When should I signal I'm disabled and when should I hide it? I'm in Manhattan, NYC.
Posted by WordwizardW@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 33 comments
Some emergencies are temporary, some might be permanent, and some it might be hard to know which they'll turn out to be. I have a sign to put in my 2nd floor front window in an emergency that a disabled person lives here. The question is, when should I use it? People in my building already know I'm disabled.
EnergyLantern@reddit
In assisted living, there is a sign in / sign out list.
They also have something you put on your door knob and if it is not on the right side of the door, that is one of the ways they check up on residents.
If you don't come to breakfast or lunch, someone checks up on you. They also have a necklace for people to wear that has a button on it to alert people if they need help.
You basically have someone agree to call you once or twice a day to make sure you are okay.
There are also key boxes that people put outside their homes, but you let someone trusted know the combination to get the key inside.
Do you have a cell phone? That should be essential for you if you have an emergency. You could also get an e-watch that can make phone calls.
No_Albatross7213@reddit
I wouldn’t signal that I’m disabled, especially as a woman. That will put a massive target on me. Best to just figure out how to alert your neighbors for help. A whistle on your keychain might help… repetitive whistling will get people’s attention.
wamih@reddit
Depending on your disability, short building fire bugging in is probably the best move most of the time (bugging in is often the move people should make but fantasies get in the way of admitting that).
You have control over your space. Use that.
TheMrsH1124@reddit
I do not understand the obsession with bugging out. I have small kids and good neighbors. There is NO chance we would be better off on the roads.
pre_empirical@reddit
An East Palestine chemical spill / accident is one case where one must bug out quickly, in minutes, or suffer long term health consequences
TheMrsH1124@reddit
I guess I don't view temporary evacuation as "bugging out"? How do you prep for that kind of event? We don't have enough clothes to keep bags packed at all times
generogue@reddit
Having spare underwear and socks can make a huge difference in feeling refreshed even when wearing days old clothes. Keeping one spare tshirt and a pair of light sweatpants in the bag can work, even if you get them from a thrift store.
“Bugging out” is needing to leave your current location quickly. A temporary evacuation absolutely qualifies, such as in the case of a wildfire or house fire. In both those scenarios you are going to be gone from home for an unknown length of time with the potential for your home to not be there to come back to.
TheMrsH1124@reddit
I always have spare underwear and socks in the car! I have toddlers! Haha!
sierra066@reddit
Samesies. I’m bugging in, but do keep stuff at the grandparents for emergencies
TheMrsH1124@reddit
And with kids, these emergencies are certain to happen 🤣
Independent-Bad-8613@reddit
I consider bugging out depending on the situation. We live in a suburb outside a capital city, but we live far enough out all I see is cornfield and a gas station. So, I feel we have time to get to a more rural area and we’re at a higher risk once the city people start freaking out. It really just depends on the situation. I have two kids but one is 9 and the other is a baby so they’ll be a lot easier to get places with than say multiple toddlers or little guys.
TheMrsH1124@reddit
We live in a suburb outside a capital city too, but a lot further in. There are only three entrances to the neighborhood and the people are cool pretty much so fingers crossed we can bug in together as needed.
MarsMonkey88@reddit
I view it as a way to be appropriately ready to rapidly evacuate with my pets for a natural disaster. Closer to a ”Tuesday” category kind of thing.
TheMrsH1124@reddit
Ah I see! I don't prep for that too much as the natural disasters in my area are tornadoes. Can't really bug out for those.
We do have car preps to enable us to "bug out" to home if we're away when disaster strikes.
WordwizardW@reddit (OP)
Yes, I intend to bug in, but that doesn't mean I couldn't use help. So when do I use the sign to signal, and when not?
wamih@reddit
Gotta rely on observation awareness for judgement calls.
PapayaMysterious6393@reddit
Do you have people in your life? friends/family? I think you should rely on those people and not trying to signal for help that you're disabled.
It is also hard to answer because you never mention what your disability is or how it effects you. Are you unable to walk any distance e.g. wheelchair bound? I do see you're on the second story so that likely isn't the case.
Regardless, rely on people you know, if at all possible. Build those relationships NOW. Relying on strangers who are trying to protect their own is not wise, in my opinion.
SurprisedWildebeest@reddit
I don’t think a “disabled person lives here” sign is likely to ever be helpful.
If you’re trapped inside and in immediate need of rescue by emergency services “disabled person needs rescue” would be better. If you’re somewhere with Smart 911 you can sign up ahead of time to provide information about your needs that will pop up when you call 911.
