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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think it's common sense to let a w/c user have the w/c spot

957 replies

SparkyStar84 · 18/01/2017 14:41

I've just seen the ruling on disabled people getting priority in disabled spots on buses. Isn't that common sense. What kind of person would deny a w/c user the space because 'pushchair'?
I'm a w/c user it makes it easier in a way to get about with children, though I know some w/c users still have a buggy.
This is about the parents who refuse to move, when asked, by someone who might have an appt or something important to get too. Not saying the parent doesn't. But isn't that the point of foldable buggies over great big travel systems?
It just bugs me that people have had to leave the bus because a parent wouldn't move. As a parent with kids of many ages, also remembering times gone by, the purpose of easy foldable buggies is that you can decamp when on the bus.
Do you think it's an issue that buses need to provide buggy spaces too?

OP posts:
backaftera2yearbreak · 18/01/2017 21:54

Is this not asking people to hold babies an English thing? I've seen babies passed to a couple of people for a cuddle while mum or dad folds the buggy up here in Scotland.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 18/01/2017 21:58

I haven't ever seen anyone hand their baby 'for a cuddle' - smallish English town. Ftr I would be horrified by someone doing that - I wouldn't have the first clue how to hold a baby!

DixieNormas · 18/01/2017 21:59

This reply has been deleted

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Dawndonnaagain · 18/01/2017 22:00

Do you know what. I think Mumsnet shouldn't allow these threads. They should be fully supportive of the rights of people with disabilities. Instead of allowing people to pursue their selfish agenda, Mumsnet should step in and say, sorry, we fully support a wheelchair users right to use public transport equally with all others, this thread will be deleted. That's that. We shouldn't be debating it and Mumsnet should be supporting us. It's not about education, Dd's post was in 2011 or 2012. She's 20 now and fuck all has changed on here thereby proving that no matter what we say, selfish is as selfish does and we appear to be educating no-one. Let's face it, they don't want to be educated, or like Trifle consider themselves to be so. Angry

backaftera2yearbreak · 18/01/2017 22:00

I've also seen buggies left outside of shops in the small town in from. No really in the city I live in though.

brasty · 18/01/2017 22:01

FFS so much for the old adage that becoming a mother makes you less selfish

DixieNormas · 18/01/2017 22:02

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MysticTwat · 18/01/2017 22:04

Dawn I agree Flowers

woodhill · 18/01/2017 22:06

Dawn Flowers

AliceInUnderpants · 18/01/2017 22:09

Do you know what. I think Mumsnet shouldn't allow these threads. They should be fully supportive of the rights of people with disabilities. Instead of allowing people to pursue their selfish agenda, Mumsnet should step in and say, sorry, we fully support a wheelchair users right to use public transport equally with all others, this thread will be deleted. That's that. We shouldn't be debating it and Mumsnet should be supporting us. It's not about education, Dd's post was in 2011 or 2012. She's 20 now and fuck all has changed on here thereby proving that no matter what we say, selfish is as selfish does and we appear to be educating no-one. Let's face it, they don't want to be educated, or like Trifle consider themselves to be so.

Completely agree. Never gonna happen though. Threads like this that get lots of attention for MN, more clicks = more money.

ThisYearWillbeBetter · 18/01/2017 22:13

The only passengers I've seen go "flying" on buses are the elderly whose strength and balance are not so good.

(Or me on days when my minor disability makes bus travel a - ahem - challenge shall we say. And the priority seats are occupied by school children or mothers attached to unfolded buggies or prams).

Bubblebathwater · 18/01/2017 22:14

Totally agree with dawn.

BeyondTheStarryNight · 18/01/2017 22:18

I think I agree too dawn.

You can't argue with stupid. They bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

DixieNormas · 18/01/2017 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

velorbi · 18/01/2017 22:20

Do you know what. I think Mumsnet shouldn't allow these threads. They should be fully supportive of the rights of people with disabilities. Instead of allowing people to pursue their selfish agenda, Mumsnet should step in and say, sorry, we fully support a wheelchair users right to use public transport equally with all others, this thread will be deleted. That's that. We shouldn't be debating it and Mumsnet should be supporting us. It's not about education, Dd's post was in 2011 or 2012. She's 20 now and fuck all has changed on here thereby proving that no matter what we say, selfish is as selfish does and we appear to be educating no-one. Let's face it, they don't want to be educated, or like Trifle consider themselves to be so.

^this

FrancisCrawford · 18/01/2017 22:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KitKats28 · 18/01/2017 22:35

Until every single person in the universe is forced to spend a few days experiencing the world from a wheelchair, they will never get it.

I don't care if your granny's next door neighbour's brother-in-law is in a wheelchair; unless you (or someone you actually care for every day) are a wheelchair user, you haven't got a fucking clue.

I could sit and list the things that are more difficult, the things that are impossible, the fact you can't wear what you want, go where you want, the way that everything is designed and set up for the able bodied; but unless you experience, you will never actually understand.

This is not a club I chose to be in, or ever wanted to be in. However, now I am, I have to get on with my life and make the best of it. This is not easy when able-bodied people are telling me how I should think, feel, cope, go about my daily life. When shops pile shit on the floor so I can't get in and out. When travelling by "public" transport requires effort above and beyond what an able-bodied person would experience.

This world will never be equal or inclusive or even accessible, while we are treated as a different species, and whilst we need to bring court cases to enable us to travel on a fucking bus!

Servicesupportforall · 18/01/2017 22:49

Totally agree with dawn it's disablist bollocks and should not be up for discussion.

Livia horrified about being asked to hold s baby? Have you thought about accessing professional help lovely?

ZackyVengeance · 18/01/2017 22:55

so agree Dawn, have spoken to your dd on here and pm(love her)
MN HQ should be making a stand against disablism.

candycoatedwaterdrops · 18/01/2017 22:58

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CheshireChat · 18/01/2017 23:17

I don't really understand the horror at having to get off the bus. I get it's an absolute pain at times but not really the end of the world. Even my mum thinks it's an amazing hassle even though she absolutely understands why a wheelchair user has priority.

Buggies are crap, hard to steer, handle is either too low for 6ft4 DP or too high for 5ft1 me and no storage for shopping.

So I have a biggish pram and I get off if needed... Pretty easy really.

Even more bemusing was when the driver was insisting a mum with a double buggy should fold rather than get off. Poor woman hadn't said anything and simply decided it would be easier for her to get off than fold. Not quite sure how he imagined that would work...

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 18/01/2017 23:34

Livia horrified about being asked to hold s baby? Have you thought about accessing professional help lovely

Why would I need professional help? What should I do - go to my GP and ask for a referral to someone who deals with baby phobias?

If you read my post I said that I had never held a baby, therefore I would shit myself if called upon to hold a stranger's child.

And don't call me lovely - I don't know you so it's patronising...

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 18/01/2017 23:37

KitKats I don't presume to know what you or anyone else is going through. I do know that people with disabilities aren't a hive mind. I would do anything I could to accommodate someone with a disability, the same as I would for elderly people.

Flowers for everyone who has to deal with this bolllocks all the time.

Servicesupportforall · 18/01/2017 23:39

Yes it was patronising.

But you asked for it really.

I have never held a monkey or a gerbil but if asked to in an hour of need I would, you know, step up.

What on earth do you think would happen if you helped a mum out by holding her baby for a millisecond while she folded a buggy?

Really grip needed.

Servicesupportforall · 18/01/2017 23:42

candy your children are lucky Flowers

I hate to believe trifle is actually in a teacher position with power.

Very very disturbing.