Complaint
Yesterday, I took tea at lunch to make sure I was awake and alert during the afternoon, where I travelled by wheelchair taxi to my dental hygienist for regular teeth cleaning. The tea affected me strongly, as this is a strategy I used when on narcotics for the pain of a hip fracture I am recovering from here at CareWest. I am no longer on narcotics, and I don’t need the extra stimulant, as it turns out.
I slept poorly in the cold room of the hospital, and in the morning, my least favourite nurse’s assistant answered my call bell. “I need to use my walker to use the toilet,” I said. Currently, I am on what is called a 1 person standby. They have to watch me use the walker for my safety. I am not walking fast on a walker for safety reasons and comfort reasons.
She told me to 'hurry up, she was busy, and she had 3 breakfasts to make. I said that I didn’t work there and I preferred not to be treated as an inconvenience. At first, she said she didn’t know what I meant, then when I said,” Your supervisor certainly knows,” she said, “You argue too much.”
“Stop criticizing me,” I said.
Then again she said I argued too much.
Again I repeated, “Stop criticizing me.”
She left, complaining loudly. I couldn’t hear what she said but I assumed it was about her being a victim, and she sent in the nurse to assist me.
Assertiveness training and conflict resolution have prepared me for this. I was careful not to use any ‘You’ statements, and I repeated my concern when she tried to put me off with further criticism, it’s called the broken record technique.
When I was in my orientation for this very same organization, CareWest, as a recreational therapist, I was taught ‘don’t treat the patient like they are broken’ and I assume you don’t treat them as an inconvenience either. I know you don’t criticize them, that’s abuse, although it is necessary to criticize their actions from time to time, especially if they are unsafe.
My next step is to consult the team lead and then ignore this as being dealt with.
The Next Day
It’s morning and I worked hard yesterday on my physio and walking and I’m stiff and sore from the hip operation as well. But I feel hopeful I felt the weight being supported by my feet, it felt good.
I spoke to the team lead, Kim, who was validating my concerns; she talked to me in private and said she would address the complaint with the nurse’s aid.
I spoke with my nurse last night, Catherine. She said she understood my concern and she would make sure I didn’t get that woman again.
My emotions feel tender, teary from being cared for after a lifetime of abuse, and vulnerable as hell.
