[Useful] Do you really know about that button in the elevator? [Meroko]

I am Fujioka, CTO of the ADSS1 Myopathy Patient and Family Association. Our disease progresses very slowly. Although I use a wheelchair when I go out now, I was able to climb stairs without a handrail until I was about a high school student, and when I was a university student, I worked part-time at a pachinko parlor, walking around the store all day and somehow managing to lift boxes filled with pachinko balls. In other words, what this means is...

Formerly able-bodied, gradually becoming disabled

The perspective of gradually becoming disabled involves suddenly noticing things one day that you never noticed when you were able-bodied, and there are things you can only notice because you have both perspectives.

So, the 'Scales Falling from Eyes' series, or 'Meroko' for short, has started abruptly. This time, I will talk about that button in the elevator.

This time's topic

This button that you must have seen at least once when riding an elevator. Do you know what it is?

A story about something I suddenly noticed one day

Back when I wasn't using a wheelchair yet and was still walking outside with a cane, the elevators at my company had the following specifications:

• A total of 6 elevators, 3 on the front side and 3 on the back side

• They don't tell you which elevator is arriving until the very last moment

• Frequent boarding and alighting occurs

It might be hard for able-bodied people to imagine, but there were times when I couldn't make it to the front of the elevator between the time I visually confirmed the arriving elevator and the time the doors closed occurred.

If I could show my face even a little to the people inside, there are many kind-hearted people who would press the 'open' button and wait for me, but if I couldn't even make it to where they could see me, or if it was unmanned to begin with, the elevator doors would close in vain.
I would hurriedly press a nearby button, thinking that if I pressed it quickly, the same elevator might open, but since boarding and alighting are frequent, it is rare for the same one to open again, and a different elevator would arrive instead. If that happens to be on the opposite side diagonally, it's hopeless. After it happens about three times, it starts to get a little funny. What am I doing?

I'm not stupid, so I take countermeasures. The first thing I thought of was my 'gut-puter'. While pressing the button to call the elevator, I listen to the voice from heaven. Then, perhaps pitying my unfortunate self, I hear the voice of God.

The next elevator to come is the one on the far right~ the far right~~ the far right~~~

So I move in advance to the far right elevator, and the diagonally opposite elevator arrives, and I curse at the bearded man. You, you shitty old man.

Next, I think a little more logically. I discard 2 of the 6 elevators and narrow it down to 4. This can significantly reduce the risk of not making it in time. When I think I can make it with these 4 and press the button, the 2 I discarded arrive one after another, and I get disappointed by my own lack of luck.

And then, while I was feeling down, I suddenly realized something.
Wait? Doesn't that button only appear on one out of six elevators?

That's right. That button has the role of guaranteeing that it will call that specific elevator to you. You have no idea how useful this is. From the day I realized that, my elevator life changed completely. I no longer get tricked by that bearded guy, nor do I lament my own bad luck. As long as I press this button and wait in front of it, I can be sure I'll be able to get on an elevator.
Yahoo!

The official name for that button is the "Welfare Specification Button".

It seems it is also called the "Wheelchair Button." However, as I have experienced, I believe it is a useful button not only for wheelchair users but for anyone who has difficulty moving. Its features are as follows.

• The elevator you pressed will arrive.

• The button is installed at a lower height so that it is easier for wheelchair users to press.

• The time the doors stay open is longer than a regular elevator.

• Inside the elevator, buttons that are easy for wheelchair users to press are installed.

• Inside the elevator, a mirror is installed so that wheelchair users can easily back out.

Do you understand now?

A bit of a complaint @ awareness

Honestly, when I was able-bodied, I did it too without thinking, but impatient people naturally press both the "regular button" and the "welfare specification button." It might be because they want it to come quickly, or perhaps they felt silent pressure like "Why aren't you pressing that button too?" However, that action of yours

might even be hindering people with mobility issues who rely on the "welfare specification button."

Nobody teaches you things like this, but I even think it could be taught in elementary school classes as part of how to ride an elevator. I don't want to be misunderstood; I'm not blaming everyone. As a former able-bodied person who was ignorant, I include this as a self-admonition, and as someone who has been able to learn about it, I want to make it known to as many people as possible.

Proper and accurate information

It's not exactly a citation, but I will introduce official information from a proper manufacturer.

It seems there are minor differences depending on the manufacturer.

ADSS1 Myopathy Patient Family Association #PR

ADSS1 myopathy is a progressive muscle disease caused by an ADSS1 gene mutation.

It is classified as a designated intractable disease, congenital myopathy, and is also a specified pediatric chronic disease, nemaline myopathy. It often involves not only lower limb muscle weakness but also respiratory dysfunction, dysphagia, and cardiac abnormalities, which can be life-threatening depending on the symptoms.

It is an ultra-rare disease with fewer than 80 patients in Japan and fewer than 200 worldwide, with an incidence rate said to be 1 in 1 million. The largest number of patients are Japanese, and most others are of Asian descent, including those in South Korea, India, and Turkey.

At present, there is no cure or treatment, but research into treatment methods using combinations of existing drugs is progressing, and the possibility of realizing clinical trials has emerged. The support of many people is needed to realize clinical trials and develop a drug. There are two things I would like to ask of you now so that we can get as much support as possible.

• Please spread the word about this disease to as many people as possible. For example, if you share it on social media, many people will learn about it.

• We are looking for connections to help spread awareness. We look forward to hearing from you if you know someone or would like to talk to us.

Please contact us via the inquiry form on the website below, or via Instagram or X DM. We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your support.

Editor's Note

How was it? I imagine many of you didn't know the exact details about the 'welfare-use button', did you?

If you found this note even a little interesting, I would be very happy if you could 'like' or 'follow' me! Thank you very much.