Just back and kinda shocked

[jrc-elpaso]

Now I can say I've learned one more thing here. Never having used an ECV (is that right?) I wasn't aware they didn't have brakes. Guess I just figured they should have them. Being an avid photographer I think I may generally be more aware of what goes on around me so you shouldn't have any problems with me walking in front of you. And I definitely won't ignore you.

 

[a1tinkfans]

For every Rotten Apple out there OP, there are TONS more that are Caring and Understanding and Considerate too!!

Its bad enough in a wheelchair or ECV but having a Non Visible Disability GEEZE, thats a Whole 'Nother Segment of Nasty People, unfortunately...

But in my experience at Disney, the Kind People FAR outweigh the nasty ones.
Glad it did not ruin your trip and By the way...
God Bless to you and yours!

 

[Mskanga]

My daughter did disneyland with a scooter and a GAC for two days without her MAW pin....or shirt....you should have seen the stares of some people , one of them even said something and I told them I would gladly switch with them but besides the scooter and the GAC card they also had to take my daughter's cancer.....that shut them right up !

 

[SueM in MN]

Now I can say I've learned one more thing here. Never having used an ECV (is that right?) I wasn't aware they didn't have brakes. Guess I just figured they should have them. Being an avid photographer I think I may generally be more aware of what goes on around me so you shouldn't have any problems with me walking in front of you. And I definitely won't ignore you.

Most people assume they do have brakes.

ECVs and power wheelchairs have brakes - sort of. When you stop sending power to the motor, it does sort of an electronic engine brake. But, it doesn't have brakes in the sense that most people think about brakes = step on them to stop.

 

[pampam]

How are the light's powered? Where can we get them? Please describe the pompom's better. How big are they? Are they fastened to the wheel centers or on the arm rests?

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I call them fairy lights now - of course

Ha ha! I will turn the whole world British!

My daughter did disneyland with a scooter and a GAC for two days without her MAW pin....or shirt....you should have seen the stares of some people , one of them even said something and I told them I would gladly switch with them but besides the scooter and the GAC card they also had to take my daughter's cancer.....that shut them right up !

It's people like this that make me rethink the statement 'violence doesn't solve anything'. I'm so sorry you had to be burdened with their stupidity when you were on a trip to get away from everything

How are the light's powered? Where can we get them? Please describe the pompom's better. How big are they? Are they fastened to the wheel centers or on the arm rests?

Right, the lights are powered by a rechargable battery pack, attached to a little solar panel. The panel is about 11 cm (4") diameter, and about 4cm (1 1/2") thick. I'm planning to fit the panel onto the back of my chair, so it can charge up during the day then shine all night ! These lights are going to go around the frame, and I'm going to have separate lights on each of the wheels.

The long string of lights I got from Sainsbury's supermarket, here in the UK, but I'm sure there will be places in the US where you could find them too. Just make sure they are suitable for outdoor use! The lights for the wheels are actually the LED necklaces sold on the carts at Disney - one for each wheel and set to the 'spin' setting, so it looks like you're tearing along at speed

The pom poms were actually just cut off the top of some cheap kids' pens I found. Each one is a feathery ball (about 1" diameter) on a stretchy stalk, a lot like the plastic Chinese finger traps. I tied each stalk to one of my wheel spokes, so they went around like Ben Hur knives! When it rained, though, they did look like rather sad and bedraggled. I'll try and remember to dig them out and take a photo of them when I get home.

 

[ccmy3sons]

My 1st trip to wdw was my honeymoon, dh has been several times before. we went in mid-october. I waited for 2 hrs in the sun right in front of the castle to see the afternoon parade..10 min. before the parade started a mom with a double stroller pushed her way right up front to curb where i was completely sunburned, smiling and waiting to see my 1 wdw parade.. she says to me, " It's their 1st time here, so you should move and let them sit." I explain to her that I have been waiting 2 hrs in the sun to see this and it's my 1st time too!!. she pushed the stroller in to my back (and left a nice bruise). as politely as I could at that point, i turned ans said, " if you want to have them sit on the curb next to me that's fine I will scoot over, but I am not getting up so you can put your stroller there!" so I sat next 2 the cuties and enjoyed the parade, she thanked me afterward!!!
we are going back in oct. with my ds, who is sensory boy, and my mil who has had hip replacement. I am concerned about the rudeness of people for both of them. I just hope that we can all smile and enjoy..(my ds4 and ds3 are going for 1st time, YAY)
I agree that we just need to shrug it off, but boy sometimes it's hard..even at the happiest place on earth, LOL!!!

so excited!!!

