Disabled priority in lifts?

[harshbuttrue1980]

I had a disagreement with a friend this weekend and genuinely want to know if I am BU. My friend can't walk, and uses a mobility scooter. She isn't in any pain at all, and has no other health issues. She has a great job and a really active life.
We went to a shopping centre this weekend, and the lift was full, so we had to wait to use the next lift. She said afterwards that I should have asked the other people already in the lift to get out so she could get in. I said that I didn't agree with this, as she is equally able to wait as everyone else. She was a bit taken aback.
To clarify, if there was someone on crutches, heavily pregnant, a child having an autistic meltdown or someone else who would struggle with waiting, then I think they should have priority.
Am I being unreasonable to think that someone in a scooter shouldn't ask everyone else to vacate a lift so they don't have to sit in their scooter and wait their turn?

[Alexa444]

I think its bollocks tbh. If she is capable of going shopping and getting about, not having to stand there in pain then she is as capable of queing as everyone else. Queues are a fact of life. I have funny faint spells if I don't eat on time. Does that mean I get priority in mcdonalds? Of course not, I queue like every other person.

[BishopBrennansArse]

Because of course that's the same thing ~eye roll~

At least threads like these give you an idea where the twats are.

[Flywheel]

Dd is a wheelchair user. I remember being stranded on the middle floor of our local shopping centre while countless lifts went by full. Dd also has a learning disability and became distressed. None of the lift users gave a shit. And no, I don't believe they all had hidden disabilities. Eventually, close to tears I asked people to make space. Blank stares, until some teenage boys got off.
It astonishes me how entitled people can be and I have found this thread to be depressing reading. Incidentally, dh and the other dc were with me that day, but took the stairs. I never use the lift somewhere busy unless I need to (high rise buildings aside)

[witsender]

Actually Alexa if we were stood in the queue at MaccyDs and you told me you were feeling faint I'd let you straight in front...That's just consideration isn't it?

And how is the right to junk food the same as right to access? When the oumerson waiting has no choice? And their disability isn't going to go away after a big Mac? And being able to shop while in a chair is in no way comparable to being able to get said chair up and down stairs or an escalator.

[SauvignonBlanche]

At least threads like these give you an idea where the twats are

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

[EverySongbirdSays]

I have to say I dislike this thread immensely.

It's sly disabled bashing dressed up as something else, from an OP who claims to like her friend but has taken to an internet forum to get the masses to judge her.

[BishopBrennansArse]

Fanjo

[BishopBrennansArse]

Every - it's a bit "no I'm not racist, I have black friends" isn't it?

[redpriestandmozart]

I was on the ferry last week and was waiting at the lift in my wheelchair as it docked, I was first one there when out of nowhere 3 American tourists appeared and as the lift opened attempted to barge in front of me but I turned the chair and got in just in the nick of time. These lifts are seriously small, barely wider than the chair, my DH was behind me and suddenly the 3 tourists piled in literally on top of me! One was almost on my lap and all none of them looked disabled (as they ran to get onto their coach). THIS annoys me, when others choose not to see me in order to avoid stairs.

[witsender]

[Alexa444]

Then you are a very kind person witsender but I'm sorry, I just don't see how it is any different to queing anywhere else? If there are masses of people waiting ages for a lift then of course the disabled and parents should go first. But if it is a matter of this lift is full, have to wait for the next, I can't see why they can't wait.

[SauvignonBlanche]

But don't you know, you're invisible when you're in a wheelchair?

I was once moved out of someone's way in a supermarket they approached me from behind and just pushed my chair without saying a fucking word.

[EverySongbirdSays]

I was in a queue once in my wheelchair alongside a Mum with a buggy. The lift was filled by adult individuals no groups, and not all could have had hidden disabilities (probability wise) I very loudly exclaimed to the Mum as the doors shut that some of them didn't need the lift and should've got the escalator and gave a filthy look. I was heard. I don't care. I was right.

[JuxtapositionRecords]

alexa I suggest you take yourself off shopping or somewhere out for the day in a wheelchair and then see if you still have the same terrible attitude.

[EverySongbirdSays]

I wonder if the OP is a DM "journalist" scumbag doing a "thinkpiece" nasty prejudiced bile filled op ed on "disabled people and their entitled ways"

[witsender]

But how long might they end up waiting for? That's a the problem. A healthy adult can either take the stairs, escalator or squeeze into a little gap in the lift. Someone in a chair can't do that.

[DaveCamoron]

I'm disabled and I can't use stairs but no fucking way would I ask anybody to vacate a lift so I could get in it. I'd wait like anybody else would do.

[BishopBrennansArse]

Wits - from personal experience the record is 20 min.

After all I don't have anywhere important to be...

[Ameliablue]

Thing is you don't know how many of those people standing in the lift would struggle to walk the stairs.
I don't think wheelchair/scooter users antimatter get priority but I would always give priority to them or to a pram, crutches etc.

[BishopBrennansArse]

Several lift loads over 20 mins? Blimey

[BeYourselfUnlessUCanBeAUnicorn]

I have a hidden disability. A trip in town results in me being exhausted and in pain. You wouldn't know to look at me though, although I have started using a stick on occasion and have found it helps to 'advertise' that I have a disability. I'd be pretty if I was expected to get out of a lift because someone was waiting on a scooter. I've had to use a wheelchair before and when using my stick and I've never been given priority by anyone and have never thought anything of it.

[JuxtapositionRecords]

songbirds I think that is pretty rude. In what way is op a scumbag? I have agreed with her - I would not ask a lift full of people to get out so a wheelchair user/person with a disability could get in, purely because I don't see why people should have to justify why they are using the lift.

[witsender]

Yes, we managed nigh on 30 mins in lift gate. I was torn between throwing a paddy and going to find a member of JL staff to mediate but mum didn't want 'a fuss', despite her tears.