Stupid Doctor. ='(

[systemaurora]

I went to SHS today to pick up my crutches.... and the NP informed me that the physician a) doesn't think I need them badly enough and b) doesn't want my leg muscles to atrophy, therefore will not prescribe them and is advising me not to use them

Comments

[cluelessinchi]

That is an able-ist mentality. I want a wheelchair to enable me to do more not to be more lazy. Without it I am at home more. I used the wheelchair at the Field Museum (some place I would never had been able to go without a wheelchair) I was all over the place. It gave me the freedom to do things that were not within my limits before and helped with my emotional health too. I went to see the Christmas trees. One thing that lots of people do not understand about mobility devices is that they often enable someone to do an activity that they would normally not be able to do. Using a wheelchair is a work out for the upper body. I also have a cane and a wheeled walker. They help lots. I am able to be more active because I have the mobility aids than before I had them.

[systemaurora]

if only I could convince my doctor this! Sigh.

[cluelessinchi]

You could use logic. If he does not prescribe the crutches what are the probability factors that you would actually walk across campus to work out? No, with them you would be able to do this. And related things. Use real life scenarios in which the crutches will help you be more active.
Also I doubt it is a good idea to use stairs if you have that kind of balance issues. Falling up stairs, down stairs and on the ground are not good things. By denying you a mobility aid he is risking more falls and your health. Guilt and the possibility of a law suit (never mentioned but very subtly implied) is a good way to get doctors off their asses. I wish MDs were not so ignorant!

[systemaurora]

Alas, I can't go see him right now... it's crunch time at school, and he's in an off-campus location, so our NP here on campus is delivering messages back and forth. I'm seeing my PCP Friday. I feel like I should make a list of reasons why I want one, but I feel that would look... desperate. bah.

And I mostly take the elevator, but there's no elevator to my dorm. I just cling to the rails.

[cluelessinchi]

I can not believe that so many colleges are not ADA compliant. This just irks me no end! They have no reason not to comply with they law.

[systemaurora]

haha, actually this is the best college I've ever been to as far as disability goes (out of three). There's a ground floor way to get in, but it's really inconvenient and about 7 times longer than either of the basement level ways.

[cluelessinchi]

That is just wrong. The law states that it should be comparable to those without disabilities. Equal treatment and access to jobs, education etc is what the law states. Unless it would create a economic hardship, or change the concept of the business, or they have less than 7 employees (I forgot the number) that is similar to the whites-only drinking fountain. Discrimination is discrimination.

[systemaurora]

Well, I love my room and my roommate and my RA and location to *most* things on campus, so I'm not going to complain too much. I just take it slow and carefully going up and down those things!

Also, now that I'm thinking about it, the majority of my falls happened at my work-study job, which I'm now in the process of quitting. Whenever I would carry heavy things down the stairs I would fall and hurt myself... or at home, I would pick up our fairly small Dachsund and carry her outside to do her business, and I would fall on the concrete. =/ It's not much better with books and backpacks, but most of my falls are embarrassingly on the sidewalk in front of people these days.

[cluelessinchi]

Do not worry about what others think. I hope you would not anyway. Fibromyalgia is a hidden disability. It is hard to admit one has a serious disability. Especially if it is not visible and not apparent to even you on a daily basis.
Please do not carry things going up and down stairs. Ask for help. You are risking a serious injury.

[systemaurora]

Thanks. =) I'm switching jobs to the computer tech department, which will hopefully help a lot. No more moving heavy furniture and stage props up and down stairs! That was always so scary. =/ My 9-year-old alter (I have DID) is the one who was 'fronting' when we fell down the stairs, and now she's so terrified of stairs that sometimes she just stands there looking at them for half an hour. O_o Not cool. Our SO had to literally half carry her/us up and down stairs on the subway while we closed our eyes! Thankfully I'm doing better from that point, but I still do love my railings.

[cluelessinchi]

I can do about 5 stairs but not without railings!
I know plenty of people who are Multiples. I know the feeling. I am 100% kid all the time. Good luck!