Would you do this? ECV related

[Talking Hands]

I use a power wheelchair because of mobility issues. Before that I used a scooter. It really took me a long time for me to admit I couldn't walk around the parks or even the grocery store without pain. Very difficult realization. Now I have my independence when I use it. But I still tend to limit its use to the times I absolutely need it. Better to use my cane when I can.

 

[arminnie]

I just got home from a trip to ER. I look just fine, but I think now I will get an ECV in September. If only that would give me enough energy to dance all night! I'll be lucky if it gets me enough energy to make it to a late lunch.

 

[lowie]

It's bad enough being heavy and walking around Disney. I'd be mortified being another fat person using a ECV that doesn't really need one.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I'm the one who originally brought up that the cause congestions on the sidewalk, and I maintain that stance. Plus, at wdw you get a large number of users who have never driven an ECV before, and they do have trouble sometimes navigating them in crowds.

Now have I ever judged or resented somebody for being in one? No. Because in all honestly I feel that nearly everybody I know would rather be on their own two feet if at all possible and use these out of necessity.

However, do I judge some idiot who gives an interview where he semi=brags that he is only in it because he needs to save his energy for dancing.

BET YOUR BOOTY I do. I judge him just like I judge the morons who take up the handicapped parking spaces at the grocery store because their lazy butts are to lethargic to walk an extra 30 feet. It's disgusting, and it uses resources that are meant for those that need him.

 

[Disney Doll]

You know, I feel about those things the way I feel about parking in handicapped spaces whn I am not handicapped.

I just have this "thing" that "Fate" is going to say "OK, you want to use the handicapped space, the electric scooter and so on? Good, I'll fix it so you have to", and poof!!! I'm physically disabled in some way.

Kooky, I know, but ....

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

This reminds me of a line from "Body For Life". I will paraphrase here: A very sedentary man was told to exercise by his doctor and he was complaining to his brother. His brother responded "I would give anything to be able to exercise again and feel my muscles move. If you won't do it for yourself, do it for me." His brother was a quadriplegic. This was this particular man's impetus to get healthy. I think of it often when I don't feel like working out.

So, no, I wouldn't use an ECV if I did not need to.

 

[Virgo10]

First, I would NEVER rent an ECV to be able to dance that night. Second, I would NEVER judge someone in and ECV just because their disability was not evident visually. Third, I really dislike people who judge others more than I dislike someone who has the courage to rent an ECV for comfort-to be able to enjoy WDW with the grandkids or even their own children but has NO major disability. That judgment is about YOU and your personality. We have little or no business judging others. For those who say ECV's are a PITA to walk around or that they get in the way, I've been to WDW over a dozen times and never been irritated by someone on one. I have been put out by large parties blocking entire walkways or standing in doorways of stores and bathrooms but I walk around. I have also been suprised at overhearing people who were enjoying passive aggressive attacks at strangers rather than putting their energies into enjoying their own vacations but I have walked away from them. In case you missed it, the point of my message is: mind your own business, my life is about me and yours about you. I have rented ECV's for my in-laws so they could keep up with my son and see his joy. I have rented an ECV for myself when I blew out a knee just before a preplanned trip. I didn't use that ECV to get priority seating anywhere but did use it for long lines because standing was impossible. For those of you who are proud of the debilitating pain going without one has caused you, carry on but I'm no martyr and I'm not going to go there with ya. I hope you don't think I should applaud you for it though because I feel intentionally induced injury is a little over the top and pride in those times is actually vanity. Vanity has never been a problem of mine. These are MY opinions and I'm not wavering from them.

I wish I'd had the guts to write that! What's up with the martyr syndrome?

Can I walk around the parks? Yes as long as I take the next three days to let the pain return to an acceptable level. Why would you want to be in pain if there is an alternative?

I refuse to complain about how I feel unless it's horrible. If I can avoid making it horrible, that's the plan I choose. Once we moved here, I stopped using scooters for my day trips. But the thoughts of missing out on or being in agony for 3 days of my vacation that I paid hundreds of dollars for while I recuperate is just strange. I guess I just don't get it.

 

[starwishing]

First, I would NEVER rent an ECV to be able to dance that night. Second, I would NEVER judge someone in and ECV just because their disability was not evident visually. Third, I really dislike people who judge others more than I dislike someone who has the courage to rent an ECV for comfort-to be able to enjoy WDW with the grandkids or even their own children but has NO major disability. That judgment is about YOU and your personality. We have little or no business judging others. For those who say ECV's are a PITA to walk around or that they get in the way, I've been to WDW over a dozen times and never been irritated by someone on one. I have been put out by large parties blocking entire walkways or standing in doorways of stores and bathrooms but I walk around. I have also been suprised at overhearing people who were enjoying passive aggressive attacks at strangers rather than putting their energies into enjoying their own vacations but I have walked away from them. In case you missed it, the point of my message is: mind your own business, my life is about me and yours about you. I have rented ECV's for my in-laws so they could keep up with my son and see his joy. I have rented an ECV for myself when I blew out a knee just before a preplanned trip. I didn't use that ECV to get priority seating anywhere but did use it for long lines because standing was impossible. For those of you who are proud of the debilitating pain going without one has caused you, carry on but I'm no martyr and I'm not going to go there with ya. I hope you don't think I should applaud you for it though because I feel intentionally induced injury is a little over the top and pride in those times is actually vanity. Vanity has never been a problem of mine. These are MY opinions and I'm not wavering from them.

