Offensive ECV Driving

[travelitis]

My dh had 1 hour in my ECV after hurting his ankle, and because I wanted to walk a bit. He wanted nothing more to do with it and was very glad to give it back to me. He said he'd never envy me riding through the parks again. Being the oh, so tactful person he is, though, he had some interactions I think a few of us only fantasize about.

He nearly hit someone who wasn't looking and just stepped in front of him. Then the guy said, "Watch out!" My dh retorted in utter disgust, "Like you watched out for me!", which left the man speechless.

A lady saw him but didn't restrain her small child from running right out in front of him. He could hit the child, hit her, or swerve into oncoming pedestrians. He took her out without apology.

He swapped words with another person or 2 and shot some very stern and significant looks at others. Maybe there are a few people who'll be more considerate of ECVs and wheelchairs after tangling with him. On the other hand, if we read how dangerous ECV drivers are and how they should be banned (thinking of a stroller post a few wks ago), don't blame me. I'm only the messenger.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would agree with just about everything your dh did. for example:

"A lady saw him but didn't restrain her small child from running right out in front of him. He could hit the child, hit her, or swerve into oncoming pedestrians. He took her out without apology."

If that happened with me, I would then have asked the woman if she would rather I ran over her child who she was obviously not controlling. I would prefer to hit her rather than an innocent bystander.

Although I am 6"2", and almost 300#, I become very invisible in an ECV. If I have hit someone who walked directly in front of my, I tell them they should be thankful I was going so slowly and they should watch where they are walking.

However, when I am in a crowded area, especially in a store, I nicely comment to people I don't want to run over their feet or destroy their tendons and usually they will give me room to maneuver past.

 

[JudithM]

OMG! My husband & I are reading this & laughing so hard! WHen people start to cut in front of me I usually say something to the effect that if they step in front me, I cannot stop that quickly. Mobile guests can be oblivious to us in an ECV, can't they?

 

[SueM in MN]

I think with some people, you could drive a city bus down the walkway and still be invisible.
In March, we were sitting along the walkway in Epcot watching the Tapestry of Nations (actually, not the right name; it's the next version of the parade). Anyway, there were people walking along the parade route, not watching the parade. They were totally ignoring the CMs with flashlights trying to get them out of the parade path. We saw a couple of people almost get hit by the giant drums. If a 15 foot high drum being beaten on both sides is not enough to get some people's attention, it's no wonder that people with ecvs and wheelchairs are invisible.

 

[cupcake]

I love it!!!!!

I have asked people to move and when they didn't appreciably change positions, I said pleasantly "this thing doesn't turn on a dime, you know" and just moved myself. You'd be surprised at how fast they moved out of the way! But I lack the nerve to say what so often I really wanted to say. If I did what so many children do -- with adult approval -- when I was little or any point thereafter, my mom would have banished me to the room for the day. I just don't get the oblivious drift in front of the wc user mentality. Oh, I forgot, I am invisible!

Cupcake

 

[Tiger Fan]

I used the line, "thank goodness I'm not driving a car", several times last week to people (mostly adults too) that would obviously see me and still dart out in front.

Lisa

 

[terri01p]

I also enjoyed this ...and we all got a good laugh...we have had parents place their child on the back of my daughters wheelchair to get a better look at the parade... we even had a parent drop a cup of soda on my daugther, while waiting in line for a ride" oops sorry didn't see her"....aren't people amazing....we have even had people run in front of us just as we enter an entrance " come on lets hurry, we can out walk them".

 

[SueM in MN]

We've also had a parent place a child on the back of DD's wheelchair to get a better view at Fantasmic. Luckily, the last time we went, they had the standing room only people behind a rail well behind the back row.
In line, we have had small children sit on DD's feet (I guess her footrest looked like a chair to them) and the parent's didn't really do anything. I guess only parts of wheelchairs are invisible.

 

[Talking Hands]

Just got home. Let's see. My dh had to get an ECV today and couldn't believe the number of people who cut in front of him. I just followed in my chair and would comment "better watch out he's a new driver". Most people moved then. You notice I didn't put my power chair in front of him. No way he is ramming my chair accidently.

 

[Nanajo1]

How about the parents that encourage their kids to hop into the small space I leave in a line between me and the person in front of me so I have stopping room. I just tell them they are a high risk of my hitting them if they do that. And wouldn't that be sad!

 

[travelitis]

Getting around the park with me in an ECV and my ds in a wheelchair was an experience we don't care to repeat. We quickly lost our patience for the oblivious and the rude. I watched for little toes and big ones, but this trip I cared much less about the stupid ones.

You know how the ECV is narrower at the front than the back? Well, an oncoming adult walked as close as possible to the ECV and stepped right under my back wheel. I claim no responsibility for running over anyone dense enough to step right up to my wheel.

