Are We Scooter People THAT Bad??

[xxoocruiser]

Any person who takes the time to "judge" other people is not only unkind but is undeserving of any comment or reply.

 

I hope that your journey's are easy for you and that you get to enjoy many happy and funfilled cruises.

 

Liked your words of wisdon !

 

Just booked a cruise on the Allure for this fall. Going with several other people athat use wheel chairs or scooters. It will be funfilled cruise !

[foreverfree1]

Personally I''m offended by this generalization that overweight people using a scooter aren't diasabled. Would gladly walk if I could as it would definitely help my weight issue. However having MS works against me so I must use a scooter.

 

Being a disabled veteran and spending a lot of time at V.A. hospitals I can tell you for a fact that all disabilities are not visible. If you see me I appear to be a rather healthy person but due to service connected ankle disabiity and other ones related to the ankle I now have to use a scooter for long distance motivation. For shorter walking I use a cane and sometimes a walker. Don't like it, wish I could walk like others but I've accepted that it gives me the availability of travel. I had to give up raquetball, bowling and tennis which I really loved to do. At least I can still play golf as I can ride a cart from one shot to another. DW looks pretty normal too but she actually has congestive heart failure and she's getting closer to needing a scooter also as walking long distances and/or climbing hills are taking their toll on her. Please don't judge somebody by their looks as you have no way of knowing the true facts. Hopefully on our cruise, our first, I'll be considered one of the better scooter drivers as I try to watch out for others.

[wizard-of-roz]

Being a disabled veteran and spending a lot of time at V.A. hospitals I can tell you for a fact that all disabilities are not visible. If you see me I appear to be a rather healthy person but due to service connected ankle disabiity and other ones related to the ankle I now have to use a scooter for long distance motivation. For shorter walking I use a cane and sometimes a walker. Don't like it, wish I could walk like others but I've accepted that it gives me the availability of travel. I had to give up raquetball, bowling and tennis which I really loved to do. At least I can still play golf as I can ride a cart from one shot to another. DW looks pretty normal too but she actually has congestive heart failure and she's getting closer to needing a scooter also as walking long distances and/or climbing hills are taking their toll on her. Please don't judge somebody by their looks as you have no way of knowing the true facts. Hopefully on our cruise, our first, I'll be considered one of the better scooter drivers as I try to watch out for others.

 

You, sir, may run into me any time! I have a Service Dog and no one would know what her "service" was if they just looked at me. I'm a strappingly healthy looking woman with a heart condition; spinal stinosis amongst other issues that would bore most.

You should hear some of the comments I'm given when folks see me with the dog. I've acquired a very thick skin and some even better "ignoring" skills!!!!!!

[kitty9]

blondie your husband is way out of bounds with his weight comments and the disabled. While some who use scooters may be overweight with no other issues, I daresay that most of us who are truly disabled are overweight BECAUSE of our health issues. First of all, because of post polio, I absolutely cannot exercise. My post polio physicians tell me that because of the polio, I have the motor neurons of someone who's in their 90's. That means, my legs are like someone who's in their 90's and I'm in my mid 50's. Second, I have severe lung problems, also related to post polio (many who have this issue are finding themselves back in iron lungs). Because of this, I have to take copious amounts of prednisone, a drug that caused me to gain over 65lbs. If you've ever taken prednisone, you know that losing the weight from that drug is nearly impossible. But the prednisone is the ONLY thing keeping me alive.

 

So tell you husband not to be quick to judge those of us who are overweight. A lot of us can't help it. Just tell him he's lucky he doesn't have to live in my shoes.

[wizard-of-roz]

Personally, I wish there was a way that they could limit the amount of scooters in a particular theme park on any given day. I know they have a limited amount to rent in the theme park, but the amount of people who rent them from independent vendors is huge. Sometimes it is so bad with the scooters at WDW that it is extremely difficult to navigate pushing a wheelchair/travel chair. They just clog up the sidewalks and roads tremendously. It is also an issue with the resort buses. You can only fit two or three scooters on a bus, and it takes a long time to load/unload them.

