r/YouShouldKnow • u/LtSoundwave • Jul 19 '20

Other YSK That many people with a disability consider their aides (wheelchair, etc.) an extension of themselves. You should ask before touching or moving them.

Read this article and was surprised to hear how many people struggle with this. Even if you are trying to help, you should ask first.

www.bbc.com/news/disability-49584591

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394

u/Kyla_420 Jul 19 '20

You learn this quick working in a hospital. After the first time a patient yelled at me for moving their wheeled walker without first disengaging the brake, I started asking every time and people do appreciate being asked.

164

u/thecatstartedit Jul 19 '20 edited Jul 23 '20

Oof yeah because it takes weeks in the shop waiting for replacement brakes to be installed. That's weeks with inferior aids or none.

66

u/GretalRabbit Jul 19 '20

They’re often super expensive to buy/repair too.

37

u/thecatstartedit Jul 19 '20 edited Jul 19 '20

Oh shit yeah. My rollator was several hundred out of pocket and wheelchairs can be insane! Custom fitting is ideal but it's so expensive

46

u/StExuperysAsteroid Jul 19 '20

I’m surprised that this isn’t included in your safety/HR training. It’s a huge safety and legal liability.

-2

u/[deleted] Jul 19 '20

[deleted]

5

u/LizardsInTheSky Jul 20 '20

I think they meant just not moving aids without asking, or how to use aids.

They hammered that into us as nursing assistants and I've heard that even non medial staff at my hospital are taught basically that you cannot move someone's aids without being told by the patient or by someone on their care team.

It's a big no-no, since not only can it be super distressing for the patient, they can probably sue.

4

u/StExuperysAsteroid Jul 20 '20

I’m referring to staff moving a patient’s or client’s aids. The aids are an extension of who the person is.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 19 '20

thats why I usually lift them to move them.