Hi, I’m new here. I got diagnosed with RRMS 7 years ago now. I have been very lucky and don’t have many symptoms.
I do however have a problem; I can’t stand still for long periods, it causes extreme pain in my legs. I can walk with no problems. I did a 10KM walk for cancer research and walk a couple of miles a day.
I want to go to a concert, but I’ve been told that a lot of places won’t let you sit when queuing or go to the loo.
I’ve got a Sunflower badge that says I need to sit but I’m not sure that’s going to work.
Hi,
I don’t have direct experience that could help you here.
But allowing you to sit, eg while queuing, sounds like a “reasonable adjustment”. Surely venues would have a duty to provide reasonable adjustments, under disability legislation? After all, anyone in a wheelchair is “sitting”. So it would be a bit odd to ban the practice! It’s also quite common that people can’t stand for long even if they don’t use a wheelchair - people who have sciatica or back problems for example.
You could check this or perhaps see if the MS Society helpline can clarify your rights.
You could also contact the venue to check (again, asserting your legal rights).
I understand your concern and I don’t know what the answer is, I’m afraid. One option to get yourself one of those 4-wheeled walker that you can sit on. I know you don’t need it for walking, but that’s no one’s business but yours. If you want to play it really safe, that’s certainly an option. A less cumbersome and ‘disabled-looking’ option is using two hiking poles to walk. They don’t give you anything to sit on, but there’s a very good chance that they’ll make the argument for you. I’ve been using two poles of necessity for many years now and nine times out of ten people do give you space and show you consideration. I know you won’t want to look any more disabled than you are but if there’s a risk that you might otherwise decide not to go to the concert because you’re worried, it might be worth biting the bullet and - if you’ll excuse the expression - ‘looking more as if you have MS’. If only tactically and temporarily.
