Now I've Seen it all!

[lugnut33]

Who's jumping all over anyone?

You!

 

[TenderDonkey]

Consider this cold hearted but I really don’t care about other people’s disabilities. I don’t need to know your life story or medical condition, and to be honest I’m sick if giving people a free pass. At the end of the day whether you are 2 or 200 you are on a motorized machine so use some caution. In September I watched a little girl get hit because a person pushed the gas on mistake. If you need an ECV so be it, but make sure you know how to use it.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

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!

Were they Brazilian?

 

[Coach81]

I really doubt they were midgets...

 

[lugnut33]

Were they Brazilian?

Wearing Universal shirts also?

 

[Planogirl]

Well, firstly, unless she stopped and asked their ages we don't know how old they are. We can assume they're young, though.

Secondly, it's not really fair to compare a perfectly "abled" child that age and how they might behave on an ECV that would essentially be a toy or a race car to them to a child who has had to learn to use one out of necessity because they can't walk. You can bet that many kids would quickly learn to use it responsibly if that's the only way they can get around.

That's a good point. It might also depend on whether the child was recently disabled in some way or if the child uses an ECV on a regular basis. Besides I kind of hope that the ECV is in a way a toy to a young child. It might make having to use one a little better. That's not to say that the kid would be weaving in an out or racing around of course.

 

[nytimez]

It might also depend on whether the child was recently disabled in some way or if the child uses an ECV on a regular basis.

Definitely -- you have to hope no one's just learning to use them in a crowded theme park.

I guess that goes for adults, too!

 

[boxer]

I literally laughed out loud at this thread.....'mini-ECV's'. ONLY on DIS boards would people be taking offense to this post, rather than just treating it like the question the OP intended.

I took my 9-year old to his first go-kart track a couple weeks ago, and BEFORE the FIRST turn, he was trying to hit anyone and anything near him. I can only imagine the damage he would do on one of this 'mini ECV' things.

I think Disney will eventually have to set speed-traps throughout the parks to pull over irresponsible ECV drivers. Maybe hide out in Germany, and wait for drunk ECV drivers to 'weave' through the crowds.......MABYE even catch one of these mini-ECV drivers without their learners permit.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

Your kid will run by me at full speed and maybe bump into me...my kid will zip by you in her WHEELCHAIR and will not bump you.

I of course will trade you my kid's wheelchair for your kid's legs.


ETA: My kid got her wheels when she was 3 and brought them to Disney for the first time when she was 4.

 

[maroo]

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!

Lauren got her first power chair at the age of THREE.

She was a very responsible driver. Even in crowds.

They had to take video of her to prove to the insurance company that she is allowed to drive. For disabled children, it is a lot like walking.

 

[maroo]

Your kid will run by me at full speed and maybe bump into me...my kid will zip by you in her WHEELCHAIR and will not bump you.

I of course will trade you my kid's wheelchair for your kid's legs.

exactly.

 

[maroo]

ETA: My kid got her wheels when she was 3 and brought them to Disney for the first time when she was 4.

Lauren got her first power chair at the age of THREE.

jinx!

 

[princessmom29]

Your kid will run by me at full speed and maybe bump into me...my kid will zip by you in her WHEELCHAIR and will not bump you.

I of course will trade you my kid's wheelchair for your kid's legs.


ETA: My kid got her wheels when she was 3 and brought them to Disney for the first time when she was 4.

your child, but not everyone's. I have seen children put into powerchairs who could not handle them due to thier other physical limitations and had to be moved back to a nonmotorized chair for the safety of other students. We also have physically disabled students who are so profoundly mentally disabled that they cannot safely operate a power chair. It really is about the individual child and his or her ability to operate the chair safely. Many, many young children can, but some, even as teens, cannot manuver a power chair in a safe manner. it doesn't mean they are intentionally being unsafe, just that they do not have the physical or mental ability to control the chair. Not every disabled child is a capable driver of a powered mobility device.

 

[Michelle and crew]

good grief.

Ladies, hats off to you for teaching your young children to be self sufficient, and safe.

I'm sure someone will be along soon to threaten them if they were to accidently hit someone. Even if that person walked out in front of them. Some people are just like that.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

your child, but not everyone's. I have seen children put into powerchairs who could not handle them due to thier other physical limitations and had to be moved back to a nonmotorized chair for the safety of other students. We also have physically disabled students who are so profoundly mentally disabled that they cannot safely operate a power chair. It really is about the individual child and his or her ability to operate the chair safely. Many, many young children can, but some, even as teens, cannot manuver a power chair in a safe manner. it doesn't mean they are intentionally being unsafe, just that they do not have the physical or mental ability to control the chair. Not every disabled child is a capable driver of a powered mobility device.

Prior to my child being given permission to even order a wheelchair, she was put through a driving test. We had to prove that she was capable of driving a power wheelchair. We were lucky enough that she passed. She uses her power wheels as her legs. Some kids can walk...some kids use wheels...some need to be pushed in a wheelchair or stroller. All kids get around in different ways.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

good grief.

Ladies, hats off to you for teaching your young children to be self sufficient, and safe.

I'm sure someone will be along soon to threaten them if they were to accidently hit someone. Even if that person walked out in front of them. Some people are just like that.

Yup...people walk out in front of my kid and get mad if she gets too close to them. Someone even stepped over my kid to get a spot closer to the front.

 

[Bradsdadg]

I really doubt they were midgets...

Epic fail at trying to get a rise out of people.

 

[DISdreamin']

Epic fail at trying to get a rise out of people.

Clearly they had big money on under in the over/under mentioned earlier in the thread.

As for the ladies who mentioned their children got their first motorized wheels at three, you just made me step back for a moment and realize how much we sometimes (often?!) take for granted.

FWIW, my MIL is considering an ECV for our trip. And I am terrified. I've SEEN her drive. My irresponsible 5yo would probably be less dangerous. LOL! ...(I sure hope she doesn't see this thread)

 

[chartle]

Epic fail at trying to get a rise out of people.

Clearly they had big money on under in the over/under mentioned earlier in the thread.

Yes I really expected more . I was going to point out that one they weren't there so how did they know and two I got two things out of watching Little People Big world.

First its "average" height not "normal" height and the m word is not correct. But I didn't want to feed the troll.

I sincerely hope this did not constitute "getting a rise" or feeding the troll and messed up the spread. I typed this in a very calm manner.

 

[princessmom29]

Prior to my child being given permission to even order a wheelchair, she was put through a driving test. We had to prove that she was capable of driving a power wheelchair. We were lucky enough that she passed. She uses her power wheels as her legs. Some kids can walk...some kids use wheels...some need to be pushed in a wheelchair or stroller. All kids get around in different ways.

that is exactly what i am trying to say. Evenone's needs are different. Having access to a power chair or ECV doesn't mean that it meets that person's needs or even that it is a safe option for them. That's ALL I am trying to say. Assuming that just becuase a child is using an ECV they must be a safe and compotent driver does not hold water with me becuase I have seen children with a need for one who are just not capable of operating it. I am glad your DD is able to safely use her chair, but not all disabled children are. Taht is the extent of what i am trying to say. Not all disabled children can safely operate a power chair or ECV.