Diabetes, The leading cause of blindness in the United States has just started to affect me from Macular Edema, diabetic retinopathy and Cataracts. All of these conditions have over time (I have been a type I diabetic since I was eight, now I am 43) stolen enough of my sight to make me have to start using cabs at least until I get some surgery for the cataracts. I remember in High School we did a blindness experiment to see how it felt to be blind.. It was basically a trust exercise in psychology. Back then I could take the bandana off my eyes and be sighted again. But today I find myself relying on strangers to get me to my Dr. Appointments, the grocery store, Drug store heck anywhere if I want to go out...
Yesterday was my first full day of using cabs and I want to share my horrible experience.. I needed to make a 1 mile trip to the Walgreens to get my blood pressure medicine. So at 10:15 I called United ccab in Brandon Florida and told them where I needed to go and she said the driver will pick you up in 15 minutes.. I figured after the 15 min I would give them another 15 and then call. So I did and she said the driver was on his way and call back in 15 more minutes if he does not show. So I waited another 15 and called the cab company. She said she would have him call me. So about 20 minutes later he called and said he was at the intersection of Broadway and highway 60 which is utter nonsense.. They run parallel.. I asked him to please hurry as I had been waiting for so long and needed to get to the store.. He said he would get someone else to come get me because he was far away (yes he knew I knew he was not being truthful about that) and did not want to take me on such a short trip. I told him I had no other options as I am unable to drive due to being legally blind. He then remarked I should just get a bus. I said the bus does not come here and he then hung up on me. I called the cab company and explained what happened and they sent another driver.. 15 min I was on my way but felt discriminated against because I was blind. Perhaps the guy felt guilty and that’s why he hung up on me. I do not get angry so it was not anything personality wise. But none the less the experience was not positive. I wish cab drivers understood most people who take cabs are doing it because they have too and not as a joy ride etc.. Anyway, I cannot wait until my surgery and hope it goes well. Cause I do not like being at the mercy of cab companies that hire staff that discriminate against riders based on the distance they are travelling.. And do not take into account the needs of blind passengers. Sad.. Thanks for bearing with my rant.
I wonder if there is someone I can complain to help the company understand that they are a service that some of us need. Anyway thanks for letting me vent. it’s frustrating and lonely being blind and working from home...