Wheelchair question

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Guys,
We visit every year and have a young son who is 8 and Autistic.
Whilst he is perfectly mobile he cannot walk long distances so we generally always bring our own over-size stroller, he has learning difficulties and is unable to talk, although able to communicate in other ways - he is a happy, playful boy and loves Orlando.

He is just getting too big for the stroller now and following a recent medical appointment we are being given a wheelchair, although it is one suitable for young children as it's a fairly small one.

Whilst we have no problem with this, and we do get the GAC passes at both Disney and Universal, has anyone any experiences to share on similar trips?

Like I say we visit Florida every year and are obviously very familiar with all the theme parks etc

We generally do our own thing and have a wonderful time, staying in a villa, but for the 1st time I am slightly concerned that people may get the wrong impression about Joshua, mainly because although he is in a wheelchair (albeit a small childrens one) he is able to walk, something that we naturally encourage him to do as much as possible.

It is just that he cannot walk for very long, and we much prefer the comfort of the w/chair to any of the strollers you can rent at the parks.

 

[MommytoMJM]

We have the same situation with MJ, she can walk but only for 30 minutes or so at a time and we also encourage her to do that as much as possible. We have not had any judgement from CM's about her. We have had other guests make nasty comments once in a great while (which we try to ignore and hope MJ doesn't hear or understand) Most guests however (especially kids) are interested in her and like to hear what is going on with her. I'm not shy about sharing about MJ and ususally end up in great conversations about her.

Let us know when you're here, your son sounds a lot like MJ and we'd love to meet up with you if you'd like to

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have the same situation with MJ, she can walk but only for 30 minutes or so at a time and we also encourage her to do that as much as possible. We have not had any judgement from CM's about her. We have had other guests make nasty comments once in a great while (which we try to ignore and hope MJ doesn't hear or understand) Most guests however (especially kids) are interested in her and like to hear what is going on with her. I'm not shy about sharing about MJ and ususally end up in great conversations about her.

Let us know when you're here, your son sounds a lot like MJ and we'd love to meet up with you if you'd like to

Thanks for the response, it's nice when you can share things - we arrive from the UK on the 8th August for 3 weeks.
We would ignore any nasty comments too

 

[GretchGraham]

We have a similar situation with DD8 with autism. She can walk, but not for extended periods of time. Last year, she was too big for a stroller, so I rented a chair on property. Aside from the mobility benefits, we found it gave her a buffer from the crowd.

She transferred out for every ride and I think we encountered a few snide glances, but no one said anything (not that I really cared). Anyone who watched us for a few minutes was bound to see her flapping or tensing or squealing or something similar, thus answering any burning questions they may have regarding her disability.

Most importantly, it enabled her to enjoy the parks and I won't allow the "mean people" to take that from her.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have a similar situation with DD8 with autism. She can walk, but not for extended periods of time. Last year, she was too big for a stroller, so I rented a chair on property. Aside from the mobility benefits, we found it gave her a buffer from the crowd.

She transferred out for every ride and I think we encountered a few snide glances, but no one said anything (not that I really cared). Anyone who watched us for a few minutes was bound to see her flapping or tensing or squealing or something similar, thus answering any burning questions they may have regarding her disability.

Most importantly, it enabled her to enjoy the parks and I won't allow the "mean people" to take that from her.

I fully agree, if someone said something I couldn't care less, but it's nice to share these things - we are so similar to you in many ways, as long as our kid's enjoy themselves that's the main thing.

 

[jbdreamer]

When I was in High School I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Although I looked perfectly healthy and I could walk just fine, there was no way I could walk for an entire day, much less an entire week. So I was in a wheel chair on two seperate vacations to WDW. Never once did we have someone question me why I was in the chair.

I wouldn't worry about what people might be thinking, you have a vaild reason for using a wheel chair. Have a great trip!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

When I was in High School I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Although I looked perfectly healthy and I could walk just fine, there was no way I could walk for an entire day, much less an entire week. So I was in a wheel chair on two seperate vacations to WDW. Never once did we have someone question me why I was in the chair.

I wouldn't worry about what people might be thinking, you have a vaild reason for using a wheel chair. Have a great trip!

