How to get a proud man into a scooter?

[herdtoDisney]

My dad, too, has been resistant to using a scooter. With Parkinsons, his walking is affected. He gets around ok with a cane, but there is no way he could enjoy Disney-just getting to the bus would be fatiguing. Plus he is not good with curbs or steps.

We are going with my mom and dad in Feb-first time for them in 25 years. My dad is going to try a scooter! Me, my mom and dad have all been doing research. I think he was suprised to learn that there are many people using scooters, and many are like him, with some mobility. I think he thought he 'shouldn't' use a scooter because he can actually walk. He was very suprised to learn that he could use it in many ride lines, even if he can actually get into the ride himself-it would be too much standing and many lines have steps, plus he could get jostled and knocked down. But, he can probably get into some rides on his own power. He's pretty excited about riding rides, which he has not done (at our local place) in years now


So for us, getting informed about scooters, looking at them online, and researching how they are used, has made Dad open to using one, at Disney at least.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I was at the kinda other end of the spectrum when I started using a wheelchair. I was 19/20ish, had chronic pain, and it was my friends who were pushing me to try a wheelchair because at that point I'd limited my life so much.

Now I love that I have a wheelchair because it allows me to live my life. I think it does, help, though that I only had 20 years of the societal "wheelchairs are negative" pressure, not 70. From what you've said, the person in your party is alert an oriented and very aware person so likely to be a decent ECV driver so maybe frame it as helping you. Like "now you'll be able to go ahead and get our fast passes". Also, talk about the independence giving aspects. He may still somewhat be thinking that an ECV will make him more dependent, but especially if you're staying on-site so can use the buses, it will actually make it much easier for him to get places without needing another person with him!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We had the same problem with my father.....Mom finnially had , had enough...she rented the scooter and used it! She really didnt need one, but it let her enjoy the parks a bit more with the breaks from walking.

After a couple of hours his hips were hurting enough and then he tried it! That broke the ice.

He had mom rent one for the rest of the trip and the last 2 WDW vacations they had! He used it most of the time and mom occasoinally!


AKK

 

[tink2dw]

Take him to a Super Walmart walk to Electronics then toys and see if he can do it?? Can he get back to the front?? if not have him sit down, go get a scooter to get back to the front! Does he use a golf cart? You can say it is a similar tool!!

I have bad knee's and my lower back hurts after walking a little. Especially at Super Walmart!! I use the scooter!! And I definitely use an off site scooter at all Disney Parks!!

 

[I Love Pluto]

I use an ECV. I am 65.

Along with other ECV users - I am also a PROUD person. Using an ECV lets me get out and DO THINGS.

I am PROUD of my ECV!

 

[Floydian]

We had the same problem with my father.....Mom finnially had , had enough...she rented the scooter and used it! She really didnt need one, but it let her enjoy the parks a bit more with the breaks from walking.

After a couple of hours his hips were hurting enough and then he tried it! That broke the ice.

He had mom rent one for the rest of the trip and the last 2 WDW vacations they had! He used it most of the time and mom occasoinally!


AKK

I was thinking something just like this. If anyone else thinks they might ever like to have one even for an hour, go ahead and get it for them, and then it's available if he decides to try it. Or you can use the excuse my mom did on me a couple of years ago, which was that she needed to get up and walk some so I had to drive it for a bit. I've rented one for myself several times since that visit.