proof for a wheelchair opinoin

[Minuet888]

Hi,
Two years ago when I went to DL I had unexpected ankle surgery and needed to use a wheelchair. I felt guilty using one and avoiding lines (well a little guilty, but still guilty). I brought a note from my doctor and was surprised to hear they didn't need any sort of proof for a wheelchair.
All throughout the day I saw various people who really didn't need a wheelchair but obviously had it and were using it to avoid the lines. I know this because the kids who were in the wheel chair early in the day were screwing around the park later in the day.
I realize looks aren't everything as my mother had a heart condition but looked fine but did need a wheelchair (she had her own) however she always had her handicap plaquard for her car and her wallet medical card and always offered it for proof when avoiding lines at DL.
What do you think about this? Do you think Disney should ask for some medical proof when people are requesting a wheelchair or requesting to avoid the lines due to a medical condition?

 

[sonnyjane]

There have been a number of posts about this, and it can become a heated topic, but I think everyone here would agree that they don't approve of abuse of the system.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I don't think this is just a Disney thing, I'm pretty sure it's against the law to ask for proof. We could easily get lots of proof for my brother from his doctors, but it is also nice to not have to carry around all this documentation.

I wish there was a way to stop people from abusing things, but like SO many other situations, people seem to get away with it.

 

[visitingapril09]

We just returned Friday from 8 days there with my son who is in need of a wheelchair. He is on oxygen and has a custom chair that holds all his medical equipment. Don't even get me started on the abuse of the system that some so desperately need and appreciate. I saw groups of kids switching off whose 'turn' it was to use the wheelchair. That is my only comment on that as I know I have very strong personal feelings about the misuse of the system. However, they aren't allowed to ask for proof of disability or NEED of a wheelchair. It goes against privacy laws. If you pay the $45 then you can rent one..... I think, as a previous poster mentioned, this occurs in many places, policing it becomes very difficult. I will say that the cast members were fabulous to our son, when they saw his 'special' needs they went above and beyond and we are so grateful.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Honestly, if kids are renting wheelchairs just to get a shorter wait time, it's really not worth it and being in the wheelchair/GAC line does not mean you're going to wait a shorter time. This past weekend we used a wheelchair for DBF's father, and in most lines we were waiting longer than if we were just to stand in the standby line.

 

[Mike_M]

I don't approve of people abusing the system (I've actually known people that bragged about doing that as a way to avoid lines) but people find loopholes in things all the time. It's just life. I try not to worry myself with what other people are getting away with so long as it is not blatently affecting my day or those around me.

 

[mechurchlady]

I was asked why I would help someone and my response is "I rather be the sinnee than the sinner". That means I rather not sin by letting a person suffer than be the sinnee who is ripped off by a bad person. That is my life philosophy.

Disney cannot ask for proof of disability unless they are offering a service above what nondisabled guests. Examples would be 50% discount for disabled guests and free admission for a companion. Thus Disney cannot legally ask for proof. As I stated above it is better to be the sinnee instead of the sinner in that the government rather let in a few cheaters and abusers than deny a service to one deserving disabled person.

You must be at least 18 years old to rent a wheelchair.

Judge not lest ye be judged. How do you know that a person is disabled? I use an ECV because I can walk a block or two but then that is it for the day. Some people have partial paralysis, bad backs, are recovering from surgery and other hidden things.

I am in the park to have fun not see who is doing what except to report to my friends on another site if it is silly. I was first on Dumbo but the people at the end of the disabled line had to wait until I rode then the second group rode then they got to ride. I waddled up to Casey Jr. and had to wait for the train to leave the another group to board then on the third train got on. Sometimes I can get right on but usually I have to wait in line longer with the ECV than if I used the regular line. DCA and the bobsleds are rides where the disabled person waits in the main line. I had to wait about half an hour for bobsled so tell me how using a chair gets me on faster. Me and Bill had to wait 20 minutes or more to get on Space Mountain.

