Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Diana.Dawne From: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Diana Dawne) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Getting assistance Message-ID: <15735@handicap.news> Date: 21 May 91 04:08:06 GMT Sender: news@bunker.isc-br.com Reply-To: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/432 - The Idea Link, Wheaton MD Lines: 48 Approved: wtm@bunker.hcap.fidonet.org Index Number: 15735 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] >Anyway, I'm climbing down from the soapbox now. Oops, >missed my footing. Can I help you? Would you like a wheelchair? Hi Nancy. I think that we do not disaggree on this subject. I aggree, that we need to be as indipendent as we can and if at all possible, I think that means turning down wheelchairs. On the other side of the coin though, if someone really needs a wheelchair, I think he should use it. I have a friend who is blind. He also has a severe problem walking because he has a breathing problem. When I have been with him, I have urged him to take the wheelchair. He has insisted on walking only to get to his plane and have the parametics called because he was having difficulty breathing. This caused a problem both for the airline and for him but if he hadn't exerted himself beyond his abilities, then it wouldn't have bothered anyone. I used to work in a hospital. I had a cane with me and knew the place backwards, well certain parts of it. I had a major surgery at that hospital. In process of time, I became strong enough to walk around, and the doctor told me to walk as much as possible. I got up and went to the elevator and down to my office where I had something I wanted to read.The staff just about came unglued. They discovered me missing and looked all over the place except the back places that you only knew about if you worked there. The only reason they found me was because I called the nurses station to tell them I really didn't feel like lunch. After that, I was told I couldn't go wandering off. However, when I had to go for tests, I was allowed to walk. I was asked not to wander about the hospital though and that does make sense. A couple of my patients wanted me to come see them but I declined because I wasn't dressed properly. Anyway, I would have gotten tired in the middle of the visit, and that probably would have caused problems. All I am saying is we all have limits. I think if your physical condition requires it, use a wheelchair. Otherwise, walk. In itself, blindness is not a reason for the wheelchair. I have explained to more then one airline employee that blindness effects the eyes, not the mind or the legs. Now I'll get off the soap box. * EZ 1.30 * -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Diana.Dawne Internet: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org