I hate mobility scooters

[sam_gordon]

I look forward to the day when you, or a loved one, has to use a scooter.

Nice attitude.

Contrary to how you may have read my posts, I am not against ECVs, UNTIL it's EXPECTED that people (through no fault of their own) will get hit. I even mentioned up thread that if someone jumps in front of you and stops, I understand (and forgive) them being hit. But if you're following me out of the park after Wishes and I have to stop because there is no where for me to go, if I get hit, you better darn well believe I'm going to be upset.

And yes, I have pushed a manual wheelchair through Disney for my FIL. And no, we didn't "prep" for it. It was something that had to be done if he was going to take the trip.

Does anyone know why they DON'T put brakes on ECVs?

 

[JoeA]

Like anything, it has merits and has helped many, but folks have abused the crap out of them which gives them a bad rep.

I'm sure we've all seen the grossly overweight person load the basket with chips and ice cream at the ol' Wal-Mart and we think they're just lazy. And that perception, right or wrong, is the image a lot of people keep.

Just another stereotype, I guess.

 

[katrina1122]

I'm faith in humanity has officially dropped a level.

 

[goofyernmost]

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.

Massive bull or people that are totally in the wrong profession. As much as people are upset because the are oblivious to their surroundings and step in front of a moving vehicle there are many more that have had their lives opened up because of them. Otherwise they would be condemned to sit in a chair all day and not able to enjoy anything else.

Yes, there are some people that are just lazy, that is in every segment of society, but, to overall condemn them because of some perceived notion is moronic and heartless. All I can say is I sure hope that at some point in your life you are forced to use one and find out how much work it is to use one in a crowded area like a theme park and how much more effort is involved with it then just standing up and walking to your next place. No wonder the world is so screwed up, people that have no concern about their fellow man is a very large part of it. Let's hope it changes at some point in time.

I have been going to WDW for 32 years. In all that time I have never been hit by a single scooter. Why? Because I pay attention to where I am and don't feel that I have anymore right to the space in WDW they anyone else. When somebody says that they have been hit 6 or 7 times all I can think of is that it has one common denominator and that is the person that keeps getting hit because they put themselves in harms way.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Oh boy, it's been a while since we've had one of these.

 

[POOHsie]

Nice attitude.

Contrary to how you may have read my posts, I am not against ECVs, UNTIL it's EXPECTED that people (through no fault of their own) will get hit. I even mentioned up thread that if someone jumps in front of you and stops, I understand (and forgive) them being hit. But if you're following me out of the park after Wishes and I have to stop because there is no where for me to go, if I get hit, you better darn well believe I'm going to be upset.

And yes, I have pushed a manual wheelchair through Disney for my FIL. And no, we didn't "prep" for it. It was something that had to be done if he was going to take the trip.

Does anyone know why they DON'T put brakes on ECVs?

Of course mobility scooters have brakes. Scooters don't have a foot pedal like a car, or use a hand brake like a bike. Scooter brakes are always "on" unless the user pushes the forward or reverse throttle. That disengages the brakes. The other way to disengage the brakes is to put the scooter in neutral, usually by moving a release lever in the back. This is how CMs are able to move scooters from one parking spot to another in the parks (without using a key).

Scooters don't stop immediately when the throttle is released because the sudden stop might throw the user off the vehicle. Think of a crashing car that suddenly stops, while the driver keeps going (if not belted in).

Scooter components info: http://media.drivemedical.com/mobility-scooter-components-drive-train-brakes-and-power-system.html

 

[lanejudy]

It's the irritating people that always give a bad reputation for the nice people.

Unfortunately this is so true...as with many areas of life, it's the relatively few who cause problems with poor behavior or attitudes. The majority of people utilizing mobility aids are careful, responsible, respectful. One would hope we can all be accepting of others.

 

[Lisaloo]

Oh my word! I'm thankful to be physically healthy and not need an ECV. And I certainly don't hate them or their drivers.

 

[Julylady]

My Mom is 80. She has had twin knee replacements and a hip replacement. She is not overweight. She has been usIng a scooter for the last five years (5 trips). It is remarkable how intolerant some people are of those who require this type of assistance. She now refuses to take a scooter on a Disney bus after overhearing some horrible comments made by others waiting in line. Think about how it would feel to see your Mom/grandma in tears at a bus stop while some ignorant 30 year old guy was loudly complaining that he was sick of waiting to board the bus due to all the fakers on scooters while in line.

I can't tell you how many times people have stopped in front of my Mom, or veered in her path and then looked at her or said something as if she was in the wrong. Trust me, she wasn't.

I truly don't understand these types of complaint posts.

