It seems to be open season on wheelchair, stroller and ecv users

[SueM in MN]

Here's another post complaining about wheelchair users. Two in one week is a bit much (I think it's 2 on 2 days, actually).
ìWheelchair and stroller post on tips boardh

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

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[This message was edited by SueM in MN on 01-04-01 at 09:48 PM.]

 

[Michelle NY]

Sue
I think that you said it perfectly. I get really offended so I knew my reply would not be very nice , so I said nothing.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, Michelle. I usually write a response and then delete quite a bit. Tha lady was against quite a bit, so she had quite a few people who could be offended.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

ˇ

 

[bfeller]

Well, you guys are just too nice. I put my 2 cents in. I visited WDW this past August and I used an EVC because of a temporary situation but it really opened my eyes. Walking a mile in other peoples shoes is really worth the experience and made me a little more sensitive to those who are in wheelchair/EVC. Bless you both for your patience handling the ignorance of others.

 

[SueOKW]

I couldn't comment at all.... if a person were to tell me they've been run into 5 or 6 times, I would almost have to think it was their own fault. I mean, what's the common denominator?
You all said it perfectly nicely. (Teri - you're a whiz.)

I am always hauling back my DS's chair to avoid people who suddenly appear in front of us. But I should admit, I am not the best pusher... and I also have a tendency to dart in front of people....

All in all - we have to forgive one another, assume that people are really trying to do the right thing, and take care of each other. WDW is still my happy place!
Sue

 

[Puffy2]

This is so depressing. Going in Feb. as some of you know. My friend will be with me and she has lupus. She wore herself out over the holidays - making a dinner and going to the mall for 2 hours with her daughter - she's been down for the count for about a week now. I know she can't manage the parks without an ECV or wheelchair but she is reluctant to use one. These posts just make it harder for me to encourage her to "go ahead" and get one.
What should I do???
Should I just rent a regular WC at the park if she needs one? Should I rent an ECV and have it at the hotel waiting (can you say "surprise!")??
This was supposed to be a relaxing trip for her.

 

[bfeller]

Don't let these posts get you down. It is just a minority of people there who are ignorant and don't watch what they are doing. I wasn't exactly thrilled using the wheelchair/EVC this past summer. I had a walking cast on my foot but was not allowed to be on the foot the whole day, because of a circulation disease. I really struggled with this and knew that having someone push me in a wheelchair would be really uncomfortable for me(although on E-night, I did let my family push me around because of the cost factor for 3 hours) Otherwise, I rented an EVC when planning at being at the parks for full days. I felt independent and really didn't care what other people thought when I could get up from EVC and stand in a short line, if there was one. I got it into my head(and my foot also) that I would be miserable if I tried to do it all on foot and this was my vacation too. I don't regret using the EVC because it was a wonderful vacation and I wasn't in pain. And that is what is important. On the days that we relaxed I walked (very slowly) and had a great time. We tried to do a park every other day so that I could rest up. Encourage her to do what will be the most comfortable for her.

Just a humorous note: On the E-night when my family took turns wheeling me around my 16 year old walked me in front of splash mountain(on the bridge) and stopped and left me there. Little did I know he left me right in the spot where I would get splashed. Boy did they have a great laugh. I was rolling with laughter also. You just have to keep a sense of humor about things and most everyone was friendly. I even took the Keys to Kingdom Tour in the EVC and had a great time.

Don't let the unhappy people spoil the planning for your trip. Go for it!!!! Tell your friend to do what is best for her comfort.

 

[momngrandma]

Thanks to those of you who answered the post on that other thread. I wanted to, but not having much experience with wheelchairs/ECV's, I left it to those of you who do -- and was so proaud of the way you handled it.

Puffy2 -- don't let people like that discourage you. We will be using a wheelchair for my severely retarded DS, and an ECV for my DF who can barely walk (but hates to admit it). I plan to ignore any negative vibes I get from others and smile with my head held high at any staring. NOTHING is going to spoil this life-long dream of mine. We KNOW we could NEVER do WDW without the wheelchair or ECV, so we'll use them and be grateful for the opportunity. What do I care what a bunch of judgemental strangers think, anyway?

As for the chair or the ECV -- would your friend be more comfortable NOT having to have someone push her in the chair? You can rent ECV's at the parks, too, for the same price I think, so maybe you can just make your decision at the park.

