#HandicappedHelp #Empathy #CompassionFirst #AccessibleTransport #UberDriverDilemma
As a full-time Uber driver, each day presents its own unique challenges and opportunities to extend a helping hand. One particular experience stands out – the dilemma faced when encountering a handicapped person in need of assistance with groceries and transportation.
🚗 The Situation: A woman in a wheelchair required help with loading heavy groceries into the car and reaching her apartment in a complex not accessible by vehicle. The Uber driver, torn between fulfilling his duty and a lucrative ride waiting, had to make a difficult decision.
Solutions for Supporting Handicapped Individuals:
1. **Offering Assistance with a Smile:** Showing empathy and kindness towards individuals with disabilities goes a long way in making them feel valued and supported. A simple offer to help with groceries or navigating their surroundings can create a positive impact.
2. **Time Management Strategies:** Planning ahead and allotting extra time for coordinated rides involving handicapped passengers can prevent conflicts with upcoming trips. Adjusting schedules to accommodate unforeseen circumstances demonstrates understanding and flexibility.
3. **Communication and Problem-Solving:** Clear communication with the passenger about time constraints and finding alternative solutions, such as contacting the coordinator for additional assistance, can alleviate stress for both parties. Collaboratively problem-solving ensures a positive experience for everyone involved.
4. **Educating Yourself on Accessibility:** Understanding the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and familiarizing yourself with accessible resources and tools can enhance your ability to provide effective support. Awareness and knowledge empower you to make informed decisions during interactions with handicapped passengers.
Embracing Empathy and Understanding:
In moments of uncertainty and conflicting priorities, choosing compassion over convenience can make a significant difference in someone’s day. By prioritizing the well-being and needs of handicapped individuals, you contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. Remember, small acts of kindness and empathy have the power to create profound impact and foster a sense of belonging.
As an Uber driver, navigating the complexities of serving handicapped passengers requires a balance of efficiency and empathy. By approaching each situation with a compassionate mindset and seeking practical solutions to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, you can create meaningful connections and contribute to a more inclusive society. Let us strive to be a source of support and understanding for those who may need a helping hand along their journey. 🤝 #HandicappedSupport #CompassionateTransport #InclusiveCommunity
While unfortunate, NTA. That is out of the job description and could be potentially harmful. You are not the asshole for not doing something you didn’t sign up for.
There are plenty of different apps/delivery services that could bring her groceries to her. I understand the need for independence, but she shouldn’t be making trips/plans on the assumption that a good Samaritan is going out of their way to help her.
You are NTA and **you need to contact Uber**.
You need to tell them that this “coordinator” arranged for a ride which should have been Uber Assist, you did not have the ability to provide the special services which were required, the coordinator **did not tell you** that special services were required, and that it was unacceptable that you were taken advantage of in this way. Tell them you are no longer willing to accept any ride requests from this coordinator and ask them to set it in the system so that you will no longer be notified of their requests (they can do this).
Technically NTA. You were blindsided, It was the wrong type of call and the wrong type of approach altogether. Although unfortunate, this lady could have easily ordered a delivery service for said groceries and she deliberately chose not to, as I expect it costs more. What if you had a medical condition that prevents you from lifting heavy stuff? WYBTAH then?
Morally, $75 over doing someone a very needed favor…well, I choose to believe you really needed the $75.
NTA
NTA. And you need to contact Uber and be on top of this, so they know what has happened in case the passenger complains (and also complain about the coordinator).
NTA but the coordinator sure is. Uber Assist exists for a reason. I drove Uber for a while (I’m disabled) and pulled up to an old woman on a bench with a walker. She demanded I get out and put her walker in the car. I didn’t even explain. I just said, “Have a good day,” canceled the ride and drove off. The coordinator needs to order the correct service for her client.
NTA not your job
NTA, you’re an uber driver, not their personal assistant. If they want that kind of help they can hire someone.
NTA. You were operating within the bounds of what you are paid to do as a normal Uber driver.
Uber drivers are NOT delivery services. You are not paid to do that, not does your job protect you from harm during that happening. There are delivery services out there that will do that for you.
At NO POINT should it have been assumed that you could lift and/or carry her groceries for her.
Protect yourself and let Uber know exactly what happened. If she leaves a negative review it’s because someone did not communicate her needs correctly, and it’d suck if your rating went down because the coordinator didn’t call Uber assist.
Would it have been nice? Sure. But nice doesn’t pay bills.
Did it make you an asshole? Absolutely not.
NTA. It would’ve been nice to help her, but it would’ve also been going above and beyond. You were hired to drive from point A to point B, and that’s what you did. Morally dubious, but you also had a responsibility to the pre-scheduled ride, so a choice had to be made.
NTA The coordinator should have been more transparent about what was required. People who use coordinators are repeat customers and their coordinators know what their needs are.
NTA
Contact Uber. Someone is using the services inappropriately. It’s not fair to her that she was left, however that’s not your fault. It’s the coordinators fault.
I work in healthcare and we can order rides for people, however it’s supposed to be to and from an appointment. Lots of people try and get picked up from a grocery store to save a trip. If they’re at the pharmacy getting meds, fine. A few people have showed up with massive amounts of stuff. Sounds like that’s what they did. It’s not what the service is for.
NTA. This isn’t your job and you’re not being compensated for it. You weren’t warned.
