Follow
Share

I have had a spinal cord injury since 2019 and use a walker and or wheelchair to get around i understand that they simply can’t transport my chair but they won’t even let me bring my walker and keep saying to me every time that they can’t bring it because it’s the law of it CANT be strapped down and I even said if I hold it across me and then you can buckle me in to the stretcher why can’t we do that and every time it’s the same thing and I usually get upset and end up not even going and they just leave and carry on with their lives and screw me pretty much now I don’t always get them two but more often than not if I’m going in the evening shift it’ll be them and when I go during the day it’s not usually them but on occasion it is but I obviously can’t change the time that my emergency happens right so they told me that an ambulance will bring me home once I’m done at the emergency room but I found this out to actually be false because I always ask and it’s the same thing every time they just simply can’t do it cuz that’d be taking up an ambulance away that someone with an actual emergency obviously if I’m getting discharged the hospital feels it’s not a danger to my life anymore but you get it so if say someone has a heart attack and needs transport via ambulance immediately then they may have to wait longer cuz there busy taking me home so my question is that are they actually not allowed to transport a folding basic two wheel walker that I physically can’t walk without I can get in the Uber or Lyft from hospital fine but then how am I supposed to get from the car to my door yea I can always ask them to get it for me out of my house but I don’t know these people they may not want to be bothered by doing it and give me a hard time about it and by that time I just want to get in my home so yea if anyone actually knows if this is legal or not please let me know thanks!!! I’ll appreciate any feedback!!!

I understand why an ambulance company wouldn't want to bring your walker along with you, as they don't want to be responsible for it, I'm sure, nor does the ER.
I guess I'm not understanding though why an ambulance won't take you home. Yes, you'll have to wait longer perhaps until one is available, but you still should have that option.

My late husband often had to go to the ER via ambulance, and he was never allowed to bring his hemi-walker, nor did I ever request that they do.
If my husband ended up being admitted, I would just bring it up with me when I went to visit.
And if he was brought to the ER by ambulance he was always returned home by ambulance, so I'm not sure why your hospital isn't doing the same unless they think that perhaps you are abusing the system because of your frequent visits.
Or maybe it has something to do with your health insurance. Have you tried calling them to find out what your coverage allows?
I'm sorry that you're in such poor health that you need to go to the ER so often. Perhaps it's now best that you no longer live on your own, and instead start looking into moving into an assisted living facility where you will have folks checking on you around the clock and they will also have a van that perhaps can pick you up if and when the next time you go to the ER.
Helpful Answer (11)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report
MACinCT Jul 7, 2024
But that does not explain when patients bring in their own wheelchairs, oxygen tanks and CPAP machines.. In a facility these items get labeled
(2)
Report
Call your County Disability people and run this by them.
Helpful Answer (10)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Have you tried calling your county's social services to see if you can get transportation services?
Helpful Answer (9)
Reply to Geaton777
Report
geddyupgo Jul 7, 2024
Great suggestion!
(0)
Report
It depends on what kind of ride service you are using. Uber or Lyft may not accept wheelchairs or walkers,but there are medical transport services that do. They cost a lot more than Uber or Lyft but if you had emergency ambulance ride to get to the hospital, you could use a medical transport service just for the ride home. They have their own wheelchairs and will get you back into your house. Depending on the community you live in there might be senior services or services for the disabled that could provide transportation for less money a medical transport company.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to RedVanAnnie
Report
Victoria35 Jul 8, 2024
I’ve never had an Uber or Lyft complain that they can’t handle my Rollator. I suspect that the hospital informs the company that they need to accept a patient’s movement system and/or the company makes their drivers aware.
(0)
Report
No one in this day and age who is a qualified person with a disability should ever have to deal with a problem as you have described such as a lack pf dignity and respect and limited knowledge of disability laws, Certainly contact your local governmental office of disabilities for help as this appears to be a systemic issue of failure to provide accommodations to people with disabilities.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to johnawheeler
Report

General Sources of Disability Rights Information
ADA Information Line 800-514-0301 (voice) 1-833-610-1264 (TTY) ADA.gov 
ADA National Network (800) 949-4232 (voice/TTY) www.adata.org

Call them
Find a pro bono attorney if needed (Call Legal Aid or Lawyer Referral/State Bar)

Gena / Touch Matters
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to TouchMatters
Report

Since this only happens with a particular ambulance crew I’m wondering what the company policy actually is. I’m assuming this is the local emergency service and not a transport service, there is a difference and the local transport service might be your way home. That said I would suggest giving the ambulance service a call to see what the rule actually is and what they suggest to resolve your issue.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Lymie61
Report

Make a high level complaint to the company head in charge of transporting you - or look for legal advice. This sounds a very uncaring and rather ignorant company. I was in the bank couple days ago. A man was shouting and causing a scene. He had given his bank card to his wife who was on holiday for a month and needed money = a high amount. He had his ID. The bank said he had to give 48 hours notice. He said he had and they said for something else he had to give another 48 hours. He kicked of and people came to talk to him with him shouting you are just being unreasonable. They continued its company policy. He continued shouting. They went away and came back 5 minutes later. We will make an exception for you. Take the lead. Not saying scream and shout but make your complaints to be heard and i bet they will also make an exception.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Jenny10
Report
MedicinNC Sep 4, 2024
Ma'am, if it were me (I am a paramedic in a 9-1-1 system), I will not "make exceptions" in a situation like this if I deem it unsafe to carry a mobility device in an ambulance that is not designed for safe storage of those items. If my ambulance has no way to tie down or secure a patient's belongings, I will not make exceptions especially if our policies don't allow it. I am not willing to jeopardize the patient's safety, my safety, my livelihood or the safety of my crew to carry an object that could become a projectile in a crash. (I answered the original post earlier and I did say that some of our ambulances are designed to safely store *some* items like walkers, but most cannot and carrying unsecured belongings is against our policy).
(0)
Report
This company doesn't use the handicapped modified Dodge Caravan?
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to cover9339
Report

San Francisco Uber has a few vehicles with wheelchair accommodation.
The wheelchair is strapped down with the passenger in the wheelchair.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to PeterFromSF
Report

See All Answers
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter