Activist who uses a wheelchair accuses doctor of 'pitying' her for having a disability
Sophie Bradbury-Cox, who has almost 37,000 followers on Instagram, posted about the 'annoying' exchange with a GP that took place at the weekend.
The mother-of-one, from Northamptonshire, was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition which causes certain muscles to become weak and waste away.
Known as Fashion Bellee online, where she creates content about 'disabled fashion, travel and Disney', Sophie is unable to walk or stand as a result of her SMA.
She uses a wheelchair full-time and has previously spoken on The I Can't Stand Podcast about how it is part of her identity.
In a post published on Wednesday, Sophie called out the 'ableism' of the doctor that she spoke to regarding a repeat prescription.
She explained: 'Spoke to a doctor on the phone at the weekend about getting a repeat prescription and I just happened to mention I was a wheelchair user.'
According to Sophie, when she told the doctor that she uses a wheelchair, he asked: 'What do you have?'
The doctor replied: 'Oh, I am so sorry to hear that, your life must be very difficult.'
Remaining upbeat, Sophie added: 'Nope. Sometimes access etc. can be frustrating but I live my life as fully as I can!'
In response, he said: 'It's great to hear that you are positive about it'.
Angered and shocked by the exchange, the content creator described the doctor's behaviour as 'pitying'.
She vented her frustration on Instagram, writing: 'Why as disabled people do we need pitying?! And from a doctor too? It's just so annoying!'
In the caption to her post, she elaborated, adding: 'I was gobsmacked!! Just did not expect to have this conversation at all with a doctor.
'Though I guess nothing should shock me when it comes to ableism and disability!!'
Viewers were quick to comment on Sophie's post, often sharing similar experiences, but not everyone was sympathetic - and some people were openly condescending.
She saw it as an example of 'ableism' and explained it left her 'gobsmacked'
One person suggested the influencer was being petty, writing: 'You are lucky you were able to actually speak to them, especially at the weekend'.
While another insisted: 'It's not pity. It's support.'
Other disabled people reported comparable treatment, with one person explaining: 'I had that from an A&E nurse [and it] put me off her INSTANTLY!
'She was like, "I'm sure that's incredibly hard for you..." I said, "No, actually".'
Someone else added: 'My daughter had Down's syndrome and we've heard "sorry" too many times (especially from medical professionals).
'Disability isn't the tragedy, people's attitude to it is'.
While a third reported an equally frustrating experience, writing: 'Yep, ridiculous! A GP the other day suggested that I take up a hobby like sewing...(I have complete muscle wasting/paralysis in my hands)...'
A fourth person lamented: 'I'm kind of shocked that you were shocked.
'Sadly, I hear that so often and pretty much always have.
'I'm sorry that you had to hear it, though... especially as you're not used to that kind of dialogue from medical professionals.'
Instagram users were quick to comment on Sophie's post - though not everyone was sympathetic
A fifth stated: 'That's absolutely absurd! Especially from a doctor too.'
Yet, one Instagrammer disagreed with Sophie taking aim at the doctor for what she described as 'pitying' behaviour.
They explained: 'Sorry. I'm disabled but I hardly hear anyone acknowledge how hard it is.
'I wish some did. But we don't and cannot allow it simply because most people take advantage of it.'
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