Getting a wheelchair w/o offending anyone, very long

[tink2dw]

Teri Thank- you!! Thats a great idea,next time. Thanks for the {{Hug}}!!

Sue Thank- you!! For the great family Pixie Dust!!

It sure helps to know that there are people like each of you, here to help people have the best WDW trips possible!!

 

[msr709]

I can never get over how rude some people can be! Immediately upon realizing that someone is in a wheelchair it never even crosses my mind that they are "cheaters" or line cutters. I guess since I also have failing knees I really sympathizes with those who are bound to them all the time. Its good that you posted your experience because maybe some of those people that so eargerly accused you of cheating may be a little more sympathetic and less cynical. Hope you all are feeling better. God Bless and stay well. Have a Disney Day!

 

[ZPT1022]

I wouldn't even listen to anyone who has any nasty comments. I am usually in pretty good health, but when I was down doing college program, I tripped getting off a bus and hit my head pretty hard, ended up in the hospital with a concussion and some other things wrong. Well, the doctors ordered me to go home and rest and not be too active or to do too much walking or anything. I am not the kind of person who can sit around and do nothing for 2 weeks, it drives me nuts. I was lucky enough to have a good friend who dragged me out to the parks and pushed me around in a wheelchair just so that I could be out in the fresh air around other people and not inside staring at the walls all day. Did I get nasty looks? of course... but did I care? At the time it really bothered me, but as time has gone on, I realize that not everyone has a "visible illness", for example a leg in a cast or such. I would say to all those who need a little extra help to be able to have a great vacation vs. just getting by, go for it, you wont be sorry!

 

[pjkds]

I must just be oblivious, but I don't notice anyone looking ungraciously toward someone in a wheelchair. Either I'm naive, or I just choose--which is true, also--to assume the best intentions of people.

People stare for other reasons, too, mostly for curiosity.
But also for being reminded of a loved one who uses a chair, or remembering when they used a chair, or wishing that they had taken advantage of a rental wheelchair today (and the sour look on their faces might be caused by the pain in their back or knees or feet, or just by exhaustion).

I use my own ECV all the time I'm outdoors, and I don't notice any unfriendly stares. Even though I am very much overweight (which is not the reason I need the ECV).

Maybe people in Kalamazoo (and the places we've gone as tourists) are kinder and gentler? Or else, as I said, I'm oblivious and happy.

Peggy

 

[Gillian]

Great thread! It sure makes me appreciate my health a lot more. It's always nice to be reminded not to judge anyone until you've ridden a mile in their ECV!

 

[SueM in MN]

Good reminder that sometimes people stare for other than negative reasons. Sometimes I find myself staringat someone's wheelchair because it's a type I've never seen before, or I've never seen one that color before or it might have some feature that my DD might be able to use. I try to be careful, but all of a sudden, I notice I've crossed over into staring.
I've seen enough of the negative type stares (sometimes accompanied with comments). There are a lot less of the negative stares, but those are the ones that you remember.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Originally posted by SueM in MN
. Sometimes I find myself staringat someone's wheelchair because it's a type I've never seen before, or I've never seen one that color before or it might have some feature that my DD might be able to use.

So you do this too!! I always love to check out other people's wheelchairs to see if they are better than mine.

I even caught myself one trip staring at someone's orthopedic boots and leg braces because they were so much better constructed than my own British NHS ones. ( I then went over to him and explained why I was staring and we had a brief chat about the relative merits of our boots & braces, and US and UK health provision).

Andrew

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Hi, I bet you guys think I started this thread, then just disappeared. I'm glad it was able to help others, as well as myself. Well our last weekend visit, we decided to stick to our original plan and just go back to the RV for frequent rests. Since we have AP's, we have more flexibility to do this.

We're going to meet my sister and part of her family at Epcot Sun. for the day. She will be bringing my niece (30), 2 great nieces (17 & 9) and a great nephew (1). This will mean opening to closing. No way I could make it all day. By the way my DS also has to rent and ECV due to a car accident she had a couple years ago. She spent months in ICU and the doctors had me fly in, saying she would never live. Thanks to lots of prayers, the Lord proved the Dr. wrong. She has been left with liver damage and constant pain due to all the fractures she incurred. Thanks to the encouragement that I have recieved from you guys, I guess we'll just be two sisters in Epcot Sun. riding ECV's. (Or I may get a wheelchair. My DH is capable of pushing me, if necessary.) My sis is 16 yrs. older than I, so at least we won't look like two fairly young moms trying to beat the system. I'm going to try very hard and take all of your guys advice, and not worry about what others think. You guys are great for caring so much about others. God Bless!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's some good weather pixie dust for you, tarheelmjfan. I hope you have a great time. Anyone who knows anything knows that you don't really get to "beat the system" by using a wheelchair or ecv. So use your ecv because you need it.

