Wheelchair abuse?

[JohnnySharp2]

I can relate to a lot of what people have said. Our son is 10 and Autistic, he is unable to talk.
Whilst he is perfectly mobile he cannot walk long distances, his autism just prevents him from being able to....in the past we have taken an over-size stroller with us but now he has grown out of that. For the 1st time next March we are taking a small (children's size) wheelchair with us.
We have had comments from CMs in the past "that child is too big for that stroller", "why isn't your son walking" etc
Hence I am wary about what will happen now, although to be blunt I don't care and will let any CM who says anything know that!

We get a GAC pass but rarely use it, and we always let Joshua walk on to the rides and park the wheelchair outside, so we do encourage and insist he walks and stands patiently in line too - if there is only a small queue we do stand in the normal line.
So as you can see we try and treat him like any parents do with their child, I guess it's just a concern over 'peoples reaction' to seeing a perfectly mobile boy getting in and out of a wheelchair.

 

[MousekeMommy]

I'm not a bit surprised that CMs question the use of wheelchairs or strollers. It seems that it's human nature to speculate whether someone is a "cheater" or not . . . I had a CM at Downtown Disney verbally question my son in a stroller, and he's only 4! We had the big, obvious, red "stroller as wheelchair" on the handle, too! He has complete AV heart block, and the July heat and Disney walking distances were just too much for him. The comment really hurt my son's feelings, so I defended him by explaining to the CM why this "big boy" was still using a stroller, and she just said "oh". I just let it go at that . . . I didn't want to make a big deal out of her ignorant comment--I didn't want it to seem like a significant point of view to my son. Some people (yes, even some Disney CMs) are just ignorant when it comes to disabilities (and tact).

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I'm not a bit surprised that CMs question the use of wheelchairs or strollers. It seems that it's human nature to speculate whether someone is a "cheater" or not . . . I had a CM at Downtown Disney verbally question my son in a stroller, and he's only 4! We had the big, obvious, red "stroller as wheelchair" on the handle, too! He has complete AV heart block, and the July heat and Disney walking distances were just too much for him. The comment really hurt my son's feelings, so I defended him by explaining to the CM why this "big boy" was still using a stroller, and she just said "oh". I just let it go at that . . . I didn't want to make a big deal out of her ignorant comment--I didn't want it to seem like a significant point of view to my son. Some people (yes, even some Disney CMs) are just ignorant when it comes to disabilities (and tact).

Yes I completely agree.

 

[KPeveler]

I think i am going to print up one page sheets about my disability and illness, and whenever stupid people make comments, just give them the page with a smile, and say "here, educate yourself..."

I wanted to do that to a guy who said to me the other day when i was in my chair "oh, you have it made!" yes, i have it made. i also have a disease in which daily movement literally tears my joints apart and i have osteoarthritis at age 22. but thank god i dont have to walk around best buy!

 

[Tissa]

I think karma catches up to wheelchair cheaters on the safari. I swear we wait two or three times as long to get on that thing as people who don't have wheelchairs.

I say if folks enjoy sitting in a wheelchair on the bus with someone's hind-end right at eye level. . .

There will be so many eye opening experiences for "cheaters" it may be a benefit to those in actual need in the end.

Yes Safari is the worst, the wait is usually long enough for my autistic son to start having a meltdown so now we just skip the safari. Splash is another one where if you have to wait a bit if there are any other wheelchair users in front of you.

We probably look like cheaters and you know what? I really don't care.
My ds has CP and can walk just not long distances. We now have a Convaid chair for him. Sometimes if he has been in it for a while and is excited he wants to walk and my autistic son is tired and wants to ride so they switch out for a bit. Or I may be pushing an empty chair while ds walks. Are we cheaters? No we had to get a prescription from his Dr to purchase it.

Also the bit about the bus and getting on quicker. Not always and if you do it's nothing like going in front of a mob of tired people giving you dirty looks. My ds refuses to board the bus like this, it made him cry. We now drive to the parks so we do not have to be boarded first and get the looks.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

I'm hoping that no one will think I'm abusing use of an Disney ECV when we go in January. I'm thankful that my primary disability is visible (genetic syndrome) is visible, but the reason why I have to use a wheelchair, is not. Except for the ankle leg brace on my right leg. We're going to be taking my Kaye walker to Disney, and that should make it easier on my mom, rather than having to assemble/disassemble my manual wheelchair at the planeside, then having to lift into the back of her car/rental vehicle.

