[nabs-l] doctors appointments

[Kirt]

Ashley,
I guess this is just personal preference but I generally used public transit and the occasional cab for pretty much everything unless it's convenient for me to Hitch a ride with somebody already going to the same place or close. Granted, I live in an area with fairly reliable buses and light rail trains so it's pretty easy to use that and be on time to pretty much everything. Much easier then arranging and dealing with volunteer drivers, in fact, but I digress.
Best,
Kirt

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 18, 2013, at 8:45 PM, "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
> Hey Kelsey,
> I'm sort of in the same position. I'm not on my own, but hope to once I have a job and save money.
> Transit comes infrequently on some routes, and even if I were alone, I'd rather not rely on public or paratransit for something as crucial as a doctor's visit. This is because they take indirect routes and you cannot count on being somewhere at a certain time. You need to be a little early for visits to check in and things like that.
> So, if I were on my own, I'd probably get a volunteer to drive me; it may be someone from a nonprofit, church, a neighbor, or even the lighthouse for the blind.
> I'd just rather avoid the uncertainty of transit if possible.
> 
> So, its fine to have your folks take you to the doctor's office.
> However, I would not have them go back to the actual office with you.
> Have you talked to your mom about this? Is she insisting on being with you?
> Yes, as an adult you have the right to go back alone.
> I finally spoke up to my parents about this and they do respect my desire.
> So I go back alone. It’s a family practice office.
> What happens is you check in and then wait for them to call you.
> So, I wait my turn. Once they call me, I go back. I just walk sighted guide with them to the office. Then, the nurse does his or her thing and records the info on vital signs,
> and then I wait for the doctor in the medical exam room.
> I usually can see where the exam table is and if they need to weigh me, I see that.
> But, if I were totally blind, I'd just ask them to tell me where it was and walk over to it.
> When we finish the visit, they take me back to the waiting room using sighted guide.
> 
> Good question on paperwork.
> After you sign up with a doctor, you usually do not need to fill out papers. You will do it if you get a shot or something other than a routine physical.
> I'm not sure what to say because I have had a family member assist me as you have done.
> Such stuff is real private, and I'm uncomfortable sharing it with a stranger. I guess I'd ask the office staff to assist me if I did not have a sighted person I trusted with me.
> 
> How do you all read papers they give you? Just scan it? Sometimes I get papers to state results of lab work
> or  info on a condition I have if I go to the cvs clinic.
> If I go to the clinic to get checked out for a sore throat, they give me papers based on what they did with the summary of what happened and the charge.
> 
> So far, I've used my family as readers, or if the paper does not involve numbers, I scan it.
> 
> Some doctors offices have online accounts where you can check your medical records there such as your lab results, and this is something you might want to ask about. It may not be accessible though.
> I believe my doctor has one, but I do not need the doctor much, so have not bothered to try their online system.
> I've heard many medical systems are inaccessible so it would not surprise me if it does not work.
> 
> Anyway, I've thought about trying it out though, since if it works, I would have an online record of my lab work, and would not have to remember when I last had it checked, since the computer would tell me.
> 
> Anyway, Kelsey, let your parents know you would like some independence. Perhaps, your mom hasn't thought about you doing it yourself. Mothers are like this particularly if they have always done it for you, they do not think to step back once you are grown.
> 
> One more thing. If you  have to sign papers, be sure to have someone, probably a nurse, read you the form and be sure you understand what you are signing. They might try to just give you a two sentence thing to say this is about xx procedure you are having. No, get more details before signing. But, if you are healthy and are primarily going for physicals, you should not have much issues with papers or access issues like that. Its just a routine visit.
> 
> HTH,
> Ashley
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Kelsey Nicolay
> Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 9:05 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nabs-l] doctors appointments
> 
> Hello,
> I know this is kind of an off-topic question, but I would like
> people's opinions.  I still live at home and since I cannot
> drive, my mom or sister drive me to my doctors appointments.  I
> have no problem with that, but when I go for my physicals, my mom
> still goes back in the room with me.  I'm an adult, so shouldn't
> I be allowed to go back by myself? If you do go to the doctor by
> yourself using transit or whatever, how do you handle filling out
> paperwork and stuff like that? Again, this is off topic, but what
> has been your experience with attending doctor visits by
> yourself? Were the staff helpful? I go back by myself at the
> dentist because I have known them forever.  Thoughts?
> Thanks,
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gmail.com