Went to the hospital in my wheelchair with my male friend pushing me. The male healthcare worker came out to get me, ignored me and said to my friend, “Can I take her now?” If I had been a young male in a wheelchair rather a woman, would I have been ignored? I suspect it is partially disableism but also sexism… I suspect the male healthcare worker saw my male friend as “in charge of me”, as I’m just a weak and delicate female obviously(!).
We are very used to this sadly so my lovely friend always speaks up as a great advocate. So as well as hearing from him, the healthcare worker was also told by me to ask for the consent of the person in the wheelchair before grabbing them! He was not unpleasant but looked absolutely baffled by what I said.. In fact I had to tell him a second time before he understood what the issue was…