FortForever
Disney since Day 1
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2011
Another thread is heading in the direction of this subject. But, since it's so OT from the OP, I thought I would start a new one to add my comments.
In March, I had to rent an ECV due to a temporary problem with my feet. It is the first time I had ever used any kind of mobility device.
As soon as I got to the parks, I noticed I became practically invisible to people. Not just a few people. Most people. It was a strange, unnerving, and unexpected experience.
It was impossible to get through bag check as people just kept getting in front of me like I wasn't there. There was nothing I could do, other than ramming into the people ahead of me. Eventually, DH took all the bags and I left to go through the no-bags entrance.
Once in the park, other guests constantly stepped in front of me, usually with only inches to spare. Even people who were directly facing me would walk in front of me as if I didn't exist. It was quite the phenomenon.
My DH thought I was exaggerating, so I let him ride for awhile. My feet could take short walks. He got so stressed out and frustrated, that he didn't last long on the ECV.
Even though I was apparently invisible when moving, I became an inanimate object when stopped. I had one woman literally sit on my leg. I had kids climb all over my ECV.
During a parade, another adult was completely leaning on the back of my seat. He or she had both arms on my seat and their head into my head space. I could feel them back there, but didn't realize the extent of it until I leaned back and my head slammed into their face.
The experiences of that trip got me thinking quite a lot about people who are on wheels full time, including my oldest son. How do you deal with this in the parks? By the end of the week, I was actually saying to people, "Hello. I exist."
And, because MOST people were doing it, I wondered if I did it myself in the past. I know for a fact I would not violate anyone's personal space or lean on a mobility device. What I wondered is if I would walk in front of them like a zombie. I can't say for sure what I have done in the past. But, I can say for sure I won't in the future.
A week on wheels leaves you with a whole new perspective and awareness.
In March, I had to rent an ECV due to a temporary problem with my feet. It is the first time I had ever used any kind of mobility device.
As soon as I got to the parks, I noticed I became practically invisible to people. Not just a few people. Most people. It was a strange, unnerving, and unexpected experience.
It was impossible to get through bag check as people just kept getting in front of me like I wasn't there. There was nothing I could do, other than ramming into the people ahead of me. Eventually, DH took all the bags and I left to go through the no-bags entrance.
Once in the park, other guests constantly stepped in front of me, usually with only inches to spare. Even people who were directly facing me would walk in front of me as if I didn't exist. It was quite the phenomenon.
My DH thought I was exaggerating, so I let him ride for awhile. My feet could take short walks. He got so stressed out and frustrated, that he didn't last long on the ECV.
Even though I was apparently invisible when moving, I became an inanimate object when stopped. I had one woman literally sit on my leg. I had kids climb all over my ECV.
During a parade, another adult was completely leaning on the back of my seat. He or she had both arms on my seat and their head into my head space. I could feel them back there, but didn't realize the extent of it until I leaned back and my head slammed into their face.
The experiences of that trip got me thinking quite a lot about people who are on wheels full time, including my oldest son. How do you deal with this in the parks? By the end of the week, I was actually saying to people, "Hello. I exist."
And, because MOST people were doing it, I wondered if I did it myself in the past. I know for a fact I would not violate anyone's personal space or lean on a mobility device. What I wondered is if I would walk in front of them like a zombie. I can't say for sure what I have done in the past. But, I can say for sure I won't in the future.
A week on wheels leaves you with a whole new perspective and awareness.