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Queen’s attitude to being in a wheelchair, supposedly.

(118 Posts)
Honeysuckleberries Tue 22-Mar-22 15:57:24

I have been reading about the Queen’s apparent negative attitude to being seen in public in a wheelchair. Her reaction apparently been ascribed to the shock caused to the public by Princess Margaret appearing in a wheelchair. I remember her appearing but I wasn’t shocked at the wheelchair bit, it was the sling, the sunglasses and the general air of malaise.
I would have thought that the sight of a sparkling Queen dressed smartly and with her beaming smile in a wheelchair would have done a great deal for the disabled.
I realise that she has an image to maintain but she is very elderly now and surely it is not a bad thing to have to adapt to her health issues.
If she is going to cling on to the bitter end then she either adapts or hands over to Prince Charles who is already elderly.

JenniferEccles Tue 22-Mar-22 22:37:14

I think the Queen’s alleged reluctance to use a wheelchair is perfectly understandable, and probably most people can remember very elderly family members who had exactly the same feelings.

It’s a sign of old age, of physical infirmity which nobody wants to accept. The last time she was photographed, the walking stick had gone.

I’m sure the Queen is determined to battle on for as long as possible. I believe the other week she pointed to her foot or ankle when she said she was struggling to move.
Couldn’t it be something like a mildly sprained ankle which, given time and rest, will heal.

Deedaa Tue 22-Mar-22 22:42:27

Lack of mobility must be terribly frustrating when you think that she kept on riding into her 90s.

FlexibleFriend Tue 22-Mar-22 22:48:46

I'd far rather have a wheelchair than a mobility scooter, but each to their own. To me a wheelchair points to disability and mobility scooters usually point to grossly overweight . Obviously I'd prefer an electric one so I could scoot about rather than a mobility scooter used to run people over with. If I bash into someone in my wheelchair they end up on my lap and I get injured. If I was to bash into someone while on a mobility scooter the other person gets injured and we've all seen terrible drivers on mobility scooters plus they can both achieve the same speed. Not that the Queen comes across as a speed freak.

MissAdventure Tue 22-Mar-22 22:52:22

The queen mum had a golf buggy, didn't she?

SueDonim Tue 22-Mar-22 22:58:16

If the Queen needs help to move around I think a chariot pulled by a team of Corgis would be a different approach. Mush!

MissAdventure Tue 22-Mar-22 23:16:39

Oh yes, very innovative! smile

vegansrock Wed 23-Mar-22 03:02:57

She could have one of those sedan chairs carried by flunkeys.

Allsorts Wed 23-Mar-22 03:44:24

I’m quite sure the Queen after always putting duty first as she has, is doing what’s right for her. She’s making way for Charles, given her blessing to Camilla. We don’t know how she feels, it’s just talk.

nanna8 Wed 23-Mar-22 05:38:24

I am sure no one rang that Wail newspaper you have and told them she doesn't like being seen in a wheelchair. They made it up, willing to bet. Must have ben a slow news day.

Grantanow Wed 23-Mar-22 11:19:36

What next? A mobility scooter with postillion?

Juicylucy Wed 23-Mar-22 11:23:35

If she wishes to fight to the bitter end and not give in to old age then good for her, as someone already said she doesn’t need to be a poster girl. Giving in means giving up.

icanhandthemback Wed 23-Mar-22 11:23:37

I have this argument regularly with my daughter who will not use a wheelchair even when it limits her life and means others have to make big changes in order to accommodate her additional needs. She says I don't understand even though I had a period of time in a wheelchair as a teenager and just accepted it was a necessity in order to keep living as full a life as I could. The one time I did get her to change her mind, some kind soul patted my daughter on the head (she was 30 not 3!) and that was that.
I am disappointed in the Queen if it is the case that she doesn't want to be seen on a wheelchair. We need valued role models to show that being in a wheelchair doesn't make you seem weak; it is just a method of transport. We also need to see people who use wheelchairs as and when they are needed so if you use a wheelchair to save energy/pain levels in order to manage your ability to keep going through the day, you are not looked at as if you are faking it when you stand up or put it to one side in less painful/energy using situations.
The Queen could do so much good here, I wonder if she realises the message she is currently sending if her reported reasons for not using a wheelchair are correct.

Daisend1 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:23:54

There cannot be many who want to admit 'not as young as we used to be' when it comes to needing help .H er majesty is no exception and no doubt like many has come to the conclusion needs be/needs must.

Treacletoffee Wed 23-Mar-22 11:28:04

The Queen should use whatever tools/ aids she needs to maintain independence. She could be a great role model for those worried about having to use them. She doesn’t have to become a permanent wheelchair user unless necessary- they are just another aid

henetha Wed 23-Mar-22 11:39:18

Well, assuming that it is true, I think it would be fine to see the Queen in a wheelchair. Rather that than not seeing her at all.
It's a great example to those who have to use them, like my sister for instance, to show that it is perfectly acceptable.
If she is embarrassed and feels worried about attending Philip's memorial, perhaps she could be wheeled in beforehand and be in her place before everyone else arrives and film cameras start.

SillyNanny321 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:42:25

One reason some of us do not like wheelchairs is because when meeting other people who stop for a chat we are ignored & whoever is pushing the chair is asked questions about us rather than looking down to us & talking to us! Thankfully I only had to use a wheelchair after a short Hospital spell. So can understand how our lovely Queen may feel! She has done so well up to now & hopefully will go on for as long as she wants without so much speculation as to what she wants or should do!

nannypiano Wed 23-Mar-22 11:46:29

My Grandmother said people would think she was old if she was pushed in a wheel chair. Well she was 96.

Ning74 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:46:30

I think a mobility scooter sounds great

Yammy Wed 23-Mar-22 11:47:31

I think some people view them as giving in which I don't agree with. My mum used a zimmer frame and got all-around with it otherwise she would have been housebound.
My dad on the other hand should have used one and wouldn't.. On their last visit to Oz they were met in Singapore by a chap with a wheelchair and dad wouldn't get in it. The chap would not move so in the end my mother sat in it and had a ride to the taxi.
The chap opposite them got a mobility scooter and used it to go to the local pub which was fine except he used the white line in the middle of the road as a guide, luckily it was a small village and everyone used to look for him at closing time.smile

Mine Wed 23-Mar-22 11:53:35

I worked with elderly people in the community most of my working life and almost all I met would be affronted to been seen in a wheelchair...Some of them ended up housebound because of this attitude....Never quite got my head around it...

Joesoap Wed 23-Mar-22 11:56:58

In a way I understand the Queen “ giving in to old age sitting in a wheelchair” like lots of people would never be seen with any kind of frame until they actually use them and then they wouldn’t be without them. The Queen will make her own decision hopefully good luck to her.

Theoddbird Wed 23-Mar-22 12:01:33

I so detest this sort of post. It is based on speculation not fact. People read it and presume it is true and they pass it on...probably adding more to the story...

Anniebach Wed 23-Mar-22 12:02:46

I doubt people will suddenly change their own choice of wheelchair yes/no because the Queen uses one.

MissAdventure Wed 23-Mar-22 12:03:46

Well, it happens all the time, although not usually about the queen.
Unless it's speculation about how she must feel...

Rosalyn69 Wed 23-Mar-22 12:09:35

I have no real opinion but whatever her views on using a wheelchair they are her views and I respect them. I doubt she would disrespect people using them.