Thanks Jennifer

 

[SueM in MN]

The only people who really know who needs a wheelchair are the person using it and their family/party members.
You may find an occasional person who makes snide remarks, but most people will just take your child at face value - he's a child who is using a wheelchair.
In 17 years of coming to WDW with a child in a wheelchair, we have had a handful of people make comments - mostly "Look, that child doesn't look like she needs a wheelchair. That's one of those who rented a wheelchair to get ahead of lines". The comments were made because the person saw my DD sitting on a bench, next to her wheelchair. The person who made the comments knew nothing because #1, you don't get ahead in the lines with a wheelchair and #2, my DD can't walk or even stand.

So, just ignore any comments you do get - you probably won't get many(or any) and even if you do, you know that your child needs to use a wheelchair.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The only people who really know who needs a wheelchair are the person using it and their family/party members.
You may find an occasional person who makes snide remarks, but most people will just take your child at face value - he's a child who is using a wheelchair.
In 17 years of coming to WDW with a child in a wheelchair, we have had a handful of people make comments - mostly "Look, that child doesn't look like she needs a wheelchair. That's one of those who rented a wheelchair to get ahead of lines". The comments were made because the person saw my DD sitting on a bench, next to her wheelchair. The person who made the comments knew nothing because #1, you don't get ahead in the lines with a wheelchair and #2, my DD can't walk or even stand.

So, just ignore any comments you do get - you probably won't get many(or any) and even if you do, you know that your child needs to use a wheelchair.

Very true, thanks Sue

 

[LindsayDunn228]

You will never see these people again. What does it matter if they give you a look or two?

 

[kaytieeldr]

In 17 years of coming to WDW with a child in a wheelchair, we have had a handful of people make comments - mostly "Look, that child doesn't look like she needs a wheelchair. That's one of those who rented a wheelchair to get ahead of lines". The comments were made because the person saw my DD sitting on a bench, next to her wheelchair. The person who made the comments knew nothing because #1, you don't get ahead in the lines with a wheelchair and #2, my DD can't walk or even stand.

You've mentioned this issue before... and it finally just occurred to me - what do those ignorant people think, that people in wheelchairs stay in them 24 hours a day? That they don't have 'basic needs', or bathe, or sleep? Or that they DO these things, but all without ever getting out of the chair? Please! It's not like when I was in first grade and thought all the teachers lived IN the school...

 

[SueM in MN]

You've mentioned this issue before... and it finally just occurred to me - what do those ignorant people think, that people in wheelchairs stay in them 24 hours a day? That they don't have 'basic needs', or bathe, or sleep? Or that they DO these things, but all without ever getting out of the chair? Please! It's not like when I was in first grade and thought all the teachers lived IN the school...

It drives me nuts when people use the phrase "confined to a wheelchair" because I think there are people who think that is literally true.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

It drives me nuts when people use the phrase "confined to a wheelchair" because I think there are people who think that is literally true.

It drives me nuts, too. Especially when they treat the wheelchair users as if they are "invisible" by speaking to whoever the wheelchair users are with, when asking questions about them. Once in a while this has happened to me, because they see that I am "different" on the outside, with the way my genetic syndrome is, and don't really see who I am on the inside. The person that I'm with, usually encourages the curious onlooker to direct their questions at me, and ask me about why my hands/feet are small, why my face looks different, that kind of thing, if the questions are about me.

I too, was worried at first about how people were going to judge me when they see me get out of my wheelchair to walk behind it, as I am able to walk some distances hanging onto the stroller handle extension bar at the back of my wheelchair, ior hanging onto Dan. But, I shook off the stares (I didn't hear any snide comments, but did notice the stares), and enjoyed myself everytime I went to Disney World. It's not anyone's place to judge a person in thinking that they are abusing the use of the wheelchair, just because they are able to walk some. Especially if that wheelchair is their own one, that belongs to them, and their parents (if it's a child/young adult like me, who relies on their parents' healthcare insurance for medical care).

Samantha

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for all the responses, what you all say is so true, at the end of the day we all know what's best for our kids, if anyone has a problem then tough, we will just have a wonderful time and that's all that matters.