I am there to have fun, end of my opinion on people who abuse the GAC and disabled services.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I am in the park to have fun not see who is doing what except to report to my friends on another site if it is silly. I was first on Dumbo but the people at the end of the disabled line had to wait until I rode then the second group rode then they got to ride. I waddled up to Casey Jr. and had to wait for the train to leave the another group to board then on the third train got on. Sometimes I can get right on but usually I have to wait in line longer with the ECV than if I used the regular line. DCA and the bobsleds are rides where the disabled person waits in the main line. I had to wait about half an hour for bobsled so tell me how using a chair gets me on faster. Me and Bill had to wait 20 minutes or more to get on Space Mountain.

Exactly. My first experience with using a wheelchair was this past weekend and I was really amazed on how much longer you wait. And with Matterhorn, Star Tours (until you reach the inside queue) and mostly all the DCA rides you wait in the regular line.

 

[teatime]

I have had to use a ECV several times now, and why? well thats no ones business, but the truth of the matter is I do not look like I need one. But I can not walk far, my legs give out on me and I fall. I have fallen just getting out of bed!
I have a serious back injury and there for can not go any where with out a EVC. but to look at me you would think I did not need one. I never judge people on this issue, who cares, if your there to have fun why worry about other peoples doings? really the waiting is a lot longer at times for people with evc's and there for what are they getting away with?
ever hear about the sliver in someones eye and the board in an other LOL Just go and have fun.
I was once laughed at and told I should get my fat butt out of the chair and walk, it would do me good. people can be giant azz's and so judgmental. but carma, it will get you every time!

 

[mechurchlady]

Also there are laws and park rules about disabled riders. Some are one vehicle per cycle like Grizzly Rapids and Splash Mountain. The submarines is usually one per cycle so that means a long wait. Bobsleds was made to be disabled accessible as are most new rides nowadays like Toy Story. Also the park tends to limit disabled riders using disabled entrances as it is not fair to others. The parks are to give equal access not special treatment and I prefer it that way, equal access but no special line cutting.

 

[Escape2Disney]

It is frustrating when people abuse the system, but it is also hard to prove. Since my disability is sometimes "invisible", people assume from time to time that I'm being "lazy" when I use my ECV. A few bad apples can sure make it more difficult for the rest of us!

I've learned as my disability progresses to put my energy into the fun I'm having in the park rather than the yahoos who are trying to cheat the system. My daughter, on the other hand, has very little patience when she sees blatant abuses of the system and tends to call them on it.

 

[Stacerita]

Hi,
Two years ago when I went to DL I had unexpected ankle surgery and needed to use a wheelchair. I felt guilty using one and avoiding lines (well a little guilty, but still guilty). I brought a note from my doctor and was surprised to hear they didn't need any sort of proof for a wheelchair.
All throughout the day I saw various people who really didn't need a wheelchair but obviously had it and were using it to avoid the lines. I know this because the kids who were in the wheel chair early in the day were screwing around the park later in the day.
I realize looks aren't everything as my mother had a heart condition but looked fine but did need a wheelchair (she had her own) however she always had her handicap plaquard for her car and her wallet medical card and always offered it for proof when avoiding lines at DL.
What do you think about this? Do you think Disney should ask for some medical proof when people are requesting a wheelchair or requesting to avoid the lines due to a medical condition?

It is against the law for them to ask. There will always be those who are looking for a way to cheat the system.

 

[Minuet888]

I certainly didn't mean to get anyone all riled up about it. As I said earlier my mother (may she rest in peace) had a heart condition and used her ECV but on the outside she looked fine. That is why it bugs me with people who abuse the system. For some reason it is the same reaction I get when I see someone park in a handicap space without a handicap plaquard for their car. My mother had one for her car and a cop literally asked her for proof to park there since she looked perfectly fine. My mother was a big advocate for disabled rights and even spoke before congress on behalf of the Americans with Disabilities act. I guess that is why it bothers me so much.
Again I didn't mean to start any sort of argument. I didn't know it was a privacy issue for Disneyland. Thank you for voicing your opinions and letting me know DL's side.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I understand what you're saying. One time I got REALLY angry when on vacation in Oregon. I had to go to Costco, and someone cut me off to park in the last handicap spot. She then HOPPED out of the car and SKIPPED to the door! Now I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but that was rediculous!

