Going on a mission

Bones, joints and muscles
1

During my recovery I have become annoyed, no, not with you lot, I love you lot!

I have become angry with appointments, or waiting for appointments, in fact waiting rooms.

The worst one was a Health Assessment, or a 'prove-to-me-you're-sick' interview so that I can continue to get paid the pittance they give me. I was told I had to attend two weeks after my op or lose the tiny offering.

Apart from having to hobble on my crutches about 500yds, dodging scaffolding poles and building stuff I arrived at a waiting room to find unsuitable chairs. They were trendy low level and armless. I was too scared to try and sit, having visions of the burley security men being brought in from the lager soaked Job Centre next door, so I perched on a radiator. I perched for 40 minutes because they were running late. I was not on my own. There was a young girl who was also just out of hospital with screws in her knee (she showed me) and an old guy who was trying to fall asleep against the wall.

I complained. I certainly wasn't the only one who was incapacitated?

Flossie, behind the security window, (I called her Flossie because she looked as if she had applied her make-up with a fish slice) said "We haven't got any money". I eyed the illegal seating and snorted.

Then there were the super slidey, plastic horrors at the pharmacy - I leaned against the display of surgical supports and Flossie's cousin came and tutted at me.

The bank supplied an exercise bar and the Post Office left me wedged up against a moveable barrier and 'holiday items'.

But the, then came the worst - the doctors surgery, I kid you not. Not a high/raised chair in the whole room. I had never noticed before but I noticed now that I have just had my femur chopped off. The chairs were all cramped together so that I was in danger on inflicting serious injuries with my crutches to the 'coughing' crew who were lounging on chairs that looked about 6inches off the floor.

Helga the Dragonlady Of St Surgery also announced that they don't have any money, or any room (!!!!!) for higher chairs.

Has anyone else found this? I am surely not the only one to have noticed, I even feel a bit embarrassed for not noticing on behalf of the rest of the hobbling club, the older folk and the recently hipped.

Surely someone can knock up a few chair risers? Or spend a bit of money on sensible seating or even supply some emergency cushions.

I watched an old guy hovering over an elusive plastic chair in the doctors and have vowed to get this changed.

I shall donate my own perch stool and a set of chair raisers and try not to forget once I heal that this is really important.

2

I know how you feel. I applied for PIP and was rejected as i did not meet the critera because i can talk to people, prepare my own food and so on. Which is silly because its unfair to reject me for things that dont count in my disability.

Also iv finally got my letter to see a surgeon about the operation on my collar bone. Im forever waiting for appointments and sittinf around in hospital.

Hopefully that will be all over for you soon hunnie xx

3

My doc's surgery has some raised chairs - Yeayhay for them.

Graham - 🚀💃

4

Yes I noticed too. I used to take my own booster cushion to the GP surgery. Thankfully I didn't have to go to the "prove your sick" thing although I did before my operation but that is a whole other thread even thinking about the scruffy, food splattered woman who " interviewed" me raises my blood pressure- and I'm trying to keep it on an even keel. 🙄

5

The first thing I thought when I walked into the Orthopedic office, why are all the chairs so low.  I had a real hard time sitting and getting up was worse. Most of my visits I just stood and waited. Oh, and the office door was very hard to open, not automatic....

6

Love the names you given to the staff. Brought a smile reading these. 

Totally agree with seating arrangements and access to various departments we have to use. Worst one I use is my doctors surgery. First couple of times had to use wheelchair, daughter pushing. After trying to open main door and daughter having take a run to get over threshold, enter into waiting room, nowhere without getting in the way of everyone to park. Next comes the narrow corridors with fire doors to try and hold open and get through, before they shut on you. This done a sharp right and quick left to reach the treatment room. Few walls scraped and banged into. Serves them right if they have to decorate.

