Judging a Book by it's Cover *rant*

[HisBeautyHerBeast]

I love WDW, it is my escape from all reality, and over time I'm sure you'll get to learn that about me! But... There is one thing that turns me away from Disney every... single... time.

I am young, 21 years old, and when you look at me I look like a perfectly normal 21 year old girl. And that's where most people are wrong. I actually suffer from multiple brain/neurological conditions, a heart deformity/disease, severe anxiety, arthritis, severe scoliosis, and many other things going on. I've had 2 brain surgeries, 2 surgeries on my left hip that needs a replacement (which they won't do because I am still too young for it to be covered), stomach surgery, and ENT surgery.
I also have spine surgery, heart surgery, and a possible brain surgery in my near future.
I fight for my life every day, but I manage, I am always in constant pain and always fatigued.

My DBF and I went to Disney in February and we had dinner at Crystal Palace. Everything was running pretty late and the waiter was nowhere to be found, but it was right before the fireworks. The fireworks are my thing! I can NOT miss the fireworks EVER! So after we finally paid the check we had 2 minutes to get outside to see the fireworks. We had been in the parks all day, and I was in the wheelchair, but I opted to experience the fireworks on my own two feet! (I can be very stubborn) When we got outside, we were in an apparent "walkway" and instead of a CM nicely telling us, I got screamed at. My DBF and I started to walk away to get out of the walkway, and I have an a very clear limp and cannot walk fast, yet the CM followed us still screaming that we need to move. Can you say embarrassed?! We went back to the room and I cried the rest of the night. Regardless, the firework show was ruined. WDW guest relations were very apologetic and I was fine. Not everyone can be perfect!

Then it happened again... We stayed this past week and I was confined to a wheelchair the entire time, I was just in the hospital for 4 days the week before for my heart not functioning correctly, and not getting enough oxygen.
One night, we decided to go to BLT to watch the Wishes firework show, since we had only seen the Hollowishes show this visit.
We had relaxed all day, I felt I would be capable of traveling there without the chair and feel some sense of normalcy in my favorite place in the world. We saw the show and decided to go to Boardwalk and explore a bit. We decided once we got to the resort, we would get a temporary chair and take a taxi back to our resort (AKL-KV). We took a bus from Contemporary to MK and transferred to a bus to BWV. While we were waiting for the bus to BWV, the line was really long. I kept squeezing my DBF's hand because I couldn't catch my breath, but I was okay. We got to the front of the line, and the bus was PACKED. There was no way I could stand on a crowded, moving bus so we decided to wait for the next one and lean on the rail, and try to catch my breath. (Yeah I know, I should've been in the wheelchair, but I told you I'm stubborn! :little angel:
After telling the person directing people onto the bus that we would wait for the next one, his exact response was "really?" We laughed it off and said yes we will wait. He looked at the people on the bus and said to them "Guess these two don't want to stand, whatever" then as the bus left, he says "why couldn't you stand? You're young" Not that it is any of his business, I said "well I've had two brain surgeries" He snickered and said "standing's good for you" and I just responded with "not for me" and said "well now you have to wait so."
Again... The embarrassment was unreal, tears welled up in my eyes and my DBF just held me.

I get the fact that I look perfectly "fine" but in reality, my body is very ill. I just cannot believe that this continues to be an issue for me, comments and questioning are so embarrassing. I didn't ask to be sick, I was born this way. I'm wondering if I need to start carrying documentation on me. Besides all of the dirty looks I get from guests while in the wheelchair, or kids asking their parents why do I get a wheelchair and their answers are "she doesn't want to walk" HA!

Sorry for such a long story, I guess the moral is as old as time, never judge a book by it's cover!

 

[FaithsWish]

I'm so sorry this happened.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm sorry this happened to you That is not right. I, myself have autism so I understand.

 

[goofy77]

I am so sorry that this happened to you. The next time some one even saids anything to you just ask them if you would like to switch lives with you and then you can feel like I feel. Lets see how you would like to feel like shyt all of the time like I do. You are nicer then me because I would tell the to go to hll and then run them over with the wheel chair

 

[disney david]

I would of just told the driver you wanted to wait for the next bus and didn't want to stand. Or next time hat happens and it a bus driver tell them I don't want to stand and have a right to have a safe ride thanks to the dot. And have no problem calling the dot to file a complaint saying your operating this bus in a unsafe manor that will shut them up.

