Is it ok to offer to do this or patronising

[lastqueenofscotland]

A person has recently joined work who has suffered a spinal injury a few years ago. He walks with a stick but struggles to walk far as it’s painful and exhausting.

Our office is big and the kitchen is tucked away at the other end of a corridor in a shared office it’s not miles away but its quite far.
Would it be ok to tell colleague if he wants a drink or something from the kitchen that I am happy for him to just ask me and I will get it for him?

I’m not sure how it will be received

I'd offer at least.

I have a friend with a similar disability and one of us will always run to the bar for her.

How well do you know him?

You could just offer to get him one whenever you go. And if he tries to offer back, say that it's appreciated but you like to take the break from your screen/stretch your back out etc.

We sit opposite each other at work and make small talk about weekends etc.
I don’t want him to feel patronised but he’s quite shy and I don’t want him to feel like he can’t ask if he’s particularly struggling one day.

If you word it in a way that sounds casual and friendly then I can't imagine he could take offence.

Tbh you will have a better idea than anyone on here how he's likely to react to any offers you might make as you are the one who's been chatting to him.

It's a kind thought. Try it. If he takes offence, at least you tried.

I tended just to offer each time I went past, to see if they wanted a drink or something since I was up.

I'd say "I'm going to get a drink from the kitchen, can i get you anything?" Then follow up with "please don't be afraid to ask any time you need me to pop along"

Bear in mind, people need to mobilise to get better as painful and uncomfortable as it is, especially when sitting for long periods.
Only offer when you go for yourself-don't offer outside of this because 1) he might end up taking the piss, 2) he might become 'babyfied' and stop doing things for himself.

“If you need anything from the kitchen let me know.”

It probably is good for him to walk as much as possible- which is why he got crutches instead of a wheelchair. Most people with spinal injuries are told to walk as long as possible even when it’s painful because it keeps joints and muscles supple.

Would it be better just to offer when you’re going? It’s likely it’d be hard for him to ask you to make a special trip but if you’re already going he won’t feel he’s putting you to any trouble

It's fine. I work opposite a colleague with significant back problems and I've offered the same.

I would definitely offer. I think it is considerate to someone who is recovering from an injury. I don´t know why it might be considered patronizing to ask.

I think I wouldn't do that, as it'd make a 'thing' of it. Better to just offer to fetch him a drink when you're going.

It's better to make a kind offer that isn't needed than to not make it and someone suffers as a result.

There is no shame in making the offer but it is sad that we have reached a stage in our world where someone might hesitate to do so in case they give this infamous offence.

Make the offer. if they are offended, then they have a lot more wrong with them than a physical problem.

I would start by offering to get him a drink when you're getting one yourself. You can see how that is received.

To avoid inadvertently looking a bit patronising, I'd just offer whenever you go (I do this in office, to all people around me, including a lady with mobility issues) without making a big deal of it.

Over time you will see if it's more often a yes or a no, and offer more often/less often

I think it's a lovely thought to ask. He'd appreciate the kind gesture surely

I would just casually say I'm going to get a drink, would you like one too.... problem solved.

How has he managed thus far?

I'd offer to get him a coffee if I was getting one myself. If you do that for a couple of days and he accepts the offer, you might just fall into a routine of getting his from then on, without any awkward conversation.

Definitely offer if you are going anyway - no harm in that. As other posters have said, he may need/want the exercise and so go himself but if he is using crutches then I imagine he'll struggle to carry the drink while using them - so he may appreciate someone taking the drink for him even if he walks himself?

I would definitely offer perhaps whilst you are getting one yourself that way it doesn't look patronising but rather you being thoughtful.

If it's a small office I'd say 'anyone want a drink?' and look at him a bit longer. I do this for my colleagues, my boss has arthritis and always accepts, the other 3 usually decline as I time it for when they've recently had one (saves carrying 5 cups). I think boss waits for me to offer as it's quite a trek to our kitchen!

If I'm going to the staff kitchen for a drink, I always offer to make one for anyone else who wants one.