PureBasic Forum

http://www.thelocal.se/37678/20111201/

I thought things like this only happened in the USA.

The details of this case seem rather dubious.

This is probably not the best story to run with, based on some of the comments in reply to the story.
They chose to portray the story sensationally imho.

If he has prosthetics and they think he may be able to walk again, then the "alleged" reason for denial is actually quite valid.

Have you ever seen a diabetic who has had both legs amputated who is capable of getting around on prosthetics? I am asking this sincerely as I have personally never seen it for diabetics. Usually their health is just too severe to be physically capable of it. One leg, yes. Two legs, no.

I have not personally either, although I may in the future at some point. My dad has Type 1 Diabetes, and has already lost the feeling in his feet and lower legs, since he has never really taken care of himself.

But putting the prosthetics aside, he was offered an electric wheelchair (or was told to consider one) which should also have been a reasonable option I think. Although the story claims he would need a second person to operate the chair (no idea why), I have seen plenty of self-controlled electric chairs.

My problem is more of the way the story was reported, since it leaves me as a reader open to form an entirely different opinion than what a more carefully and accurately reported story may have.

I dont know the background on this person at all.
But I do live in Sweden and have worked in rehabilitation for many many years.
Where many other countries give out things like wheelchairs very quickly we tend to try to wait in Sweden.
This is not at all out of despite, bad temper, hate towards people or anything like that. Its just a simple fact that people with disabilities are better of trying to cope as much as possible without help.
People should not become passive, should try to as little as possible rely on others or "gadgets" - and should try to be as normal as possible.
(ever been on a airplane and see swedish people in wheelchairs and no leg motor control, they usually fold up their own wheelchair, get in the seat themselves - cope themselves at the restroom etc)

I don't know what the issue would be with an electric wheelchair, either, with the exception that a scooter can go places than an electric wheelchair can't. You can get in your scooter and toodle off to the store, but electric wheel chairs can have difficulty with some sidewalks, curbs and distances. Getting into and out of a scooter and wheel chair should be comparable, you would think...

I have never been in a scooter or an electric wheel chair, but did spend some time in a regular wheel chair. I know many folks from the VA, Legion and Lodge with diabetes. Those who have lost legs that I know have been about 50/50 when it comes to wheel chair vs. scooter. The only differential I can think of from those I know is weight. The heavier ones tend to be in a scooter.

What got me was the quote: "uncertain if the impairment was permanent". That phrase sounds like something we would hear in the USA. Obviously, the legs won't grow back so that part is permanent, but the question should be how best to help the individual so he can be as self-reliant as possible, be that a chair, scooter or little red wagon.

Well, like I said. If he can have prosthetics and can be rehabilitated to walk, within the timespan of a year, then that would qualify the "uncertain if the impairment is permanent" statement, no?

But again, they don't mention anything about prosthetics until halfway through the article, and then they change the facts slightly and say the alleged reason was "uncertain if the impairment is permanent".


It's basically a sensationalist piece and if anything, they are exploiting this man to increase their readership

Not so fast, the fellow's driving around in a Rascal or whatever now, without the news story he'd still be bumming around town.

They could have gotten the same result without writing a sensationalist piece.

This has been the whole point of every post I have made. The facts are the facts, but they are being presented in a very skewed manner no proportional to the actual situation.

Indeed he has a nice ride. Just needs some mini spinners.

As you know from living in the USA, when you feel the system has failed you, sometimes taking it to the media and letting them do what they do best is the only solution left to correct the wrong (real or perceived). More often than not, it works. In this case, his local health agency didn't do anything. It took the kindness of a stranger to donate a scooter.

You are seeing this as a sensationalist story. I see it as a "feel good" story where somebody is helping somebody else in need. Stories like this reaffirm my hope for humanity.

I don't think its all that easy. The newspaper see it as a fenomenal story. While the other party (government, hospital, doctors, etc etc) can't really talk about one person (because of integrety and other issues). I am sure there is more than one side to the story.

Living in Sweden, and having worked many years in that field... Sweden is a good country. Even so, our new government doesnt think the government should do everything for you (like the previous one; if you don't have a job, basicly it was up to the government to solve that for you - making people in the countryside very passive - going to their jobs - doing their little thing while maybe fighting or working for anything really).
Having something like 16 months Maternity leave paid by the government (a employer is not even allowed to ask you if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant during a job interview), free education, basically free healthcare (no insurance, nomatter how sick you are) also has a price. My as self employed I pay a pretty unbalanced amount of company tax.

Indeed it is, and this story reaffirms it. Helping somebody in need is good, no matter where you live. Although such random acts of kindness routinely happen over here, just as routinely people have their wheelchairs and scooters stolen by thieves.

I know my country has its share of problems, but was this remark really necessary?
I find comments like this offensive and rude, and they add nothing to the conversation.
And it's not about the USA, I'd feel the same way no matter what country was named.