I am sorry that happened I think the driver was trying to joke but once found out should stop and apologized. He should never said anything you want to wait for the next bus that your right and choice. I just said I wait for the next bus and if he kept going say I what for yours manager of you want.

Please don't let it ruin your experiences with buses not all drivers are like that. Did you get his name and bus number and dot number and report him to Disney. Disney will take it very seriously and talk to the driver and get his side and then after that they will most likely discipline him.

 

[bidnow5]

Sorry this happened to you unfortunately some people are just uninformed. I've been dealing with the you look healthy issue for a long time I would get the name and report them. We had a problem in May 2013 I went to guest services with his name they were supposed to retrain him ( I hope they did)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is a shame, but you really cannot expect strangers to understand your medical issues, especially if you look fine. It will be easier for you if you try to develop a thicker skin and try not to take things so personally. Why do you care what a bus driver or some random person thinks?

Next time, use your wheelchair. There's nothing wrong with needing a little help. Good luck.

 

[M5ward]

I am angry for you...and sorry that you have to be subjected to this kind of treatment. First, I would be noting names of cast members and then writing a letter of complaint. At the very least you should be able to count on some understanding from them. By now, everyone knows, or should know, that you can't determine a person's disability by looking at them.
When my husband first started having to rely on an ECV to visit the parks, he got a lot of "that's a great way to travel" and "must save your feet from hurting" kind of comments. He doesn't get that so much anymore because he now looks ill. Like him, I know that you would rather be able to enjoy WDW on your own two feet, not struggling for breath or feeling tired.
DON'T LET THESE EVENTS DETRACT FROM YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS SPECIAL PLACE.
Do you need to develop a thicker skin? Easier said than done. People need to develop a sense of empathy.

 

[ttintagel]

Man, that ticks me off.

The thing is, people shouldn't HAVE to realize that a stranger has a medical issue in order to treat them with simple respect and courtesy. Once the OP told the CM they would wait for the next bus, he should have just said, "OK," and let that be the end of it, no matter what he secretly thought about them. Period.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Man, that ticks me off.

The thing is, people shouldn't HAVE to realize that a stranger has a medical issue in order to treat them with simple respect and courtesy. Once the OP told the CM they would wait for the next bus, he should have just said, "OK," and let that be the end of it, no matter what he secretly thought about them. Period.

Exactly! Some people just talk too much. Their mouths open and stuff runs out. Sometimes these are people who really shouldn't be in customer service positions (or they need some serious re-training). I'm sorry this happens to you so much, OP!
I have children with visible and invisible disabilities. We haven't really had much trouble with rude comments, maybe because they are children?

 

[Twende]

I am sorry. Some people are just not knowledgeable about things.

My disabilities are mostly hidden, I too look fairly normal. Because of some medical problems I usually need a bathroom with a sink by the toilet. I also have trouble getting up and down off a low toilet so the ones with grip bars that are also higher are best for me. Plus the higher the toilet the better as my crazy bladder empties better when I am upright. Things get to be a mess if I urinate on a low seat and then try to stand up. Oh yeah life is fun sometimes.

But I had someone give me a hard time about waiting for a bathroom in DHS. I waited a good 15 minutes, which I understand there where 2 adults and 2 wheel chair only children. It takes a while and I understand that. But as one of the women came out she yelled at me for waiting for the "handicapped" bathroom.

I explained to her that not all "handicaps" are visible and that I needed the sink by the toilet because of my medical problem and then I gave her the medical term for my condition which I normally do not do. I was ticked that she of all people would question me.

I hate it when people do this. Try not to let it ruin your experiences but I do understand!

 

[Kellykins1218]

Weird, people wait for the next bus all the time.

 

[bidnow5]

I've been yelled at for using the handicap bathroom I just don't understand people passing judgement on strangers. I haven't had many problems in Disney but here locally I've had a bunch. I had a family follow me all over a Walmart with the father repeatedly saying I was just fat and lazy and shouldn't be using a scooter. It was so bad I had to leave the store. What kind of lesson was that idiot teaching his children.

