#abilism

So I explain that I have POTS. If I walked that far uphill, there’s a real chance I’d faint, and even if I didn’t, my entire day would be wrecked because my body would be completely out of whack. His response? “Well, you should always try. Maybe you’ll get better. Plus, there’s a fire station on the way.”

Why the fuck are you saying this to me? You are paid to drive people places. That is literally the whole job. This isn’t a TED Talk, and I didn’t ask for motivation, medical advice, or a comparison to your knees.

And just in case this needs to be said: some disabilities don’t get better. Some of us don’t get parts swapped out and sent back on our way.

No, he did not get a tip. And yes, I contacted Uber support, made sure I never get matched with him again, and told them exactly why.

And as a disabled person, so many small, day-to-day things just become impossible for me. I have so many small rules and rituals for myself that I need just to do normal things, but I'm so used to it that I forget most people don't think twice about something that for me is all but impossible.

Fuck SeaWorld.

SeaWorld has banned disabled people from using walkers with seats on their premises.

Apparently they require you to hire one of their wheelchairs at a cost instead. They are now being investigated.

"We are committed to providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive experience for our guests and Ambassadors. To support this, we have recently updated our guidance regarding rollator and wheeled walkers with seats. These devices can pose a safety concern if not used in accordance with manufacturer requirements, which strictly prohibit using them as a wheelchair," SeaWorld Orlando said in a statement.

1. I sign three fucking forms to say about my physical health. And my benefits. And the fact my full nhs is covered points at how bad my health is also. And even though they new my health is unstable and that I would likely miss appointments so I made sure to phone them to say if I couldn't make it. After 2 missed appointments they cancelled my dental appointment without telling me and withdrew me from the practice.

2. Even though I told them why I would have issues getting in if my health was bad was because they are my nearest (accessible dental unit) at over an hour away and the only one accepting new nhs patients. They still couldn't understand why I missed an appointment when I couldn't see. You kinda need to see to drive. Or even to not run your wheelchair into every door and wall and person available.

3. I was told not to shout, the person next to me was talking louder than my supposed shouting in a deathly silent waiting room.

4. When they went out to get my partner suddenly everyone's attitude changed. A man shaped person stood beside me and suddenly I wasn't hostile I was pitiful and they'd do whatever they could. The waiting room stopped staring at me. I'm not a hysterical child, I'm a woman who is genuinely upset at an injustice that's happened. Suddenly I could be put back on the register, an appointment could be made, fees could be waived, that im now allowed to call a day in advance and move or cancel appointments and a name given if any other problems occur. [My tone hadn't changed, I was still 33 years old, I was still crying, still mid panic attack, still unknowingly digging my nails into my arm and neck. Nothing about me had changed.]