Ok, i’ve been stuck in the house now for so long due to weakness and severe fatigue, yesterday i decided to go to the supermarket with my husband to do a small shop.
Saturday was probably not the best day to do this but i saw my chance, took the opportunity to get out and went for it !
As i can’t presently walk unaided, i used the supermarket mobility scooter .This was my first time. I got the hang of it after a while and i managed not to run anyone over (just about ).
The problem was, people kept stopping dead right in front of me, blocking the isle or worse still, dashing straight in front of me, so i had to do an emergency stop ! This happened time after time, it was like i didn’t exist. I smiled brightly at anyone i encountered only to be met with death stares.
It exhausted me so much, by the time i got home i collapsed.
Today i feel rubbish. Not sure i want to try that again but like i say, probably picked the worst day.
Hubby said i should just have stayed at home and let him do the shopping but i wanted some normality.
you did right too, why the hell not,if thats what you felt like doing.you are braver than me, i wouldn’t attempt to go shopping on a weekend,i do try and avoid busy times thse days at all costs,that when i can get out.i havent been out of the house in 6 months due to being too ill.Just ignore any ‘stares’ stare right back at em,there are some awful ignorant people out there,but now and then we come across the lovely ones, they are there,honestly
I’ve claimed many ankles of people stupid enough to stop dead in front of me or walk across my path without looking, i used to feel guilty about it but i just smile now and give a little “ooops”
well done for getting out, and it does get easier … i’ve only been in my wheelchair since August 2015 and i used to dread having to go out, but i dont think twice now
As I was trying to manoeuvre my trolley out of Tesco at the weekend some obnoxious loudmouth tutted and said “can’t you move any faster” I so wish I’d had the energy to tell him what I thought of him but by the time I turned round to say something he was gone.
It happens all the time. I was being pushed down a central aisle on Friday and people coming out of the side aisles walked out straight in front of me. If I was on my feet they would have waited but people don’t wait for wheelchairs.
I have shouted at people many times and deliberately snagged ankles because I can’t tolerate it.
not a great day to pick but sometimes that cannot be avoided. People are selfish sods, whether walking in a supermarket or driving their car, they will think they have priority. So take the bull by the horns and find your inner Foghorn Leghorn. In a loud voice develop you sarcastic tones and say
YOU’RE WELCOME
or
FOR THE THIRD TIME, EXCUSE ME
(even if its the first)
Be loud and be proud - you have wheels and you know to use them.
Don’t let them stop you hun. You have as much right to be there as they do & if need be - run the gits over!!!
I know that people can be inconsiderate gits. And it’s really flipping aggravating when they just don’t see you or don’t trouble to move out of your way.
But on the reverse side, so often people are nice and kind, they step back and allow me into a lift first, even if it means they have to wait for the lift again. They constantly “after you” me. They step back out of the way. They try to help, even when I don’t need it (and I have an able bodied husband with me). My hairdresser offered to come round and cut my hair, and went out of his way to make sure I could get into the salon and was comfortable with the physical constraints (as was the woman who washed my hair). The butcher has offered to send his assistant round with food when my OH was ill because he knows my limitations. My neighbours are happy to help out when needed.
Sometimes I feel aggrieved because I feel patronised by kind people. But that’s me, ungrateful wretch!
I think that the scales of kindness come down heavier on the nice side than the inconsiderate side.
Maybe I’m just having a well balanced generous day (most unusual for me)!
You are so right Sue I feel bad now, I was very quick to critisise the guy in the supermarket but he was an exception, most people are considerate and helpful.
Not at all Jan. Sometimes we all feel that the world is against us. Today as I said, I do seem to be having a very positive day. Extremely unlike me. I usually see the worst in people not the best. Think I’d better say some nice things to my lovely husband while I’m in such a good mood.
I fear the day my wife needs one (hopefully not but you never know with this stupid disease) as she is an angry little soul, and is bad enough in the car, she will add blades and she will just run people over, not because of MS, just because she can
I had my first experience a few weeks ago of the supermarket trolley-wheelchair thingy. My wife and daughter were going to the supermarket and I was going to leave them to it (as usual) until my daughter begged me to come so that I could try out the trolley-wheelchair thingy. Thankfully the supermarket was pretty quiet as trolley-wheelchair thingy was about as cumbersome as the QE2. Also thankfully, I know my place and I was only there for window dressing while my wife did the serious shopping, and I wasn’t really any help, ie, “no, we don’t need that”, “no that’s the wrong type”, “no, that’s the wrong size” etc, so I’m not sure if this counts as a proper shopping experience. I must admit I wouldn’t like to shop on my own using the trolley-wheelchair thingy. I can go online, press a few buttons and the man from Tesco delivers stuff a couple of days later. I’m good at that.
I am hooked on the trolley-wheelchair thingy - AKA “Mart-cart”, or just scooter.
My local Sainsbury will bring one out to my car (that takes care of me). My wife gets support from the shopping trolley.
She can browse while I zip round the far reaches of the store, pick up some stuff, run back to her, transfer the stuff into the trolley, and go on for the next items. When we check out, someone will come out and collect the scooter.
And, of cxourse, the people who want to get in the way can be intimidated!
But there is a downside - I do not get the exercise that I once did.
