The WMO taxi is intended so that people with disabilities can participate in society, but how is that possible without reliable transport?
Ellie van Setten takes you into her life and experience with the WMO taxi. In this article, our editors take a look at her story and how she was left at the altar on her wedding day. When you get married, there is often a lot of organizing involved, especially if you are in a wheelchair. Since they were getting married nearby, they chose the WMO taxi as their transport.
This is a part of the taxi subsidized by the municipality under the Social Support Act (WMO) for people with disabilities. They didn't make this choice because they are a big fan of this, but because they had no other options.
will
A few days before, Ellie called the taxi company to book her rides. Because you can book a priority ride for weddings, where you have a guaranteed arrival time, she wanted to make use of this. Especially since it was her own wedding, she didn't want to be late. “Here I already had to deal with the first disappointment, this was not possible, because I went to a restaurant. I don't know who came up with this rule. Nowadays, many wedding ceremonies take place in catering establishments rather than in the town hall or church, so why shouldn't this be possible?”
To be sure on time, she booked the taxi for the way out, so she had to book extra early. For the way back Ellie booked a taxi around 18.00pm. Because they had that on the card as the end time, she asked if it could really be done at 18.00 pm if possible, so that they could also leave at the announced time. After all, it was her wedding day and you want everything to go as smoothly as possible. They would put it in the reservation, but of course they couldn't promise anything. She also did not expect this based on previous negative experiences, but you can always ask Ellie thought.
On the wedding day she was picked up on time by the taxi. It was a short ride and Ellie van Setten was the only one, so it went well. “I was even able to interfere with the decoration of the location for a while. The day itself was beautiful. We first had lunch with a smaller group, then a photo opportunity, then the ceremony and finally a reception. It was beautiful, but also intense and exhausting when you are chronically ill, so I wanted to go home by six.” Because they weren't sure what time they would leave by taxi, they even had the master of ceremonies announce that when the taxi arrived they would have to leave immediately. They were ready, but that taxi, it never came.
takes a long time to wait
At about five past six, Ellie checked her cell phone anyway. Two missed calls from an anonymous number. Wouldn't it? Not heard because of the crowds, but also no voicemail. “Just sent someone outside to look. Nothing. Asked the staff in the restaurant how it normally goes with taxis. Because it's a public place, they always come in there, they said. All right, just a little more patience then," said Ellie.
Called at about twenty past six. Turns out there was a taxi, but the driver left without going inside. Situation explained, the operator also thought it was ridiculous and advised Ellie to file a complaint. Because she has a large electric wheelchair, she didn't know when a taxi would be available again, but she promised to send it as soon as possible.
“This is not possible, is it?”, “This is not allowed, is it?”. They're even angrier than me. I feel especially tired and sad and think, welcome to my world. I've been disappointed so many times that I'm not so excited anymore. Moreover, I am more concerned with how I get home. Against the advice of my family, I decide to drive home in my electric wheelchair. At least then I'll have control over the situation again.
Thinking about this situation still hurts her. Even on her wedding day, she couldn't escape the disappointment that Ellie often faces as a wheelchair user. She didn't want this on her wedding day. “I find that words fail me when I really want to describe this feeling. It makes me feel combative, but sometimes also bitter and intensely sad. I'm a second-class citizen, who should above all be very grateful for everything she gets. Everything is well organized in the Netherlands, isn't it?” Ellie wonders.
complaint
Once recovered, Ellie didn't give up and filed a complaint with the taxi company. “They let me know that they found it annoying that it had turned out this way, but that they thought that I really should have been ready. I was just standing there, alone inside, because it was cold.” Two anonymous phone calls without a voicemail were enough, they said.
“Although many taxi drivers do, the taxi driver does not have to go inside. He may assume that if you have requested call service that the telephone report is sufficient”.
Furthermore, there was no understanding whatsoever for the fact that it was her wedding day and therefore no apologies, but the sentence: “We expect that your complaint has been resolved to your satisfaction. If this is not the case, you can contact us by phone.” So what do you do besides boiling with anger?
