NC as this is massively outing. I've mentioned it under my normal posting name, so if anyone has seen it could you just not mention it here? :)
I am disabled and use a wheelchair, and i recently attended a music festival. Onsite there was a pathway which dropped down a kerb, the kerb wasnt lowered and there was no ramp. Whilst attempting to (carefully!) get down the bump, my chair tipped, i fell and hit my head, knocking myself out.
One of the onsite private ambulances was called, i came to when they arrived but was not properly aware until arrival at the medical tent, and that bit is very hazy. I remember them unsplitting the backboard to put me on the bed, i had no neck brace on. My sat o2 had dropped to low 70s so they gave me oxygen and at some point dh arrived (having been left with my chair while they took me alone)
They checked my head by feel a few times, and once my o2 was higher they kept me for an hours observation. As far as i remember noone checked my neck, and they also missed that i had wet myself. During this time they were dealing with people who had drunk too much.
After the hour i was sent back to my tent.
In pain all weekend then, but assume it is leftover aches because of the jolt and leave it.
When i got home i was still getting worse so saw my doctor, who confirmed i have whiplash from the bump, made more likely to happen by my disability. (Before going I asked for a copy of the accident report/paperwork to give to my doctor, i am still waiting...)
So, i know i need to complain, but have no idea where to start, and often feel i am being melodramatic about it. I am autistic and dont trust my own reactions.
My main points
- that there should be a dropped kerb
- that they should have noticed that someone who had lost consciousness had wet themselves (afaik its an important sign of potential problems?), and should have been more aware of potential neck injuries
- that if they are unable to deal with complications of a disability related injury, they should refer to proper a&e. If they dont know anything about the disability, dont try to bodge it.
- that a copy of paperwork should be given at th time (iirc it would be with an accident report?)
I think thats everything?
Can you help me make sense of it so i can ensure noone is put at risk next year?
Thank you :)