If there’s wider danger having a plan with trusted neighbors ahead of time would be better than essentially advertising potential weaknesses to strangers.
chi_lawyer@reddit
It might need to be more specific than "disabled" -- that doesn't clue the observer into whether / what kind of special assistance the occupant might need in a particular situation.
BatemansChainsaw@reddit
I've seen a "TRAPPED INSIDE" sign hanging out of someone's window once during a bad burn ages ago. Fire co brought up the ladder real quick when they saw that and the guy (wheelchair bound) waving.
Miss_L_Worldwide@reddit
Always hide it. As much as you can.
LakeAdventurous7161@reddit
My opinion: It depends on the disability and the situation.
(Somebody with two conditions that count as a disability. Appear to be not disabled to people not knowing it and not paying close attention.)
Yes, in an emergency where I cannot move in the way one expects, e.g. cannot crawl though something, climb over something, cannot balance to get myself out, or cannot help others I for sure will say something.
On airplanes, the emergency seat is not where I will be sitting, because I could do about nothing.
Chainsawsas70@reddit
So you Don't have to worry about earthquakes so The Only reason why you want to have a display in the window is if you have some type of building issue that has you Unable to exit as normal ie fire etc that has cut off normal evac. Also you Should be able to let your local fire station know about your limitations and what unit you are in and they can add a note in the system so if they ever respond to your building they will automatically know about you and your location. Having it displayed in a window full time is an invitation for those who would take advantage of you because of your limitations (IMO)
mekat@reddit
You need to figure out your most likely disasters and what you need help with in those and make sure those needs are known to those that can help. For example if your emergency service might have special registration indicating specific needs. My son is completely non-verbal, physically disabled and medically complex. In the event of an accident if I am dead or injured to the point I can't speak. I have a seatbelt wrap classic red medical alert symbol with his medical information straped to the cross bar on the back of his wheelchair and the strap of his car positioner (can't sit upright so has a medical device to hold him upright so he can be strapped down). It addresses specific things in his medical care that people need to know fast and quick like NPO/choking risk and fragile bones/fixed joints not to force his legs to straighten due to risk of severe injury and hospital preference listed because he is too complex for other hospitals to handle, hospital transfers take time and delay critical care when you have medical complexity.
It is really hard to be specific for you because we don't know your needs in an emergency or what your most likely emergencies will be. Just make sure even if you have someone that can speak for you to plan for the contigency they could be hurt also and be unable to explain your needs and their needs.
Brave_Quality_4135@reddit
I think you only use it when you’re asking to be evacuated. Otherwise it’s not to your advantage to have strangers know.
OverInteractionR@reddit
I don't really have much to add, just wanted to say I wish I lived near you and this breaks my heart. If things got bad and I come across somebody disabled I would 100% do what I could do to help them. I'm sorry you have to worry.
nakedonmygoat@reddit
In a localized disaster where first responders are active and more help is on the way, use the sign if you need to. This is by far the most common scenario you'll encounter.
If no authorities are in charge though, and if it's a more broad-scale emergency, just use your best judgment. In that kind of scenario, I'd probably not advertise unless I were desperate.
anonperson40@reddit
My adult son is disabled. We will bug in for 99% of scenarios. We also have back up plans in 4 separate directions for the 1%. With that said, we have a number of people in and out of the neighborhood that check on us daily. They’re also aware of how to contact each other. An example will be a friend sends a text and I don’t answer it in the usual time or way. They’ll then ask a neighbor if we’re home. They can see my car so they’ll come knock. This level of checking doesn’t happen often because I try to stay in contact with someone throughout the day. The neighbors also know our habits and our needs well enough to put most at ease and it’s rare that they come to check on us. Community is key. I should add that I am fine with giving up this amount of privacy for select people to make sure my son and I are safe and watched out for.
internal_salvation@reddit
the window sign makes sense for like, major disasters where first responders are actually working the area, but for smaller stuff bugging in with your support network already knowing seems way safer than advertising to randos during chaos.
WaffleHouseGladiator@reddit
Disabled people need more support. Make sure it's not just people in your building that know to check on you. Consider some off grid communication with at least 2 other people. You need to prep by giving yourself every opportunity to call for help that you can in your situation. Radio, flares, light signals, whistles, banging on a stock pot; whatever you can do to get help. If SHTF you'll want multiple people to check on you regularly.
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
You pull the I am strong and old card.
WordwizardW@reddit (OP)
Huh? I am weak.
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
You are the strongest. You just need to go super sayan.