use of wheelchairs

[dianna-tn]

While we were at the parks last week, I have never seen so many young children in wheelchairs. I don't mean to cause any problems with my next statements, but being in the medical field for 25 years has taught me pretty good assesment skills. It was if these children were to big to ride in strollers anymore so a wheelchair was the answer. These children that I'm talking about had no broke bone, no signs of chemo or radiation for cancer, not overly obese. Several people made comments that before a child or adult got a wheelchair or scooter they needed to have a prescription from a doctor.
I'm not trying to step on anyones toes, if they know a reason these children need a wheelchair. In my opinion, laziness is not a reason to get a wheelchair. When I saw some of these children, they would jump out of the wheelchair if there was something they wanted to see or do. If I'm wrong, please help educate me about this situation. Has anyone else noticed this?
What is your opinion?

Thanks
Dianna

 

[Inkmahm]

... Several people made comments that before a child or adult got a wheelchair or scooter they needed to have a prescription from a doctor.
...
Thanks
Dianna

Not sure where you read or heard that but it is NOT true. Anyone can rent a wheelchair or a scooter for any reason at WDW.

 

[mrsksomeday]

being in the medical field for 25 years has taught me pretty good assesment skills.

By being in the medical field "for 25 years" I would think you would know something about hidden disabilities. For all you know these children could have lung issues, stamina issues, brain tumors etc. It is not for anyone to judge why a person has to use a wheelchair or ECV.

Many children with autism need a safe haven such as a special needs stroller/wheelchair to help cope with all the stimulation in WDW.

I would also think you would know something about the American's with Disability Act (ADA). There is no requirement for needing a written doctors order to rent a wheelchair or scooter.

I don't notice wheelchairs/scooter for 2 reasons:

1) My fiance is in a power wheelchair and has Cerebral Palsy. He looks "disabled" so no one like you would have to judge whether he needed his chair or not.

2) We are on vacation and having a good time not worrying about what others are or are not doing, it is none of our business.

In my opinion, if you have enough time to worry and judge, you aren't doing Disney right.

 

[marynvince]

and use a wheel chair to get to the front of the line, often with a large party in tow. It Happens

 

[Tara]

I fail to see what this has to do with DVC. It's a heated topic AND it's completely off-topic for this board.

 

[wildernessDad]

My wife has MS and requires a wheelchair when at the parks and when going large distances within the resorts. Sometimes she can walk and she uses the wheelchair as a walker. We bring a wheelchair from home and I load it into busses without assistance. Got a snarky comment one time from some jerk on the bus about why do some people need wheelchairs outside of the parks, as if we only used it to get up in line.

Seriously, you don't know, so you should not assume.

 

[Chuck S]

and use a wheel chair to get to the front of the line, often with a large party in tow. It Happens

Just to clarify, before I close this thread.

Wheelchair users do NOT go to the front of the line at most attractions. And often have to wait longer than being in the regular queue, for those few attractions where wheelchairs are not main streamed into the regular queue.

This is especially true at Spaceship Earth and Splash Mountain. Also, if they can not transfer, they need to wait for the special attraction cars that will accommodate wheelchairs. The only wheelchair guests afforded front of the line access are Make a Wish guests, which as you know, are very ill, usually terminally ill, children, and they have a special ID pass.

As others have said, you do not need a prescription to obtain a wheelchair or scooter, and having Disney or any other company ask a question beyond "Are you disabled?" is illegal under the privacy clauses in the ADA.

This thread does not meet the criteria of being DVC specific, and is not appropriate for the DVC Forums. It is closed. If you wish to continue this discussion, I suggest you post on the disABILITIES! board.