I agree! I would like to know what prize is won by the person who survives the most pain?????? I am not going to Disney to see how much pain I can withstand, nor will I punish myself for having a disability!! (RA age 37 & I look fine, can walk some too.....so please don't judge!!) I hold nothing against the people who chose not to use an ECV but why annouce it like a badge of honor???


I just wish there was more compassion & kindness around. You would think there would be an OVER ABUNDANCE in DISNEY??????

 

[noodleknitter]

No, I wouldn't do it. They are a PITA to deal with. My mom has had one the last several trips down there, and people ran into her, walked in front of her and ignored the fact that she existed. Add to that the great "bennie" of looking at big old rear-ends all day...

 

[Fitswimmer]

When I took my niece to WDW for the first time, she had never seen an ECV before. (she was 5) She asked me about the "yittle cart" that the man was riding and could we get one? I told her that those were special carts for people who had trouble walking. I guess she thought it looked like fun. Our position as a family has always been that we would use something like that if needed, but so far we've been blessed never to have that need. Mom and Dad are getting older though, so there may be a time soon that we may need to rent one. I do hope that there will be enough available and everyone won't have rented them out so they won't be too tired to dance.

 

[Nancyg56]

People have told Lauri time and time again to stop torturing herself and use an ECV or a wheelchair when she goes somewhere like WDW but she absolutely point blank refuses. I'm lucky I can get her to take her can with her. She says as long as she can muster enough strength to land one foot in front of the other she is going to do just that.

I have so much respect for people who have this kind of inner strength. My SIL rented an ECV for EPCOT on our last visit. I could not understand why she would choose to ride when there are those who really need an aid in order to be able to enjoy the parks.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Wow, this is an old thread.

 

[jonestavern]

...
It's bad enough being heavy and walking around Disney. I'd be mortified being another fat person using a ECV that doesn't really need one.

Although, my dogs start barking about 3 hours into the WDW walking, I think I would feel too self conscious using an ECV. I do have, & have had (even when young & thin! ) flat feet & back problems, so it is not easy. Also, the walking @ WDW is good for me & keeps me on the glider, 'in training' for Disney

I do see no reason for unnecessary suffering, though. If I thought in limping about, I was making myself less healthy or exacerbating an injury, I'd definitely go for the ECV. I mean, I want to enjoy WDW & I don't want to be crabby due to pain or a big drag to others in my party.
For me, it makes no sense to risk further injury.

I feel sorry for folks who are on the 'borderline', you know, you can't see they're injuries but they can walk a bit, but if they go for a full busy Disney day, they are gonna be worse off than before. I spoke with a woman who had bone spurs & her DH had begged her to rent an ECV so they could enjoy more time with their grandchildren, she was just so embarassed. I told her her DH was one smart cookie & really knew what the important things in life are

Jean

 

[Angelrose]

It's not about being a martyr to your pain. At least not for me. It's about not giving in or giving up. Someday I will have to use one, but not today.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

It's not about being a martyr to your pain. At least not for me. It's about not giving in or giving up. Someday I will have to use one, but not today.

Exactly!

 

[Mickey527]

I was also one of those who said that no matter what pain I was in I would never use one of those things. I used to walk around with my friend who rode one and I could walk twice as fast as he could drive.
After my chemo I wound up with problems that caused me to use a cane more than I wanted to. And as my legs and arms get more numb I am forced to do less walking and more sitting.
Well this past April I went to the parks with my sister and we did walk everywhere. After 3 days of intense pain, only doing the parks for 4-5 hours instead of my commando habit, and two percocet before bed I gave in and rented one. I finally had to realize that my commando walking days are up and I need to either use an ECV or not enjoy my trips to the parks.
This past August I went with my son, DIL and grandson. My DIL has lupus and severe arthritis. I wound up letting her use my ECV and spend the day at the park while I did the parks for a few hours and then took my grandson back to the resort for naps. I just couldn't do the parks all day.
So if you see me on my ECV please say hello and don't question when I get up and walk to the ride. I can walk and should walk as much as possible, but I just can't do the parks anymore the way I like to without some help.
But I will not rent an ECV from WDW, those things are set too slow, my ECV goes much faster so I don't hold up anyone who wants to move. I am also much more careful than some of those drivers since I ride my ECV more and know how it works and the distance I need to keep from others so I don't run anyone over. Peggie

 

[LisaNJ25]

How much more slothlike does our society need to be? How long before people start slapping on depends just to cut down on potty breaks?

forget the depends, just give me a catheter.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

forget the depends, just give me a catheter.

Make sure it's an indwelling catheter. Cathing every 4-6 hours is no picnic (speaking from experience)

 

[LBAK]

By day 5 of WDW this summer I broke down and used one for Epcot. I have 3 herniated disc's and rheumatoid arthritis and I knew if I was going to enjoy Epcot I had to do something. My DH talked me into it and I was mortified. I felt like everyone was looking at me thinking to themselves, "How lazy can she get?" By the end of the evening I was so glad my DH talked me into it. I enjoyed my day, I actually have a picture of me smiling, not grimancing in pain and it gave me the rest my back needed so I can walk the parks the next 4 days. Would I do it again? Only if I needed to but I will try to walk as long as I can.