AIBU?
Disabled through the back door
jammypuddingmonkey · 05/08/2015 10:11
How unreasonable is it for me to be cross about someone saying that a disabled person is only allowed to use the back door for access, that they shouldn't want to use the front door? It feels a bit like disability discrimination...
This is in the house they live in, not a commercial building, nothing to do with anything regarding making the house accessible either. It's not that a ramp is only to one door, or anything like that.
The front door is nearest to the road. The back door isn't usable alone for the person, because of construction faults with it. The front door is usable independently.
The front door is accessible, but apparently is only to be used in an emergency, not day to day life.
So... The disabled person shouldn't answer the front door, or use it at all, they should only use the back door. It's not access within the house, it's literally that- you shouldn't use the front door, only the back, because you're disabled. Said almost like that, too... Previously said that the person should spend most of their time in the back of the house, too.
I'll add that there's ramps to both doors, both are widened. You have to pass the front door to get to the back door anyway.
Anyone an OT? Is this honestly the official opinion? Disabled only allowed to use the back door? Should stay out the main rooms? Hide away? There were worse comments made... I won't go into it all, too long! 
Or is this expecting too much- wanting to use the front door...
This has been said several times to us. But yesterday was said directly- why do you want to use the front door?
why?!
When so many other things are taken away by disability, so much independence lost and having to accept that, something small like deciding to use the front door because its easier surely shouldn't be a decision made by anyone other than the person who lives there?
COPMyourselfon · 05/08/2015 10:34
I am an OT. Who said this and in what context?
It is true to say that we would normally only adapt one exit (usually this is based on both the persons wishes and practicalities) but you have said both are ramped so that doesn't apply here.
you say the person can independently access the front door so what would happen if they just used the front door? Surely the back door would still bring them to the front of the house via a side path or whatever?
I genuinely don't understand. Can you give some more background?
jammypuddingmonkey · 05/08/2015 10:34
The OT said it, expressing surprise that the person wanted to use the front door at all. There's not much more to say- the ramp has been repaired poorly, they came out to see... To get to either door, have to use this ramp too, so it's not an option not to... Just apparently he should never use the front door, just the back.
They know the back door isnt right, but it's a door, on the back
We had the ombudsman tell them to sort it, I think that kind of told them where to stick it! We're labelled as 'troublemakers' for that.That we've never thrown them out is mainly because we need them on side, and we've got the moral highground if we don't lose it at them (one OT rang up to yell once- just to yell- because we'd told a doctor about what she'd said!) They ultimately end up having to do what theyre supposed to.
They tried to tell us which side of the bed to sleep on... I'm not joking. We give them enough rope to hang from...
LilacWine7 · 05/08/2015 10:45
I'm confused.
Are you saying it was an OT who said this? Did you hear them say it or did the disabled person report back to you that this is what was said? Could they have misunderstood/misheard?
OT is all about promoting independence and personal choice. So if a patient wants to use the front door, the OT will try to make this possible. The only time they may recommend using the back door instead is if there are safety concerns re the front door, especially if they've assessed the patient using the front door and patient is struggling or at risk of falling.
Are you sure there are no hidden hazards with the front door? Eg is it stiff or difficult to open, is there a step down to the street, are there rugs or trip-hazards indoors leading up to it that the patient doesn't wish to move? Is the street very busy or the pavement uneven? (which may present a hazard if patient is trying get straight onto the street with a mobility aid). Does the patient need to leave a mobility aid e.g. walking stick/wheeled-walker near the door which would obstruct other residents or staff who use the front door? Are carers coming in and out regularly and need the front door kept clear of equipment? How many other people live in the house and which door do they use?
Can't really help with this unless you provide more details!
jammypuddingmonkey · 05/08/2015 10:46
It's a house. One wheelchair user. Rented property, HA. The front door apparently is for emergency only, the back door is for everyday use- according to OT, the OT asked why he wanted to use the front door anyway.
I don't understand anymore either, I think I lost the plot years ago. 
it's crazy though, isn't it, you can't tell someone which door to use?
maz210 · 05/08/2015 10:51
I don't understand. What's the problem with them using the front door i.e. what adaptations do they need to be able to use it? Your post reads as though they are physically capable of using the front door but have been told not to for no reason.
I'm disabled and have been very happy with the help offered me by the OT.
LilacWine7 · 05/08/2015 10:51
OP just saw your last post.
The OT will have advised which side of the bed to sleep based on which side is safer and easier for the patient to get in/out. They will assess this before making a recommendation and should discuss options with the patient. Particularly if they need to fit equipment like a bed-lever (which can't be fitted against a wall but will make getting in and out of bed much easier).
It sounds like you've clashed with this OT and have misunderstood why they said to use one door only. I'm guessing there is a hazard with using the other door that you're not aware of. The OT should have explained it better.
Fishwives · 05/08/2015 10:57
Hang on, am confused. Is it the case that the front door area needs repairs in order for a wheelchair user to use it, but as the back door is actually usable, the OT says to use the back door only and won't justify the front door repairs being paid for because s/he thinks unnecessary?
jammypuddingmonkey · 05/08/2015 10:59
I was there when the OT said it, to my husband, at our (front) door. 'Why do you want to use the front door... ' never met that particular OT before.
All the fighting has been done for adaptions, it wasnt about that at all, it's all done. It was about preference of door being taken away.
Front door is easier to use, back door is difficult and can't be used alone. More hazards at the back than at the front (gate etc). No steps. Absolutely no reason other than I presume a power trip.
The side of the bed thing was bizarre, I've since moved the bed and swapped sides. Much better layout now (we didn't listen to the OT anyway).
COPMyourselfon · 05/08/2015 11:02
As someone above said we often advise on using a particular door for practical reasons mainly related to safety and increasing independence. For example I may advise using the back door if it is a more direct route to a parked car/garage or footpath for example. On the whole though we work with what the person wants and try and make things as easy as possible within this.
I would say that I have recommended what side of the bed people sleep on. For example if someone has night time issues and frequently needs to get to loo then it can be helpful if they are nearer the door rather than having to get up and mobilise around the bed to get out of the room. Again though this is all about giving options and the person making a choice with all relevant info.
It sounds like you have had a hard time with your OT though. Perhaps you could ask for a different worker?
Itsmine · 05/08/2015 11:07
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
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