I'm thankful that when people see me, they aren't quick to judge why I have to use a wheelchair. Sometimes, they do ask questions about why I have to use a wheelchair, and I'm always happy to say, "Because I have osteoarthritis, scoliosis, congenital hip dysplasia and dystonia, that comes with the syndrome I was born with." Of course, sometimes I get the kind of treatment where people think that I can't speak up for myself, when I am able to, and they ask my husband/mom/community inclusion person about what I want, need, like, etc. In those cases, I quickly speak up, which surprises the person asking the question. Even though I am profoundly deaf in my left ear, and do wear a special kind of hearing aid, I completely understand what goes on around me.

Samantha

 

[wheelie]

It is hard for me to understand why someone would think that being in a wheelchair is an advantage. As someone who is a recent disabled person I wish that I could run with the kids or walk or even stand. That is not going to happen but that doesn't change who I am or give me special privledges. I do not want someone to feel sorry for me because I am confined to a wheelchair. That does not define who I am. If someone feels the need to "cheat" so be it. There are people in every part of society that "cheat" at something. I am not here to be the judge and jury. I am only here to have a great time when I visit WDW.

 

[tigercat]

What is GAC? I am going in Sept. and I am thinking that I may end up having to rent an EVC for some of it. I do not look forward to that however. The last time I went nuts as people would walk right in front of me and then come to a dead stop. Or there would be a clearing and then a group of people would go around me and congregate right in front of me. I have fibromyagia and Hashimotos disease. You can't see them but they are there. I do walk but find that after a day or two at the parks I am in so much pain from all the walking. Standing is the worst though for me. I have to try and keep moving a little. I still am going back and forth about the thought of renting one but everyone else who is going with me is adament about me renting one.
tigercat

 

[SueM in MN]

What is GAC?

It stands for Guest Assistance Card and it is a card that tells the CMs at attractions what sort of assistance people with disabilities need.

There is a section about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the thread lest on this board.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I am going in Sept. and I am thinking that I may end up having to rent an EVC for some of it. I do not look forward to that however. The last time I went nuts as people would walk right in front of me and then come to a dead stop. Or there would be a clearing and then a group of people would go around me and congregate right in front of me. I have fibromyagia and Hashimotos disease. You can't see them but they are there. I do walk but find that after a day or two at the parks I am in so much pain from all the walking. Standing is the worst though for me. I have to try and keep moving a little. I still am going back and forth about the thought of renting one but everyone else who is going with me is adament about me renting one.
tigercat

Everyone with you has good reason to want you to use an ECV. It will make the trip better for them, as they will (1) not be held back by your being slow and having to rest, and (2) not worrying about having to leave you sitting in the room in pain while they are playing in the parks.

Please ask 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 travelling 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!

 

[delswife]

Everyone with you has good reason to want you to use an ECV. It will make the trip better for them, as they will (1) not be held back by your being slow and having to rest, and (2) not worrying about having to leave you sitting in the room in pain while they are playing in the parks.

Please ask 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 travelling 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!

Outstanding advice!

I've been a total pain about renting wheels and finally decided it would be a better vacation with one.

My disability is obvious now, I wear 2 aircast to walk. Yeah, I can walk in them but the only real mileage I can get is in a car.

There MUST be something better to look at in Disney than someone on wheels.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

There MUST be something better to look at in Disney than someone on wheels.

You'd think so, wouldn't you? Maybe we're all just so beautiful that some people can't help but stare.

 

[michelle9343]

I always think it is so sad that many think using a WC has advantages. The only true advantage while at Disney is the mobility of the person in the chair . My DD uses a WC and when I had surgry I used one for a couple of day trips to Disney. Let me tell you I HATED it. I felt like people were going to fall on me at any moment . Looking a butts all day is no fun. And while waited at watch something people have no problem standing in front of you. It was alot worse then I expected. I have been recently diagnosed with Lupus and Sjogrens and I know that using a WC or EVC would make my days doeable but right now I have chosen to just stay home. If we go to Disney it is just for a few hours with a ton of brakes.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear you had a rough time in the wheelchair. Sometimes it can be fairly tricky, I'll grant you that. I think being in a wheelchair allows you to see both the best and the worst in humanity. Yes, you will get the inconsiderate idiots, but you also get completely random strangers, politely offering that little bit of help that can turn around an awful day (not saying that being on wheels suddenly makes you a charity case, but all of us need a little help sometimes).

