Disability transportation

This is a very serious issue to discuss as there are so many problems!
Being in this situation for 15 years has put me in certain compromising spots with transportation at times. Some I probably wouldn’t believe unless I saw for myself. I’ve been on planes and greyhound alone because I’m daring but I’d like to talk about local transportation.
I think the average person, that doesn’t need it, assumes that these services are great but that’s not always the case.
I must say that some drivers are beyond excellent and caring and I really appreciate them. Especially something simple like a little joke. I just don’t like to report the bad experiences because I don’t want to get anyone in trouble. The few times I emailed the bus company, they blamed me! Also because they are mostly good, hardworking people. Everyone makes mistakes and it wasn’t on purpose. Also, I think a lot of it has to do with a lack of understanding. Some things are hard to fully grasp unless you experience them.

To explain, there are ambulettes that insurance covers going to medical appointments which require 72 hours notice and, in my area, there are disability buses that are run by the local bus company. These currently cost $4 each way and require 24 hours notice. The website closes around five so if you miss that deadline, you aren’t scheduling anything for the next day. They won’t return to pick you up sooner than two hours so you have to wait somewhere until then. I miss my car and just up and going places.
The other day, I went somewhere that you can’t really wait. I was out in five minutes but still had to wait for two hours. There really isn’t anywhere to go around there and it’s winter in New York. So I decided to wait in a Dunkin Donuts to write and had to explain to them that I wasn’t a weirdo (I am but…..😂) and was just waiting for my bus.

Here are a few things that have happened to me with both:

• some strap you in sideways and driving that way makes me nauseous
• Some drivers are so slow and cautious that I can probably wheel faster but a lot drive crazy. Have you ever seen them on parkways? It may not seem crazy from the drivers seat but riding in the back of a van, it’s rough and can really worsen many health conditions. A few times I was thrown so high that I could touch the ceiling. Plus it’s scarier when you’re chair is strapped down and you are unable to unbuckle yourself. I’ve white knuckled it during so many trips. It destroys my brakes and I have to use my feet as brakes. Those tie downs aren’t as secure as people assume. I think they’re made to give a little in an accident but every time a driver stops short, it lets out a little thinking it’s an accident. Do you know how hard you have to stop short for your vehicle to think it’s an accident? There were so many times I almost went flying and some drivers constantly do this so long trips are torture. I’ve been on roller coasters that weren’t as scary. There have been so many times I was in tears, nauseous, headache, happy to get there alive, etc…..
• I’ve waited for a half an hour to sometimes three in freezing rain and scorching heat.
• Been completely forgotten either at home or far from home. A few times places closed and I was outside in a dark, forest like area
• Missed or been very late to so many appointments and I then have to explain and apologize. I hate being late and this is very uncomfortable. I always offer to reschedule if I’m late. I know I’m inconveniencing many people. I don’t like getting special treatment but I think they feel obligated to accommodate me or they’re a bad person. I wouldn’t love it but what’s right is right and I’d 100% understand!
• There were times I’ve been picked up five minutes before an appointment that was forty five minutes away 🤦‍♀️
• I’ve spent two hours in a van picking up and dropping off other people. Some people assume it’s just you but that’s not always the case.
• Been driven past so they assume I’m not there and leave
• Been taken to the wrong place so many times which made me late for so many appointments.
• I’ve had so many drivers not even put a seat belt on me or put it on just for show. I don’t think that a seat belt sagging down to my knees would help in an accident.
  My previous chair didn’t have a seat belt originally but I asked for one because of this. I once had a bus driver, in a bad snowstorm and he didn’t have the necessary wheelchair seat belt. This was a caravan so he thought he’d try the seat belt from the backseat and almost choked me with it. He then handed me a seat belt strap from the backseat and told me just to hold on to it 😳
  This is why I like having my own seat belt.
• This new guy from the bus company picked me up but it was for a different person. He had already made me fold up my wheelchair and watched instead of helping, watched me get in the car without helping and threw my stuff in breaking my headphones. Then the dispatcher told him that he got the wrong person. He just looked at me and said “get out”
  Made me put my chair together and put my bags on. Annoyed that I was taking so long, he kept telling me to hurry. When I rush, I get very shaky and am almost useless. He sped off almost driving over my foot! If I didn’t move fast, he would have. When I complained, they said- maybe you got in the wrong vehicle. I said – Do you think I make a habit of jumping into any car? Of course I check first! It’s not like a fast process for me so I had plenty of time to notice- People seem to assume that if you are in a wheelchair, you must have cognitive issues. So many people talk to me like I’m stupid and that is hurtful.
• A bus driver once drove to the back of my parking lot, didn’t say a word to me about why, got out and went to go use the bathroom in my neighbors bushes. There’s a swing set so he knew there were kids there!
• Another bus driver parked me under trees on a side street and without saying a word got out and went to Burger King. Doors unlocked, on a dark side street in the ghetto and I’m strapped down entirely.
  Transportation for the disabled definitely needs improvement! It’s not this nice thing everyone thinks it is.
  I think it’s partly poor training and partly that some people just don’t care. It’s definitely not fun going anywhere.
  I have hundreds of stories on this subject. A lot of the people who need to use this service aren’t able to speak up for themselves to fix things so it falls on their loved ones to. Please be a voice for someone you care about.