Inconsiderate people!

[daughtersrus]

We just returned from our trip. Three situtations upset us.


The first is something that my oldest daughter (15) overheard in the bathroom at Ft Wilderness. Two ladies were talking. One had just checked in. The other lady said that the best advice that she could offer was to spend the money and rent a wheelchair eventhough they didn't need one so that they wouldn't have to wait in certain lines. She said that she had done that and they had taken turns "riding" in it. My daughter wanted to say something to them but felt intimidated since "she's just a kid". She came back almost crying because she knows the struggles that her little sister has.

The second one was trying to get on the monorail after MK. It was like herding cows to the slaughter. We ran into a few people that literally climbed over my daughter in her wheelchair so that they could get further up the line. She is very tiny (32lbs) so her chair sits low to the ground. With all of the people surrounding her, she was having a hard time getting some fresh air. We worked our way to the outside of the mass just so that she could breathe.

One last complaint is with the WDW bus service. We stayed at FW and found that not all of the buses are handicapped acessible. We were not able to get on the first bus to AK since it didn't have a lift. It did have tie downs but the driver wouldn't let us carry her on and then tie down the chair. We waited about an hour for the next bus to come. By then, a huge group had formed and they basically pushed onto the bus. We were the first ones waiting for the bus but still had to stand. We overheard a few people complain that there would be more seats if they didn't have to "waste" them on wheelchairs. (there was also another young girl in a chair). Some people just don't get it, do they!


Diane

 

[SueM in MN]

We've had some of the same experiences thru the years, so I can fully understand.
For the first situation, at least there are not that many rides where someone can "cheat" in a wheelchair, so they will find themselves waiting in lines a lot more than not. I always have a secret hope that the people who are truly "cheaters" will find out some time just what it's like to really need a wheelchair.
For the bus, we've had almost the same comment directed toward our DD and her wheelchair. Almost all the buses have working lifts, but there are a few with no lift or (like the first one that came for you), a lift that didn't work. It would have been nice if the first driver had radio'd in so that the next driver had known that your family was there first. They usually load wheelchairs first at each stop, but it doesn't sound like they did that for you.
Anyway,{{{{hugs}}}} to you and your family.

 

[Talking Hands]

No Diane some people don't think. I have had the same thing happen to me on occasion. Nasty comments by other guests.
As to the hour wait for the bus. That is inexcusable. First you should have been loaded first when the bus got there. Second the driver on the bus without a lift should have radioed for a bus to be sent to pick you up. Sorry you had to go through that.

 

[JudithM]

Diane, sorry these three situations occurred. Some people are very insensitive to others. There is no excuse for rudeness.

Sue is right that just because one is in a wheelchair, does not mean you get to the head of the line - many people are under the impression they do.

I find when I drive the ECV that about the only guests who really see me are the young - being short they are more at my height. I can only imagine how your daughter felt because from what you said she is even lower.

I hope the rest of your vacation was magical!

 

[Nanajo1]

Some folks just don't get it. I can imagine if they ever really need to use a w/c they would be the first to complain if they sense someone else was "cheating." I have to work very hard not to wish bad things on those folks. Hope you were able to put these incidents aside and have a good trip.

 

[mhopset]

I had the same thing happen to me. Usually I don't say anything, but you know when you get to that point, and you think "Thats it". Well I pulled right up to the jerk and told him. "Anytime you want to trade buddy you just let me know. I will be hapy to walk the parks all day, and be tired when I get back to the room. You on the other hand can sit in this stupid scooter for the rest of your life."

Poor guy was dumbstruct, had no idea what to say.
Some people are just plain stupid. Don't worry about it, but for God's sake don't take it.

 

[s&k'smom]

I'm so sorry daughterrus you had those things happen. When I hear stories like that all I can think of is "if only you walked in my shoes". My DS (who just turned six) is mildly autistic and we plan to use the GAC card. I only hope that we don't run into anything like that but I'll try to remember to keep my cool and hold onto my DH who may not use, how can I put it, appropriate language.

 

[Figment1964]

Originally posted by s&k'smom
I'm so sorry daughterrus you had those things happen. When I hear stories like that all I can think of is "if only you walked in my shoes". My DS (who just turned six) is mildly autistic and we plan to use the GAC card. I only hope that we don't run into anything like that but I'll try to remember to keep my cool and hold onto my DH who may not use, how can I put it, appropriate language.

We're planning on using the GAC with our 9 yo son who has Asperger Syndrome and I am somewhat concerned about any comments that might come our way because he doesn't "look" disabled. I'm a very mild mannered person until it comes to someone messing with my kids! I'm planning on my comeback already, something similar to what mhopset said about trading places with them. Although I'll suggest that it be their child with autism and mine able-bodied and my being willing to stand in any length of line, etc.