7

Well kate my health centre has what l call school chairs all plastic and all close together like yours with a table in the middle that you have to manover around as its that close to the chairs. If the surgerys full you have no chance if your one of us but however at the bit you sit to see the nurse (they have a diffrent section for people who see the nurse) has got 1 hospital chair you know the big ones you get at the side of a hospital bed. However everytime l have been in my doctots there is a pensioner in it and l.mean everytime. Nothing against the pensioners at all but where does that leave us having to stand for at least 40 mind as they are always running late. Yet one time l asked for an emergancy appointment but told them to give me 40 mins notice as l was at my work and would need to drive home. So l gets a call at 3pm saying can i be there for half 3. So rushing l said to the receptionist l will need to rush as l was 20 miles away. In a panic l had to log of my pc clear my desk and tell people what work l could not get done so they could pick it up. Then off l hobbled as fast as l could ss it was when l was the middle of my OA pain and drove as fast as l could on a farm road of course l was gonna meet every tractor thats been made. So l was 10 mins late. The receptionist gave me a lòok as if l had just called her the worst name ever and said you are late.....no s##t sherlock she said l will say to the doctor but she might not see you now. Take a seat she said after me explaining what l had to go through to get there. 20 mind later the receptionist shouted on me and said the doctor can't see you as she has no time and has to be out for 5pm. I was sent away. I was funming. So its fine for us to dit and wait for 40 mind to an hour if there running late but l am 10 mins late l don't get taken. Its all wrong it just makes me mad. I know for a fact l would have been kept waiting if l had been on time .....anyway rant over l have never once been taken on time of my app in all the years l can remember. Xx

8

Your stories are so funny you make them so much better to read but l totally agree with you xx

9

At least that is one thing my GPs surgery has got right, several  high seated armchairs and self check-in via a computer screen.

Also at the MSK clinic my appointment was right on time,no waiting.

So glad I am of an age not to need a health assessment, that sounds unreasonable for people struggling to walk as well as dealing with the complexities of getting the necessary surgery.I am thinking enough already!!

I feel for Sarah dealing with this stuff at such a young age.

Seeing what others are coping with I see that my situation is not too bad.

Since developing the hip problem my eyes have been opened to so much that people are dealing with.

I totally took good health for granted before.

Many thanks to every one who responded to my 2 weeks away post.You are all so supportive.

Joyxx

 

10

Ohhh too right, my doctors surgery only have those plastic chairs lined up together. A few high chairs with arms would not go amiss. When I had to go hospital for a check at 3 weeks, the doctors room in the hip clinic only had a low chair, but he would not let me sit on it and dropped the bed for me, so at least he knew. 

I think these places need us hippies to educate people.  It's like the park benches, when I go for a walk and it's nice i would love to just and people watch but they are so low and angled up, you couldn't sit at 90%, wonder if I wrote to them they would take any notice.

11

Haha you nutter!  You do make me laugh but I totally agree with your sentiments, although I'm very lucky with my surgery.  It has recently joined forces with another surgery in a totally new building and they've got it right with higher chairs with arms scattered amongst the lower ones without.  I don't really do much waiting around in other places.  

It has taken this country long enough to get their heads round disabled access ramps for shops, and hearing loops for hard of hearing.  They need to go one step further.

 

12

Sarah, PIP is not designed to be paid to anyone, didn't you know? I was advised to apply because I had two ops coming up, what a ridiculous process! Can I hold a pencil? How long does it take me to walk 100m?

I am also a reject!

So pleased you have an appointment for your collar bone. I reckon you are going to be fixed bit by bit this year and like me you'll have a new future.

13

Get yours to have a word with mine, will you?

14

Adult boosters, hmmm, a whole new career.

15

I don't understand. It wouldn't take much to raise them up a bit. OH has equipment, why don't they put a few sets of risers in the waiting room? Senseless, considering hips, knees, old folk, spinal patients etc all need higher seating.

16

I 'name' everyone, Gill, it's a hobby!

I understand the need for fire doors but even the bank has automatic doors and a ramp (and an exercise bar, did I mention?).

17

Thank you, Laura. I am a writer, heh!

I know our surgery is fond of telling everyone how many appointments have been missed in the last week but they don't tell you that it often takes half an hour, from 8.30am, waiting on the phone to try and get an appointment! When you finally get to speak to Frau Helga she smugly tells you that all appointments are taken and you should have rung at 8.30 - grrrrrrr

18

Like everything, Gloria, we don't take any notice until it is pushed under our noses. I also took my mobility for granted until my hips packed up but there are things we can do.

Being brave and pointing out the shortcomings will help those that come behind us.

I send you positive thoughts for your upcoming surgery, I can't think of a better way to take your mind off it, I love Mallorca.

I am so looking forward to travelling again after I am healed.

 

19

Yes, yes, yes, Lyn, as I said in my previous reply we need to mention it everywhere we go. Write, write, write. It doesn't take much for a few changes to be made that could make a difference to more people than we probably think.

20

Hah, I doubt that will happen after the recent disability payments debacle. I would like Flossie to get her hands on Osborne with her fish slice!

A set of risers for a standard chair costs about £12 - £25. I am on a mission now.