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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Disabled seat on buses

365 replies

Spidey66 · 13/06/2023 17:37

So about 10 days ago I tripped over a step and broke my arm. I had a cast on for a week, then it was removed but I still have a sling and am in considerable pain.

I took a brief trip to the high street on the bus for cash today. On the return I got on the bus and sat on the disabled seat nearest the driver. As i was on the inside, my injured left arm was against the window so I felt safe as I feel anxious about others bumping into me, or losing my balance at an emergency stop. I feel I am entitled to use the disabled spot as I have a temporary disability, which given I have a sling is obvious.

An older woman sat next to me on the outside of the seat then a much older lady got on and there didn't appear to be a seat for her. I felt dead guilty (damn you Catholic childhood!) and ended up explaining to her why I wasn't able to stand up for her. As it was, she was fine with my explanation and the lady sat next to me offered her the seat.

So is it is OK for a middle age woman to use a disabled seat because of a broken arm? Noone on the bus made me feel bad except myself but I don't know their thoughts!

OP posts:
HappiDaze · 13/06/2023 17:39

You're not entitled to use a disabled seat for a broken arm

What you are though is 'entitled'

Original poster
Spidey66 · 13/06/2023 17:39

YABU...No you shouldn't use it
YANBU......you have a temporary disability. Its fine.

OP posts:
wildinthecountry · 13/06/2023 17:39

🍿 Ooo.

Original poster
Spidey66 · 13/06/2023 17:40

So it's OK to risk further injury to my arm by standing?

OP posts:
HappiDaze · 13/06/2023 17:41

I'm afraid so

Wenfy · 13/06/2023 17:42

You were wrong. Disabled seats are for those people who are disabled can’t stand safely.

honeyytoast · 13/06/2023 17:42

Yeah tbh I think if it’s your broken arm vs very elderly lady, the elderly lady wins

Wenfy · 13/06/2023 17:42

Spidey66 · 13/06/2023 17:40

So it's OK to risk further injury to my arm by standing?

Yes

Original poster
Spidey66 · 13/06/2023 17:42

Wow. I hope you never break your arm, @HappiDaze .

OP posts:
Plumbear2 · 13/06/2023 17:43

If there where seats further back you should have used those. The priority seats are for the elderly, people who carnt walk or in pain with their legs and for people with heart problems, strokes etc. Your arm is nothing compared with a stroke etc. Sorry.

SouthCountryGirl · 13/06/2023 17:44

How does a broken arm prevent you from sitting further up the bus?

Plumbear2 · 13/06/2023 17:44

Add pregnancy to above list

Original poster
Spidey66 · 13/06/2023 17:44

Wenfy · 13/06/2023 17:42

You were wrong. Disabled seats are for those people who are disabled can’t stand safely.

I couldn’t stand safely though. That was my point. It would have been very easy to lose my balance and injure it further.

But there you go that's YABU for you!

OP posts:
Zebedee55 · 13/06/2023 17:45

Not sure how a broken arm stops your mobility or standing...could you not have sat on any seat with your arm against the window? 🤔

bibbityboppityboo · 13/06/2023 17:45

Where any other seats available? I think if there were, then yes YABU to take a disabled seat. If it was the only seat available and you were prepared to give it up to someone in more need then YANBU.

FishOnABicycleMadeForTwo · 13/06/2023 17:45

How does a broken arm mean you can’t stand safely and hold on with your good arm?
It doesn’t really compare to an old lady who may be less steady on her feet.

honeyytoast · 13/06/2023 17:45

So was the disabled seat the only one available?

Original poster
Spidey66 · 13/06/2023 17:46

SouthCountryGirl · 13/06/2023 17:44

How does a broken arm prevent you from sitting further up the bus?

Because to get there, I would have to walk up and down the bus while it was moving putting me at risk of falling and/or bumping into others.

OP posts:
WhamBamThankU · 13/06/2023 17:47

YABU. You aren't disabled.

uhtredsonofuhtred1 · 13/06/2023 17:47

I think you were fine to sit there 🤷🏼‍♀️ being elderly is not a disability either if we're being pedantic.

When I was heavily pregnant years ago I would sometimes sit in those seats too as the drivers never waited for people to be seated and often set of with a jerk which caused me to lose my footing. I was scared of losing my balance or seriously banging my bump so just tried to sit as close to the front as I was able to.

SittingOnTheChair · 13/06/2023 17:47

You were being unreasonable.

Try having MS and a stroke.

FishOnABicycleMadeForTwo · 13/06/2023 17:47

honeyytoast · 13/06/2023 17:45

So was the disabled seat the only one available?

I don’t think this matters tbh. The stickers on the window say to give up the seat to someone less able. OP is more able than someone with an actual disability. A broken arm is not a disability, if it was, you could get a blue badge for it.

Sirzy · 13/06/2023 17:47

I assume there were no other seats available?

in which case when someone with mobility issues got on you should have moved. A broken arm isn’t a barrier to being able to safely stand on the bus.

Darthwazette · 13/06/2023 17:48

Actually I think you were fine to use it. I would want to risk moving up and down a moving bus with a broken arm, as would often be necessary when getting off or on. You’re less able to stand as you don’t have full use of your arms to hold on and are unbalanced. A broken bone can also leave you feeling generally unwell and exhausted. I would have moved for someone obviously infirm but wouldn’t have felt guilty about otherwise occupying the seat.

HappiDaze · 13/06/2023 17:48

Even if the disabled seat was the only one available at that moment in time you should have got up for the elderly lady.

Surely you must not be so 'entitled' to think your circumstance is more important.