Sensitive Question about Scooters

[mellvswdw1]

Hi All! I have been a lurker for quite some time, so please bear with me!

I am taking my parents to Disney from September 3-7th. I need a scooter for my mother due to mutiple foot surgeries, and two back surgeries. She has gained quite a bit of weight in the past few years, and is quite upset and embarassed about her need. She cannot walk very far without a lot of pain, and is on several milligrams of pain medication a day. I am looking at renting a scooter for her that will be delivered to SSR, so she won't have to do much walking. She will be able to do transfers from the scooter to a ride.

Here is the sensitive part....she really doesn't want to use the scooter. She is afraid people will think she is "lazy and too fat to walk". The ironic thing is my father who can walk (and I don't think anything is wrong with him at all) is demanding to use a scooter as well.

She is worried about waiting in line for the buses, and being put in the front of the line "just because". We are not the type who would just roll up and expect to get on before others who have waited longer.

So my question is....are there scooters for bigger size folks that can be taken apart easily, so my dad and I can carry them on to the bus and she can get on normally? It is not hard for her to walk too far, but the walk from the room to the bus stop, and then the bus stop to the park will be far too much.

I sincerely appreciate any feedback you might have...thanks again!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

I'm sorry but a "standard size" ECV tends to weight between 150 and 200 pounds. Mine, for example, weighs 192 pounds and breaks down to six parts (two batteries, seat, motor/rear wheels assembly, tiller main body and seatpost, and shroud that covers batteries and motor). two of them are about 45 pounds and bulky.

Please ask her the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Perhaps it would help if you drove the scooter on to and off of the buses for her? Getting them on and off the bus and parallel parked in the spot it has to go in is tricky. If she is already uncomforatble she may get flustered and make it even harder. Let her and Dad walk and you put the scooter on and off. Also remind her that she will most likely not be able to stand on the buses and will have to have a seat. Getting on first with the scooter is the only way to guarantee that.

As Cheshire points out-- there is NO ONE there that you will ever see again! Don't even give a thought to what others may be thinking. They have no idea what your medical needs are nor is it any of their business. And in my experience you will find way more helpful and friendly people than you will ones that want to judge.

 

[mellvswdw1]

Thank you so much Cheshire Figment and lovetoscrap! I am so glad you both posted!

Cheshire Figment....My mother is well over 250lbs, so it seems that a smaller scooter that breaks down won't work. Thank you for your post. My parents LOVE Disney and this will be such a blessing to be with them 10 years after our first trip together, so we will enjoy our time there, and not care about others opinions!

Lovetoscrap.....Thanks for the suggestion about me driving the scooter onto the bus. I think this will take the pressure off of her and dad...they tend to argue quite a bit....even after 35 years of marriage.

Thanks again!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And my ECV's capacity is either 350 or 400 pounds so it is "standard". The heaavy duty ones will have a capacity of 450 or 500 pounds, and even they can be taken apart.

 

[brekin67]

I have the same concern for my mother. She is embarrassed that she is overweight. She has post polio and arthritis. She is worried that people will be staring at her. I told her from what I can see the only time people really seem to mind is in the bus line at the end of the day when people get grouchy. My mother is going to get out of the scooter when we leave the park and let my thin sister ride the chair on to the bus. My mom likes that better.

 

[mellvswdw1]

Good idea brekin! I have decided to rent a car. I found a really good deal through priceline, and was able to get a fullsize car for $185. We can break it down and not worry about getting on and off the busses. Makes for much happier parents, which makes me happier! Thanks for every suggestion and support!