It Could be You

All the better to hear you with 

Whilst booking an appointment for an ear wax removal at The pharmacy -Bebington, as an afterthought I asked is the pharmacy accessible to wheelchairs?   

'Oh, err, no we don't. It's just 2 steps though.'

The appointment was cancelled. 

Why do businesses assume wheelchairs have the power of flight what I find even more of a despicable act of discrimination, is, this is a chemist! Presumably, many of their customers are ill and disabled people! But no, the main customers can't come in! 

Please note The Pharmacy Bebington, I have looked into the cost of ramp for you, and its between £150 and £335 depending on what one you choose. 

www.theramppeople.co.uk 

 Specsavers in Heswall thankfully has heard of the equal opportunities act and had two wheelchair friendly entrances. The one at the front had a few steps, so my mum went inside to ask them to unlock the back door wheelchair entrance we'd been told about. 

The weather was drizzly, so you can  imagine how I was pleased when the audiologist came to the front door carrying a portable ramp. I drove up and into the bright shop. 

I followed the man across the laminate floor and into the room on the left. 

The room was small and dimly lit, but, as the audiologist told us, it was the largest they had. My wheelchair is length-wise long, width-wise slim. It took a lot of wiggly manoeuvres and a few bashes to the control panel before I got parked. 

The Specsavers audiologist must've noticed that I am blind (I was using a white cane) as he read their insurance contract and told me of what could go wrong (scarily, quite a lot! he assured me, 'don't worry, these never happen.') 

He inserted a metal pole into my ear. A loud noise, like a drill roared in my ear as the wax was sucked out. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut to stop the dizziness. 

Then, a min or 2 later, (probably not even  that long) it was done and onto the next ear! 

I was in and out< 5 mins. 

For the purposes of this review, I left via the back door (like a celebrity, although it wasn't very glamorous and lead to a ramp that curved behind the shops to the front. 

Something I notice in the Heswall High Street was how many shops had steps. If shops, like this particular branch of Specsavers, who do have a portable ramp,  could highlight the fact that they welcome those who have mobility issues by displaying a sticker in the window and a doorbell. This would give wheelchair users independence as they wouldn't have to rely on someone else to do it for them. 

 

Update: I am delighted to say that on Monday 25th , October I received a phones home from the shop, who said my feedback will be used on their website and, excitingly, they have put my 'call for assistance' button idea to the board of directors! This is fantastic! I am so pleased they have listen to me.