Of crowds and scooters

[Ms. Diz]

Just got back from five gorgeous days in Disney World. The crowds were bad some days; other days not bad. MNSSHP was very crowded Thursday night.
The only inconvenience were all those scooters motoring around. Nearly all of them seemed to be overweight elderly people. Is it the weight or age that keeps them from walking? I will now don my fire proof vest as some people rush to the aid of the scooter people.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Have you ever thought that one may have something to do with the other. It's not as easy to get exercise, when you have failing health. I'm an easy going person, and am trying very hard to not become infuriated with your post. I am a 36 yo. female with arthritis, and a deteriorating spine, and have already had back surgery once. If you saw me, standing still or sitting in a chair, I would appear to be completely healthy. I have never rented one of the scooters at WDW, because I didn't want to have to go through the parks constantly being judged. Because of this, I can only spend a couple hours in the parks at one time, which also means that my DH, and DS(12) have to spend alot of time sitting around, while on vacation. The only thing that I can say, is that instead of judging others, you should thank the good Lord everyday for your health.

 

[bz8bls]

Who was inconvenienced, you or the people driving the scooters. I really doubt that people that don't really need to use a scooter would get them if they really didn't need them.
May I ask, why is important for you to know if its a weight issue or an aging issue? Regardless, there seems to be a need or WDW would not provide the service. I think most of the people using the scooters vs wheelchairs like the independence (i.e. no one has to push them in a wheelchair).

My daughter will be 6 months pregnant with twins when we go down in December, and I hope that I can talk her into renting a scooter (she's overweight due to pregnancy).

Please read on the disaibilities thread; someone gave a first-hand experience of using an ECV

 

[FanofG00fy]

Okay, I have started this post about 4 times. I'm going to post and I don't want to be mean. My mother, father, bf, and myself were there 10-16-04 to 10-25-04. My mother has extreme arthritis in both her hips. Yes she can walk, but all the walking through the parks hurts. We rented a scooter one day and wheelchairs the rest of the time. She enjoyed the scooter, she was very cautious of driving through the crowds and tried her hardest to avoid people. What people need to realize is that those things do not stop on a dime. There are those of us who do have need of the scooters. I don't know about others, and I try not to judge. After dealing with a wheelchair and scooter at the parks, I have to say people who have full function of their bodies can be just as rude as the next. My mother cannot walk like the rest of the family, so I guess she just needs to stay home, right? Apologize if I have offended anyone with this post, but it does make me upset that people are shallow minded when it comes to people getting in the way with a scooter or wheelchair or stroller. Guess anyone who cannot walk on their own two feet need to stay home. So that goes for anyone underage who cannot walk on their own. Oh and anyone who is handicapped, or physically unable. Unless you know the story, don't judge. Again, if I stepped on toes and made you mad, I apologize, but come on people....Disney is for everyone, every age, race, shape and size.

Chris

 

[DepCor0311]

I don't think (at least I hope) that the OP's intent was to say that people with disabilities should not come to the parks. We have laws in this country that deal with that, and we all know that everyone deserves the right to enjoy WDW. That being said, I think she is referring to those people whos only disability appears to be being overweight...and using a scooter or wheelchair to gain front of the line privleges. I think it would be naive to say that type of abuse of the system does not occur.

 

[Simba0319]

It really is none of your business why those overweight elderly people had the scooters. If you don't like it maybe you should not go back. My husband has MS and goes numb if he walks too much. When he is out of the scooter he looks fine. Should I not rent him a scooter because it might inconvience the likes of you.

 

[floridagirrl2]

I agree, disabled people on scooters in WDW are mighty pesky. They really get in the way of able-bodied people who can walk. Gosh, they really get in the way in malls and in public schools, too! Darn that Americans With Disabilities Act! What a silly idea to think that people with disabilities should have equal access under the law!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

First of all, have you ever driven a scooter? The things are horrendously slow. Also, when you release to brake, the brake doesn't enact for about 3 inches. I use an electric wheelchair and have learned to brake fast by jerking back on my throttle. And uh how many times did you or the person you saw, cut off the person in the scooter because it was going too slow??? I know that every time we have gone to WDW (4 wheelchairs) people will look us in the eye and then try to cut through. Some of my favorite tricks are when they link arms or the best-they literally shove their small child in front of me causing me to swerve or stop suddenly. You know how many times that I have been run into because someone had their head turned talking while walking and practically fell on me?? I always have to be attentive, watching for the rude, ignorant, or wandering toddlers. Our family has to form a little train to get anywhere. Anyway, on to your original question. Off my soap box, I am trying to be understanding as I can see that you would be irritated since you have not been enlightened. I study health problems as a hobby so here goes.

