Top 10 Things that Annoy People who use Wheelchairs

[kaytieeldr]

Ewww! I'd start shrieking, "Get your filthy hands off my son, you pervert!" I mean, I'm sure they have good intentions, but first, NOBODY should be touching your child (or anyone) without express permission, second as you say, he doesn't need to BE 'healed', and third, they need to keep their filthy hands off your son. Ewww!

disclaimer: "filthy" hands is just an expression; I'm sure their hands are clean but their actions are unsettling.

Just a comment on something I've seen a couple of times in this thread: It may vary by state, but in Massachusetts, the person to whom the HP plate or placard is issued must be the one (or one of the ones) entering or exiting the vehicle when it is parked in a handicapped space. Anything else is a violation - the person not being in the vehicle at all, the person sitting in the driver/passenger seat while someone else runs an errand...

 

[BillSears]

Just a comment on something I've seen a couple of times in this thread: It may vary by state, but in Massachusetts, the person to whom the HP plate or placard is issued must be the one (or one of the ones) entering or exiting the vehicle when it is parked in a handicapped space. Anything else is a violation - the person not being in the vehicle at all, the person sitting in the driver/passenger seat while someone else runs an errand...

Yep, and it's one of my pet peeves too. All the HC spaces filled with some of them where the "owner" of the tag is sitting in the space waiting for someone to run in and out.

 

[peemagg]

Just a comment on something I've seen a couple of times in this thread: It may vary by state, but in Massachusetts, the person to whom the HP plate or placard is issued must be the one (or one of the ones) entering or exiting the vehicle when it is parked in a handicapped space. Anything else is a violation - the person not being in the vehicle at all, the person sitting in the driver/passenger seat while someone else runs an errand...

That is the ruling in Michigan as well. If I am not getting out of the vehicle or not in it, it is against the law for that vehicle to use that spot. It is to be parked in a regular spot.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Not at Disney it's even worse because all too often what happens is some idiot parks a car right across the curb ramp. If there's a line of cars parked alongside a sidewalk somewhere, maybe they just don't notice that taking the next spot in line will put their car right in front of the curb ramp, though the area is usually outlined in bright blue as it's illegal to park there. Or perhaps they just don't care, but it's incredibly frustrating when I now have to take the scooter in an adventure circling 'round the building trying to find another place where I can get up onto the sidewalk. This used to happen all the time on my college campus and I took great glee in whipping out my cell phone to call Campus Security and have the offending car ticketed.

Even worse is when the car that has blocked the curb cut has a Handicapped Parking tag! I saw that the other day at the dr.s office. Fortunately I wasn't using my scooter but of all the people to block the accessibility for everyone else, they have not excuse to not know better!

I think the biggest complaint I have is that my wonderful son who is age 10 and uses a wheelchair to get around due to CP who is perfect to us does NOT need to be healed. I am so tired of people coming up to him to put their hands on him without asking to heal him of his affliction. Another one is those older folks at Wal-Mart on the 1st of each month (so I try my best to avoid going during that time frame) that tell me if I did not drink or smoke while I was carrying him he would not be "retarded or handicap" (his CP was birth trama from a doctor accident-I do not smoke or drink)

OMG! I would be smacking people's hands! And for the comments I would be beyond angry.


I have to say that I haven't gotten too upset at people that lean on my scooter chair. It has happened quite a few times but usually when I realize it and look back it is someone (usually an older lady) that needs somewhere to lean and hold on to. Since I know how that feels I cut them some slack and usually we end up having a nice chat.

It may vary by state, but in Massachusetts, the person to whom the HP plate or placard is issued must be the one (or one of the ones) entering or exiting the vehicle when it is parked in a handicapped space. Anything else is a violation - the person not being in the vehicle at all, the person sitting in the driver/passenger seat while someone else runs an errand...

Here is the same thing but not only do you have the hang tag but there is an ID card that comes with it and I have to carry it and I can be asked to show it along with my Drivers license to prove I am the one the tag belongs to. Never have had to show it and probably never will but it is in my wallet just in case.

The only time that I have had someone actually comment on my using a hc spot shocked me! We were actually driving away and I had my window down and an older man looking for a hc parking spot yelled at me "You need to save those spots for those that REALLY need them." I picked up my hang tag that I had removed from my window and showed it to him and he just yelled again "I saw you, you didn't need it!" Now if he had seen enough to decide that I didn't need one he must have missed the large boot on my leg, the prominent limp, and my husband loading my ECV into the car.

