The BAD About Our Recent Trip...

[SueM in MN]

OT- sorry! but i have things in my brain that need to get out!

on our 1989 trip to disney with my family i had to be in a wheelchair.....i had JUST gotten out of the hospital after a week LONG stay getting my (almost) burst appendix out, intravenous antibiotics blah blah......

i left the hospital one day and was on the plane the next to disney- my dr told me i had to use a wheelchair to get around. for me i was soooo embarrased because people would just STARE at you--right at you!, it was horrible. i would get to go to the front of all the lines because i was in a wheelchair- but i would hop right out and get on the ride......my mother told me to "at least" look like you might be in a bit of pain so people dont think you are faking!

i didnt care- it was more embarrasing to have people stare at me, i just wanted to GET OUT!

In 1989, most of the lines were not wheelchair accessible, so the only way in with a wheelchair was to go however the CMs took you in.

Now, most of the lines are wheelchair accessible and people using wheelchairs don't get taken to the front of lines.
It hasn't stopped people staring though. It also hasn't stopped people from making comments about those they think are not ACTUALLY disabled. We have seen people stare at DD and say (loud enough for us to all hear) that they think we are 'faking'. On one occasion that was because they saw DD sitting on a bench next to her wheelchair. Since she was out of the wheelchair, was crossing her legs and swinging her foot, they 'decided' she was not ACTUALLY disabled.
And it's not like we had a rented wheelchair. She has a custom lightweight wheelchair with special seating. And, it's not like they even saw her walking - she's not able to do that; about all she can do is swing her leg.

 

[Simba22]

hey! an hour in a disney bus line is better than an hour at work anytime!

100% AGREE!!

 

[Darian]

OT- sorry! but i have things in my brain that need to get out!

on our 1989 trip to disney with my family i had to be in a wheelchair.....i had JUST gotten out of the hospital after a week LONG stay getting my (almost) burst appendix out, intravenous antibiotics blah blah......

i left the hospital one day and was on the plane the next to disney- my dr told me i had to use a wheelchair to get around. for me i was soooo embarrased because people would just STARE at you--right at you!, it was horrible. i would get to go to the front of all the lines because i was in a wheelchair- but i would hop right out and get on the ride......my mother told me to "at least" look like you might be in a bit of pain so people dont think you are faking!

i didnt care- it was more embarrasing to have people stare at me, i just wanted to GET OUT!

I think a lot of the disabled folks here on the DIS know exactly what you mean by having people stare at you when you are in a wheel chair. Maybe its cuz you are just cute and people want to look at you. I don't know. What gets to me is having people pretend you don't exist... they interact with my DW who is standing, but generally in crowds I'm often treated like an object. yeah weird I know.

 

[maddhatir]

I think a lot of the disabled folks here on the DIS know exactly what you mean by having people stare at you when you are in a wheel chair. Maybe its cuz you are just cute and people want to look at you. I don't know. What gets to me is having people pretend you don't exist... they interact with my DW who is standing, but generally in crowds I'm often treated like an object. yeah weird I know.

well of course it was because i am cute -- but-- i hated when the kids would stare--because they were eye level!

i cant imagine ignoring someone because they are in a wheelchair! maybe they feel so uncomfortable-- they dont know what to do! so they 1- stare......or 2- totally ignore you

how about option #3 people-- treat them kindly and just like everyone else!

 

[mommiepoppins]

I had a cm get mad at me after I was on hold for 45 min to answer a qustion. They got an att when I wanted anothor answer.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Since I am the one that mentioned seeing the families swapping out, I wil respond to you. Yes, I understand there are exceptions...there are exceptions to EVERYTHING in life. Likewise, I understand that situation was an exception. I can't speak for everyone I and I know that I am not one to judge anyone, but for ME, it is just human nature if I see something like I decsribed (with an adult and 3 teenagers in the situation I witnessed) to question it somewhat and think of it as immoral.

I'm sorry if I came across defensive! I would have questioned the behavior you witnessed as well. Like I said in my original post (emphasis added)...

While I completely agree that there are people out there who abuse renting wheelchairs...

(blah blah blah...my story about family using weelchairs...)

...So, maybe not everyone you see doing this is abusing the system. (Just some of 'em!)

I think we really agree...I just wanted to point out the other side of the coin. I'm by nature an optomist / glass-half-full type of person, so when I see something "strange" I usually tend to assume there is more than meets the eye. (I'm not talking about out-and-out wrongs, like parents beating kids, etc.) I DO realize that people abuse the use of wheelchairs, and it makes me angry as well. But I don't want to just assume the worst in people. I think that's one reason I like Disney so much...it's all about happiness and goodness and having fun!

I've enjoyed reading all the different opinions and observations, and that's what I like about the DIS...we're all different but our common link is that we love Disney. I've learned so much from the various threads and posts, and I've often come away seeing an issue from another point of view that I had not thought of before.

 

[Darian]

well of course it was because i am cute -- but-- i hated when the kids would stare--because they were eye level!

i cant imagine ignoring someone because they are in a wheelchair! maybe they feel so uncomfortable-- they dont know what to do! so they 1- stare......or 2- totally ignore you

how about option #3 people-- treat them kindly and just like everyone else!

I like your option number 3. Of course being at kid eye level puts you squarly at adult butt level. And there is something about Disney food that give a lot of people horrible gas. When you are in a crowded walkway its often difficult to get fresh aire when you are in terrible need of it!