 

[blondietink]

Every time we go to WDW there is at least one family from NYC or NJ who deliberately follows us around to every park and walks right in front of our DS's wheelchair and I always clip them in the ankles, which leads to a heated arugument. Usually I get sick of this behavior (in every park with the same rude family) and finally tell them that I would be happy to watch their children for the afternoon in exchange for them watching my 2 disabled children for the afternoon, or better yet a complete exchange of children. This usually shuts up the rude people and they avoid us thereafter.

 

[KPeveler]

Every time we go to WDW there is at least one family from NYC or NJ who deliberately follows us around to every park and walks right in front of our DS's wheelchair and I always clip them in the ankles, which leads to a heated arugument. Usually I get sick of this behavior (in every park with the same rude family) and finally tell them that I would be happy to watch their children for the afternoon in exchange for them watching my 2 disabled children for the afternoon, or better yet a complete exchange of children. This usually shuts up the rude people and they avoid us thereafter.

I once had a woman clip me in my wc with her stroller so she could get to the HA stall in the bathroom before I could... she came in after me, and never took the kid out of the stroller... she may have needed the rails or something, but i was there first, and strollers are not bumper cars!

 

[pudge the fish]

I would be considered a 4 pointer being hit by stroller, scooter or WC


in all seriousness tho, I have very, VERY limited Peripheral vision and honestly if you are on my right side, you had better be a good foot in front of me or I will, as my family says Do a "turn curve" right in front of you.. and I have done this and yep I have been hit by a ECV.. not bad- a scrape here and there.. and at night forget it.. I may NOT see you till it's too late

(They make me walk in the middle of the group these days, when we have a group )

I have been screamed at by people- the most common is
"what do you mean you didn't see me.. How can you NOT see me?"

So not everyone is being rude walking in front of wheels
But most are

 

[DISboardser]

I've not had bad experiences using my power chair from home. I've ran over a few feet that were put under my chair and had a few near misses when someone pushed their child or pushed themselves into my path.

And as a cautious user of my power chair (don't even ding the baseboards or scuff the walls at my house) I have found it difficult to navigate simply going straight. I find that staying at the edge of...road, walkway, wall, etc. helps. People see me coming- they really should move. But I usually can just get behind a group of people walking in my same direction, keep their pace...and have no problem. But if someone walks into me- well, they shouldn't have made that choice.

If I'm in line and someone tries to 'inch' to get infront of me when they clearly know I got into the food line/ride line- whatever before they arrived, I simply remind them to stay back as I'd hate to run over their feet and that they can see my wheels better than I can see their feet.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I would be considered a 4 pointer being hit by stroller, scooter or WC


in all seriousness tho, I have very, VERY limited Peripheral vision and honestly if you are on my right side, you had better be a good foot in front of me or I will, as my family says Do a "turn curve" right in front of you.. and I have done this and yep I have been hit by a ECV.. not bad- a scrape here and there.. and at night forget it.. I may NOT see you till it's too late

(They make me walk in the middle of the group these days, when we have a group )

I have been screamed at by people- the most common is
"what do you mean you didn't see me.. How can you NOT see me?"

So not everyone is being rude walking in front of wheels
But most are

After you've been on wheels for a while, you can often spot the difference between the people who didn't see you, and the people who didn't look. The worst ones are the ones that look straight at you, and then decide to walk across anyway . But, if ever I do meet you, and don't realise that you didn't see me, I'm sorry if I start shouting out points!

If I'm in line and someone tries to 'inch' to get infront of me when they clearly know I got into the food line/ride line- whatever before they arrived, I simply remind them to stay back as I'd hate to run over their feet and that they can see my wheels better than I can see their feet.

