Why are some so critical

[allie_to_you]

I love Disboards and post on here often, but it just irks me to no end when you get Dissers on here who will post threads about how they find it annoying when they see overweight people, or people without "supposed" disabilities using ECV's in the parks.

I personally think its this kind of narrow-minded, uninformed attitude that makes those of us who need an ECV leery of getting one sometimes. I know that I am only 29 years old and while overweight, I am not fat. I look in no way disabled, but on our last trip, my knees and heels hurt so bad because of problems I have that I couldn't even enjoy the trip, but I was embarrassed to rent an ECV because of what people would think when they saw me using one, then getting up and walking onto a ride.

I am not going to care what people think this trip as I actually want to enjoy it, but it's still hard to think that people are thinking ugly things about you or in some circumstances, saying things to make you feel like you are just fat or lazy if you are using an ECV and don't look like you need one. It's hard to admit most of the time that you do need the physical help of an ECV. It woudl be so much nicer to be able to walk around at the parks all day, but some of us just can't and don't want to be put down or made to feel lazy because of it.

 

[KPeveler]

I agree. It is very hard. I just console myself by saying i am a bigger/more compassionate person than they are for not making assumptions about disabilities!

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

It stinks that you have to feel conscious doing what is best for you at WDW. People who are overly critical usually feel insecure and try to make themselves feel better by putting others down. Honestly, who has time to think about what other people are doing when you're so busy in the parks having fun?
Try not to let the comments bother you and focus on doing what best for YOU!

 

[missypie]

1. Newsweek just had an article about people renting fancy EVCs when they visit Vegas...they showed this babe in her ECV...she said she just couldn't walk around in her high heels anymore.

2. Did you ever get in trouble as a kid for pretending you were in a wheelchair? I think lots of little kids have seen someone in a wheelchair or scooter and have said they wished they were in one (so they wouldn't have to walk), then their parents light into them about being so fortunate that they can walk, etc. I know that my parents would never allow us to pretend we couldn't walk, or were blind or deaf.

So, combine #2 with #1. We've been taught that it's morally wrong to pretend you have a disability, then we see someone (e.g. the babe with the uncomfortable shoes in Vegas) that we think is pretending, and it sends a "this is wrong" signal in our brains. Now, if we stop and think about it, we know that not all disabilities are visible, and we tell our brains to stop judging. But I think that the first reaction is normal.

 

[madenon]

Maybe I'ld better get my flame-gear on, but I'm finding this very topic not to be very better of than those you are talking about. If you have a problem with something or someone; post it on the topic it's discussed in and have a discussion or PM the person in question. If there are rules broken; PM a moderator. Opening a new topic talking about "they do this and such and so and I find that this and that" isn't my way. Comes to close to calling the cattle black, for me personally.

 

[BillSears]

Ok I'll admit it I judge. I judge whether the food is good or bad, I judge whether this years fireworks are better then last years, I judge crowds, I judge the number of ECVs/wheelchairs face it I judge everything... if I see it I have an opinion on it.

I'm also a people watcher. I look at all sorts of people while at WDW. For one thing wheeling a wheelchair through the crowds means you spend alot of time actually looking at people and judging where they are going to step next. But I also judge people with just a glance. Sometimes it's a good judgment when I see someone do a small kindness. Sometimes it's a bad judgment when I see someone cut someone else off in a crowd or someone who is oblivious to those around them.

But one thing I've learned over the years is to keep my mouth shut about judgments and to also be flexible and to change my views when I learn more about the person.

So I guess what I'm trying to get across is we all judge others. The internet makes it easier to express our opinions anonymously and some people forget to keep their mouth shut.

 

[Haley Whippet]

If you need a ECV, Get one and to heck with what others think. You only have yourself to answer to.
You are right Bill, Everyone tries to judge everyone else.
Deb

 

[arminnie]

I detest people who would stoop so low as to fake a disability, but I have no way of knowing who these people are so I don't try to identify them.

In a large crowd anyplace there might be somebody there who is a thief/shoplifter/pickpocket, etc. But I don't have anyway of knowing which person it might be.

As someone who has used an ECV I know that you really can't tell by looking who needs it and who doesn't. But I don't see anything wrong with saying that I don't like the idea of someone using it because they are lazy. That doesn't mean that spend my day trying to figure out who those people are.

