My pet peeves

[lisapooh]

I have to big pet peeves that I face all the time.

The first is people who aren't watching where they are walking. Twice this trip I had people run into me from the side. One in the MK almost tipped my wheelchair over. I was lucky enough to be able to shift my weight and right the chair or I would have been seriously hurt and my arm would have been pinned under the armrest. No apology just a curt he didn't see you. Geez look where you are going. As it was I ended up in pain for the night and it killed E-ride for me and any rough rides for the rest of the trip. Second time the person did apologize.

Second is mothers who take over the handicap stalls with their broods. When I need to go I don't have all that much a leeway before I wet myself. It takes time to manuever with my canes from the wheelchair with the canes into a standard stall with no grab bars to steady myself and do the necessary things to use the toilet. I wish it didn't. I'm tired of having to carry several changes of clothing and washing damp smelly clothes because there is never a handicapped stall available. This is do true at Disney with the large number of of families around. Whatever happened to mother standing outside the stall and allowing their child to use the toilet then helping them. I've even had mothers swoop around me and my wheelchair and grab the handicapped stall first.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Wheelsie]

You tell it sis....HERE HERE!!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

LisaPooh,

I would like to second your two peeves, and briefly add a third. - People who fill in the gap in front of your wheelchair or scooter, the gap you have carefully left to avoid running into the ankles of those in front.

I would like to add to your second point, mis-use of 'disabled' stalls. I have a similar problem to yours, and from what I have read, apparently 80% of mobility disabled have the same problem to a lesser or greater extent. Unfortunately, we are too embarrased to mention it. Basically, when muscles are weak enough to cause difficulty walking, muscles in the pelvic floor (bladder control) are weak too. Like you, when I want to go, I want to go NOW. (Maybe not quite as soon since I have been taking oxybutynin, but fairly soon). I certainly cannot wait indefinitely.

I have heard it argued that 'disabled' stalls are not for the exclusive use of the disabled and that the disabled should wait in line like everyone else. This misses the point that the disabled cannot 'hang on' as long.

The problem is just as great in the mens' room where some men seem to like the extra space to sit and read in comfort.


A special peeve of mine is when cleaning staff lock the disabled stall because it is blocked, but don't leave a notice on the door so I sit outside waiting. And wait, and wait, and wait .....

and finally make a high speed dash from Morroco, through France

Andrew to the International Gateway

 

[SueM in MN]

Boy do I agree with those pet peaves.
We had one experience a few years ago when a mother purposely told her kids to "get in that stall before the girl in the wheelchair can get there". She sent 2 of her kids into the handicapped stall. The kids tried to argue with her because they saw us, but the mom told them to just be quiet and get in so they wouldn't miss the parade. She took another 2 stalls for herself and her other child. About 30 seconds later, 3 stalls opened up. By the time her kids finally got out of the handicapped stall, we had let about 10 people around us. most of them were polite and asked if we wanted to use the toilet since we were next in line. Each time, I loudly said, "No, the only stall we can use is the handicapped stall and it's occupied." I don't think it phased the mom, but the kids tried to apologize when they came out.
The "out of service" stall is also a big problem. Since there is usually only one handicapped stall per bathroom, that means it's totally inaccessible. Fixing that stall should be a priority. The other thing that makes me mad is people who trash the handicapped stall and then leave it a mess. If it is an able bodied person, shame on them. If it is a person with a disability who made a mess they can't clean up (maybe because they were delayed getting into the bathroopm), there should be some way to contact the cleaning people.

 

[lisapooh]

I agree that if the stall is messed up someone should let the proper people know. Sometimes I think the person may be too embarassed unfortunately. But it is just a courtesy and I doubt a word would be said except thank you for letting us know.

 

[Figaro]

It doesn't always work (smile), but I have found that explaining my situation to the people who are waiting in line usually means that I am invited by the people at the front of the line to go ahead of them. It is probably just luck of the draw, but I have found most people want to be helpful. They just aren't quite sure what or how to be helpful, and I have learned that asking people for assistance (and telling them exactly what kind of assistance I need) usually works out quite well for me.

