Rolling with Sarah

Not the best experience at the Ottawa General Hospital a few days ago. I went in for a brain MRI. After I signed in. they told me I had to change into a gown. I was expecting this, its quite routine for an MRI. But then they led me to the change rooms. They didn’t have one that my wheelchair would fit into, and I have a very small chair! So I asked them, “what do I do?” the administrator kind of seemed shocked and said I could use the bathroom. I know this wasn’t their fault so I tried not to get to angry but it was very disappointing. When I got into the bathroom, I was even more disappointed. Yes, I could fit. But the toilet was way too low for a chair user to use and the soap was way out of reach. The hooks were up way higher than I could reach. I was very lucky I had a caregiver there to help me.

Once I was changed, they rolled me into a room to wait for the technician. When they came they asked/told me “you can walk to get onto the bed right?” Obviously they hadn’t read my file and didn’t know I can’t wait bare. I calmly explained that my mom could lift me if they needed it. Just frustrating. What would they have done if I was alone? A lift needs to be called for in advance.

The final thing that bugged me was as we were able to head towards the machine, they just grabbed my chair and started pushing. No ask, no permission given, no respect. How many times do I have to say it?! Don’t touch a wheelchair user’s chair without their permission! You wouldn’t grab someone by the shoulders and move them so don’t do it to us! Ok, rant over.

I think maybe it’s time I look into the Ottawa General’s Accessibility Committee to make a complaint or see what the process is to join the committee. What do you think readers?