Helping People

Posted by MichikoNakamura Sat, 24 Nov 2007 05:28:54 GMT

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If you meet a disabled person, you can ask about their handicap but you have to be polite about it. You should only ask if the other person feels comfortable. Some people may not even want to talk about it. You could say:

"May I ask a personal question?"

If you think they are willing to answer, you can ask one of these questions:

"May I ask what happened to your arm?"

"If you don't mind, can I ask what happened to your right leg?"

Now, read this next conversation:

Osamu: Hi Michiko, how are you?
Michiko: I'm fine, how about you?
Osamu: I'm not doing too good. I'm having a tough time getting around because of my leg.
Michiko: If you don't mind, can I ask what happened to your right leg?
Osamu: I was involved in a fishing accident and had to have it amputated.
Michiko: Oh, I'm so sorry.

Did you notice that the man said his leg had to be amputated? This means that he had to have it removed. Read this example sentence:

"I had to have my right leg amputated"

Some people have handicaps because of an accident. In the earlier conversation, the man said that he was in a fishing accident. If you don't want to be specific you can just say:

"I was in an accident."

Some people were born with physical handicaps. That means they've had their handicap all their lives. Read these example sentences:

"I was born with this handicap"

"I've had this all my life"

You may see someone who seems to be in trouble. It would be nice if you offered to help them. Read this conversation between a blind woman and a kind stranger:

Michael: Can I give you a hand?
Michiko: Just let me lean on you, don't grab my arm. I need a guide.
Michael: Am I doing it right?
Michiko: Yes, you've been a big help. Thank you very much.

When you see someone having trouble getting around you can say several different sentences. For example:

"Can I give you a hand?"

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

or

"May I help you?"

If you want to express your thanks for someone helping you, you can say these sentences. Read these example sentences:

"You've been a big help"

"Thank you very much"

Now read this conversation in an elevator:

Michael: Please hold the door.
Michiko: You just made it.
Michael: Yeah, thanks. Are you going up or down?
Michiko: Down. What floor?
Michael: Second floor, please.
Michiko: Go ahead, I'll hold the door for you.
Michael: Thank you.

In this conversation, the man was a handicapped person. If there is someone older or handicapped you should let them go before you. You can just say:

"Go ahead"

If they are handicapped and need a little extra time getting out, you could say:

"I'll hold the door for you"

Read this next conversation:

Michael: Michiko, did you hear about Cindy?
Michiko: No, I didn't. What happened?
Michael: She was in a car accident!
Michiko: Is she all right?
Michael: No, she's been hospitalized for two days.
Michiko: What kind of injuries does she have?
Michael: She had a few broken ribs, bruises and cuts.
Michiko: I'd better go visit her.
Michael: Yeah, we can go together.

In this conversation, Michael said:

"She has been hospitalized for two days."

If somebody's been in the hospital, you would want to know what was wrong. You can ask these questions. Read these example sentences:

"What kind of injuries does she have?"

"How was she hurt?"

Now what do you say when you go to visit someone? It might be kind of uncomfortable if you're not used to it.

Let's read a conversation at the front desk of a hospital:

Receptionist: Hi, may I help you?
Visitors: Yes, What room is Cindy Barnard in?
Receptionist: Let's see. She's in room 201.
Visitors: Thank you. What are the visiting hours?
Receptionist: Visitors are allowed from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Visitors: What time is it now?
Receptionist: It's 8:35.
Visitors: Oh, I don't have much time, do I?
Receptionist: Not really.
Visitors: O.K. thank you.

When you go to see a friend in the hospital you may want to know where your friend is. Read these example sentences:

"What room is Cindy Barnard in?"

"Where can I find Cindy Barnard?"

Another question you might need to know is how long you can stay. You can ask this question:

"What are the visiting hours?"

At a hospital, you should ask about the visiting hours. If you say, What time are you open? that would sound funny. When you have found the room you can go up to visit the patient. Patients in the hospital are there because they have various injuries and illnesses.

Read this example sentence:

"She had bruises and cuts from the accident"

When people are in the hospital they are there to rest or recuperate. So you should ask the patient if it's a good time to visit. They may not want to be bothered because they are either tired or in pain. Now, read this conversation:

Michael: Hello Cindy, is this a good time to visit?
Cindy: Yes, come in.
Michael: How are you feeling?
Cindy: Not so good. My body aches all over.
Michael: I was really shocked to hear about your accident.
Cindy: Yeah, I can't believe it either. It happened so fast.
Michael: So how are you recuperating?
Cindy: My injuries are healing slowly.
Michael: Wow. We'll be pulling for you. Cindy: Thanks.

In this conversation, the friend said:

"Is this a good time to visit?"

If they say "yes", then of course, you will ask how they are feeling. Now, let's practice. Read this example sentence:

"Is this a good time to visit?"

Sometimes, you might not know what to say to them. You can tell them you are shocked or sad about their accident.

Here are some common phrases that people use:

"I was shocked to hear about your accident"

or

"I'm sorry to hear about your accident"

To recuperate is when your body is healed from injuries. Read these example sentences:

"How are you recuperating?"

"How are you recovering?"

If you were the patient, you might say:

"My injuries are healing slowly"

or

"My injuries are healing quickly."

Usually people bring their own things to the hospital but they appreciate it if you bring them a book or something. If the person answers vaguely, you can add the word "in particular." This means you want to know specifically why they want.

Read this example conversation:

Michael: I'd like some of my clothes.
Michiko: Anything in particular?
Michael: I want my blue sweater and purple pajamas.

Finally, when you get ready to go, you can use some of these sentences:

"Take care"

"Get well soon"

or

"Take it easy"

Read these example conversations:

Michiko: Take care.
Michael: You really cheered me
up.
Michiko: Get well soon.
Michael: Thank you for visiting me.

Michiko: Take it easy.
Michael: Thanks for coming by.