 

[Arvandor_Ilfirin]

People will always be quick to judge others, and those who speak inconsiderately about people without visible complications may be the type to speak rudely in general.

It might be jealousy, that they believe being in a wheelchair or ECV is an easy way to get through the parks, lines, or rides. (Which we all know isn't true.) But I tend to believe more than anything that it is 95% of the time just ingorance.

I was once friends with a girl who would make fun of someone for being too pretty, too ugly, too large, too skinny....Just about anyone she didn't know was someone to be criticized and joked. Needless to say, we didn't stay friends for more than a week. These types of people look for anything so that they can feel better about themselves and gain attention.

It also may just be the part of human nature that judges without thinking. We all do it sometimes, whether we mean to or not. They may have meant well, but were mistaken. Just politely correct them and don't waste another moment on it.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

My community inclusion person has said that she had to use an ECV when she and her family (her daughter has severe spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, and uses both a power and a manual wheelchair) went to the Disney parks because she has high blood pressure, back and knee problems, and she's also overweight. It was the only way she was able to keep up with her daughter (since she had brought her power chair all the way from Oregon) and the rest of her family.

I'm going to be taking my walker and using the park's ECVs when my DH, DMom, my sister-in-law, and godfather all go to Disney World. I'm excited, but nervous because my scoliosis-affected back makes me lean in one direction without the full back support of my wheelchair back and chest strap in my power chair. My manual wheelchair has a "tension-adjustable" seat-back, but I'm looking into getting a wheelchair tray to keep my back straight. (I tend to lean over to the side in my manual wheelchair.) I'm more used to driving my power chair, than I am with an ECV. I've tried the store ones, and did pretty good with them. So, we'll see when we go to Disney next year. It'll be easier on my mom not having to deal with my manual wheelchair, because she has severe back problems.

I know that my primary disability that I was born with, is very visible, but my secondary disability isn't (arthritis and dystonia), although you can easily tell that I have scoliosis. So, I know that I won't get judged/judge anyone else for using the Disney ECVs.

Samantha

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Have you given any thought toward renting a power chair when you come to visit. Some of the providers here are full-service. As long as you are able to provide information about the make and model, and the mechanic who cares for your chair sends the various settings, you should be able to get a pc for use here. Probably much better for you than an ECV.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

Hi Cheshire Figment. I actually did think about it. The DME company I go through, is United Seating in Eugene. I know from looking on their website, that they also have a United Seating in Florida too. In Orlando, I think it is. I'm not wondering if my home DME dealer can get a hold of the one in Florida, and provide information about me, on what type of power chair I would need, and the special seating (Jay 2 deep contoured back with chest strap and headrest, which is what I have on my own power chair). The only thing is, would they be able to pick up and deliver at the resort like some of the other DME dealers do? I did try to see if we could rent one from my home dealer, and taking it with us. But, my mom was worried about how she'd be able to handle lifting it when she had to. She actually had to do that when the dealer gave me a loaner power chair when mine had to spend nearly 3 months in the shop, due to needing new motors, new batteries, and a new joystick controller, the second year I've had it.

It wasn't easy for her to lift it in and out after the batteries were removed, even though I helped as much as I could.

Samantha

 

[madenon]

Hi Samantha,

the renting places overhere (Europe) do standard delivery to vacationparks etc. I checked for myself. I'm taking my powerchair with me (and manual, easier for plane-transfers and if something should happen at least I'll be able to sit proparly and have a small range of motion) and checked what will happen if I do run into a problem. There are dealers for my chair (a permobil) in the US, and standard service of my travel-insurance is to have stuff delivered to where-ever I might be stranded at that time, including the resort at WDW.

Combine those two and the fact that in the US there is better service than we're used to overhere and you guys got the ADA, I'ld find it very hard to believe they wouldn't delivere what you need to the resort. Maybe it'll cost some more, but the possibility should be there. If I were you, I'ld send an e-mail to the local dealer in Florida and simply ask them. They can very easily tell you what is possible, what costs are and if they've got what you need on stock or if you should order some weeks in advance to give them time to get it arranged.

If you're looking into renting allready, I would personally not rent one at home and bring it along. It's a pain in the rear, and if you can manage fine without when travelling to the resort, I'ld rent it in Florida and be free of the extra burden of taking it with you during the trip.