The Queen and a Wheelchair

[Nellielephant]

AIBU to be annoyed that the newspapers are reporting that the Queen does not want to be seen in a Wheelchair? For those of us who have no choice I find this attitude upsetting as if it is something to be ashamed of.
Giylrs Brandreth has said it would be undignified for her to use one!

A wheelchair is not undignified.

I think it is a shame that Her Maj is not open to using one, but the Royals are out of date and out of touch so this does not surprise me.

Given that she doesn't have to appear anywhere she doesn't explicitly want to be, I'd say she is at liberty to appear on these occasions in whatever manner she prefers.

There may come a time when she changes her mind. Or she may prefer to disappear from public view.

Her choice.

Well, tbf, not everybody gets two choices

We aren't talking about everyone. We are talking about one person who does have two choices.

@PinkFluffyUnicornSlippers

It’s her choice though. Some people don’t want to be seen in one, you don’t mind. Both choices are OK. 🤷‍♀️

I agree. However I don't always believe what is said in the newspapers, context is everything and I cannot imagine the Queen actually told a reporter she did not want to be seen in a 'chair. No doubt it came from a 'palace source'. She may have indicated it to someone else at a particular time but lots of people say things like that. Anyway we don't know that the Queen actually needs a wheelchair right now. She may be fine walking short distances.

None of it is intended to offend wheelchair users but that form of transport is not something anyone would choose if they could manage without.

@carefullycourageous

A wheelchair is not undignified.

I think it is a shame that Her Maj is not open to using one, but the Royals are out of date and out of touch so this does not surprise me.

So I'm out of date and out of touch? Wow. Ok

President Obama in a wheelchair whizzing around the corridors of power in his day, totally statesmanlike. Poor, frail, hunched ,very, very old woman covered by a blanket to stop her freezing to death in Westminster Abbey. Far, far less convincing as a head of state.

But what makes you think we need a 'convincing' head of state? If the Queen does decide to use a wheelchair I predict it will affect the outcomes of precisely no affairs of state. As a nation we're generally judged on how our politicians behave, not our monarchy (with the exception of Harry/Andrew-style scandals, obvs.)

I can understand it. She doesn't want people asking questions and going on and on about it and taking photos of her to publish all around the world.

@SenecaFallsRedux

The ableism on this thread is astounding. I think some of you need to visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial in Washington DC and see the statue of him seated in his wheelchair. And then also see the children in wheelchairs rolling up to have their picture taken next to the president.

Of course, it is the Queen's choice. But it would be a much better choice for her to be willing to be seen in a wheelchair.

I suggest that what you mean is it would be a better choice by the Queen, for people who use wheelchairs, to be willing to be seen in a wheelchair.

The symbolism involved would imo do little to improve the day to day lives of wheelchair users as all and any place she travels to would be chosen for its adaptability to ensure she had smooth access and circulation.

As for her choice her mental adjustment to her current physicality can only be speculated on.

@PinkFluffyUnicornSlippers

It’s her choice though. Some people don’t want to be seen in one, you don’t mind. Both choices are OK. 🤷‍♀️

It’s not about not minding is it?? What a ridiculous comment.

@Clarabe1

How does Giles know? Has he spoken to the Queen??

Probably, they’re friends.

Her body, her choice.

Yes. It is her valid choice.
No. It is not undignified.

@Thoosa

Fala, a Scottish terrier, lived with Mrs Roosevelt after the president's death and died of old age (actually helped along by euthanasia). Evidently, he is the only presidential pet to have a statue.

Oh that’s happier story. I’ll end the dog derail now.

@AllThingsServeTheBeam I don't know if you are out of date and out of touch, I was talking about Her Maj.

@Thoosa

Oh that’s happier story. I’ll end the dog derail now.

I'll keep it going!

Chariot pulled by corgis?

[quote carefullycourageous]@AllThingsServeTheBeam I don't know if you are out of date and out of touch, I was talking about Her Maj.[/quote]
Well apparently the queens view is, so surely that makes mine?

@YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp

My mother missed out on so much by refusing to use a wheelchair, including her granddaughter’s wedding and great grandchildren’s christenings. She effectively made herself housebound for at least 5 years before she needed to be. And then complained bitterly how she couldn’t get to these or a number of other family occasions. Really sad. She happily used one however for hospital and doctors appointments.

A wheelchair would have only solved the problem if she would have enjoyed the events in a wheelchair. She obviously didn't feel that she would enjoy them so would miss out either way. It was a no-win situation for her and that was what she was complaining about.

Why can’t she get a special gold one?

@Hollyhead

I think it’s a sign of the awful ableist society we live in. I’ve learnt so much about this from following someone called Nina Tame on Instagram. Wheelchairs are just an aid and we should celebrate their existence. It is sad when people choose not to use one when their life would be otherwise enhanced. My grandad missed out on so much by not using a mobility scooter, he could have fitted so much more in to his later years if he’d just accepted he needed a bit of help!

this

@AllThingsServeTheBeam

I don't know what your view is.

People hold all sorts of views and we do not all have to agree. I think the Queen is out of date in pretty much everything tbh.

I really don't know what else I can say, that is my view of the Queen.

You actually believe what is written in the papers?

Well apparently the queens view is, so surely that makes mine?

I have massive sympathy @AllThingsServeTheBeam because I went through it, but it’s basically internalising the worst of society’s disablist views, mixed with disbelief and lack of confidence.

There is a lot to be gained from trying to overcome it.

I know exactly how hard it is. I stayed inside for two years, working remotely, delegating, shopping online and waiting for the consultant appointment and physio that would magically “fix it” and let me resume normal life. That’s no life.

Oddly I coped better with my first manual NHS wheelchair aged 17 than I do now with my reclining, height adjusting, tilt in space with headrest monster power chair I have 20 years later. I think its

@Hollyhead

I think it’s a sign of the awful ableist society we live in. I’ve learnt so much about this from following someone called Nina Tame on Instagram. Wheelchairs are just an aid and we should celebrate their existence. It is sad when people choose not to use one when their life would be otherwise enhanced. My grandad missed out on so much by not using a mobility scooter, he could have fitted so much more in to his later years if he’d just accepted he needed a bit of help!

I think it's quite ablest to decide that you know better than your Grandad about what will improve his life. He didn't think life would be more enjoyable for him if he used a scooter and assuming you don't use one yourself why do you know better?