 

[SueM in MN]

mhopset, you are responsible for me getting food on my desk because I was laughing so hard at the thought of that guy's face (and I was eating lunch at the time).

Anyway, some people are so clueless that we have heard people say that they think our DD is "cheating". She can't even stand up, has a custom manual wheelchair that was about $6,000, a custom power one that cost about $10,000 and a augmentative communication device that cost around $7,000. I'd like the ones who thought we were "cheating" to pay our co-pay for some of our equipment sometime.
By the way, the last person who we heard saying he thought she was cheating, said it because he saw her sitting on a bench, wiht her legs crossed, swinging one of her legs. Since she was sitting there and her wheelchair was next to her, he concluded that she was "cheating" . Never mind that she can't get onto the bench by herself, or even cross her legs by herself. But she does look pretty normal sitting there on the bench.

Soooo, don't worry about what other people may think. They just think, you know.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

How could anyone be that stupid? And the whole cheating thing amazes me. I'm perfectly ablebodied and had never even considered the idea that people would cheat by using wheelchairs until a trip we took to WDW 5 years ago with my sister and her family. We pushed 'Boo' in a wheelchair borrowed from their resort. He'd just finished 12 months of chemo for rhabdomyosarcoma and had NO energy at all. He was scrawny and bald, pale with huge dark circles under his little 5 1/2 year old eyes. He refused a stroller (he said he was too big). People made comments once or twice about HIM needing a wheelchair, they must have been blind AND stupid. But we did in fact keep running into a family with a w/c and each time there was someone else riding and racing. Even then I didn't judge, who knows their story? Sheesh!

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, I don't understand how someone who doesn't NEED a wheelchair would ever be able to rent one in good conscience. I guess some people are just lousy and no good. I also don't understand how ANYONE can be so rude as to make comments about people who need wheelchairs. How utterly rotten, nasty, and insensitive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[SueM in MN]

Maybe I should alter my phrase to : They just think that they think, but you know.

 

[s&k'smom]

Disneydoll good point. I can't even imagine going up the wheelchair line and renting one just to "cheat". If I did that my mother would smack me right upside the head.

Hey Sue only 17,000 worth of equipment! Sure you need the GAC?

 

[SueM in MN]

Hey Sue only 17,000 worth of equipment! Sure you need the GAC?

Well, I estimated low. Do you think I need to add the $17,000 worth of accessibility equipment on our van?

 

[Poohnatic]

I'm very fortunate, while I've got numerous medical conditions, none are affecting my mobility . I did have a severe complication after having my son Neil and spent a month in a wheelchair. While I always felt I was understanding of the situation, I gained even more compassion for those who use wheelchairs long term....invisible is an understatement! Wheelchair ramps clogged with people using them as a gathering place...it has made me make the extra effort, hoping that I will make up for someone else's lack of consideration.

Neil has Asperger'. Thanks to this group, I learned of the GAC and we used it on our trip in June. I never had a bad CM experience, even had some go out of their way to accomodate. I really didn't care what other guests thought, but I was prepared for someone to make a comment. Fortunately, that hasn't happened yet! As Mr T would say "I pity the fool..."

Suzanne

 

[s&k'smom]

Sue, very funny Good thing we can laugh!

 

[DisneyAnna]

With regard to the responsess made when rude insensitice people fell it is their *RIGHT* to voice their opinion regarding a disability.....
There was a time a few years back that I thought I would take my mother (cancer patient) and 2 kids (autistic son/gifted daughter) to a local craft show to get out and enjoy the beautiful Fall weather.
All was fine, until my son spotted the play area, and decided that he had had enough of the arts and crafts and he wanted to play--
Now, I'm trying to help my mother walk slowly up the aisles, and keep an eye on the kids...(I admit, it was not one of my finer ideas!)
Anyhow, my DS had a meltdown right in the middle of the aisle, and while I ws trying to help him work through it, I overheard an older *lady* tell her companion "That kids needs a good SLAP!!"
Okay--deep breath--my mother tries to tell me to ignore it, but alas, I cannot!
I turned to the old bitty, and told her that "That child is Autistic, and if she knows better how to handle the situation, I'll listen ALL DAY, but until she knows what it's like in my shoes, she should keep her mouth shut and keep on stepping!"
Gotta tell ya, that felt SSOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!
Sorry this is so lengthy, but I just want you all to know that your kids are aware of more than we know--and if you don't stand up for them, who will?

.........again, i preach...............sorry!

 

[s&k'smom]

Good one Disneyanna!

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree.

 

[mhopset]

DisneyAnna, you are my kinda woman!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!