 

[ttintagel]

We haven't really had much trouble with rude comments, maybe because they are children?

As much as it annoys me to admit it, I think some people really are that way. There are accommodations I'm routinely denied at WDW, but I'm always reading comments from people with children who say, "Oh, we just say we need to do [X], and they always say yes; it's never been a problem."

 

[olwyngdh]

I've been yelled at for using the handicap bathroom I just don't understand people passing judgement on strangers. I haven't had many problems in Disney but here locally I've had a bunch. I had a family follow me all over a Walmart with the father repeatedly saying I was just fat and lazy and shouldn't be using a scooter. It was so bad I had to leave the store. What kind of lesson was that idiot teaching his children.

My response to people like that is usually along the lines of I may be fat, but at least I am not an unmannered Neanderthal.

 

[North of Mouse]

Weird, people wait for the next bus all the time.

You are so right! We have done it several times. We won't see 60 again, so the times we have gotten on a full bus (few times, and no more) younger people will insist on giving us their seats. While that is a very noble, sweet gesture, I don't won't to put them in that position as I 'know' they are tired also, got a seat when it was available, and 'deserve' it!

We gladly wait for the next bus and don't mind at all - don't remember being questioned about it either. We are able bodied thankfully, but tired and plan to sit, but not at other's expense.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I have an invisible disability also, other than a limp that I have been accused of faking. I also get the fat and lazy comments when using a scooter. I also have been told I need to develop a thicker skin. What I don't understand is why I am expected to change my ways (ie. develop the thicker skin, carry a sign that says I'm truly disabled, etc.). Why don't we, as a society, expect those "unknowledgeable" folks, or rude people, who are making these comments and judgments to change THEIR ways? Why does nobody stand up and tell them THEY are wrong? These comments are made around a crowd of people, yet I've never heard anyone say anything to the offender.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have an invisible disability also, other than a limp that I have been accused of faking. I also get the fat and lazy comments when using a scooter. I also have been told I need to develop a thicker skin. What I don't understand is why I am expected to change my ways (ie. develop the thicker skin, carry a sign that says I'm truly disabled, etc.). Why don't we, as a society, expect those "unknowledgeable" folks, or rude people, who are making these comments and judgments to change THEIR ways? Why does nobody stand up and tell them THEY are wrong? These comments are made around a crowd of people, yet I've never heard anyone say anything to the offender.

I recommend that you develop a thicker skin and try not to be bothered by the comments of others because your behavior and feelings are the only ones over which you have any control. You can't change other people.

 

[wilkeliza]

I feel terrible for the way the bus loader treated you. That was completely unacceptable and he should have just let the next party pass you.

Now Main Street it could be a miss understanding. I've worked that exact position and we are specifically told to use higher voices due to the music and fireworks to tell guest to keep moving when in the walk way. It can sometimes come off as rude but if the area is not in constant motion it because a fire code issue that Disney can get in trouble for. Also that area just so happens to be an area some CMs pace and say the same sentence over and over. If they were using the pacing way of keeping the crowd going I can see how it would make someone feel like they were followed when that was not the intent. I know I usually used the pace method there because it got crazy until support made it there after the Main Street electrical parade but sometimes no support comes and you have 2 CMs trying to keep everyone in that area in the proper zones.Unless the CM was specifically yelling something that might draw attention to you I would think he was just doing what he was told which is to constantly say the same thing over and over so people get the point that they can't stand or stop in that area.

 

[Allison]

May I point out that people are referring to the bus driver but the OP referred to the person helping to load the bus, not the bus driver.

After telling the person directing people onto the bus that we would wait for the next one, his exact response was "really?" We laughed it off and said yes we will wait. He looked at the people on the bus and said to them "Guess these two don't want to stand, whatever" then as the bus left, he says "why couldn't you stand? You're young" Not that it is any of his business, I said "well I've had two brain surgeries" He snickered and said "standing's good for you" and I just responded with "not for me" and said "well now you have to wait so."