Not that there aren't rude people in the world (sigh), but I have found so many pleasant, kind and helpful people, especially at Disney World. I have been struggling lately with too many internal "not fair" grumbles about my life, and have only recently begun to answer myself by reminding myself of my many, many blessings, including an extra trip to Disney World that I didn't expect!

 

[mhopset]

I agree totally about the restroom thing. I was so mad at work one day, because housekeeping was "cleaning" the handicap stall. Actually he was sitting there taking a BREAK.
(i looked through the crack LOL) I told him if he didn't get out of there I was going to S--T on the floor. (I was having a bad day anyway) He wasn't to long in coming out of there!!!!

One good thing about WDW is the family assisted restrooms. I believe there are a list of them in the "guide for disabilities" book you can get from guest services.

One other thing is I hate when the sink is not in the same room with the toilet and bathtub. I hate that. Also why are there not any handicaped rooms in the Toy Story Section of ASMo?

 

[SueM in MN]

Those family/assistant restrooms are very nice. They are actually the only ones in MK and most of Epcot where you can get a wheelchair in the stall with you. The Family/assistant restrooms are listed in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park.

 

[Jaimee]

Lisapooh, I just wanted to thank you for your post. I try to read a little bit on each board when I have time and I have learned a lot on this board. I want to admit to being guilty of your second pet peeve. Although I would never dream of pushing anyone out of the way to get there, I have used the handicaped stall to take my 3 yr old to the bathroom. My reasoning was if it's open, we should be able to use it. I never thought about anyone coming in to the restroom with an emergency and having to wait for us to finish up. The only reason I use it is DS is just potty trained and needs help yet in the stall, the regular ones are usually too small for both of us to fit in, so if there was no "family stall" available I would use the handicapped one. I again want to thank you for enlightening me, I will keep this in mind in the future!!!!!!

 

[JudithM]

A few times last week while I was in the ECV, I came right out & made comments to guests like "If you take another step sideways without looking, you're going to get hurt when you get run over!" or "Watch where you're going or you're going to get hurt!" My husband & I observed many adults who look over guests in wheelchairs or ECVs & don't see us.

As for handicapped rest rooms - due to my knee condition, which isn't always obvious, I use the handicapped stall. The toilet is higher, & I don't have to bend my knees as much. So if you were to see me walk into the stall you would think I was taking it away from someone who really needs it. The friend with us last week recently had knee surgery & she found the family/attendant rest room at the Poly. How nice to have so much room! If I were by myself, I would especially like it so I didn't have to leave my "stuff" unattended in the ECV.

 

[The Hunt]

Are handicapped accessible stalls in restrooms intended for the exclusive use of the disabled? If they are, why aren't they labelled that way (as parking spaces are)? I'm genuinely curious. I have to confess that although I don't need to use one, I prefer those stalls because they are larger, and the toilet is usually set higher off the floor. I have no problem with the idea that a disabled person should go to the head of the line, but should non-disabled people never use that stall at all?

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Hunt,

I am not certain what the absolute rule is. I don't think its a matter of whether anyone is going to give you a ticket or not. I suspect that it is just that the architects that design toilet stalls, have never actually thought of this one and as a result havn't put up signs.

All I can say, is that I often go into a mens room and find that all the stalls except one are empty, and that one is the oly one I can get into. I also find that the occupant has settled in for a while. As I mentioned in an earlier thread, I have, on ocassion, had to leave that mens' room and rush, in some discomfort, to find another.

In my opinion, it would be curtious if the non-disabled left the disabled stall free unless all other stalls were occupied. The non-disabled should certainly think twice about using the disabled stall if they intend to occupy it for any extended period of time.

Andrew

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with you Andrew. I have often come into the restroom with my DD and found the only stall that is occupied is the onely one we can use.
I don't havew a problem with people using it if they have some need for the extra room in the stall, or the higher seat or the grab bars. They are in there to use if someone needs them.
My FIL has bad knees and hips and could really benefit from it, but he won't use it because he says it's just for "handicapped people", nnot ones with bad knees.
My request is for people to not use it unless they need those features or at least to use it and get out as soon as possible.
We have waitied for the handicapped stall when there were:
2 teens using it as a dressing room to try on new clothes
a mom and her DD who were in one of the stall with a sink. They both fixed their hair and the mom was re-touching her makeup while we waited outside.
Sometimes very polite people will see us behind them and let us by. That helps everyone since we get the stall we need, the people letting us ahead usually only have to wait a few extra seconds and no one has to try to get by us in the narrow waiting area.