I did the not-so-zen thing by double-parking behind her until she got back. I won't quote the conversation because it's a family board.....

 

[mechurchlady]

Minuet888 you get lots of hugs for this post.

From your post people are educated like about when can they ask for proof of disability. It is common for people to vent when disabilities are mentioned. Thank you so much for this post. Make sure mom brings her placard to DLR if she is driving on this trip.

She will not need the GAC unless she walks onto rides. I just tell them at Fantasyland that my ECV is at the exit and I rather not try to fit it in the narrow area. I carry my DLR rental green key tag which helps. Otherwise personss who are not obviously disabled have to get a GAC at City Hall or the Guest Services windows in DCA or to the left of the DCA and DLR entrances respectively.

 

[Minuet888]

Thank you mechurchlady. Unfortunately my mother passed away a little over three years ago as a result of her heart condition. I have many wonderful memories of DL times with her.
One of my favorite stories with my mom at DL was when she was chaperoning our Disneyland badn trip (she was in charge of it in fact). One of the other kids in the band was also in a wheelchair and had never been to DL and didn't know how to manuver around DL. This student also didn't have a lot of friends because he was disabled and in middle school kids can be really cruel to kids who are different. My mother spent all three days with this student and myself showing him all the ins and outs of DL. I remember Robert's favorite part was them stopping the Haunted Mansion ride just for them to get on and riding the streched elevator back up. Suddenly Robert was the most popular kid on the band trip. My mother showed this student such compassion at DL and that is something I will never forget about her.
Hugs all the way around for everyone....now I'm in a sappy mood, lol.

 

[Stacerita]

I would also wonder what "proof" would be acceptable. If it wasn't against the law for them to ask. Would doctor notes be the only ok? But what if they are from another country and have no doc, but still need the wheelchair? I also wouldn't let it be just by someone's word. There are people who lie about being disabled. Heck, there are even people who post on the DIS that have a made up diability. It is against the law for them to ask, and if it wasn't, I would be wary about what they would accept as proof.

 

[mechurchlady]

I also would worry about where they draw the line. I finally got my doctor to start a folder. I have many things wrong but I do not have handy proof. I have scoliosis where my hip and shoulder go right and my ribs go let. I was diagnosed about 1998 and there is nothing that can be done um;ess ot gpt sp bad I was in horrid pain. I do not have proof even though I am diagnosed.

I would hate to see proof being required because there are people who do not have proof or should not need proof. I am for real about my limitations, neurovariations and disabilities and health issues. It is sad and hurtful when you read about the fakers. I wish the fakers could spend on day in my life and live wth neurovariations, limitations and pain maybe then they would not fake stuff.

Hugs again and thanks for bringing this up.

 

[visitingapril09]

I just want to clarify my comments.....

I know that many many people have true hidden disabilities and legitamatly need assistance with walking. My son that is in the wheelchair can walk a bit but not far enough to get from the end of the driveway to the house. My comment was directed most specifically at a group of about 15 year olds that were in line if front of us for Space Mountain, which is one of the rides where you only have one or two wheelchairs down in the loading area at a time. The kids were using a rental chair, were taking turns who rode in it, and as there friends were coming by to chat, were adding them to the line with them bragging that 'they should come with them cause they don't have to wait in lines' They had 9 people with them by the time it was their turn. I partly blame the cast member for not enforcing the rules of party size but these kids were jumping around and one would ride the chair down to the ride, another back up from the ride and then later another was in it when we saw them an hour later.

I meant no disrespect AT ALL for those whose mobility/endurance issues are 'invisable'.

 

[Haunted Man-Shane]

Yes, people do try to "cheat the system," but oftentimes it can backfire, as most queues for new attractions and those that come back from refurbishment are (re)designed to accomodate chairs up to a certain point, and usually reaching that point won't give much of an advantage to a party using a wheelchair or ECV. And in cases like Jungle Cruise, only certain boats can accomodate a chair or a person who needs extra assistance boarding, so you may have to wait for several boats to pass you at the dock before the one you can board arrives, which may well prove to be no advantage at all. If you really do need a chair or ECV to make your trip to the park more comfortable for you, that's nobody's business and there's no reason to feel guilty about it.