Monday, September 20, 2010

Being Handicapped Does Not Mean That I Have Become Stupid.





A very dreary cool, grey and rainy day, Richie just came back with two very damp dogs, from taking them down to the dog toilet by the canal at the end of our street.

Today is my physiotherapy day, Mathilde will be here at 14.00 for 30 minutes, it is always a good session and I generally benefit from the exercises and shoulder massage.

Michelle, the advisor from the local council will also come by to check my arm supports; hopefully the saga of the wheelchair table will come to a good conclusion soon.

Still can’t believe that while I was waiting for the table to be made from the lengthy measuring session which took 2 1/2 hours on 25 august nothing was happening.

To my amazement found out last Wednesday, that nothing was actually happening as my occupational therapist Johanneke had to come and check the height first.

No one, neither Harm, from Welzorg the mobility company, nor Michelle told either Richie or me this on the 25 august.

If they had have done so, I would have immediately got in touch with Johanneke right away for an appointment ASAP.

But I did not and Johanneke said nothing either, nor did she tell me she was the cause of why the whole project had stagnated.

She just told me that it was stagnated, found out that she or rather her lack of coming to check was the reason nothing was happening.

Really incredible that this has happened especially, after the whole saga of things such as the arm supports, this took months to get adjusted.

Months of painful arms and shoulders because I had to support my arms and shoulders myself.

Can’t believe that my occupational therapist seems to have let me down so badly by not coming by quickly to check the arm supports.

Know for a fact that my old occupational therapist Ludwine would have made an appointment right away, she was very supportive of us both.

Ludwine came to visit us last week Wednesday which was very nice of her, good to see her again.

Shame she is not still my therapist, she is outstanding always acted in my best interests, never adopted a different tone of voice when talking to me.

Always felt like equals which h does not happen too often most including Johanneke adopt their voices.

They talk to me in that sugary tone of voice for the hard of thinking which I hate so much.

Decided the next time that happens, instead of ignoring it I shall ask whoever it is to not patronise me, as I am an equal, being handicapped does not mean that I have become stupid, my handicap has not diminished my intellect.

9 comments:

Have Myelin? said...

Oh I know! I hate, hate the sugary tones too. "How are youuuuuuu, honey?" in that syrup-y tone. ICK. First of all, I am not her "honey". Call me Sherry!

GRRRR.

Herrad said...

Hi Sherry,

Glad you hate it too, next time it happens I shall say something.
I had not before to Johanneke as she seemed ok otherwise. But now I am very unhappy as I have waited patiently for the table which fits over the wheelchair.
Only to find she is the reason for the delay.
I am so cross GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Love,
Herrad

Muffie said...

Oh, me too!! When I'm in my scooter, I often think I have a sign posted there, saying, "Beware! Dumb bunny is headed your way!!" I get so annoyed with that saccharine voice, and solicitous attitude, I want to scream!
Peace,
Muff

Herrad said...

Hi Muff,
Agree makes me want to scream too.
Horrible that false sweet tone Ihate being patronised.
Thanks for your visit and comment.
Love,
Herrad

Libby said...

i remember telling kev, when we were married, "ms doesn't stand for mental stupidity, dammit!" :-D

Travelogue for the Universe said...

Thinking of you and wish for no more delays.Love, Mary

Missie said...

Amen! Have a good week.

Herrad said...

Hi Libby,
So many people do think that about handicaps.
Kev is the one who sounds like a stupid idiot here.

Hi Mary,
Thanks for your thoughts and good wishes.

Hi Missie,
Thanks, hope your week is good.

Thanks you three lovely friends for coming by, your comments were good to see.
Hate even a whiff of a patronising sugary tone of voice and people who know nothing about me assuming they do.
There was a radio program in England called
'Does he take sugar' about how people talk about you when you are handicapped, as if you are not there.
Love,
Herrad

Herrad said...

Hi Libby,
So many people do think that about handicaps.
Kev is the one who sounds like a stupid idiot here.

Hi Mary,
Thanks for your thoughts and good wishes.

Hi Missie,
Thanks, hope your week is good.

Thanks you three lovely friends for coming by, your comments were good to see.
Hate even a whiff of a patronising sugary tone of voice and people who know nothing about me assuming they do.
There was a radio program in England called
'Does he take sugar' about how people talk about you when you are handicapped, as if you are not there.
Love,
Herrad