Etiquette « Terrible Palsy

Etiquette

Emma has written a post that is timely advice.

New powerchair has arrived. It’s fantastic. It’s beautiful. And it’s responsive. Moo loves it. Photos to come. He keeps moving so the shots are blurry.

Hubby and I with a strong sense of adventure decided to take Moo and the boys to Ikea on the weekend. Ikea is next to a whole heap of furniture shops and we have been trying to work out our bedding issues. Master C’s feet presently hang over the end of his bed. He also seems to think that our bed is his bed. As much as we like to share, I’m over sharing my bed with all the kids. Anyway.

It took Master C a whole of two seconds to work out that if he stands on the batteries of the new powerchair and holds onto the handlebars, he can hitch a ride with Moo. At Ikea there is a large hallway and the boys were being boys screaming up and down it in the chair. Hubby and I were a bit sick of the boys not listening to us so we wandered off, leaving the other two to follow. They were always within eyesight.

Next thing Master C runs up to us and tells us that a lady has Moo.

I looked over to see Moo with a woman who had taken his hand off his control and had her hand on it. Effectively, this means that he couldn’t get away from her.

Because she was talking to Moo, he was doing what he always does and pretended he was dead. It was a bit of a sight. Someone needs to tell Moo that when he pretends that he is dead, he needs to close his eyes.

I asked the woman if there was a problem. It had been a long day and I was not what you would call very polite. She told me that this little boy was lost.

I told her that he wasn’t lost. That I was his mum and I knew exactly where he was. She then accused me of abandoning him.

Now all of you mums out there who have a child with a disability like Moo will know that the kid has never been alone in his whole life. Being accused of abandoning him just fueled the fire of an already worked up mum.

So, in case the message of this post isn’t clear – don’t touch the wheelchair. Lady denies that she only bailed Moo up because he was in a wheelchair. I should probably add that when Moo was first bailed up by this woman, Master C came up to her and told her that he was his brother and they were not lost. At no time did she grab Master C’s hand and prevent him from leaving.

What do you think?

12 Comments »

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OMG!!

I cannot believe someone who take his hand off his controller. I would have lost it had someone done that to Daniel. I think I would have also had a heart attack if my child came up to me and said someone had my other one!

I must comment on your writing: “Because she was talking to Moo, he was doing what he always does and pretended he was dead. It was a bit of a sight. Someone needs to tell Moo that when he pretends that he is dead, he needs to close his eyes.” I lost it. I havent’ laughed that hard in a long time! I could just picture Moo playing dead. I even read it to my hubby so he could get a chuckle too! You are quite the funny mum!I’d like to see a photo of him doing that too!

Comment by Melanie — July 15, 2008 #

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Oh ick!

Comment by Jodi — July 15, 2008 #

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Ugh! She just needs to keep her hands off the expensive equipment.

Comment by Katy — July 15, 2008 #

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Well, actually, it is the equivalent of holding a child by the legs. I don’t know how on earth i would have reacted, i probably would have screamed at her. You did well keeping it togheter. Mind you, this happening to you made me think about what i would say if that happened to Boo Boo – maybe i should ask her name and threaten to pass it on to the policie or social services for attempted kidnapping or something. How dare she!
And you, you are very brave going to IKEA with all the kids. We did it once, and i swore never again. That place, gorgeous as it is, is a maze and i never seem to be able to get out without buying much more than i intended to. Especially with kids in tow.
Can’t wait to see photo’s or video of Moo in his new wheels…

Comment by Heike Fabig — July 15, 2008 #

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Fancy holding on to a child that you don’t know. Ick indeed. Did Moo run over her foot when he escaped?

Ikea. Ick. Never have the one thing you want from the catalogue in stock. Good 100% cotton sheets though.

Comment by Pen — July 15, 2008 #

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Shit. She’d never do that to an AB kid even though she denies it. Maybe you should teach Moo to scream or something if someone starts doing that? It’s really not safe. He’s probably too young for that tho, I’d guess. I can usually convince people to LET GO of my chair when they grab it, but should I ever be in a situation where I can’t I plan to scream long and loud and get myself some other help/attention.

Comment by Emma — July 15, 2008 #

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Some people lack any understanding – I LOVE that he pretended to be dead – smart kiddo you have

Comment by bald4 — July 18, 2008 #

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Ugh – she is soooo soooo out of line. That is so rude and awful and horrifying on so many levels. The fact that she would physically restrain Moo because she could do so easily has chilling implications for Moo, for Ellie for anyone with a disability. ARRRGGG. You did really well if all you did was bite her head off. I’d say she got away light. I don’t like strangers touching my kid either – ever.

Comment by Kathryn — July 18, 2008 #

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I actually laughed so loud that my dog jumped when I read the bit about playing dead. The picture in my head is so, so funny.

As to the restraining part, that is terrifying and horrifying all together. I’m really impressed with your keeping it together.

Comment by Shannon — July 18, 2008 #

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Oh my. What that woman did was completely out of line. She had no right to put her hands on your child (and his wheelchair is an extension of him,so touching his chair is like touching him). How absolutely rude to deny a child his mobility. I think I would have reported to her to child services or the police. As someone else pointed out, she did not try to restrain your other son. The stupidity of the public in general can be so overwhelming.

Oh, I came here by way of Bird on the Street.

Comment by Christine — July 19, 2008 #

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Oh, yet another person who doesn’t get it. I am sorry to hear such an unpleasant experience for your family. Hopefully the lady learned something and can tell her friends.
The new chair is super cool.

Comment by Sue — July 19, 2008 #

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Great pic’s, what a wonderful chair, what type is it looks like a Quickie. I am sure I would of went off my nut at that women it is like holding onto someones legs or body restraining them, not a good experience for any of you.

Comment by Sally — July 19, 2008 #

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