The power of money
By hookfan
@hookfan (447)
April 3, 2007 11:26am CST
I must say I am very surprised at how backward England is compared to Canada (where I used to live), when it comes to people with disabilities. They seem a bit behind the times, especially where the power of money is concerned. People with disabilities actually do spend money! :) Heck, I spend money! I shop! I do the grocery shopping - yup as a blind person I do and I don't mind a browse thru the local book store too! I shop for craft items too - I'm a sucker for knitting, cross stitching and crocheting.
Yet, getting some assistance, even when I ask for it, is darn near impossible. Except one store that I frequent, the craft store, where it is run by a lovely lady and her best friend. They bend over backwards to help me figure out all the right colours, the right products, at a good fair price :)
The local grocery store still thinks it's funny to see me try and manage with my white cane, a full trolley (that only goes to the right) and avoid hitting anyone. Yet they keep telling me to go to Customer Service and ask for someone to go round with me. I do and they can't spare anyone. A losing battle, yet food shopping must be done!
Shop online? Have tried that, they forgot half my list the last time! But my money is still good :)
This actually started from another discussion with someone else on MyLot. Clerks should be more willing to deal with people with disabilities. We don't bite, we're people too.
2 people like this
3 responses
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
3 Apr 07
In the states they have the ADA, Americans with Disablities Act to go for them. When my former roomies mother lived in a building that was mostly aged & disabled people, they had a door that never worked right & wasn't accessable. I was injured by this door & when I wanted the place to pay for my doctor visit & replace the door, I got an abusive fellow telling me that "they didn't have the money & if I wanted the door replaced, I'd have to do it." Well, I filed the place with the ADA & they FOUND the money to replace the door (and their insurance company to pay for my doctor's visit.)
3 people like this
@weemam (13372)
•
3 Apr 07
I agree with you 100% , you should write to the head office of the store involved pal , I get so angry with so called " normal people " as you know Ross has CP but very intelligent , Since he was small people would look over him to me and ask " how is Ross" I used to tell them to ask Ross not me , They seem to take it for granted if he has a physical handicap he has a mental handicap too , I know a lot of people don't understand but some ( not all) could try harder .I for one pal think you are brilliant xxxxx
2 people like this
@hookfan (447)
•
3 Apr 07
I did quite a few letters and phone calls to the store manager and even had a meeting with them where I was bullied quite badly. I wrote to the CEO and received a reply. Because of this the manager is being moved to another store, lots of complaints. It's always the same isn't it? People always equate any sort of disability with inability to think/feel/respond. Thanks pal and you're brilliant too :) xx
1 person likes this
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Oh, yes. Accomodation for disabilities are usually better in the U.S. than in Canada. I've never been to England. But even where there is accomodation, it isn't always really available. Like you said, they don't have enough staff to have someone assist you for any length of time.
One of my favorite signs is on the door of a department store near me. It says that if you have disabilities the staff will be happy to assist you. However, the sign is on the outside of the manual door and there is no way to call for someone to help with the door to even get into the store!
And gasoline stations have one pump indicated for the handicapped. If you go to that pump and honk your horn they are supposed to come out and pump your gas for you. But most of the time the station only has one employee who can't leave the cash register to come out to help you. What's the point of having that pump for the handicapped if there is no one available?