 

[lisapooh]

Handicapped stalls are marked with the standard symbol, Hunt. It is the handicapped icon. It should be used by those who have physical handicaps that require the raised toilet, the grab bars and larger area to use the restroom. It shouldn't be used as a dressing room or a place to fix your makeup or even as a place to keep your little ones while you use the toilet.
I haven't been handicapped enough to use the handicapped restroom until about 5 years ago. When my children were small I would never use the handicapped stall to take care of my kids needs. I set them on the toilet and then stood at the door until they were finished. I really have a problem with parents who claim that there 3 and 4 year old children must be in a stall with them and cannot toilet themselves. Our special ed kids are taught to use the restroom on their own with the teacher outside the door to help if needed. If these kids can do it (I'm not talking about the diapered ones btw) then why can't a perfectly normal child? Geez.
Btw mom's are taking boys up to around 10 to the ladies room now on the premise that it is too dangerous to allow them to go to the bathroom by themselves. Methinks these women are paranoid.

 

[BuckeyeBelle]

I've noticed a lot of restrooms now have the diaper deck in the handicap accessible stall as well. (Not WDW thankfully)

 

[Kay1]

My son is 10 and I have to bring him into the ladies' room because of his autism. It's embarassing, but he really can't see anything through the stalls. I use the disabled stalls sometimes and often say in a loud voice, Come on, let's go to the disabled potty, because I can see women and girls looking at us and that's my way of explaining what's going on. Too, no one stares at him while he's washing his hands. That being said, if I saw anyone with a wheelchair in the bathroom, I would defer to them. Hope I'm not getting off track, but I wish they were all family bathrooms. They are so perfect for all people to use.

 

[lisapooh]

Kay1 you have a special kid. I'm talking about perfectly normal children. Autistic kids are different. Actually since I work with them frequently I can ususally spot them at the park. JUst certain manerisms and traits that stick out of you work with this group. Btw I love them. Most are sweeties most of the time if they know you.

 

[The Hunt]

I certainly agree that one should defer to a disabled person who is waiting for the stall. But in many restrooms, the disabled stall is one of only two or three stalls. It's not like a parking lot where there are many unrestricted spaces. Can it really be that it is intended for use only by the disabled? Or is it more akin to bus seats that indicate they should be given up to people who need them?

I'm not talking about somebody using it for a long time to change clothes or fix their hair or whatever--they shouldn't do that in any stall. As far as people taking their kids in there, I certainly understand why they want to do it. I can also see why it would be unreasonable for a disabled person to have to wait behind a whole line of people who are doing this. Would it be a reasonable approach if everyone agreed that the disabled person goes to the head of the line?

 

[SueM in MN]

Kay1, you have a need to be in the stall with your child and I think everyone can understand what problems you would have just letting him into the stall by himself. (I've read enough posts about kids who are fascinated with toilet water to know some kids need supervision). If you don't have a copy of the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park, you should pick one up. They list the family restrooms in each park. Those would probably be more comfortable for you and your son to use. Unfortunately, they don't have enough of them. and at Epcot and MK they are the only fully accessible stalls.
I have noticed that in bathrooms with a lot of stalls, the handicapped stall is usually (but not always) marked with the wheelchair symbol. In restrooms with just a few stalls, it usually is not. We have sometimes gotten into the handicapped stall and then found that my DD's wheelchair didn't come close to fitting in the stall. Since she won't use the bathroom with the door open and since we need her wheelchair in the stall with us because she can't stand, we sometimes are waiting in line for a stall that we can't even use.
It would be helpful if they marked those stalls in a differnt way (like maybe an icon of a person standing with a cane or something). They also need to do something about the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. It says all the restrooms are handicapped accessible, but for someone who needs to bring the wheelchair in the stall with them, there are few stalls at MK or Epcot that are really accessible.

 

[lisapooh]

I agree it is very hard to get a wheelchair into the restrooms at MK and EPCOT and shut the door. AK is hard if you are unaccompanied since they have heavy doors instead of switch backs. MGM is the most accessible.