NTA. You should contact Uber and tell them what happened, for that level of assistance they should have specified it and you should have been compensated more for that ride.
NTA. You agreed to give her a ride, not carry heavy stuff 400 feet and up a flight of stairs.
Fellow part time Uber Driver here. 100% NTA. It is not your job to make multiple trips carrying heavy bulk items over long distances on private property. That is a recipe for DISASTER. Passenger was also implying that they needed help bringing the stuff inside too which is a HUGE no-no.
NTA, just make sure Uber knows about this in case you get a bad rating you can dispute it.
Nta. If this person’s apartment was up the stairs.. was OP supposed to fireman’s carry them up the stairs too? Or were they about to get mugged?
You aren’t qualified to do this or required to do this kind of service. And I’m positive she gotten people to do this for her before. You can get in serious trouble if something bad happened.
Nta
NTA
NTA
NTA I’m disabled and I use disability ride services and drivers are not expected or supposed or obligated to take groceries upstairs or inside the house for any of us. The few times I had asked for help regarding groceries it consisted of getting them out and to my building’s door, that’s 2 feet from the vehicle, no stairs involved and that’s if it’s possible, and I always tip when they do. Sorry for the person, but you did what any other paratransit driver would’ve done ✅
NTA. Honestly I think that’s something that should be notified for the driver before they accept the customer. You accepted to drive her, not to carry her groceries aswell. It should be demanded extra pay for that.
Going against the grain with Soft YTA:
Regardless of reason and how justified it was, you left a disabled elderly person alone with things she definitely could not handle on her own. The Morally Correct thing to do would be to help her at least get To her building with the groceries. She can figure her own way through the building, or ask a neighbor, but leaving her alone at the curb was morally wrong and that makes you a soft asshole.
However, I completely understand why you did it, and you need to report the ride to Uber.
It’s very likely that she Can’t get a delivery service where she’s at due to being inaccessible by car, but her intermediary can’t be abusing Uber drivers for it.
EDIT: damn autocorrect
NTA. That is not your job, and that is WAY beyond what an Uber driver gets paid for. That lady needed to have coordinated that better, or the coordinator that set it up should have. It is not your job to try & make that situation work, it is theirs.
I have a disability & it is my job to work around it & find ways to get my groceries & do other errands. It is their responsibility, not yours
NTA the coordinator blindsided you. It should be clear for them that you are not expected to carry packages also you should not due to the liability issues it can cause. Also they cant know if you have any back issues or any medical conditions, and you should not need to disclose them anyway. They were unprofessional by not asking in advance if you are willing to do something thats out of the tos
NTA you contracted for a ride. If she wanted groceries delivered she should have ordered them delivered.
Nta. She was expecting way too much with no heads up and you had another job. Good on you for helping how you did. If you hadn’t loaded the car I’d be less okay with the outcome. What was she thinking buying all that? Get it delivered next time, lady!
NAH except for the coordinator.
Weird assumption that disabled people can’t grocery shop though
You should have been warned in advance. NTA
That poor woman. I agree with others that it was a bodge job by the coordinator, but she was as much victim of that as you. It wasn’t her fault, and you left all her groceries on the curb. Yeesh.
Yta. Even if it was a situation, you made a choice not to help someone in more need than yourself.
INFO: Did you tell her you weren’t going to follow her as you had another ride you were late for or did you just unload all the groceries to the curb while she was scooting away and assumed she would figure it out eventually that you wouldn’t be bringing her groceries in?
Honestly I was shocked you helped load the groceries and wheel chair at the pickup. I would have said you need Uber assist and canceled the pickup.
NTA. This was coordinated poorly.
NTA
YOu are an UBER driver, and did EXACTLY what you were contracted to do.
If that is not enough for her, she needs to find other options.
NTA and im not sure why you’re getting some yta votes. If this woman is competent enough to get herself to the store and shop all by herself she’s competent enough to know shes about to sneak some free help out of someone and its a lot to ask. she probably knew what she was doing. I’m always suspicious of lots of water orders because would they be getting that themselves anyway or do they only get it when they think they can get someone else to carry it for them? Would it have been nice to help? Sure but it’s also seriously taking advantage. The rider and the coordinator pulled one over on you. I will say though you shouldn’t have helped her load it into your car you should have told her right then that’s not what she’s paid for and if she needs help you can cancel the ride so she can get someone else to come assist. We should all strive to be kind and helpful where we can but theres also a line where you have to also advocate for yourself and know your limitations and a decent person would understand if you can’t help them out. Did you explain to her why you couldn’t help or did you just put the items on the curb and peel out of there? I would have apologized and politely explained why what she’s demanding isn’t possible and then I would have moved on to the next ride. Does it suck for her? Absolutely. But that was always a risk when you don’t ask up front. It’s more than just a nice favor to do for someone it’s an enormous liability and risk issue for you that ultimately isn’t worth it. We live in a time with frivolous lawsuits and grifts everywhere and you really have to think twice before helping anyone these days you never know how it could go.
Leaving an elderly disabled woman alone on a curb with heavy stuff you knew she couldn’t handle for 75 bucks is cold, damn.
I mean I guess it is a bit rude, you could have called someone to help her nearby or something. However, technically you are NTA. Special services was not listed for her and you don’t provide them so you did nothing wrong here.
NTA. You’re an Uber driver, not a personal assistant.