If this person is an elder, such an explanation may well insult both their intelligence and dignity.
We (I'm one by age, not mindset
)
know that an
ECV is helpful, a tool to enable and improve.
Even those who wear glasses or hearing aids may resist an ECV because those practically scream, "I'm too decrepit to walk anymore." People of all ages may use eyeglasses or a hearing aid--both far more common and less conspicuous than an ECV.
It's difficult to impossible for younger still-vigorous adults to understand how difficult admitting we need these very useful tools can be. Foremost is having to admit to ourselves we're not in as good shape as we used to be.
A better approach might be, "Can we talk about this more? We'd really love to have you go with us. I'd like to know how you feel about using an ECV and will listen carefully." Then, do that.
First of all, the intent was never to offend anyone, and I feel certain that you - with the wisdom of your years - would know that.
Many, if not most, of the people who *rent* mobility devices to use at WDW never have to use one in their daily lives at home. They have, by design, knowingly or unknowingly, created routines, habits and preferences that allow them to move through their days at home without need of an assistive device.
When they arrive at WDW, they are suddenly confronted with a habitat where they are expected to walk (on average) between 3 & 10 miles *per day* . It's often impossible for them to do one day, let alone a week or more.
*Those* people are the one who resist the use of a "
scooter". They believe if they don't need one at home, then why should they use one now that we are at Disney World? What they don't realize is that creeping around, bench to curb to planter to bench all day ruins not just their vacation, but everyone who travels with them, not to mention it often requires a vacation to recuperate from their vacation when they get home!
They are often in an emotional state; they may not be rational. Even just talking about it while planning their WDW vacation may stress some of these folks out. I know that the first time *I* had to use an ECV I was not at all thinking straight. I was working under the delusion that I was fine, and I just needed to "sit for just a minute" before struggling on to find another place to "sit for just a minute" more. At the time I wasn't even 50 years old. I also had not yet been (officially) diagnosed with any of the conditions and diseases that I was clearly suffering from at the time. I considered myself to be "normal".
As I have stated here before, I ugly cried the first time I had to break down and rent an ECV while in the Parks. Well before the end of that first day I realized that my pride, and my fears had prevented me from using a *tool* that would not only make my vacation better, but that of my family as well. The next morning, I saw clearly that my use of the scooter was better for everyone; my family no longer had to wait for me as I was now able to keep up easily with them. We got twice as much done in half the time, and at the end of the day I was the one who was still raring to go, ready to grab a ride to Disney Springs for adult beverages.
In that moment, when I was sitting there in Epcot, crying my eyes out over the thought that *I* would have to use a horrible old granny scooter, one of my family members handed me a tissue, and told me "It's just a tool, to get a job done. No different than wearing your prescription glasses to see better, or Gpop's (grandpa's) hearing aids to hear better".
That explanation resonated with me in the moment. Since then, I have used that explanation to help others overcome their discomfort with the idea.
So, again - I certainly didn't intend to offend anyone, least of all you. If that concept does not reflect your idea of the best way to help someone overcome that fear, that reluctance to use a device to improve their situation, that's fine.
I don't want anyone to *have* to use a mobility device at WDW, but there are many who clearly benefit from it. That particular explanation has helped a lot of folks have a better trip, and accept using an ECV without denting their pride.
