Now I've Seen it all!

[Scrappy_Tink]

Ok, I'm at DHS today, and what zips by me? Two children, estimated ages 5-6 on mini-ECVs!! ok, I can understand some children needing them, and I'm not saying they didn't....but how can children that young be responsible enough to drive in crowds? Anyway, just thought I'd share, I was really surprised!

 

[nytimez]

I can't comment on the specifics of it since I wasn't there -- but would you prefer they struggle with a traditional wheelchair? Get pulled along on a skateboard? These aren't cars, they don't need licenses or special skills beyond a little practice. I'd be willing to bet that many kids in these things would be far more responsible than some of the adults who use them.

 

[KellyNY]

Ok, I'm at DHS today, and what zips by me? Two children, estimated ages 5-6 on mini-ECVs!! ok, I can understand some children needing them, and I'm not saying they didn't....but how can children that young be responsible enough to drive in crowds? Anyway, just thought I'd share, I was really surprised!

I would assume they use them every day because if they would be healthy kids for whom commando is too much, parents would put them into strollers. I assume they know how to use them. BTW, are you sure they were kids and not little people(hope this is a correct term, do not want to be flamed). Sometimes they have very gentle features like kids and obviously they would need a smaller version of scooter.

 

[Horseradish7]

I would assume they use them every day because if they would be healthy kids for whom commando is too much, parents would put them into strollers. I assume they know how to use them. BTW, are you sure they were kids and not little people(hope this is a correct term, do not want to be flamed). Sometimes they have very gentle features like kids and obviously they would need a smaller version of scooter.

I really doubt they were midgets...

 

[chartle]

I would assume they use them every day because if they would be healthy kids for whom commando is too much, parents would put them into strollers. I assume they know how to use them. BTW, are you sure they were kids and not little people(hope this is a correct term, do not want to be flamed). Sometimes they have very gentle features like kids and obviously they would need a smaller version of scooter.

On Little People Big World, Matt used what looked like a mini ECV.

To me it kind of looked like a scooter with a seat.

 

[Rhonna]

I did some research. There is no age limit for a child using an electric wheelchair (ECV) rather it is based on their cognitive ability to handle the machine. I would guess that if a child needs one in the parks, they most probably are using it in their everyday life also. What parent would pay to have a child size EVC (or go to the trouble and cost of renting) if their child didn't need it? The children are probably very skilled at using them. And I'm sure the parents were somewhere nearby.

There is a scooter rental facility in Orlando that teams with a company who grants wishes to ill children and they provide child sized EVC's for these children.

Some child sized EVC's can "grow" or expand with the child up to a certain size. They are VERY expensive machines so you can bet those children needed them. They may have even been on a make a wish type vacation.

And regular kids "zip" around too. These children may be more quick to respond than some adults on an EVC. Especially if they are experienced users. Have you seen children play video games compared to an adult? In general, their reflex times are quite fast.

I can see this thread going downhill REALLY quickly. And locked.

 

[nytimez]

I can see this thread going downhill REALLY quickly. And locked.

A safe prediction. My bookie puts the over-under at page 8. I'll take the under.

 

[disneymomma1978]

Scrappy, put on your flame suit and duck!!

 

[suebedo]

 

[Rhonna]

A safe prediction. My bookie puts the over-under at page 8. I'll take the under.

Adults + ECV = hot button

Children + child size EVC = nuclear button

 

[Lora]

We saw them, too! We were waiting to get into the 2nd Fantasmic and they went in the opposite direction.

DHS was PACKED tonight, huh?

 

[postage stamp]

Adults + ECV = hot button

Children + child size EVC = nuclear button

Nuclear button with someone's thumb on it and the red phone is ringing!

 

[Jedi]

i see no nuclear strike coming...unless _________!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Scrappy, put on your flame suit and duck!!

Hey, the only thing I said was that I was surprised by their ages....nothing to do with needs. I guess special needs children mature quicker, because my boys at that age would have been weaving in and out of crowds chasing each other with light sabers!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

We saw them, too! We were waiting to get into the 2nd Fantasmic and they went in the opposite direction.

DHS was PACKED tonight, huh?

YES!!! They were going your way when they zipped by us! We were there from about 11 to 7:30 ....just too wore out to try to see Fastasmic! But it was crazy crowded! My DH texted me from Colorado, raining and 45 degrees...we left Colorado just in time!

 

[Pineapple Whip]

Zipping huh?

They must have had a shot of NOS going at the time.

 

[LaurenT]

I can't comment on the specifics of it since I wasn't there -- but would you prefer they struggle with a traditional wheelchair? Get pulled along on a skateboard? These aren't cars, they don't need licenses or special skills beyond a little practice. I'd be willing to bet that many kids in these things would be far more responsible than some of the adults who use them.

That may be the case for these children...but - believe me - you do not want my 7 year old on an ECV if your toes are within a 2 mile radius! If Becky needed help getting around I would definitely have to push a traditional wheelchair.

 

[Moms]

Special needs children are children and do not necessarily mature any faster or slower because of their disabilities. I work in a school that serves a large group of children with serious disabilities. Many use electric wheelchairs and are quite proficient. Some have used these "mini ecv's" when travelling because it is often difficult to transport electric wheelchairs on airplanes ... batteries generally have to be removed and sometimes the chair is partially dismantled for the trip and re-assembled ... hopefully correctly ... at the destination. When you are dealing with a "vehicle" that can cost as much as $20,000 you think twice before you let airline employees handle it! Remember too that for these children these vehicles are not toys but their means of mobility. They may "zip" but they generally know what they are doing. I hope they had a wonderful time! Hope you did too, OP ... no flaming here!

 

[diamondcharl]

Special needs children are children and do not necessarily mature any faster or slower because of their disabilities. I work in a school that serves a large group of children with serious disabilities. Many use electric wheelchairs and are quite proficient. Some have used these "mini ecv's" when travelling because it is often difficult to transport electric wheelchairs on airplanes ... batteries generally have to be removed and sometimes the chair is partially dismantled for the trip and re-assembled ... hopefully correctly ... at the destination. When you are dealing with a "vehicle" that can cost as much as $20,000 you think twice before you let airline employees handle it! Remember too that for these children these vehicles are not toys but their means of mobility. They may "zip" but they generally know what they are doing. I hope they had a wonderful time! Hope you did too, OP ... no flaming here!

Very well put! Stay classy!

 

[Kay1]

Special needs children are children and do not necessarily mature any faster or slower because of their disabilities. I work in a school that serves a large group of children with serious disabilities. Many use electric wheelchairs and are quite proficient. Some have used these "mini ecv's" when travelling because it is often difficult to transport electric wheelchairs on airplanes ... batteries generally have to be removed and sometimes the chair is partially dismantled for the trip and re-assembled ... hopefully correctly ... at the destination. When you are dealing with a "vehicle" that can cost as much as $20,000 you think twice before you let airline employees handle it! Remember too that for these children these vehicles are not toys but their means of mobility. They may "zip" but they generally know what they are doing. I hope they had a wonderful time! Hope you did too, OP ... no flaming here!

That's really cool. Like the OP, miniature EVCs are news to me. I'm glad they make them, though, and I also hope they had a great time.