<font size="5" color="#FF0066" face="Amazone BT">Cindy</font>

<IMG width="135" height="200"SRC="file:///C:/My%20Documents/minnietravel.jpg">

<font size="4"><font color="#FF0066><font face="Comic Sans MS"><marquee direction="right" align="middle" behavior="alternate">GOING TO WDW MAY 10-16, 2001!!!</marquee></font></font></font>

 

[irish]

I just had to put my 2 cents in here, after reading all those posts from your link.....We've been to Disney twice in the past year and both times, my husband has used an ECV... No, he doesn't use one at home, but without an ECV, our trip would have been a disaster...He's a perfectly healthy looking 70 year old, but after 9 surgeries on a crushed ankle, he has no bones, just metal, left in it......Unable to walk more than 100 feet, at the most, would have made our trip impossible.....Only by walking beside his ECV did I witness some of the most inconsiderate people - stopping right in front of us to just stand and talk, cutting practically over top of us to get wherever, etc. And driving those things is not really a picnic either. I guess my rant is more to request understanding and perhaps a bit more patience!!!!!! And furthermore, we received no "special" treatment because of the ECV. Please plan your trip and insist that your friend with Lupus get an ECV. Disney can be magical - don't let her miss any of it.......

 

[SueM in MN]

My youngest dd got her first wheelchair when she was 2 and 1/2 and we started coming to WDW when she was a year old. She's 15 (almost 16, boo-hoo), so we have had a lot of practice. She is a pretty girl with dimples and a big smile,but it's obvious that she is disabled when you see her movements and her stick thin legs. Even with that, we have sometimes heard people comment that "that girl doesn't need a wheelchair", so people will judge, no matter what.
If YOU know you need a wheelchair or ecv, you are the one who counts. The first time we came to WDW, my FIL had pain in his hips and knees from arthritis and was in some pain by the end of the day. He has talked about renting an ecv each time we go, but hasn't ever done it. Over the years, we have seen him limiting his walking around the parks and it hurts to know that he is in pain. Encourage your friend to use an ecv and enjoy herself.

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

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[Hemi-mom]

My DH, (dadsagoof), did post to that thread and pretty much agreed with what you said bfeller along with stating something similar to what SueOKW said in her last paragraph.

 

[Wheelsie]

Well I myself posted to the first rant thread...not this one...

After reading everyone else's well thought out (Luv ya Teri!! LOL) and poignant replies to the thread there was not much else for me to add! But I want to thank everyone for NOT loosing their kewl!! I know it can be hard not to sometimes...but we all have to be polite and respectful so its WELL KNOWN that we (chairs,strollers, ECVs) are alot nicer that some of our transportation devices permitus to be on ramps and small spaces! LOL'

Thank you all! You make me proud to call ya friends!

Wheelsie Co-Moderator of disABILITIES
and
DisneyTips
wheelsie@mail.wdwinfo.com

 

[Rollwithit]

Let me just add - please don't assume that since you'll be using a wheelchair or ecv that you will be subjected to an unusual amount of clods slinging cruel remarks and nasty stares your way.

We visited WDW back in November of '99...my paraplegic hubby and 8-yr. old daughter. NOT ONCE did I notice anyone staring (if they were, so be it) and NEVER did I hear a negative comment about his being in a wheelchair. But then again, maybe after 18 years like this, I just don't notice these things.

Go and have a good time and if some knob has the nerve to say anything to you ask them if they'd like to trade places. It usually shuts them up real quick.

 

[Puffy2]

Ok, if I get the ECV , are there differences in the quality in the ones in the parks and the ones you rent?? I actually was able to "test drive" one last time I was at disney , a man staying at our hotel let me and his was very nice. He rented it from "I love You" medical supplies or something like that. Has anyone heard of this company???

 

[teri]

I had to tone down my response to that thread quite a bit. Y'all read the severely edited version.

Puffy2, I would not be discouraged against using adaptive equipment or GACs to make your vacation possible because of a few negative experiences... those are a few negative experiences among an incredibly large number of positive experiences with CMs and other guests at WDW. Go for it.

"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[FergieTCat]

Personally, I think people with wheelchairs and ECVs are way more considerate than people with strollers.

