bI mummy and daddies

[Prettythings1]

Hi has any one. Who had suffered a BI who can only use one arm as a result had any bad experiences using the bus or public transport! I was told I couldn't use the bus because my pram needed to be folded and carried on, I explained that I couldn't do this but no luck awful

[RogerCMerriman]

Sounds a unpleasant experience. People are remarkably dumb/rude about disabilities, I’ve had folks ask if I could move one of my charges on the buses, who is in a massive wheelchair with tubes and what not, and are surprised when I’ve refused to!

In terms of this I’d probably email/Wright the bus company to explain/complain.

In terms of making it even more obvious could try things like invisible disability badges that Transport For London do.

I use one as my balance on trains/buses and less said about the Tube! Isn’t great, particularly if it’s dark and busy ie winter rush hour is horrendous! It’s so I don’t feel embarrassed about sitting in disabled seats etc.

Other options could be stuff like com cabs (disability taxis) and such.

[Prettythings1 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Apparently there are no taxi companies that have cars that you can put up right prams and apparently in my area

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Prettythings1]

Black cabs can take a full upright, wide access wheelchairs I spend my life taking folks in such, so a pram would be child’s play, they also can take my wife’s bike when she’s has wimped out of horrible weather!

Mini cabs are a bit more hit and miss, but I have ordered and used them to take myself and my charge in a wheelchair, So it is possible though can in itself be quite hard work.

[Prettythings1 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Thanks most of taxi firms inmy area. Don't use black cabs just regular cars I even asked the taxi firm who advertises wheelchair travel and apparently they're not able to take a upright prams

Also I think I will struggle lifting the pram into the taxi with one arm

I suppose my only choice is to get confident on public transport but I don't like it feel trapped

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Prettythings1]

A wheelchair at least the sort I tend to support folks in, the head of said folks comes to just about 4ft mark, so they clear the doorway by the matter of millimetres! they also need a ramp to get in/out, I've seen and used a few mini cabs that have ramps fitted, the driver will tend to push the wheelchair, up and down.

I've never seen nor used a pushchair that is as big. to be honest i think your being fobbed off, by the taxi firms since if a wheelchair can get in the taxi then a push chair most certainly could.

must be other one armed Mums out there! might be worth asking at Mumsnet?

[Prettythings1 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Yeah Ive asked the odd question, never get a response or if I do people just say its too much hard work and don't bother going out x

[Wittycjt in reply to Prettythings1]

That's a shame☹️

[Wittycjt in reply to RogerCMerriman]

What is an invisibility disability tag. I'm from the US and am unfamiliar. Thanks for the educational lesson.

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Wittycjt]

transport for london does badges for folks less able to stand, it has a few including ones for being pregnant.

But I have one of these

tfl.gov.uk/campaign/please-...

I even Blogged about it.

rogermerriman.co.uk/2017/05...

I do find it useful not so much to get a seat but to feel confident sitting in the disabled/less able to stand seats, partially in rush hour.

[Prettythings1 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Ah im in gr Manchester theres nothing like that

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Prettythings1]

True though since it’s just a badge, places like.

stickmancommunications.co.uk Or others sell similar.