 

[Nanajo1]

Even worse is when the car that has blocked the curb cut has a Handicapped Parking tag! I saw that the other day at the dr.s office. Fortunately I wasn't using my scooter but of all the people to block the accessibility for everyone else, they have not excuse to not know better!]
How about those w/H/P placards that park in the Van accessible crosshatch?
It got so bad at my local hospital they put posts in that space so it can't be parked in. I been blocked out of my van too many times. It usually is the ignorance of the need for that space to be empty. Many times the offenders return and are very apologetic stating they thought because they had a placard they could park there.

 

[lovetoscrap]

How about those w/H/P placards that park in the Van accessible crosshatch?
It got so bad at my local hospital they put posts in that space so it can't be parked in. I been blocked out of my van too many times. It usually is the ignorance of the need for that space to be empty. Many times the offenders return and are very apologetic stating they thought because they had a placard they could park there.

Yep. Where do they put the posts? That seems like it would be just as much of a problem?

Yeesh, and to think that I feel guilty if I park in a Van Accessible spot. If I don't realize it is a van spot until I pull in I will back out and go to another HC spot unless there are aren't any others available or a safe nearby regular spot (and then I feel guilty!).

 

[Nanajo1]

The posts are place about three quarters of the way in. You do have to be aware so you can get your door open and the ramp down. It is abig improvement. For awhile I had to stop driving myself to MD appoints at hte hosp because of getting blocked out.

 

[Janell]

Ive had to use an ECV and my mom uses one all the time. I really hate when people walk right in front of you, thinking you have breaks and can stop. It happened to my mom the other day, a little girl, Im guessing 8-9 years old walked right in front of my mom scooter, my mom let off on the power and didn't hit the girl. But the girl gave her such a dirty look. That drives me nuts, you walk in front of someone and you give the dirty look?

I guess I really don't like how others view and look at you. Im young, people have no idea I had two back surgeries when I was 13 years old. I look like I shouldn't have any problems. But I do, a lot of daily pain. I use a walking stick sometimes and sometimes I don't. Some times and ecv and sometimes not. I get looks from other people like why do you need this, why do you use the HC stall in bathrooms(because the seat is taller and my back hurts) And so on. It drives me nuts and Im getting to the point that I just don't care what others think or how they look at me. I think to myself, if you want the ecv, walking stick or HC stall, then I would be happy to switch with you. I give it all up to not have daily pain.

 

[LilyWDW]

Lily - the information you have and share is simply astounding. Will you please be my new best friend? I mean, I knew the "out of the flow of traffic" requirement - in fact, recently a woman here trying to park in a handicap space directly in front of a medical office at the curb cut instead drove INTO the office... because there was no curb to stop her - but the bathroom design information is wonderful.

Is there anything else you can share with us?

Ronda

There is SO much that you have to keep in mind when you are designing, ADA is but the tip of the iceberg. I think many people would be surprised just how in depth these codes are and just what goes into them. It is not just one or two things... it is pages of information on how to do anything.

I can share all kinds of information if anyone else has anymore questions. I know in the past I have used some of the info I have to explain how room occupancy works and why some places/rides have not been mainstreamed.

And yes, you can be my friend

 

[Beccabunny]

DD10 uses a special needs stroller that, in my eyes, really does look more like a wheelchair than a stroller. I'll be pushing her through a crowded shop in WDW, and inevitably a baby stroller-pushing parent will expect me to move and give way for their precious little darling. I don't understand the attitude. Do they really think I'm just pushing a lazy child in a large stroller? Are they living in such a bubble that they've never seen a special needs stroller? Or is my disabled child somehow inferior to their own? I really don't think I'm misreading the attitude. The look of disdain is hard to miss.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have a couple of pet peeves when it comes to using a wheelchair.

People who lean on the back of my wheelchair. Excuse me. I don't know you so get out of my space.

People who assume that since I use a wheelchair I am on disability and his taxes are paying for my Disney trips. I work and pay taxes thank you.

People that come from behind and then cross in front of me. Being hard of hearing, I don't know that you are there until you suddenly appear in front of me. If you geet clipped it is your fault not mine.

 

[Deesknee]

I hate people who judge why I'm in a chair, and drivers that start to back up before looking. I just applied for the HC placard. I don't drive, and alot of times, I don't need my chair.

I look healthy, no limp. We had taken my wheel chair into a store, when going to the car I rolled myself ahead of dh (who usually pushes me) due to the fact it began to rain & he was distracted w/dd. I was nearly backed into by a car who didn't see me. Another time I was feeling okay, so I was walking from the car into the store by myself, I began to get unsteady so I stopped to regain my balance. It usually takes anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The car I was standing behind started & began to back up, thank God he noticed me, because if I moved I was going to fall.