Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: transportation

  • When an Uber Ride is More Than Just Transportation!

    Sometimes an Uber ride is more than transportation. Yesterday, I ordered an Uber to go get my Actemra infusion at the rheumatologist’s office, which is only a few miles away. I waited with my rollator and did what I always do when the driver says hello- “Are you able to help me with my rollator?” I asked. She quickly pointed to her handicap parking hangtag and said, “Sure, we handicappers need to stick together!” I knew this was going to be a good ride.

    I got in and quickly exchanged niceties which quickly turned into a full blown conversation about being disabled. We didn’t share diagnosis’s or specifics but both felt like members of a secret club that only those on the inside could understand. We talked about family support, strangers asking questions they had no business asking, and the loneliness of being disabled.

    We shared heartbreaking times that we missed out, or worse, pushed ourselves so hard we ended up in bed for three days afterwards. I think it was the first time I talked with someone who understood my life in person and not online. It was so refreshing.

    She shared and showed me that she, like me, had a fistula and sometimes people think her fistula is a scar from drug use. I told her I never had that problem, but stored that piece of information in my head for later. I offered some advice about mobility devices, especially about my Zeen.

    Unfortunately, the ride was quick and we were saying our goodbyes before we knew it. I thanked her for the conversation and told her it was a breath of fresh air! She seemed to totally agree!

    I no longer drive and depend completely on others to get around, except where my wheelchair brings me. I use buses, Uber, and private transportation companies. I find most of my interactions with drivers to be positive or at least neutral. This trip was positively amazing! You never know who you will meet! I hope I offered as much to this driver as she offered to me!

  • Medical Appointments: Keeping Them Organized and Finding Ways to Get There!

    I average 5-12 medical appointments a week. This includes home health nursing, tele-healths, traditional appointments with specialists, and therapy appointments. It’s a big time commitment to attend all of these appointments as well as keeping them all organized.

    To stay organized, I use the calendar on the phone/computer as well as a google docs file that includes any appointments outside of my apartment. The file contains the date/time, provider’s name, address, phone number, as well as a place for transportation notes. I find this file so necessary, as sometimes I need to print or send a copy of upcoming appointments to various providers. I have even started to color code some items on the sheet. The bonus of having it as a google doc is that I am able to share it with various people (family) and they can see any changes or updates.

    Transportation is the biggest issue for me to get to appointments. I try to make local appointments on Tuesday or Thursday when the bus is available through my community for appointments. MUSC appointments require the most resources as I need to coordinate them with either my niece, private transportation company, or using UBER. All are expensive options. All of this also requires me to determine what mobility device I am going to use. If I wake up to go to MUSC with my rollator and feel terrible, I am stuck and can’t switch to my power wheelchair. It’s a lot of thoughts.

    Transportation is a huge hindrance to many people’s access to heath care. If you can’t leave your house, you are significantly limited to the type of health care or quality of health care you receive. Likewise, when you are limited by milage or transportation routes, you become limited.

    I am eager to see my Medicaid application be approved and provide needed support for transportation as well as other things. This process for application was very extensive and difficult. I am hopeful that the results will be worth it!