How do you handle people’s comments about ECV?

[snowwite]

We will be taking ECV on a cruise for my daughter’s wedding and I’m so worried about people being mean.
How do you handle it?
I’ve had people say some mean things like fat shaming and look it’s a miracle when I parked it and walked into a restaurant. I can walk but not far. I am overweight but that’s not why I require mobility devices,
Do I ignore, ask them to stop, share my medical information? I just don’t know how to respond.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

I’m sorry that you will likely have some of those comments. Why is it that people who use an ECV, need an assistance animal, etc. seem to attack nasty judgemental people? No, I wouldn’t give them a reply. Why you need to use an ECV is not going to quiet them. They just are nasty and judgemental. When I have heard people make a nasty judgemental remark to me I remind myself that
1. The problem is with them.
2. There are people who have dealt with this all their life, and I admire them for it
And if people make these remarks about others to me or in front of me, I respond calmly but firmly that I don’t agree and want them to stop.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Sorry, meant to say ‘seem to be attacked by’

 

[Suger Mag]

Do not let mean folks ruin your vacation. It reflects on their character more than anything. If you need it you need it.

I feel your hesitancy. I had to get an ECV at WDW this year for my foot arthritis (30 year old broken ankle). I am not a small person and I feared being made fun of and experiencing negativity. Except for knocking over a baby stroller (thankfully with no baby in it at the time) I did not experience any mean looks or comments like I was worried about, and even when I did that folks were being nice and asking if I was OK (I also hit a wall when I took out the stroller trying to park as a newbie) so I was embarrassed but I deserved it LOL.

Ignore rude people. They deserve nothing but maybe a 'Bless Your Sweet Heart' and then zoom away....

 

[OhThePain]

Just ignore them and live your life. You don't need to justify your need for an ECV to some obnoxious, bitter, grumpy so-and-so. If they are willing to get nasty while on vacation, just imagine how miserable they must be every day of their life. Just smile and tell them to have a nice day (that will get under their skin more than feeding into them).

With that being said, while there are bad apples that spoil the bunch amongst non-ECV users, there are also bad apples that spoil the bunch for ECV users. Some ECV users carry with them a sense of entitlement where they think everyone needs to bend over backwards to cater to them (whether they run people over, cut lines, don't park properly, force their way into crowded elevators, etc.) and they are not generally apologetic or appreciative.

 

[Goldelpack]

I have used an ECV for at least the past 20 years. I go to the parks frequently - probably 30 plus days per year (at least for the past 4 years - and many days per year prior) I do not recall a single time that anyone ever made a rude comment to me or treated me any differently than anyone else. I normally - probably 90% of the time - visit the parks solo. I've experienced amazing offers of help and offers of assistance. I make the effort to be a good, respectful and friendly ECV user. I always try to maintain a walking speed and keep to the right of walkways so as not to ram into people or impede on their space. If the line to board a bus is huge - rather than take up space - I'll grab a coffee or tea and wait it out since I'm never in a huge rush and understand the frustration of those that have to stand after a long day....

 

[Evita_W]

DH would probably reply with something somewhat snarky like:

• "Scooters make life easier. Maybe someday they'll invent something for poor manners!"
• "I’m just glad there’s technology to help with mobility. Now, if only there were a device to help with tact."

If you don't want to go that far, you could try:

• "My scooter helps me with my challenges. Do you have something that helps with yours?"
• "Disabilities come in many forms. Mine happens to be visible, but that doesn’t make anyone else’s less valid."

And if you want to be more polite:

• "I use a scooter to get around more easily, but thank you for your concern about my mobility."
• "It’s great that we live in a world with tools to help everyone live their best life, right?"

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don't know about cruises, but at the parks I've only encounted snarky comments once. And I ignored her because it was a grandmother whose grandson had suddenly taken off running, and he ran right in front of me on my ECV. As she ran by after him, she made a comment about me almost hitting him. I just figured she was really mad at him, and she yelled at the first person she could. Yet, the first time I rented a scooter, I was so ready for all those comments, so sure they'd be coming, feeling so defensive. But I've found that people have been so nice, so helpful.

But I love the comment "My scooter helps me with challenges. Do you have something that helps with yours?"

 

[Micca]

"My scooter helps me with my challenges. Do you have something that helps with yours?"

This is my favorite among a strong batch of contenders!

 

[Philsfan77]

We will be taking ECV on a cruise for my daughter’s wedding and I’m so worried about people being mean.
How do you handle it?
I’ve had people say some mean things like fat shaming and look it’s a miracle when I parked it and walked into a restaurant. I can walk but not far. I am overweight but that’s not why I require mobility devices,
Do I ignore, ask them to stop, share my medical information? I just don’t know how to respond.

