We Are Not Patients
The general perception of wheelchair users is that we are people with chronic medical conditions. In short, we are considered patients. That is furthest away from the truth. Wheelchair users are people who employ a different mode of mobility. Instead of using our legs to walk, we move around on wheelchairs. That is the only stark difference.
There have been cases where wheelchair users accompanying friends to hospitals were misconstrued by the nurses and doctors as people seeking medical attention. Likewise, I have experienced the same dilemma when accompanying my late mother to the hospital for her checkups.
While this is not a major issue, it is discomforting that society at large still sees wheelchair users with such mindsets. At a recent meeting regarding accessible public transport, there were suggestions to request for bus routes to specifically serve institutions for disabled persons and hospitals.
That is another misconception. Not all disabled persons live in institutions. Many live in the community. That is how it should be. At the same time, accessible buses should not only serve routes to hospitals. That should not be a priority but included as one of the routes.
True, many need to go to hospitals for regular checkups but that is not a major activity for disabled persons. It is more important that we are able to commute to work or school conveniently. Additionally, we also like to enjoy leisure activities such as trips to the malls or parks.
There are still a lot of misconceptions regarding disabilities and disabled persons. It is not totally the fault of society. Disabled persons themselves are the best advocate of change in such matters. By living in the community, we can gradually eliminate fallacies, build bridges and create an inclusive society where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
*This entry first appeared in Monster Blog on October 3, 2006.
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November 11th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Hi, to mr. petertan, Im mr. teodosio, who were also a spinal injury, a wheelchair bound, as what you’ve said, its true that a lots of people are having a misconception about the disabled. I came from the Philippines whom also a lots of discrimination on our part in the society because as of now, our government did not gave a full support. Even there is already a law regarding the disabled still, they continue to ignore everything that person with disability has a contribution also to the society. I’m a one of the community leader but Im still experincing discrimination in terms of jobs opportunity, accessibility and so on. I thank God for searching this website…
May 5th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hi there,
Its true that healthcare professionals overuse the term ‘patient’. In my practice as a student nurse I have come to see it as applying to sick people who must temporarily give a degree of power and control over their care to the health professional when they cant look after themselves; it should never be used for people living in the community with long term health conditions, as this is very patronising and disempowering (In New Zealand we try to call people consumers, clients or service users). Thank you for your website, I am learning lots from you and I hope it will help me provide better care to people with spinal injuries.