (how demeaning a term that is!). What kept me out of that segregation was parents who were willing to fight. They were teachers themselves at a time when some rabble-rouser named Judy Heumann was making headlines for having the audacity to want to get a job. They sought her out for advice. One brief conversation in a hotel room with her was enough to forewarn and forearm them to expect and prepare for what was coming for the next 12 years. IDEA may have been around for 38 years, but words on paper don't change a long history. The law don't change another's mind when all it sees in the hiring line is the line on the color bar. That's just the way it is.william Peacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00223601480542461802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-73775004315162132092013-05-25T05:15:41.925-07:002013-05-25T05:15:41.925-07:00As for the issue of women in wheelchairs and docto...As for the issue of women in wheelchairs and doctors, their attitude towards chronic illness is another major stumbling block even if they can get into the building and onto the table. There are quite a few who take an "all in the head" attitude and refuse medication and referrals. I know one lady with EDS and syringomyelia who has been refused pain relief for the past six months (she has no sensation below the waist, though some movement, but has a lot of neuropathic pain and itching). SCI and neuropathic pain are not exactly poorly observed phenomena. <br /><br />Also, are you sure women are a minority of wheelchair users, rather than just of people with spinal cord injuries? Matthew Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16675719484819810707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-60729766810163198612013-05-24T22:09:05.504-07:002013-05-24T22:09:05.504-07:00Excellent essay and some good points we know too w...Excellent essay and some good points we know too well about. This reminded me of a complaint we put in before Don was killed - it was a disturbing incident which happened in 2005 - I hope its not too long here - but explains the stupidity of medical and radiology as to what disabled means - just realised - its too long will send it via email<br /><br />Middle Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09962830669606760640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-31964047856402727352013-05-24T13:59:24.265-07:002013-05-24T13:59:24.265-07:00I don't think the average American has any clu...I don't think the average American has any clue to what is meant by 'civil rights,' certainly not in its broadest sense. It remains about voting for many, and if you don't know what something is, it's hard to miss it when it's absent. Education and advocacy are the only solutions I can think of, other than experience. Progress has been minimal though - maybe even modest - but there has been progress. Now that society seems to be developing an awareness of the civil rights of the gay community, maybe there is hope for their understanding of the rights of those of us with disabilities. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16722113420473357914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556371561007953336.post-87154021186604436392013-05-24T12:46:11.364-07:002013-05-24T12:46:11.364-07:00I have to be falling down near deaths door before ...I have to be falling down near deaths door before I go to a doctor or hospital - and I live in a country that has a very different health care system. It fails us every day. Jo Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09072719336851076572noreply@blogger.com