Sir, - I listened with a heartfelt sadness to Joe Duffy's programme on RTE Radio 1 last week regarding people in wheelchairs being left behind at taxi ranks and left waiting for hours when trying to book a "wheelchair" taxi by phone. Two of the callers were speaking from their beds in Rehab, one of whom had only recently been wheelchaired as a result of a fall from a wall in his home while tending to household chores.
I believe we who are privileged to have the use of all our limbs will never really understand the ongoing frustration for people in wheelchairs. They have difficulties with things we completely take for granted, going for a drink, a meal, to a rugby/football match, getting on a bus/taxi, etc.
We are improving facilities but very slowly and it does not help when taxi drivers with their custom-built "wheelchair" taxis avoid taking people in wheelchairs. Perhaps, along with further improving on our wheelchair facilities all over Ireland, we could also improve on our caring attitude for people less fortunate than ourselves. - Yours, etc.,
Grainne Barnett, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.