When this happens to me, I either hold on to the hand rail on either side (or, if it's a wide queue like the Safari, I'll hold hands with the fella, and we'll each hold a rail), or tell people I'm an evil wheelchair user. This one works in all sorts of situations, including when people try to put luggage in the wheelchair space on trains, while I'm sitting in it; or when people lean on my wheelchair when sitting on the ground beside me (friends and family are allowed to, but not complete strangers). Tell them you're evil, and have no problems with running them over (and their little dog too), and watch them move!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

When this happens to me, I either hold on to the hand rail on either side (or, if it's a wide queue like the Safari, I'll hold hands with the fella, and we'll each hold a rail), or tell people I'm an evil wheelchair user. This one works in all sorts of situations, including when people try to put luggage in the wheelchair space on trains, while I'm sitting in it; or when people lean on my wheelchair when sitting on the ground beside me (friends and family are allowed to, but not complete strangers). Tell them you're evil, and have no problems with running them over (and their little dog too), and watch them move! [/QUOTE]

Sort of off your topic, but DD5 is in a wheelchair/stroller. People dart in front of us, I have run over feet and ankles despite trying not to, but then they are in such a hurry they feel they are entitled to get in front of us no matter what. They act like it is our fault when they get hurt. While riding the busses I have had rude people actually lean on the wheelchair/stroller with all their weight (adults, not children), they stand sometimes 2 at a time in the space between me and my DD where the straps are holding the wheelchair securely tied down in the bus, and, yes there have been some who put their belongings in the wheelchair space while DD is sitting in it. There have been folks holding drinks over my princess' head (once it was coffee, Yikes!!) with one hand, while they are holding the rail overhead with their other hand. And then there are those who see nothing wrong with putting their butts in her face while they are holding the rail with one hand, I have to watch to make sure they don't actually sit down on her pretty little face. Some people are just rude and feel entitled no matter what!!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

While riding the busses I have had rude people actually lean on the wheelchair/stroller with all their weight (adults, not children), they stand sometimes 2 at a time in the space between me and my DD where the straps are holding the wheelchair securely tied down in the bus,

My favourite is when people stand on my safety belt (the one that the driver puts over your shoulder). One crowded night on a bus, I even had someone bouncing up and down on the taut belt!!!

Andrew

 

[pudge the fish]

After you've been on wheels for a while, you can often spot the difference between the people who didn't see you, and the people who didn't look. The worst ones are the ones that look straight at you, and then decide to walk across anyway . But, if ever I do meet you, and don't realise that you didn't see me, I'm sorry if I start shouting out points!

and then I would realize it was you shouting points out and we would have a lovely time You could run over people and I could walk into people and rack up lots of points

I keep saying I need a cane to help - but they won't let me one as they think I may smack people with it
it would be great fun

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Sort of off your topic, but DD5 is in a wheelchair/stroller. People dart in front of us, I have run over feet and ankles despite trying not to, but then they are in such a hurry they feel they are entitled to get in front of us no matter what. They act like it is our fault when they get hurt. While riding the busses I have had rude people actually lean on the wheelchair/stroller with all their weight (adults, not children), they stand sometimes 2 at a time in the space between me and my DD where the straps are holding the wheelchair securely tied down in the bus, and, yes there have been some who put their belongings in the wheelchair space while DD is sitting in it. There have been folks holding drinks over my princess' head (once it was coffee, Yikes!!) with one hand, while they are holding the rail overhead with their other hand. And then there are those who see nothing wrong with putting their butts in her face while they are holding the rail with one hand, I have to watch to make sure they don't actually sit down on her pretty little face. Some people are just rude and feel entitled no matter what!!

You see, it's for people like this that I feel like putting and electric current through my chair - they lean on me, I make their hair stand up . That people could think that this is acceptable treatment of another person, especially a child, is just sickening . I would say that you'd be perfectly within your rights to give an earful to any such idiot.

My favourite is when people stand on my safety belt (the one that the driver puts over your shoulder). One crowded night on a bus, I even had someone bouncing up and down on the taut belt!!!

