Is standing up for children on public transport now the norm?

Keane2baMused wrote: »

I do get that but it's not as simple as that always. Many don't want to have to use the 'disability card'. Especially to a perfect stranger when they have no idea what their reaction will be.

Also the tendency for tolerance is towards those with obvious disabilities than those with less obvious ones such as autism.

People who have no experience with developmental disorders may just think they are just being 'self entitled. Now I don't believe such a diagnosis automatically grants the person a seat on a bus but I think common sense should prevail.

I rarely make it known my child has a disability unless I really need to. Nothing to do with hiding the fact but I want to give him as much independence as possible as he grows up and only take allowances where absolutely needed.

I'd imagine people who don't want to play he disability card would also be disinclined to ask someone to give up their seat in the first place. If you're comfortable requesting that someone give up their seat then I think it's polite to give a reason such as "I / my child has a medical condition" instead of expecting someone to give up their seat for no reason.

As I said before, anyone who thinks that needing a seat for an invisible disability is "entitlement" or "looking for special treatment" is a complete arsehole. There's little can be done about arseholes unfortunately.

Keane2baMused wrote:

It's nothing to do with making me feel better. Its about making sure young children are safe on public transport.

It is. But it's over the top because I'm not aware of a big problem of children being injured in bus crashes because they were standing.

Keane2baMused wrote:

Would it kill you to get off your backside for a short while and let a young kid sit down?

It wouldn't kill me. I just don't think it's in any way necessary.

Keane2baMused wrote: »

I can only go by first hand experience and I know that explaining my son has a disability has gotten me nowhere before.

In so far as I was once told to F off by a charming individual (who wasn't a scummer)

I'm sorry to hear that you've had such poor experiences. I can only speak for myself in saying that I would give up my seat for your son without hesitation if you simply told me "My son has a medical condition / disability, may I / he have your seat?"

Keane2baMused wrote: »

I do get that but it's not as simple as that always. Many don't want to have to use the 'disability card'. Especially to a perfect stranger when they have no idea what their reaction will be.

Also the tendency for tolerance is towards those with obvious disabilities than those with less obvious ones such as autism.

People who have no experience with developmental disorders may just think they are just being 'self entitled. Now I don't believe such a diagnosis automatically grants the person a seat on a bus but I think common sense should prevail.

I rarely make it known my child has a disability unless I really need to. Nothing to do with hiding the fact but I want to give him as much independence as possible as he grows up and only take allowances where absolutely needed.

But if you don't want to as you say use the 'disability card', then why would you expect that people who as you say have no experience of developmental disorders or a disability that is invisible to them, should be able to know that your child may need a seat? Particularly if you yourself want to give your child as much independence as possible - part of that is understanding that other people are not going to be aware that your child may require special treatment because they have a developmental disability.

If you want it to remain invisible, then you can hardly suggest perfect strangers are inconsiderate of something that isn't obvious to them due to their lack of experience with developmental disorders.

They may be even more understanding than you think, and may have more experience with development disorders than you think, and they may have an invisible disability that isn't obvious to you either due to your lack of experience with developmental disorders!

In spite of my invisible disability, I'll still offer someone a seat if they appear to need it more than I do, or sometimes it's just manners, being civil to a complete stranger. But I wouldn't complain that it's their fault if a perfect stranger can't see that I'm in chronic pain, if I'd prefer that they didn't. I know i can't have it both ways!

One eyed Jack wrote: »

But if you don't want to as you say use the 'disability card', then why would you expect that people who as you say have no experience of developmental disorders or a disability that is invisible to them, should be able to know that your child may need a seat? Particularly if you yourself want to give your child as much independence as possible - part of that is understanding that other people are not going to be aware that your child may require special treatment because they have a developmental disability.

If you want it to remain invisible, then you can hardly suggest perfect strangers are inconsiderate of something that isn't obvious to them due to their lack of experience with developmental disorders.

They may be even more understanding than you think, and may have more experience with development disorders than you think, and they may have an invisible disability that isn't obvious to you either due to your lack of experience with developmental disorders!

