Open door for someone on crutches.

I would offer assistance (not just do it without asking) if I noticed someone struggling, but I very well may not truly notice even if it looked like I saw. I think we really overestimate how much attention & thought people pay us in public.

But I will say that as someone who has spent cumulative years using walking aids the most important thing I've learned to do is just ask people to help. People are generally oblivious, terrible at anticipating the needs & desires of others, and anxious about getting it wrong, but people also like to feel helpful and it's very rare that I've not had someone happily help when I ask for some specific assistance. My life on crutches/sticks/walkers became immeasurably easier when I got comfortable asking instead of waiting for someone to offer.

Yes, I would absolutely help, or at least offer, even though I'm not particularly well myself. I was trying to hold doors open for the nurse whilst I was being pushed through them on a trolley on the way to recovery after a fairly traumatic procedure last week, so it's safe to say that I'm physically incapable of not helping!

When you're an 'onlooker' and someone on crutches needs to get through a door, there's really only a few things you can do.

1. Sit and watch.
2. Hope that if they need help they'll ask for it - knowing that not everyone likes to ask and will struggle on, hoping someone will offer.
3. Do the decent thing that most of us have been raised to do and offer to help.

I'd rather do the 3rd one even if a few people might get frustrated, as from the reactions over my 56 years on earth, I'd definitely say the vast majority respond positively.

So I can only go with the majority really.

I injured my knee 6 weeks ago and was on crutches for two weeks. Getting through doors was a nightmare - I couldn't even use one crutch and open the door with the other hand because I would have fallen over (only using one leg at the time)
Of course people should get off their arses and help.

But unless you have mobility issues you cant really comment what you would do or the majority of people would. A PP who is a HCP said she's asked people if they need help and people have shushed her away, so I'm not the only one that feels like this. Nothing wrong in asking for help, if you dont you might be waiting a while for people to notice hence what happened here

Ive tied hair bands on the handles so there’s a bit I can move to get purchase on walls to stop them slipping!

Well I'm clearly not. if i need help i'll ask.

I don't know how you juggle crutches. My cane is forever falling over when propped against something.

I would have helped you straight away and most people I know would have too. Cunts

It's tiring having to use a stick. It took me 20 minutes to make up a freshly laundered bed tonight. Ten minutes just to get the duvet cover on five minutes fitted sheet, five minutes the comforter. I was knackered.

It's frustrating for you personally, but I still think the majority of people appreciate kind, polite gestures in general really.

And if it means saying "No thank you, I'm fine", then so be it.

You clearly feel differently and that's ok too.

I use crutches all the time. I always think it nice if someone offers to open a door but I also quite like noone noticing me. Because I use crutches all the time I am very capable of opening doors myself. I have strong arms though and obviously have had time to adapt.

What and not clearly seen she was struggling? Are words really necessary at that point don't be ridiculous

Wishing you a good recovery OP from a fellow 3/4 legs!

Been on (single/double) crutches for the last 12 months on and off and it’s been SO disheartening. Thankfully some people on the tube/bus have offered seats, but the scrabble to get onto the bus has been hairy... People refuse to give a bit more space in shops or pavements - I think maybe just glued to phone/oblivious? - and I’ve been tutted at so many times for needing a bit more time to straighten out a backpack or put stuff into pockets whilst juggling crutches, even after trying to remove to the side.
i was on and off crutches as a child and young adult and I can’t recall it being this bad then.

You shouldn't need to have to ask. Any decent person would have got up to help you x

Jesus Christ ! I’m using crutches atm due to a broken tibia and it’s fucking hard work ! A little bit of help from someone wouldn’t go amiss …
it’s like a full body workout being on crutches , to open the door at the same time could overload a person too much and they could fall :( where’s common courtesy gone ?!

If you're youngish it could be your age? Most people are in their own world though, thinking of test results or whatever they are in for. I would just ask in future if you need help, they might not have realised it.

Calling people arseholes for not getting up and helping somebody on crutches, is a deletable post now. Right ...

Of course I would help if at all possible. Surely anyone with an ounce of kindness and politeness would.

I work in a healthcare role and to me, its natural for me offer assistance. Previously, I'd have jumped up and opened the door.
If I'd noticed you nearing the door now, I'd have asked if you needed a hand, BEFORE just presuming to open the door for you.

More than once, I've been told 'I'm fine', 'NO- I don't need help' 'Don't touch that, I've got it!'

You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't sometimes!

You are assuming alot:
-that people have even noticed you and thought 'Oh, she might need help'
-They might be thinking about their own illness, listening incase their name is being called etc
-Distracted by their own pain and worry

Wishing you a speedy recovery OP x

I definitely think YANBU but I do think people are in their own bubbles most of the time and fail to see what is in front of their faces. I don’t know if it helps to think people are lost in their world rather than rude.