Do you really see me or just my disability?
The BOPDHB has launched a booklet and
online training course designed to improve the
way staff communicate with patients living with
disabilities (tāngata whaikaha). Extracts from Do you really see
me or just my disability?
The resource was developed by Quality and Patient Safety Co-
ordinator Cheryl Shearer and tells the stories of seven people
living with disabilities. Scotty suffered a massive head
injury and lost his sight when
he was hit by a truck on his bike
seven years ago.
Cheryl says she chose to develop this resource after dealing with
patients and families with concerns about their medical care and
how staff communication impacted on their patient journey. “There
are touchpoints in every patient’s journey that influence how we
make them feel. The information provided by these people who’ve
shared their stories in this resource has identified themes that we
can all learn from.”
She hopes the very personal stories will help staff better
understand the importance of communicating with patients and
their families and whānau in a way that is best suited to the
individual patient.
Scotty Saunders
Being a Visually Impaired Person
[VIP] makes me very vulnerable – so
I need to be able to trust people to be
truthful and have integrity.
Be supportive by asking what I need assistance with, but don’t just
assume I will need help. I currently have a support worker who
helps with shopping, goes fishing with me, takes me to medical
appointments, changes light bulbs for me. I also have some
housework assistance. I do appreciate help to orientate me when I
am in new surroundings.
“These people have very different life experiences but what ties
their stories together is a desire to be treated with dignity and
respect. Seemingly simple things like greeting a person and
asking them if they need assistance, before doing anything else,
are really important.” Doug Nichols
As a gesture of appreciation, earlier this week a presentation was
held for those that shared their stories; their families and whānau. I get frustrated and annoyed when people
treat me as if I am dumb and when they
talk over me as if I am not even in the
room.
You can read the booklet on OnePlace, by searching – Do you
really see me booklet.
A short 15 minute Disability Responsiveness course is available
for all staff to complete on Te Whāriki ā Toi. Staff will learn six
key principles to keep in mind when interacting with people with
disabilities and then apply these principles in six scenario based
activities. Login and search courses at www.tewharikiatoi.ac.nz
Doug was born with spina bifida, has
had his leg amputated as a result of an
infection and now uses a wheelchair.
I understand what is wrong with me because I live with this
disability and this is my reality.
Please understand that I might well be different to all the other
patients you see with my condition and co-morbidities, so if you
would just take the time to read more about my condition or talk to
your colleagues that would be appreciated.
I don’t mind having to wait to be seen, if I know that someone is
looking out for what is best for me.
6