Andrew

Hope they don't do that when you've got a full bladder!

and then I would realize it was you shouting points out and we would have a lovely time You could run over people and I could walk into people and rack up lots of points

I keep saying I need a cane to help - but they won't let me one as they think I may smack people with it
it would be great fun

Hehe! Sounds like fun! A stick might be of use though, at least that way people would understand why you'd walked into them. And if anyone still objected, then you could whack them

 

[HARVEYSGIRL]

I sprained my back a couple weeks ago and have been in bad shape. They found out when they did my MRI that I have extensive damage to my spine and hips from osteoarthritis. (Didn't know I had that- thought all the pain was from 2 jobs and my autistic son ) They are telling me that it is going to take me a long time to get the sprain better due to all the inflamation. Then I get to treat the artritis. If anyone has any suggestions feel free to throw them this way. I do not know how I am going to manage my son if this back problem doesn't improve.

I have to say that I have had to use the ECV at the store and when I do I think about the points system and just laugh. I love reading all of your comments and experiences. You are a great bunch!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Several years ago we were attempting to leave AK around parade time. We were walking and I noticed two ECV waiting to cross but no one would stop walking. So I went to the middle put up both hands to stop the people and motioned for the EVC to cross. They were so grateful and it just took a moment.

Unfortunately, 2 CM's stood there the entire time and didn't even bother to help out. Oh well.

Sorry for all the inconveniences those in EVC experience.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

You see, it's for people like this that I feel like putting and electric current through my chair

Last year, I replaced the tyres on my powerchair. The new ones are made of some kind of composite material and somehow cause my chair to build up a charge of static electricity. (according to my wheelchair engineer, this is a known problem). Recently, I was shopping at my local supermarket using a wire basket carried on my lap. At the checkout, I handed over my basket and the person at the till cried out as a blue spark jumped from the basket to her hand.

Now, if I ride ouround World Showcase two or three times building up a nice charge, take a door key in my hand and hold it up to the back of someone's neck...

Andrew

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I sprained my back a couple weeks ago and have been in bad shape. They found out when they did my MRI that I have extensive damage to my spine and hips from osteoarthritis. (Didn't know I had that- thought all the pain was from 2 jobs and my autistic son ) They are telling me that it is going to take me a long time to get the sprain better due to all the inflamation. Then I get to treat the artritis. If anyone has any suggestions feel free to throw them this way. I do not know how I am going to manage my son if this back problem doesn't improve.

I have to say that I have had to use the ECV at the store and when I do I think about the points system and just laugh. I love reading all of your comments and experiences. You are a great bunch!

I'm so sorry to hear about your arthritis . Can I suggest you go across to But You Don't Look Sick? I was directed there a couple of years ago by another Diser (thank you K!!!), and it's been such a huge help to me. The crowd over there are all very friendly and supportive, and will probably be able to give you more information on your condition that your doctors can!

As far as coping day-to-day, especially with your current back problems, you might want to look into mobility aids to reduce the strain on your body. Also, anything that saves energy (or 'spoons' over on BYDLS) is a good thing - e.g. internet shopping. Having your week's groceries brought to your door is sooo much easier than going to the store. You can then just top up with little things that you need through the week, such as milk, and not have to bend, stretch and carry heavy things home too much!

Keep up on the point system, maybe we'll get the entire disabled community around the world shouting numbers at idiots, that will confuse them !

Several years ago we were attempting to leave AK around parade time. We were walking and I noticed two ECV waiting to cross but no one would stop walking. So I went to the middle put up both hands to stop the people and motioned for the EVC to cross. They were so grateful and it just took a moment.

Unfortunately, 2 CM's stood there the entire time and didn't even bother to help out. Oh well.

Sorry for all the inconveniences those in EVC experience.

Thank you for being such a kind and observant person, I'm sure you brightened those people's day (I know all the nice, helpful people I meet do so for me!) ! In that situation, I would probably just have started wheeling forwards, but then, as I've already said, I am an evil wheelchair user .

Last year, I replaced the tyres on my powerchair. The new ones are made of some kind of composite material and somehow cause my chair to build up a charge of static electricity. (according to my wheelchair engineer, this is a known problem). Recently, I was shopping at my local supermarket using a wire basket carried on my lap. At the checkout, I handed over my basket and the person at the till cried out as a blue spark jumped from the basket to her hand.

Now, if I ride ouround World Showcase two or three times building up a nice charge, take a door key in my hand and hold it up to the back of someone's neck...

Andrew

Wow!!! You've just got to do that now! Next time someone tries to cut in front of you in line, or tries to use your wheelchair as a leaning post, you can 'teach' them not to do it again!