I hate mobility scooters

[sam_gordon]

Isn't everyone in the parks following too close? hahaha! Everyone wants to get somewhere in the parks.

I assume you've been in the parks (presumably walking, not on an ECV). When's the last time you bumped into someone in front of you because they stopped?

 

[gwynne]

I work in rehab And mobility scooters are hated by all the Physical Therapists.

They say the scooters make disabled people more disabled and plain old lazy people disabled.

Since you say they think scooters make disabled people more disabled, what would PT people recommend for folks dealing with these diseases:
1. People in the earlier stages of ALS
2. People with moderate to somewhat advanced Parkinson's Disease

Just curious. There are stages with both of these diseases where a scooter is "helpful".

 

[katrina1122]

When leaving a park at closing for example, of course I have to be close, there's no room for anyone. Strollers, people and scooters are on top of each other. I turn the speed down to the lowest setting. People stop. The scooter doesn't stop on a dime, they get hit. It's physics.

 

[katrina1122]

Then why was it my physical therapist who first recommended I use one?

 

[katrina1122]

I wish Disney would make a lane for scooters and strollers, and a rule that they can not drive them on the sidewalks.

If we can't go on sidewalks, then how do we get in stores and on rides which involve a sidewalk between the street and the entrance?

 

[sam_gordon]

When leaving a park at closing for example, of course I have to be close, there's no room for anyone. Strollers, people and scooters are on top of each other. I turn the speed down to the lowest setting. People stop. The scooter doesn't stop on a dime, they get hit. It's physics.

So people getting hit is expected? And people think selfie sticks are a problem? I'm sorry, I have a problem with that. If someone jumps into the gap in front of your ECV and stands there and you can't stop, I could understand. But if I'm reading you correctly, you're following someone who stops (probably because the people in front of him stop) and it should be EXPECTED you'll hit him? Sorry, no. If we can't have ECV's in the park without expecting people to get hit, we shouldn't have ECV's in the park.

 

[bsblady01]

If we can't go on sidewalks, then how do we get in stores and on rides which involve a sidewalk between the street and the entrance?

no you can still go into the shops, but you would not be able to stay on the sidewalk. there would be an ECV/stroller lane next to the sidewalk

 

[Minnie-Maniac]

Wouldn't that mean you're following too close though? If you take this to the automotive world... if you rear end the car in front of you (regardless of whether their brake lights were working or not), you're going to be "at fault".

I don't use a scooter or no one in my family has ever used one, but have seen a lot of people while at WDW using them. In a normal situation when the parks are just normally crowded if people in the scooters and people walking just stay aware of each other that would remedy a lot of the accidents. When a scooter is in an area of the park that has just finished a Parade or Fireworks show it is impossible to not be too close to others walking. It is just way too crowded. I can definitely see a lot more scooters hitting into people walking for sure.

 

[codimouse]

So much negativity towards them. I have MS. I need one. I do mot aim to hit or bump anyone however daily and hourly someone thinks its ok to jump or walk in front of me with barely enough space. Then I bump into them and they yell at me. NOT FAIR!!
I really wish I didnt have to use one. REALLY.
But do not shame those who need assistance.

 

[bsblady01]

So people getting hit is expected? And people think selfie sticks are a problem? I'm sorry, I have a problem with that. If someone jumps into the gap in front of your ECV and stands there and you can't stop, I could understand. But if I'm reading you correctly, you're following someone who stops (probably because the people in front of him stop) and it should be EXPECTED you'll hit him? Sorry, no. If we can't have ECV's in the park without expecting people to get hit, we shouldn't have ECV's in the park.

they should only allow manual wheelchairs in the parks that would fix a lot of issues

 

[katrina1122]

I look forward to the day when you, or a loved one, has to use a scooter. You will see, it's no fun driving one. Walkers don't pay any attention to you. Or they walk as quickly as possible to pass you, then slow down right in front of you and then get mad when they are hit. It's common sense people. Scooters help those of us who can't be on our feet all day. I only use them on long vacations such as Disney. Of course I feel bad if I hit you, but generally it is your fault, not mine. I've had parents run a stroller in front of me, clip the front and dump their kid. Who does that? This has happened on all of my 4 trips using a scooter. So clearly people just don't care that we are there. As for going to fast, just ask the driver to turn the speed down. They go so slow it drives my husband nuts because I can't keep up with his walking speed. Just wait until you are on the other side.

