At the orthopedist's office
As many of my diehard fans know, Mr Charm has a broken leg for which he is getting rehabbed. To check on his progress, we had an appointment with the orthopedist who inserted unspecified metal parts in his leg.
He made the trip in a wheelchair--he still can't walk any distance. The doctor's waiting room looked like the ante-chamber to the Miracle Department at Lourdes--casts, crutches, splints, bandages and wheelchairs were the order of the day. To make the visit more memorable, the outer office featured a non-accessible door, and the inner office, where the great man and his acolytes dispense wisdom, also has a non-accessible door. These inconvenient doors were each in a tight corner, making them even more challenging for the halt and the lame. The only thing missing was a spiral staircase.
Fortunately, a couple of the able-bodied patients or their companions held the doors for us.
The inner office is decorated with pictures of various bones you might break if so inclined. I made a note to myself to avoid breaking any of them if at all possible.
Mr Charm's leg is coming along nicely.
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7 comments:
I'm glad Mr Charm is improving.
I'm curious, did you say anything about the terrible access for a place intended for people who can't get around well?
I wish Mr. Charm speediest recovery possible and for you both - to forget the way to the orthopedist office, with all accompanying doors and tight corners.
Thanks, Tat!
Kitten: I did say something to the airhead receptionist. She took it calmly, but clearly she's not in charge. I wonder if anyone is?
Well, you could just report them to your local DOB (dept. of buildings).
Every medical office, particularly- orthopedist', should be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that states, among other things, 3'-0" min wide doors and 5'0" turning diameter in corridors, and there are whole chapters on accessible restrooms, ramps and protruding objects in the path of wheelchairs.
Tat: Could it be that ADA compliance is for new construction and the old stuff is grandfathered in?
It would explain why so many places, including doctors' offices, have such lousy handicapped access.
That's true, but then there is a rule that any renovation, however small, that requires filing at DOB (like adding one more toilet or knocking down a wall between corridor and reception) automatically means the owner should bring the premises in compliance with current building codes.
You can call your DOB and find out if Dr. filed anything since 1990 (when ADA was established). If yes, and they still are not compliant with ADA, your DOB will send their inspector and fine them until they are compliant.
Ha! Sweet revenge!
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