I know how hard a decision it can be to use a chair when you are technically 'mobile', but it can change your quality of life. I don't know if it'd be any use to you, but I've found the 'But You Don't Look Sick' forums really helpful for me. Just in case, here's the link:
www.butyoudontlooksick.com

Sending you happy thoughts

 

[SueM in MN]

I think being in a wheelchair allows you to see both the best and the worst in humanity. Yes, you will get the inconsiderate idiots, but you also get completely random strangers, politely offering that little bit of help that can turn around an awful day (not saying that being on wheels suddenly makes you a charity case, but all of us need a little help sometimes).

 

[rwrocksme]

I can relate to a lot of what people have said. Our son is 10 and Autistic, he is unable to talk.
Whilst he is perfectly mobile he cannot walk long distances, his autism just prevents him from being able to....in the past we have taken an over-size stroller with us but now he has grown out of that. For the 1st time next March we are taking a small (children's size) wheelchair with us.
We have had comments from CMs in the past "that child is too big for that stroller", "why isn't your son walking" etc
Hence I am wary about what will happen now, although to be blunt I don't care and will let any CM who says anything know that!

We get a GAC pass but rarely use it, and we always let Joshua walk on to the rides and park the wheelchair outside, so we do encourage and insist he walks and stands patiently in line too - if there is only a small queue we do stand in the normal line.
So as you can see we try and treat him like any parents do with their child, I guess it's just a concern over 'peoples reaction' to seeing a perfectly mobile boy getting in and out of a wheelchair.

We got that comment in the mall once, from a jerk who was snickering and pointing and stuff. My mom explained that I have a disability (in a VERY firm voice) and he laughed at her, walked away, and whispered, "Liar."

There are jerks out there. Sadly, Disney has to let them in.

 

[rwrocksme]

You'd think so, wouldn't you? Maybe we're all just so beautiful that some people can't help but stare.

Well, I know that's the case with me...I'm just radiant!

No, really. I am beautiful, in every single way. Yes I am beautiful, no matter what they say///

 

[SandrainNC]

We actually know people who did this (rented a wheelchair to skip the lines). My DH's ex-roomate (this was around 1996 or so) had been to WDW with his girlfriend. They bragged about how they rented a wheelchair every day and each day one of them would take a turn riding in the chair while the other one pushed to skip the lines. And that we should try it! I do not think so!! I am hoping that it is true that this is very very rare.

Sandra

 

[KPeveler]

bad karma! i cannot believe people will fake a disability just to avoid lines... BAD KARMA! someday they will be facing declining mobility, and no one will care, because "everyone knows they're just faking."

i am 22 and i have already had to let go of many things i used to be able to do... i cannot imagine pretending to be worse to get more benefits...

some people just shock me!

 

[Napria]

This topic is here by a different poster every time I visit the DIS, which isn't as often I I'd like.

I'm sorry to see it each time, but I understand. And I also read through each post every time.

You see, my 10 year old autistic, epileptic son has mild cerebral palsy due to a perinatal stroke. He can walk, despite what the neurologist who first diagnosed him when he was three months old said. DS has his own Convaid wheelchair, perscribed for transport after a seizure (he's unconscience for 1/2 hour or so after a seizure). We didn't get it in time for the last trip to WDW this past January, but we rented a wheelchair.

I was terrified that we'd get dirty looks. It's best for DS to walk, but he tends to run away... FAST! Especially in strange, busy, hyperstimulating situations.

Can you imagine what it's like to lose a child? We have lost him in crowds before, one time at a hot air balloon festival in a strange town with literally hundreds of people at night (balloon glow night) and he was lost for about 45 minutes. I thought we would never see him again. That 45 minutes was the worst 45 *years* of my life (or at least each minute he was lost felt like a year.)

So there he was last January saying, "I want to WALK" and we're saying, "No, honey, just sit in the chair." I was waiting for the nasty comments and looks, but there wasn't one the entire week.

As to getting on the rides faster, the GAC card was the difference between riding or not riding for us. And we still waited. Sometimes in a fastpass line, sometimes waiting for a cast member in a quiet place till we could be taken to the loading area. But despite the *shorter* waits, we averaged only 3 - 4 rides a day. That's all DS can take. Then we have to completely exit the parks and get away from the people, noise, visual stim, etc.

Thank you to Disney World for an outstanding job accommodating as many different disabilities as they do. WDW would be totally out of the question for us otherwise.