Another time I saw a man coming, and instead of swerving I just stopped and waited for him to plow head-on into my ECV. It was so crowded I risked running over an innocent pedestrian. Step, step, step, crash, and ugh! The basket IS below the beltline. I just watched him then proceeded after he removed himself (hunched over a bit) from my path.

The unbelievable rudeness of people putting a child on the back of your wheelchair! What is wrong with people? Isn't there a pill to correct this?

 

[Talking Hands]

Even worse is I had a child come up and start playing with my controller. Parent did nothing. Thank God I was sitting and had the power off.

 

[cupcake]

at the experiences related here. I just cannot imagine touching someone else's wc or not assisting someone by opening a door, making room, or whatever, if there was anything I could do.

I *LOVE* the "below the belt" encounter! I bet that guy won't be playing beat-the-scooter again.

Not that I am a vindictive person, but I like to think that what goes around comes around. My big struggle is with the fact that I have heard every stupid hurtful comment under the sun re our 8 lost pregnancies. People think their life experience is the only valid one, or that they know what's good for you, or that a personal comment is perfectly acceptable. It's not my mission in life to educate them and I know I cannot make a clueless person suddenly sensitive, but it is still very frustrating. So I am extra sorry that so many people had such negative experiences with the clueless out there.

Cupcake

 

[SueM in MN]

We saw a boy once at WDW with little signs all over his power wheelchair - things like:
Brake is broken, can't stop suddenly
Don't touch - electric shock risk
Danger of pinching

Since he had so many signs and obviously if there was something wrong either he or his companions already knew it and didn't need signs, I think it was to keep people clear of him. (And someone with a power wheelchair would recognize that most of the things are not real dangers).
I liked the "Below the belt" encounter too. Now, maybe what we all need is a cowcatcher type thing that hits anyone in your path below the belt.

The unbelievable rudeness of people putting a child on the back of your wheelchair! What is wrong with people? Isn't there a pill to correct this?

Wish there was. The problem (at least IMHO) is that too many people believe "It's all about me." And even if they are not that way at home, they behave that way as soon as they land in WDW.

 

[Nanajo1]

As far as people thinking it is okay to stand a child on your w/c or scooter it comes down to the attitude those with disabilities are giving and tolerant and won't mind if they are inconvienced. We are supposed to be grateful for h/p viewing and waiting areas. I am, but that doesn't mean I can be abused. I guess I'm upset that too often we are all lumped together as patient, sweet tempered and all forgiving because we are in w/cs. If we speak out or complain about these inconsiderate people we are looked at as malcontents trying to get something for nothing. Sorry for the rant but had one of those days with the cafeteria lady.

 

[irish]

Just too darn funny!!!! We just returned from WDW with my hubby in an ECV; and boy, can I ever relate to all the comments. It's quite an experience........My comment to several ignorant people - "ride a mile in my hubby's shoes".........

 

[JudySue]

OK, where do I set up the Air Horn rental booth?

Great "Cow catcher" idea.

Are you sure putting spikes on wheels is illegal?

Wonderful thread!

DH (Cheshire Figment) and I are thinking of getting one of the giantpaper flowers the used to sell at PoC (about one and a half foot diamater on the 3 foot stick) to attach to his ECV but doubt it would help

 

[Eeyore1954]

Love this thread!!! I am laughing so hard I am nearly crying!

My DW must use an ECV and we are always amazed at the magical power it has. Because as soon as she sits down, she becomes completely INVISIBLE! It's astonishing! We've joked many times that we should try bank robbery -- I'll drive the getaway car and she rolls in on her ECV, robs the place and gets away without anyone seeing her. Heck, it should work -- because at WDW she is completely invisible to everyone there!!!

We try to work as a team -- I make every effort to warn people, but sometimes people are too self-absorbed to realize that there are other people in this world and some of them are motorized!!

What I love is when she has to back up and the people behind don't move. I usually politely ask them to step back because my wife needs to back up. They stand there like statues. I'll repeat the request a 2nd time -- a little slowly, in case English is not their native tongue.

After that, my wife hits her "horn" button, flips the switch to reverse and begins moving. It's only after she's run over a few feet that she suddenly loses her awesome power of invisibility! To those who dare say anything, I jump in and say "I did warn you and ask you to move. But you chose to ignore me, ignore my wife and ignore the horn." No apologies from us.

 

[mhopset]

When we were at WDW last week there was an invasion of cheerleaders. THey were everywhere. I told my DW if one more cheerleade steps in front of me they are going to be roadkill!

 

[Talking Hands]

I am anything but patient and sweet when I am fustrated and abused. I either cry or get down right nasty. Yes I do have a redhead temper. I try to be as careful as possible but when people continue to press near my chair I do tend to become protective of my own safety first. Been flipped once and it hurt a lot. Not going to happen a second time.