In the afternoon whilst I was making pancakes, Dave took her on the bus for her very first guitar lesson. Unfortunately the trip was marred by a very unhelpful and inconsiderate bus driver for the return journey home. He allowed Pip on the bus and promptly closed the doors and drove off leaving Dave behind at the bus stop!! At this point Pip was yelling at him, " You've left my Dad behind," to which he replied, " He can get the next bus!!" She continued to state that she needed to be with her Dad and he finally let her disembark 100 yards down the road. Once they were together he rang to let me know what had happened and needless to say I jumped in the car to bring them home. A letter of complaint is currently winging its way to the bus company!
Buckwheat pancakes.
Pip hanging out with Dave's Jumbo Folk Guitar whilst he restrings mine in the background; she's concentrating hard!
9 comments:
That bus driver was just nuts! We laughed, but at the same time thought this was just awful! He could be accused of all kinds of things.
Yes when you read it the whole situation is laughable. It was quite scary for Pip and because she looks older than her age more is expected of her. I am really proud of her that she stood up to the driver and insisted he stop the bus so she could get off. Although there are times she understandably is frustrated with Dave having the MS she is fiercely protective of him; she has witnessed him fall many times and he has even misjudged a kerb and come off the scooter. As for the driver it was pure disability discrimination and I hope the bus company take the matter seriously.
We saw something similar in front of our house in Camberwell. There was a lady in a wheelchair and somehow the bus driver could not get the ramp to work, but did not make an effort to help the man. He simply left and the lady was very upset.
I think Pip was very brave not to burst into tears!
I do hope the bus company take your complaint seriously that is a terrible way to treat a passenger. Well done Pip for standing up to him.
All of the bus drivers are familiar with putting down a ramp, I think the bus was running slightly late but that was no reason to leave Dave stranded at the bus stop. The letter has now been passed on to a different depot, so we will have to see what transpires.
Hello San, I hope you get a supportive and apologetic response to your letter, and it was good that Pip could be so assertive. Would you consider taking your story to a local paper if you don't get an appropriate response?
The buckwheat pancakes look delicious, and how exciting that Pip is learning the guitar.
Chanda has been doing exercises and therapy for her vision as her eyes weren't working well together; one eye was working more than the other. She has glasses now for reading, but I think her distance has improved.
We have had a satisfactory reply and Dave will always get on the bus before Pip to prevent it from happening again. Pip's lessons have been very fruitful as I have picked up my guitar, remembered how to read music and have been learning to play notes in addition to the usual chords! Even Dave has restrung his folk guitar and been practising old tunes :-). I'm hoping her eyesight doesn't deteriorate further, I just would appreciate a break from health problems xx
That's so exciting about the guitar lessons and I am pleased to read your reply above saying that you have remembered how to play!
Sorry to hear about the eye-sight - how bizarre and frustrating!!!
The bus driver is beyond belief. I cannnot believe that he did that. It's utterly disgusting- both his treatment of Dave and his response to Pip. What a good girl she was to insist!
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