In spite of my invisible disability, I'll still offer someone a seat if they appear to need it more than I do, or sometimes it's just manners, being civil to a complete stranger. But I wouldn't complain that it's their fault if a perfect stranger can't see that I'm in chronic pain, if I'd prefer that they didn't. I know i can't have it both ways!

I make a blanket point of offering my seat to children (which is the crux of the issue). The covers all basis for me with children as I never assume it's not needed and I feel they shoul be seated anyway for safety.

For adults many will ask for a seat if they need it and also if I feel someone needs my seat I will always offer it.

I said some people don't want to use the 'disability card' I wasn't referring to myself. I rarely need to make it known my son has a disability and as I said I don't unless I genuinely have to. Also as I pointed out I have previous experience of being told to f-off when I did ask and make my sons disability known.

Often you just can't win.

I myself have a hidden disability and never ask for a seat nor expect it to be given up. Nor do I expect people to be psychic.

A bit of common sense in situations wouldn't go amiss is the point.

Rubber tile generation.

If a 10 year old cant keep their balance in a moving bus, you better kick them outside sometimes in stead of having them indoors all the time on xbox/ps4/tablet and the likes.

Even better, send them to some kind of martial art. Very useful if they cant keep their balance, fall on their face and know how to break a fall.

inforfun wrote: »

Rubber tile generation.

If a 10 year old cant keep their balance in a moving bus, you better kick them outside sometimes in stead of having them indoors all the time on xbox/ps4/tablet and the likes.

Even better, send them to some kind of martial art. Very useful if they cant keep their balance, fall on their face and know how to break a fall.

Ah right sure that's the answer then. You should send that in a memo to all parents of children with co-ordination and balance disorders.

It would save the HSE millions!

In all seriousness it's not as simple as kick em outside or learn martial arts!!

Keane2baMused wrote: »

When you get elderly status

Reminds me of the time I was standing behind an old lady just as the bus was coming to a stop. When the bus jolted at the stop, the old lady fell back on top of me and I managed to break her fall as I fell back. She got up, turned round and said something to me like "We've fallen for each other..."

I couldn't get her off fast enough! *shudders* :pac:

Graham wrote: »

Has there been an epidemic of child imbalance issues since I left school? Thinking back to my childhood I can't particularly recall many incidents of my fellow ankle biters randomly toppling over.

It's called awareness and diagnosis.

60 years ago there was 'no such thing' as autism in Ireland either when in reality it wasn't diagnosed and people were called oddballs or difficult!

Developmental co-ordination Disorder (dyspraxia) greatly affects balance, movement and co-ordination. 30 years ago they would have been called clumsy and told to go outside and play football or ya know do karate to sort themselves out.

Keane2baMused wrote: »

It's called awareness and diagnosis.

60 years ago there was 'no such thing' as autism in Ireland either when in reality it wasn't diagnosed and people were called oddballs or difficult!

Developmental co-ordination Disorder (dyspraxia) greatly affects balance, movement and co-ordination. 30 years ago they would have been called clumsy and told to go outside and play football or ya know do karate to sort themselves out.

At the same time we can't base our actions towards entire sections of the population (children) on the basis that a handful may have some non-evident ailment. If we were to start that approach we would never allow any children to stand-up at all.

LexieOnRale wrote: »

When I was ten I was like Spider-Man. I'd be well able to climb a tree, climb onto the roof of sheds, climb down into tanks that were being built on our farm, and climb back up it.

Now I can't climb out of the bath.

So technically does that mean I'd be less stable on a bus

Is there a bath on buses where you live?

If you have a disability that makes it very difficult for you to stand then you should have a seat.

If not don't moan about others that need it asking you for yours.

I have chronic back problems after spinal fractures and I don't feel 'entitled' to a seat as I can stand, move and walk relatively ok.

Bambi wrote: »

One with wheels perhaps?

A disability comes with wheels? News to me.

Does it have air con too?