Mute reality check

[matthew55]

It still amazes me the amount of people who know that I'm mute yet still call my name hoping for an answer or insist on asking questions that require more than a yes or no. Or maybe I am just being a grumpy old man! 🧓😡😂🤗xx

[Lynne K]

Have you got a voice on predictable? If so you can hold your phone near to your tablet or iPad (if you’ve got predictable on that) and type to answer. If using Speak Unique there’s a phrase already set for something like ‘can you wait please while I’m typing an answer’ or you can easily hit yes or no. Good luck xx

[matthew55]

I have tried this but sadly people are too impatient on the whole. My original scenario didn't involve a phone but thanks for the thought. 📱💭🤔🤩xx

[Lynne K]

Ah, that’s awful and thanks xx

[denise]

Think you're a grumpy old guy myself - I've lost my emojis! What's going on? They're not working! HELP!

[aussiegirl]

Just smile, wave and nod, they'll get the message. Don't stress about it.

[matthew55]

Waving is an effort and I can't nod. 😉🤗😘🤩xx

[Ellie]

Just smile, wave and nod, they'll get the message. Don't stress about it.

Here's an example of how stressful situations can easily happen at any moment to a person who cannot "Just smile, wave and nod":

Recently, whilst being dressed after my shower, a carer caught my feeding tube in the folded in hem of my T-shirt and, in lifting up my arm to slip it into the sleeve, inadvertedly kept pulling on the tube, and I mean pulling hard.

I cannot speak, my arms are paralysed, my head movements are not a viable method of communication and, as I was in pain which literally took my measly breath away, I couldn't even make a guttural sound to attract her attention, so she kept on doing it and I sustained a tear to the stoma site.

And that's why Matthew, I, and plenty of others do stress about it...

[matthew55]

Well said. My carers pull my right arm when undressing me. The pain is considerable but all I can do is try and make louder noises. Sister by another mother. ❤️😁🤗😀xx

[LindaB]

Ellie can't even imagine how distressing...I'm sorry to hear that. Truly awful.

matthew55 can you write it down so they know?

I know these are not intentional by the carers but really not good enough! Training needed I think.😡

[matthew55]

My right hand is too weak to write more than one or two words. Hopefully it will be better when I have a dedicated team. ✌️🤞👍😁xx

[Deb]

Ellie . That's terrible!.I hope you heal quickly and are not in pain still.😘

matthew55 . Youre not being grumpy at all. It beggars belief that carers are so impatient. i really hope your dedicated team is sorted soon.🤞

I guess carers are underpaid and because of this some feel undervalued but more training and understanding is needed. Reading the posts on here really drives it home how vulnerable we are. Xx😘🤗

[Lynne K]

Ellie what a horror story. If recent I hope that it heels well. If in the past I hope that it did heel well xx

[Lynne K]

matthew55 good luck that your new carers are more careful so such painful things don’t happen again xx

[Ellie]

LindaB Lynne K Thanks - because the tear is right on the stoma edge, it's very slow to heal, but the GP callen in the community nurse who knew exactly what dressing to use and, 8 days on, it's finally on the mend. 👍👍 xx