1. Some medicines cause you to gain weight or appear overweight. These medicines are used to treat life-threatening conditions. Prednisone is one.

2. If you have some muscle diseases your body cannot burn the amount of calories that it consumes. And how exactly do you exerise when you can't walk? Should you starve yourself, always hungry? Thankfully, I do not have this problem but my mom does. Doctors told her in order to lose weight she would have to have no more than 750 calories a day.

3. Many diseases like arthritis cause severe pain and stiffness. Ever tried exercising with sprained ankles, knees, and shoulders???

4. Some disabilitie like lupus, Crohns disease, and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis come in 'flares.' They may be stable one minute and in an hour have horrible fatigue and pain. They may appear 'normal.'

5. Perhaps these people want to lose weight and can't. Your judgement certainly doesn't help.

Oh, WHEELCHAIRS DON'T "CUT IN LINE." They do that because the regular lines cannot accomodate wheelchairs. There are already many attractions people in wheelchairs can't get on. Now complaints are making it difficult to get assistance. We have to arrive just as early (1-2 hrs.) for night-time shows with designated wheelchair seating to get a good spot.

Hope you understand a little better.

Christamae

 

[paigevz]

has a congenital liver problem and not sure if it's that or medication, but he gets really bad muscle cramps if he walks too much. I mean, the type that actually contort his foot they are so strong. He looks perfectly healthy. He is also overweight because of a medication side effect and his disorder. Because of "what people might think" he has not yet used any wheeled transportation, though he really does need to. He prefers to stop often to rest and suffer at night just so other people won't give him "looks" because he looks okay. It's so hard on the whole family that he feels forced to put himself through this because of some non-disabled people's views of who "needs" wheelchairs and who doesn't. I believe that if he couldn't do disney without wheels he would stay home just because of these people. That would mean my kids would either have to do disney without daddy or not at all. I am very happy that these people on scooters have the courage to go despite the way some people view them...........and, by the way, they are VERY aware of those views!

Not saying, op, that you are these people, but the thread just kind of wandered this way, and wanted to put my two cents in.

 

[DepCor0311]

eternaldisneyfan, You are absolutely correct on all of your points, but is it so far fetched to believe that in the history of all the Disney parks, that nobody has ever abused the wheelchair / scooter privlege? That is who I am referring to in my post. To all who have genuine disabilities, or with loved ones with disabilities, I have no problem the use of wheel chairs / scooters, or other aids in the parks...and I am not at all put out by Disney making accomodations that make it fair for disabled individuals to enjoy the parks as much as we all do....I just wanted to make that clear....I am a nice guy...really...

 

[AKASnowWhite]

We just returned tonight ...and I must say I had more of an *issue* with out-of-control STROLLER pushers than with anything else! Now THOSE people can be OBNOXIOUS!

 

[ironz]

I think I have a feel for what the original poster was trying to convey. I'm a physician, and have seen plenty of cases of people with worsening arthritis...due to their being overweight. Makes you wonder that if they had taken care to not get fat, then their knees wouldn't hurt so much, they could walk around without getting tired, etc. I know I wouldn't enjoy walking around with a 50 lb. bag of dog food tied to my belly.

No, I'm NOT coming down on people with chronic illnesses, or the ones with the "invisible" disabilities like MS. But there are plenty of people out there who are just too big for their own good or who smoke, leading to claudication, etc.

So, I think the original poster was just curious about which came first in some cases...and sometimes, the fat causes the debilitation, not the other way around.

Flame away.

P.S. I'm also not saying that these people shouldn't go to WDW or anywhere else, for that matter. But please, how about everyone take care of their health and our health care system wouldn't be in such a mess?? We spend more money taking care of people who wouldn't take care of themselves earlier in life, that we can't take care of the not-so-preventable diseases.

 

[maci]

I am not even going to touch this thread!!

Other than to say this summer at Disneyland, we witnessed one elderly man in a scooter run over the foot of another elderly man, and let me tell you...I thought fists were going to fly!!
There were some very "un-disney" words flying!!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

Goodness, I Do NOT think you are a bad person. I too agree that there are people that abuse the privelage. I have witnessed it myself. Someone was pushing a teenager in a chair and were trying to get a wheelchair Illuminations seat. They showed up like 10 minutes before the show. The CM told them that the area was full and the guy was like, "but it's reserved for wheelchairs..." He was kinda confused and shocked that the wheelchair area would fill up. When he found out that the area was full, he literally jumped out of the chair and started jogging with it...hmmm. I just wanted to remind people of those who need it. A lot of people don't realize that there are hidden disabilities or medication side effects. Sometimes it seems that there are so many stories of 'cheaters' that we forget those who the system was intended for. Sorry if I sounded a little harsh. Spreading disability awareness is a great passion of mine . I believe that knowledge breeds understanding. Glad to know that your comments weren't directed towards honest users. But remember, we can't always tell who needs them. And as unfair as it sounds, not being able to get around because of weight may require an ECV. We don't know the circumstances behind there weight. Anyway, enough on that topic. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Justice for all
Christamae