You have to do what is best for you, and as hard as it is, just ignore the noise from people you will hopefully never encounter again in your life.

Have you cruised with an ECV before?

 

[snowwite]

Do not let mean folks ruin your vacation. It reflects on their character more than anything. If you need it you need it.

I feel your hesitancy. I had to get an ECV at WDW this year for my foot arthritis (30 year old broken ankle). I am not a small person and I feared being made fun of and experiencing negativity. Except for knocking over a baby stroller (thankfully with no baby in it at the time) I did not experience any mean looks or comments like I was worried about, and even when I did that folks were being nice and asking if I was OK (I also hit a wall when I took out the stroller trying to park as a newbie) so I was embarrassed but I deserved it LOL.

Ignore rude people. They deserve nothing but maybe a 'Bless Your Sweet Heart' and then zoom away....

I suppose blessing them is better than cursing. I’ve had a few issues in the past but I did ok in WDW. This will be on the ship though and apparently it’s an issue because the hallways and elevators are narrow. I’ve read some horror stories about how folks were treated. I’ll be mother of the bride and don’t want some jerk to ruin it.

 

[snowwite]

You have to do what is best for you, and as hard as it is, just ignore the noise from people you will hopefully never encounter again in your life.

Have you cruised with an ECV before?

No. It’s only my second time cruising and we did the last one 10 years ago before I got sick.

 

[snowwite]

This is my favorite among a strong batch of contenders!

Winner, winner Chicken Dinner!

 

[snowwite]

DH would probably reply with something somewhat snarky like:

• "Scooters make life easier. Maybe someday they'll invent something for poor manners!"
• "I’m just glad there’s technology to help with mobility. Now, if only there were a device to help with tact."

If you don't want to go that far, you could try:

• "My scooter helps me with my challenges. Do you have something that helps with yours?"
• "Disabilities come in many forms. Mine happens to be visible, but that doesn’t make anyone else’s less valid."

And if you want to be more polite:

• "I use a scooter to get around more easily, but thank you for your concern about my mobility."
• "It’s great that we live in a world with tools to help everyone live their best life, right?"

Those are great. Thanks!

 

[Suger Mag]

I suppose blessing them is better than cursing. I’ve had a few issues in the past but I did ok in WDW. This will be on the ship though and apparently it’s an issue because the hallways and elevators are narrow. I’ve read some horror stories about how folks were treated. I’ll be mother of the bride and don’t want some jerk to ruin it.

Actually (bless your heart) it is not really a blessing at all, especially if they are Southern, it really means a sugary sweet way to say F* you....

 

[snowwite]

Actually (bless your heart) it is not really a blessing at all, especially if they are Southern, it really means a sugary sweet way to say F* you....

Oh I know. Lol

 

[Suger Mag]

Oh I know. Lol

I am a Yankee and I know LOL

 

[Philsfan77]

No. It’s only my second time cruising and we did the last one 10 years ago before I got sick.

Some things to keep an eye out for, is they typically leave the laundry carts in the hallways, which can make navigating the already tight corridors even tighter (some might be hard to get a scooter through honestly). I'm not sure if you have a Handicap Accessible room, but I'd try to make sure you do just for ease of storing the scooter in the room. It might be worth putting in a request and talking with the head server (basically functions like the manager) to sit near the front of the restaurants. The walks back into some of the restaurants can be quite long. Pack your patience with the elevators, especially after dinners and the muster drill when everyone and their mother is trying to use them.

I hope you have a great cruise and trip celebrating your daughter, and don't let the bad actors impact you.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I have some eye sensitivity issues from time to time and I heard someone comment about how lame I was wearing sunglasses indoors. So I stopped in front of them and said, "I'm blind, not deaf.. b----," and kept walking.

And that took care of that.

 

[TCRAIG]

I have used an ECV for at least the past 20 years. I go to the parks frequently - probably 30 plus days per year (at least for the past 4 years - and many days per year prior) I do not recall a single time that anyone ever made a rude comment to me or treated me any differently than anyone else. I normally - probably 90% of the time - visit the parks solo. I've experienced amazing offers of help and offers of assistance. I make the effort to be a good, respectful and friendly ECV user. I always try to maintain a walking speed and keep to the right of walkways so as not to ram into people or impede on their space. If the line to board a bus is huge - rather than take up space - I'll grab a coffee or tea and wait it out since I'm never in a huge rush and understand the frustration of those that have to stand after a long day....

Same here - I don’t think I’ve ever had any rude comments at WDW in 10 yrs of ECV use.