Jazzy Select - Apple Scooters

[Heva2015]

Hi

I was looking at renting the Jazzy Select powerchair for my trip in April and just wondered if anyone had any experience of it...for example, does it break down at all to fit in a vehicle?

Thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

No, it does not.
There are a few power wheelchairs that fold for transport, but the great majority do not and none of the rental ones do.

This is a link to more information about the Jazzy Select:
http://www.pridemobility.com/jazzy/jazzyselect.asp

You would need to use WDW transportation with a power wheelchair - WDW buses, monorail and larger boats. There is more information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

if you want to transport by car, you will need to rent a scooter (ECV). Apple has a smaller GO GO Elite scooter that should meet your needs. There is a 3 and a 4 wheel version available. Those smaller scooters are quite a bit more maneuverable, especially the 3 wheel model.

If you have never used a power wheelchair, I would highly recommend NOT renting one. (You can ignore the next 3 paragraphs if you are experienced).

They take more practice to learn to drive than a scooter - mostly because everything is controlled with a single joystick. It controls speed, going forward, going backward, turning - all with the one joystick at the same time, depending on how far you push it and the exact direction you push it. For example, if you are pushing the joystick forward, but at a bit of an angle, you will turn. If the wheelchair is turned on and the joystick is bumped, it will go in the direction the joystick is bumped.

Compare that to a scooter where steering is controlled with a yoke - kind of like a bicycle handlebar in how it works - and a throttle that controls speed. In order to go forward, you have to actively operate the throttle. If you don't activate the throttle, it won't go, even if you bump the yoke. You need to actively change a control that coverts it to go backwards, so it won't go backwards by mistake.

For those reasons, most of the rental companies will only rent a power wheelchair to someone who has experience. Even if a company will rent one, I would still advise against it. There is more information in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature to get there.

 

[Heva2015]

Ah thanks for your help!

I feel a bit put off the ecv because I am larger but I'm also handicapped following cancer. The misconception seems to be if you're bigger you're using it because of your weight and I hate people looking at me like that - stupid I know!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I've rented the Jazzy Select from Apple. It definitely doesn't break down at all. I do want to agree with Sue on needing experience with a powerchair. I rent because I can't easily get my chair down to Florida. I wouldn't ever want a first powerchair experience to be at WDW.

Also, if you're Pooh-sized, I'm not sure how comfortable the Jazzy Selects from Apple would be. I don't find them to be too big and I have a pretty standard adult 18x18" seat measurement. I don't know what their exact seating size is or if they have larger ones for those who need them, they certainly didn't ask for my size when I rented.

To be honest, the people who are going to judge you for using an ECV would judge you for using a powerchair. When I've used my manual chair at WDW (a very customized ultra-light chair that was $4k and built specifically to my needs), I've gotten looks for getting out of it to go on rides just because I'm in my 20s and when I'm not in my wheelchair it's not obvious that I have an impairment. My best advice is to focus on having fun using whatever you need to do so and you won't even notice the people who are too focused on being nasty to have fun ;-)

 

[peemagg]

I have the scooter that Apple rents and will be traveling with it for the 4th time in January. I am also only 42 and am pooh sized and have never had any issues with anyone being nasty or making comments. If they did I never heard or saw them. My disability is also an invisible one.

I would go ahead and get the ECV and forget about what others might think or say. You don't know them and they don't know you. It doesn't matter what they think, it only matters that you are able to enjoy your vacation.

 

[KGK]

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

Cheshire -- Thank you Thank you Thank you. Still dreading my trip because I'm a first time ECV user and no one seems to know the proper procedures for the buses etc. Your thoughts (which I have seen before) are a wonderful reminder that I WILL have a good trip.

KGK
DAV (Disabled American Veteran, Life Member)

 

[Tony NY]

i rented the jazzy 610 lasut Aug from them and I loved it but it is not a tralvle cahir you it wights a lot and u need tool to take off the seat to but it in a car

don't say that KGK the ECV will make your trip more enjoyable for you and it will take the strain off your body on the + side lol you will alwasy ahave a good seat for wishes ... god blesss you for your services to our countury

 

[rj137]

Not too sure about the Jazzy but I'm a pretty big guy and always rent the heavy duty extended range chair that walkermobility has. Lots of power and hasn't let me down even on super long days, I have one reserved for new years trip in a few weeks and looking forward to using it again, absolute pleasure to ride.

 

[Heva2015]

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

Thank you so much - I know you're right!