 

[katrina1122]

they should only allow manual wheelchairs in the parks that would fix a lot of issues

Um, yah. Have you pushed someone in a manual wheelchair all day. It's awful. So are you saying, because it's crowded. Everyone in scooters should wait for the entire park to clear out before we move?
Have you not heard of the ADA or logic?

 

[SLP958]

Since you say they think scooters make disabled people more disabled, what would PT people recommend for folks dealing with these diseases:
1. People in the earlier stages of ALS
2. People with moderate to somewhat advanced Parkinson's Disease

Just curious. There are stages with both of these diseases where a scooter is "helpful".

They recommend manual chairs as you still are using arms and legs in these types of chairs.

They also recommend, as much as possible, for folks to ambulate household distances and only use wheelchairs for transport or long distances.

And, just to be clear they are addressing mobility scooters that are not customized for the individual. The kind of scooters people can buy in a scooter store or off TV.

Customized electric wheelchairs are definitely needed at times but for people with severe disabilities.

 

[katrina1122]

no you can still go into the shops, but you would not be able to stay on the sidewalk. there would be an ECV/stroller lane next to the sidewalk

So that would mean there would have to be a curb cut for every entrance. And people complain about ticket prices now!

 

[katrina1122]

They recommend manual chairs as you still are using arms and legs in these types of chairs.

They also recommend, as much as possible, for folks to ambulate household distances and only use wheelchairs for transport or long distances.

And, just to be clear they are addressing mobility scooters that are not customized for the individual. The kind of scooters people can buy in a scooter store or off TV.

Customized electric wheelchairs are definitely needed at times but for people with severe disabilities.

This might be for someone a daily use basis. But for someone like me who only needs it for extreme conditions, my arm strength is not built up anymore than my ankle is for going an entire day in a manual chair.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

What about this woman in a scooter

 

[minnie mum]

they should only allow manual wheelchairs in the parks that would fix a lot of issues

Obviously written by someone who has never had to spend time in a chair. Have you any idea how hard it is to self propel a chair all day? Do you have any idea of the strength it can take to go up any kind of incline? Ever had to repeatedly attempt to make it up onto a sidewalk if the curb cut isn't just right? How many elderly or medically frail guests would be capable of this all day, every day during a vacation?

Or perhaps these guests should only be allowed to vacation if they have someone physically strong enough to push their chair for them. If they don't have someone like that, then too bad for them, they should just stay home. Really?

 

[katrina1122]

What about this woman in a scooter

She's using her horn, something someone in an earlier post requested. It's crowded, she doesn't want to hit people. I also noticed several people still stepped in front of her. What was she doing wrong?

 

[gwynne]

They recommend manual chairs as you still are using arms and legs in these types of chairs.

They also recommend, as much as possible, for folks to ambulate household distances and only use wheelchairs for transport or long distances.

And, just to be clear they are addressing mobility scooters that are not customized for the individual. The kind of scooters people can buy in a scooter store or off TV.

Customized electric wheelchairs are definitely needed at times but for people with severe disabilities.

I guess I am a bit surprised at the advice from PT people for folks with progressive degenerative neurologic disease.
This is a Disney board, discussing visits to Disney. I don't see the practicality of struggling with a manual chair on vacation for folks who are dealing with enough challenges.
Obviously, walking is great as long as someone can, safely.

 

[SLP958]

I guess I am a bit surprised at the advice from PT people for folks with progressive degenerative neurologic disease.
This is a Disney board, discussing visits to Disney. I don't see the practicality of struggling with a manual chair on vacation for folks who are dealing with enough challenges.
Obviously, walking is great as long as someone can, safely.

Progressive Neurological diseases progress even more quickly with immobility. Therefore, it makes sense to promote as much physical mobility as possible.

People in need of power chairs should be evaluated by a PT for appropriateness.

But, like I stated there is a big difference from wheelchair dependence and a mobility scooter.