Page 8 | The Queen and a Wheelchair

Nellielephant · 2022-03-21T17:50:54+00:00

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!

Wannakisstheteacher · 21/03/2022 20:28

I have to chuckle at the idea she’s trying to be strong for us by not using a wheelchair. I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble but I do think, if push really came to shove, we might be able to find someone else to cut the ribbon at the RHS show or bestow some more pointless medals on celebrities. It’s not like we’re on the brink of invasion and need a Queen to lead us into battle. She really doesn’t do anything that actually needs doing.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 21/03/2022 20:28

I think it is a fair point, OP.

But it seems to be speculation (I see Christopher Biggins seems to be a great expert on the subject - how does he know?)...

And the poor woman can barely be seen to have a cold before people are laying bets on her death, so a sign of a step change in her physical abilities would only lead to a 'how much longer will she live?' frenzy. Does anyone want to live with that?

Not that it isn't happening anyway.

It's disgusting. Do people talk about their relatives like that? Within earshot? As discussion in the press is, in effect.

JedEye · 21/03/2022 20:32

@Ted27

Maybe she doesn't want to spark off endless news pieces and pointless speculation about the state of her health?

This

mathanxiety · 21/03/2022 20:33

If she's afraid people would just go on and on about it if she were to be seen in a wheelchair, I'm sorry to say that ship has sailed without a single public appearance.

Same goes for speculation about the imminence of her demise.

SolasAnla · 21/03/2022 20:38

@Cocycola

I suspect that if you speak to your Dad you will find out its more about him accepting that he has reached that point in his life where the natural decline accelerates.
If he has grandchildren local get them to buy him their special stick they chat about it on calls and he has to use it when they visit. And if he has not already got one see if you can get a fall monitor alarm installed.

LouisRenault · 21/03/2022 20:42

I do think, if push really came to shove, we might be able to find someone else to cut the ribbon at the RHS show or bestow some more pointless medals on celebrities.... She really doesn’t do anything that actually needs doing.

The Queen's constitutional role has nothing to do with cutting ribbons.

oakleaffy · 21/03/2022 20:45

So many selfish arseholes park all over the pavements, Im amazed anyone can use one.

A motorised one where one has independence is far better than having to wait for others to power one.

Im sure queen can afford a good one as well.

motherofthelittlescreamingone · 21/03/2022 20:55

Maybe she just doesn't want the speculation.

Maybe she hopes (however unrealistically) that for now it might be temporary and she may be able to build up a bit more strength as she recovers from Covid. In which case she doesn't yet see it as her reality and doesn't want to attract headlines on that basis.

There's no shame about using a wheelchair. But for her it is a visible public statement about her health, which she may not be ready to make - maybe she wants to get through the Jubilee first?

motherofthelittlescreamingone · 21/03/2022 20:55

And GB is a massive twat!

Sleepeatrepeat · 21/03/2022 20:55

Why is it the second the press report a rumour it becomes mumsnet fact.

Honestly even if it is true that she feels that way surely she is allowed, as a formerly independent figure head of the county, to not want to be wheeled about.

It isn't about being ableist or derogatory to wheelchair users. Not everything is about disability prejudice or equality.

It is about a 96 yesr old woman who doesn't want to be beholden to someone else for her mobility.

In her position I should think a great many of us would feel the same.

Blimecory · 21/03/2022 21:07

If she wants to attend the memorial, something will have to give. If she needs a wheelchair, she needs it. Or all protocol changes and it’s arranged that she is seated before the guests arrive and no one has to see it.

Luredbyapomegranate · 21/03/2022 21:13

@Hellocatshome

I'm sure if she wasn't Queen and wouldn't get splashed all over the media in her wheelchair with people speculating when she will die she would be more than happy to be seen in her wheelchair. Surely you can see how her circumstances are different to that of members of the public who use wheelchairs.

Yep

Viviennemary · 21/03/2022 21:16

This is not unheard of amongst elderly people. This refusing to use a wheelchair.

AnguaResurgam · 21/03/2022 21:23

She might be perfectlymhappy to use it, but not for the first time in public to be the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service.

She'll want the day to be about him.

