Morning everyone.Just having a moan.
I took my partner in a wheelchair to our GP for a flu job. The locum GP was very nice but he talked to Richard like he was an imbecile, or deaf or daft! People just see a wheelchair and presume the occupant is an idiot. Richard IS ill with this crap disease and he is more sluggish and he is changing BUT he still has an enlightened and intelligent brain.
I'm quite disappointed with a health professional. Anyone else experience this attitude?
We had a similar experience on the phone to a customer service department. Because Dave speaks slowly, so he can be understood, the operator was responding in a slow and almost robotic way.
You would expect medical professionals to be be more appropriately trained though. I think some of the younger ones just don’t have enough life experience yet.
You are so right to moan! It’s a way of defending your partner when these situations occur, because obviously one isn’t going to get into an argument with a doctor as you may need them onside in the future.
I experience it all the time (and am not yet in a wheelchair). To a certain extent I suspect that all older people experience this, but the specific symptoms of MSA certainly seem to invite assumptions around mental capacity. V frustrating!
At least Richard’s family and friends appreciate that he’s the bright enquiring person he always was. That means a lot
Best wishes
Gill
I get it quite a bit as I can't talk very well anymore I tend to use the speak unique app. when I'm out and about. Sometimes people ignore me and talk to the people I am with as if I am not there!! It is frustrating as my mind is as sharp as it ever was though i find it hard to communicate at the speed required to keep up with the conversation I tend to just listen and not contribute. So people therefore assume that I am not able to understand or hear!
I guess that we just need to keep reminding people as on the whole, they don't mean to be judgemental they just don't know how to respond. It is most frustrating when the conversation is about something that I know about and the people are talking c**p!
I had to get up and leave a group the other day because of the racist views they held aa I just hadn't got the energy or the wit to challenge them. Very frustrating!
Exactly this! - even my neurologist addresses my husband! Xx
My husband's speech is very slow and I confess to leaving the room when he's asked me to do something then he says "Don't walk away when I'm talking to you" so I've asked him to put up his hand so I know he's not finished. I also talk to him quite slowly and clearly as he often doesn't get what I say first time so I have to repeat it. It's not meant badly in any way but it's so frustrating for us both when trying to communicate.
Unfortunately yes!!Whoever I introduce to my husband doctor nurse carer etc I always tell them his speech is profoundly impair not his cognition and he understands everything.
I ask his permission , in front of them, to speak on his behalf.
If they fail to talk to him or ask him a question directly I have zero tolerance and tell them to talk to him.
And yes, I have told a neurologist to have the courtesy to wait while he tries to communicate.
It usually works, but if not I'm more than happy to get belligerent and ask them how they would feel if the situation was reversed!!!
yes yes you have to be proactive. No space for rudeness but you make sure the HIS / HER consultant talks to the patient with help if needed . If they dont know this they are NO ***** GOOD AT THEIR JOB AND NEED TO LEARN. for the benefit ofall patients.
Currently we have got the crisis care team due to my husband having been in hospital so his previous carers can't come. "Are we having a wash today" they say. I'd love to reply with "Well, I am, but you bring your own towel and soap." It's the response to the speech thing all over again.
electric wheelchairs 
powered wheelchair?,
Just introducing myself
Self propelled wheelchair 
Low blood pressure episodes