I have tendonitis in both of my Achilles tendons as a result of tearing one of them (don't know why the other one went along with it. Out of sympathy, maybe). I don't need any assistance, but I can't walk as fast as I used to. Also, when I get tired, my tendons start to ache and burn, and then I really can't walk too fast. I have noticed that women walking behind me with strollers (both in WDW and New York City -- The Rudest Place on Earth) get impatient with me when I'm walking slower than they are, especially in a crowd. I have some women (and, to tell you the truth, I don't have this problem with men) follow within an inch behind me, making those annoying "tsking" sounds (I guess "Excuse Me" isn't in their vocabularies). I have been hit with a stroller, and did say something to the person pushing it.

I understand that it's hard to push a stroller, but that is no excuse for being inconsiderate. As I said in the beginning, people in wheelchairs and ECVs are way more considerate because I've never been hit with one.

<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">

Donna

 

[Jill P]

I came to your boards on disABILITIES because I have had Plantar Faciitis/Heel Spurs for the past two years. I am doing better than when I was at my worst but still not up to doing lots of walking. We are going to WDW in early May and the realization that I am not going to be healed by then has set in. I will probably be able to walk just fine for a while and will seem to be fully able to other visitors and then will need to use a wheel chair for part of each day.

I would not use the chair to get in line ahead of others by any means, but I am afraid that I may be sneered at by others especially who have seen me walking at times seemingly without any problems. (I've read on some boards and in a book about people who don't need a chair renting one as a way to cheat and get ahead.) I was wondering if any others have gone to WDW suffering with heel pain that allows for some normal walking and then need for some riding. What kind of reactions should I be prepared for and what are some good replies? I am afraid I will be too sensitive and will end up with hurt feelings that dampen the trip.

Thanks!

<font color=purple>Jill P </font>

 

[bfeller]

I went to WDW this past August and I had to also accept that my foot would not be healed in time for our trip.(I had Frieberg's Disease) I was in a walking cast and was only allowed to be on my foot for a couple of hours a day at the most. I rented an EVC when we were visiting a theme park for the entire day. I was one of those people who would park the EVC and get in line if the line was not extremely long. Some people, usually children would ask me what had happened and I would gladly tell them. I think most people today realize that not all handicap/disabilities/challenges are visible. Of course the cast(removable) was very visible but I did take it off at times because of the heat. I had on a slipper because I couldn't put a shoe on(painful) and never did anyone ever make me feel bad about my decision. I am very happy that I made the decision to use the EVC because my family's vacation would not be as enjoyable. Do what is right for you and enjoy.

I now can walk on my foot without pain, running is still not comfortable but I just can't come to the DIS without checking out the DisABILITIES site. Everyone is so wonderful and I feel some type of kinship with them even though my situation was temporary. I have rode a mile in their shoes and I understand.

 

[LindaDVC]

One time as we inched out way out of the parks after the evening fireworks I over heard someone say :
"wouldn't you think folks in wheelchairs would wait until after the crowds leave to depart. They are in our way"
we wanted to say we are just as tired as you and want to get in line for a bus just like you but we didn't we just kept inching along. Dan is a GREAT driver but has hit many people who jump out at the last second or stop without thinking!

Linda

Disneyland-'66,'81,
Car. Beach '89,
FW cabins 94,95
Joined the DVC 95 !
HH 9x, OKW 2x, BW 1x, Vero 2x, & Magic 2x

 

[mhopset]

Went to the World at Christmas with my ECV. I didn't have to much trouble. One thing to keep in mind is stay as far to the right as possible. That will eliminate a lot of people cuting in front of you. I did feel like I was always in a hurry with the bus. I didn't want to hold people up, so I tried to get my scooter in position as soon as possible.

The restaurants are the major problems. I have a really difficult time getting off my scooter once I'm on it. A lot of the restaurants in EPCOT want you to leave the scooter outside. I said "NO" they give me a funny look but they do accomodate you. You just have to say excuse me and "I'm sorry a lot. Most people understand.

One thing I have a problem with is. Teenagers on the bus that will not give up their seat for older people. I can't believe how they rush to get a seat and then an older lady has to stand up and the teenagers just look at them.

I would suggest that if anyone thinks they might need a wheelchair or an ECV to get one. It makes your vacation great