 

[Michy]

what about people like me who are dependent on power chair for any mobility. i wish those who are against this stuff be stuck in a chair themselves with splints on there legs and arms that prevent most movement and send them down an hill and offer no help and see how well they do. i used to use an manual chair and ended up with an broken arm in three spots cause my arm sliped between the wheel and the frame while trying to slow down on a decline cause other students cut in front of my chair. there is no way to stop or slow down right on the spot like there is with walking. ecv help those who are not yet needing the level of an power chair. i had many friends growing up who use an ecv outside for independence while using an manual chair in the house to save on there shoulders as we have been in wheelchairs since we were toddlers.

 

[Domo]

Wow, not cool. I need one when I'm doing serious walking, ie Disney. We aren't using them to run you over. You do realize they don't stop on a dime right? Yes, I've hit people, but everyone of them has stepped in front of me and stopped. Or I was slowly going behind them while walking and they just stopped. Or they actually walk into me. When driving a scooter we are aware of our surroundings because bumps, cracks, etc can catch a wheel. We have to see the curb cuts coming to get up a sidewalk, we have to know our surroundings. When walking (as I usually do), we aren't nearly aware. We just wander, stop, turn and run into things, including scooters.
Oh, and they do have horns, and I use them all the time. They also make beeping noise while backing up. No one ever pays attention to either of them.

My apologies if I upset you; I do of course support their use if the user needs them.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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

So, what about the folks, who are unable to use a wheel chair? Should they just stay home?

 

[TLSnell1981]

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.

So, they shouldn't use them on vacation?

 

[dotfurio]

I learned a lot of empathy for ECV users on a recent trip with my BFF. She has cancer and is on chemo, which led to osteoporosis, which led to her foot being broken in 2 places. She can walk, slowly over short distances, but not the kind of extensive walking done in DL. She normally does not use a wheelchair, nor does she own an ECV. She would much rather be independent and drive herself in an ECV than rely on someone to push her. I'm pretty sure her PT would've given her "permission" to use the dreaded ECV in this case. I think it's kind of extreme to imply all PTs hate them for all circumstances. Walking around a theme park is not the same as running an errand, and I assure you it has not made her more disabled to use one.

We were there on a day when it really wasn't even that crowded, but I can't tell you how difficult it was to maneuver down the streets as people kept cutting in front of her ECV and she kept having to stop to avoid hitting them. To be honest I've probably been one of those people before. I know some ECV users get pushy, I've experienced that, too, but maybe it's because after so long with so many inconsiderate able-bodied persons cutting them off they decide to just plow forward rather than not move at all.

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

I'm faith in humanity has officially dropped a level.

Please keep your faith! There are many of us who will gladly share the park with scooters.

 

[Daisy62]

There was one in the Keys To The Kingdom tour group that started before ours last year. We kept catching up to that group because of the slowdown it caused. I think we missed a ride we were supposed to go on because of this. It's a walking tour and the description states you must be able to be on your feet for hours. It was very inconsiderate.

It isn't inconsiderate. I just made a reservation for this tour and specifically asked if ECVS are allowed and the CM said if course. My mom, in her late 70s has been wanting to do this tour for years but we waited til my 16 y/o was allowed. Now my mom needs and ECV to go to Disney and will be taking it on the tour. We won't feel one bit guilty either. Your post was very rude.

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

My apologies if I upset you; I do of course support their use if the user needs them.

Seriously- your title is I hate scooters. I think you were deliberately trying to upset people. Just own up to it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

There was one in the Keys To The Kingdom tour group that started before ours last year. We kept catching up to that group because of the slowdown it caused. I think we missed a ride we were supposed to go on because of this. It's a walking tour and the description states you must be able to be on your feet for hours. It was very inconsiderate.

Oh please. DH and I both drove ECV's on the KTTK tour. Before signing up we made sure that ECV's were allowed. Our guide was very pleasant and called them our "royal carriages." And no, we didn't slow down anyone else. There were a couple of places we needed to use an elevator while the rest of the group used stairs, but that's life.

 

[Domo]

Seriously- your title is I hate scooters. I think you were deliberately trying to upset people. Just own up to it.

Well, I do hate them. I'm not trying to make you hate them. And merely hating them does not mean that they do not have legitimate uses. I can assure you that I'm not trying to stir the pot

 

[Missy1961]

My Mom is 80. She has had twin knee replacements and a hip replacement. She is not overweight. She has been usIng a scooter for the last five years (5 trips). It is remarkable how intolerant some people are of those who require this type of assistance. She now refuses to take a scooter on a Disney bus after overhearing some horrible comments made by others waiting in line. Think about how it would feel to see your Mom/grandma in tears at a bus stop while some ignorant 30 year old guy was loudly complaining that he was sick of waiting to board the bus due to all the fakers on scooters while in line.

I can't tell you how many times people have stopped in front of my Mom, or veered in her path and then looked at her or said something as if she was in the wrong. Trust me, she wasn't.

I truly don't understand these types of complaint posts.

I agree with you. I have a friend who has mobility issues, but she won't use a scooter because of the comments on threads like this, and the attitudes of some people. It's sad, really.