MammaMacgill87 · 21/03/2022 21:23

Old independent lady doesn't want to use or be seen in a wheelchair
People in wheel chairs are now offended
She's 96 she doesn't want to use one, the media have made up their own narrative as to why. I could understand if she'd issued some damning statement slating people in wheelchairs but that hasn't happened. I think everyone maybe needs to just settle down and maybe have a cuppa 😂 I get mighty pissed off at the 75year old bloke that jogs past my house every day, because I'm jelous and frankly can't be arsed running anywhere, but I'm not going to attack him for his choice to jog it's none of my feckkin buisness 😂😂

Shuuu · 21/03/2022 21:25

I can’t really comment as I don’t need a wheelchair so I can’t put myself in your position or even relate. Only thing I can say is, my friend would benefit sometimes from a wheelchair but won’t use one. She’d rather have falls every week than use one. Don’t forget the queen has been through a lot this past year or two, perhaps after all she’s lost she refuses to lose her independence too

ittakes2 · 21/03/2022 21:28

I don't tend to believe everything written in the press.
But regardless - people are allowed to have opinions on how they like to be seen. My lovely 96 year old grandfather refused an electric scooter as he felt it would make him look too old. :)
It's her life and I think she should be allowed to live out this chapter of her life making choices that she feels suits her best.
You have to remember she is very frail - if she was in a chair she would have to reply on someone to push her. My best friend at uni was a quadriplegic but she was still able to push herself in a manual chair which she preferred to being pushed.

BogRollBOGOF · 21/03/2022 21:31

It's not exactly novel for an elderly person (or indeed of any age) to resist mobility aids as a symbol of lost mobility/ health. MiL has largely rejected mobility aids to the point where the only place she really goes is to health appointments. No more garden centres or gossip at the village shops. Mobility aids could have helped her to maintain her routines and social contact, but she resisted and that window of independence has passed.

The advantage that youth tends to have is more capacity and time to adapt, choice or not.

Accepting and adapting to the need for mobility aids is hard anyway. The Queen will have additional concerns about publicity and protocol.

lljkk · 21/03/2022 21:48

FDR example is not appropriate -- he went to huge lengths to hide his physical decline during his last few years. If anything, FDR example proves why QEII wants to avoid being seen as feeble.

JenniferAlisonPhilipaSue · 21/03/2022 21:52

I suspect its an exaggeration. I don't think she cares much about using a wheelchair. Princess Margaret used one - and I don't think she cared about being seen in one as in the video she's waving. She's standing beside the QM and Prince Charles and they don't seem to mind.

QM used a golf buggy and alternated between that and her walking sticks. So I don't think the Queen cares. I think the issue is more deciding whether she needs to use one for the full duration of the service and journey, and when she could potentially use her stick instead.

Myee · 21/03/2022 21:58

I agree with others that HM using mobility aids including a wheelchair would be a very positive signal to others of her age/generation that it's ok to use them in order to enhance your life. I know many are resistant, my own dear mother was one of them, but when the chips were down and she got fed up not being able to get around, she used one and ended up like the Formula 1 granny!

The easiest way out of all this would have been a family only service citing Covid or something, televised with HM already seated. It's a religious service so forget about looking at frocks and shoes, pray you heathens!

Creameggs223 · 21/03/2022 22:26

@Thefrenchconnection1

Yanbu, some people don't have a choice, should they hide?

Who said anything about them having to hide it, everyone has a choice just like I don't like wearing my glasses so don't when I go out that doesn't mean other people shouldn't wear theirs.

KittenKins · 21/03/2022 22:28

Thoosa,

That year of using a manual chair taught you muscles you didn't know existed, yeah? wink

My new one should intimidate people out of the way, but because my legs cannot bend they stick out in front of me, people just walk into them.

Not helped by the (accidentally) colour choice of 'pretty in pink', blah, just terrible, I look like a pink transformer! Seriously.

Thankfully my new kitten has already learnt to avoid me.

colouringfoxes · 21/03/2022 22:29

@NeverDropYourMooncup

She wouldn't have the upper body strength to self propel, so she'd be pushed round by a minion all the time, trusting that they wouldn't tip her out onto the pavement.

And don't forget that so many places are still inaccessible to the disabled, particularly historic ones - can you imagine the fuss if she gets somewhere to find that the wheelchair ramp doesn't work and two burly bodyguards have to hoist her up and downstairs? Or being bumped over grass/catching the wheels in the shit uneven surfaces that seem to pass for pavements, courtyards and buildings that have half steps where none is necessary?

It could be argued that she would do more for accessibility if she did choose to be seen encountering those issues that every disabled has to endure as a daily reminder that they don't belong in society - but she isn't obliged to be the token/sacrificial lamb by being photographed as she's being caught by an official with her drawers on show.

I don't have the upper body strength to self-propel either as an ambulatory (part-time) wheelchair user. I use a powerchair, like many others. And if historic buildings are inaccessible to the Queen, they'll have to make it accessible! And maybe that way us normal people will have more of a chance

Unforgettablefire · 21/03/2022 22:33

@Hellocatshome

I'm sure if she wasn't Queen and wouldn't get splashed all over the media in her wheelchair with people speculating when she will die she would be more than happy to be seen in her wheelchair. Surely you can see how her circumstances are different to that of members of the public who use wheelchairs.

My first thought.