 

[shellybaxter]

Originally posted by DepCor0311
I don't think (at least I hope) that the OP's intent was to say that people with disabilities should not come to the parks. We have laws in this country that deal with that, and we all know that everyone deserves the right to enjoy WDW. That being said, I think she is referring to those people whos only disability appears to be being overweight...and using a scooter or wheelchair to gain front of the line privleges. I think it would be naive to say that type of abuse of the system does not occur.

I am a big woman (Pooh sized). I didn't "choose" to be this way. I didn't wake up one morning and say, "Hey, I think I'll be fat!!" My weigh is dirrectly related to emotional and mental health issues. I make no excused for my weight. I'd rather be sane/even and fat than crazy/uneven and thin. Sue me!! I have good cholesteral, great blood pressure, and a healthy heart.

When I'm at disney I can walk around the parks for the first three or four days, but after that it's touch and go. I HURT!! My legs, my feet, my knees, my back, etc. I refuse to be miserable on my vacation when I have the choice to pay an extra $40.00 and be comfortable again. I will not make excuses. I will not let the judgement of others bother me. And I will not appoligize for wanting to enjoy disney while not being in pain. So if you see a large woman in January driving a scooter, know that she may not have a chronic health problem, or an invisable ailment, but that she is happy and enjoying the most wonderful vacation spot on earth, and please just smile and be happy for her. She will be happy for you.

Shelly

PS - Have never taken in advantage of using a scooter to by pass lines or get special privleges, and never will.

 

[DepCor0311]

shellybaxter,
If you're happy...I'm happy...If you are not a privlege abuser, then don't take offense to my post, as it was not intended for you, personally. If you need an aid to assist you with mobility, regardless of your disability, then you by all means have the right to use it...and you have just as much right to have fun at WDW as I do...Perhaps my wording was not appropriate and I apologize if I offended anyone...but I still believe that there are some system abusers out there, and I doubt that we will be hearing them try to defend themselves in this forum.

Thanks for the response eternaldisneyfan...Your dialog should serve as a lesson to all that apparent conflict can be solved with open, civil communication.

Where the heck is the OP anyway???

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I believe that weight due to mental illness is an invisible disability. That's one of the things I meant in my last post when I said

we don't know the circumstances behind their weight

As far as I am concerned, mental illness is one of the most misunderstood health problems. My father is bipolar but functions much more 'normally' when medicated. It makes a world of difference. If only we all took the time to familiarize ourselves. I think that the government estimates that about half the homeless have a mental illness. There is even a mental illness involving the part of the brain that regulates eating that causes the person to compulsively eat anything in sight. I think obsessive compulsives have this problem, too. Can you tell that healthcare reform is important to me, too??? My family calls me the medical/disease dictionary. (I do still acknowledge there are wheelchair cheaters) Have a magical vacation Shelly

Thanks depcor0311! Right back atcha!

Christamae

 

[floridagirrl2]

Originally posted by DepCor0311


Where the heck is the OP anyway???

Probably trollin' somewhere else! There used to be a Debate Board, where people could argue trivial, offensive points ad nauseum. You still see people trying to pick fights on the regular boards now that the Debate Board is gone!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

As I understand it most wheelchairs/scooters can go in most lines so there isn't much to gain when using one like there used to be.

I'm not going to sit in judgement concerning people who I do not even know who use scooters or wheelchairs. Many handicaps are invisible and I have not walked in their shoes to know what they are dealing with (or should I say I have not ridden in their scooter ).

My son (4yo) was almost ran over by someone in a scooter during his last trip, but Jake ran in front of her. I grabbed him and explained why he couldn't do that and the lady was very nice about it. No harm done, but if he had of gotten hurt it would have been his fault.

I'm having the opposite problem with a scooter. My mom is refusing to rent one for our trip next month. She's 81yo in fairly good health, but is on heart meds and has hip replacements. She can walk, but not far or fast and renting a scooter could really make a difference between being able to tour all day and not, but she is very stubborn and doesn't want to be seen as handicapped.

Do I wish that more people were like her? Sure, but again, I cannot pass judgement on others when I do not know their situation.

T&B

 

[Tigger&Belle]

And I agree, those darn strollers can be a nuisance! My son is almost 5yo and he should be able to walk all over the park so who am I to bring a stroller for him? Someone should tell me off!

T&B