Now, for Andrew, I'm glad other people look at equipment too. When we're in our home area, we tend to see pretty much the same equipment because the dealers all tend to sell the same stuff. When we go to WDW, we see all sorts of equipment that isn't common in our home area. So, if you see me looking, I'm not staring, and I'm really sorry if it looks like I am. I'm just admiring your mobility equipment.

 

[mamajoan]

I am chiming in with Sue and Andrew on this one. I tend to be overly friendly.. my friends say I will talk to anyone, anytime. and I suppose it is true. I have a vast interest in w/c's and adaptive equipment, braces etc. I will look and ASK... tell ya what, 99.5% of the time people seem to enjoy talking about their equipment etc.
so if an overly friendly redhead hobbles or rolls over and starts a conversation... don't be afraid.. it may be just chatty old me
Joan

 

[travelitis]

Rent the ECV - spare someone pushing you and protect yourself from pushy people. I have to use an ECV instead of a wheelchair because my husband is busy pushing a stroller. Once we went to Epcot alone for a day and I used a wheelchair. I ended up with a bruise the size of a baseball from 3 very large people who pushed my husband (not a small guy at 6 feet) and chair as they ran by, ramming my arm which was on the armrest into the end of a handrail. They had stood in the disabled section of a show right in front of an elderly woman in a wheelchair totally blocking her view.
We complained to 2 CM's, but they didn't ask them to move out of the area. Had they done that I wouldn't have gotten hurt. No one pushes an ECV around, though.

 

[Talking Hands]

I tend to look at other Jazzy owners and invaribly we end up chatting about our wheelchairs. I love to check out people's accessories and see if they might work for me.

 

[mamajoan]

Talking Hands, I was wondering how you felt about people looking at you when you are signing? I will often do a double take at signing because I find it interesting. I took basic ASL. I have always told my kids when they were younger that it was not polite to stare at the signer because it was like eavesdropping. What do you think?
Joan

 

[Talking Hands]

I don't mind at all when people watch me signing. It often opens opportunities to educate people about ASL and deafness and hearing loss. I think most deaf realize that sign is very open and will not be upset if others are looking. Plus we do have ways to hide what we are signing of we need to.
I would however look away if the conversation seems very private.
It is funny because about a year and a half ago I went to a deaf studies conference and at dinner a bunch of us went across the street to a restaurant. There were many of us at the restaurant signing and you could read all sorts of conversation if you chose to.
In St Augustine recently, we went to eat and my friend Pablo and I were signing and I was also interpreting for our hearing companions and Pablo. The waitress walked up to us and signed to both Pablo and I and took our orders. She was also an interpreting student. Small world when you use ASL.

 

[mamajoan]

Thanks for your response Talking Hands, I certainly appreciate it.
My ASL is like my Spanish... really limited. but I still enjoy the experiences it opens up to me .
Have a happy day, I hope your ankle is feeling better.
Joan

 

[Pumbaa_]

I never thought how it would look to others when I watch people signing. It is such a beautiful language.

I was fortunate enough to be at EPCOT's Candleight Processional last year when Marley Maitlin (sp?) was doing the reading. I think it really enhanced the performance to watch her signing. It really is so graceful. I would love to see it with her again!

 

[Talking Hands]

Jody which performance did you go to? I went to the first performance on Tuesday. It was awesome. The interpreter for the music was incredible. And of course, Marlee Matlin was terrific.
I had a great seat. In the handicapped seating right in the middle of the right section. Perfect for seeing both Marlee and the interpreter. Thank you Mark!

 

[clutter]

Well, I didn't have to start a new thread to ask the same question!!!

I just chatted with my mother to see if she would consider joining my dd and me in December. She's got some heart problems, but the lady is pretty spry, except that she wears herself out. I told her to talk to her dr about renting an ECV so she can enjoy the trip instead of enjoying the first day and being exhausted the next.

Sounds like my idea is a good one. Like tarheelmj fan, I was concerned about her using one, though. Especially if she parked and walked into rides and shops, etc. Although, I don't see my mom riding too many rides, so we won't be doing any line cutting!! (Well, maybe Small World.)

Great post! Thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad to hear that this thread helped you out.
It might be a good idea to have her walk in shops. Some of them are kind of tight and it's hard to manouver since there are lots of people who are looking at the merchandise - not where they are going.
Don't worry about the lines. Anyone who thinks you are cutting in line has never traveled with someone in an ecv or wheelchair. There are a few lines, like Small World, where wheelchair and ecv users go directly to the exit to board. In most cases though, the lines are Mainstream, which means wheelchair and ecv users wait in line with everyone else.

 

[ZPT1022]

Anyone who thinks you are cutting in line has never traveled with someone in an ecv or wheelchair. There are a few lines, like Small World, where wheelchair and ecv users go directly to the exit to board

And Sue can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that once you "cut line" for a ride such as Small World, you still have to wait for the wheelchair-friendly boat (for lack of a better term). Go for it if it will improve everyone's vacation!! Have fun! My grandmother sat in her hotel room last time everyone was down because she wouldn't rent an ECV or wheelchair . So if your mom is willing, have a great time!!!!!!