 

Anyway, my husband has even stronger opinions about the issue, especially when the disability is seemingly that the person in the scooter is overweight. He likes to say that if they got rid of the scooter and walked, then they would lose weight and wouldn't need the scooter. He does not want to understand that the person might have a heart condition, lung problems, arthritis, etc.

 

I digress to a subject that has been discussed at length over on the Dis boards. I just think that our first experience on a cruise had me amazed at how few scooters/wheelchair users there were on the ship, especially since I am used to the users at WDW. And they actually know how to drive them on a ship and are polite! ;)

 

Barb: You're DH lacks compassion and understanding. I'm sorry for you and even more sorry for him!!!!

[windham depot]

I like to believe that most people using wheelchairs and scooters would rather spend the money they use renting and buying wheelchairs and scooters on something else. I for one would much rather be up and walking and doing everything for myself, than be dependent on other people for help. The scooter is for making a physcal needy person and their companions life a little simpler. I would rather not need it but, I am gladit's available to me.

[blondietink]

Barb: You're DH lacks compassion and understanding. I'm sorry for you and even more sorry for him!!!!

 

Like I said my husband has "issues". Maybe it is because we have raised 2 disabled children and others have not always been so kind, such as the family that yelled at us at WDW for using the handicapped parade viewing section, while his family was denied entrance to the section as they did not have a member using a wheelchair or scooter.:mad: Anyway, at least he keeps his opinions to himself, or rather vents to me only.

 

We were impressed by our first cruise just because the people using wheelchairs and scooters were polite, didn't run over other people and generally knew what they were doing manuvering their machines. So, my husband made no comments at all on the cruise! :cool:

[wizard-of-roz]

Like I said my husband has "issues". Maybe it is because we have raised 2 disabled children and others have not always been so kind, such as the family that yelled at us at WDW for using the handicapped parade viewing section, while his family was denied entrance to the section as they did not have a member using a wheelchair or scooter.:mad: Anyway, at least he keeps his opinions to himself, or rather vents to me only.

 

We were impressed by our first cruise just because the people using wheelchairs and scooters were polite, didn't run over other people and generally knew what they were doing manuvering their machines. So, my husband made no comments at all on the cruise! :cool:

 

I hope your future vacations are more carefree for you.

Can you imagine trying to maneuver a wheelchair a husband and a Service Dog? It lends new meaning to the word "parade?"

If you would have heard some of the comments that were made by some of the people I had to encounter you wouldn't believe me.....or, maybe YOU would!

Some folks don't handle difficult situations very well and they take it out on the people around them, usually moreso on the people they're supposed to love. Very sad indeed!

Again, I wish you well and may all your cruising days be filled with blue skies and wheelchairless journeys! :)

[kitty9]

Blondie, that's interesting about your husband and family. I always thought if you had a disabled family member, it makes you more understanding of others with disabilities. My sister, who's 8 years younger than me, has never known me any other way than disabled. Because of that, she's much more attuned to others with disabilities and understands the challenges and subtleties.

 

I wish you many sunny cruising days with few hassles.

[sparky-elpaso]

You, sir, may run into me any time! I have a Service Dog and no one would know what her "service" was if they just looked at me. I'm a strappingly healthy looking woman with a heart condition; spinal stinosis amongst other issues that would bore most.

 

You should hear some of the comments I'm given when folks see me with the dog. I've acquired a very thick skin and some even better "ignoring" skills!!!!!!

 

Just shows you can't fix stupid. I'd love to cruise with you and your gorgeous pooch.

[wizard-of-roz]

Just shows you can't fix stupid. I'd love to cruise with you and your gorgeous pooch.

 

Yeh! Another friend! You never know, if you do see us please come over for a "pat" and a hello!

[mdvlprof]

Barb: You're DH lacks compassion and understanding. I'm sorry for you and even more sorry for him!!!!

He's not the only DH with issues. Mine plays 'my son is quad and needs wheelchair, and parking. Where's YOUR wheelchair?' Numerous times I've tried to explain about hidden disabilities.

[wizard-of-roz]

He's not the only DH with issues. Mine plays 'my son is quad and needs wheelchair, and parking. Where's YOUR wheelchair?' Numerous times I've tried to explain about hidden disabilities.

 

I had a very rude man park his car by the opening to a Target, while I was parking in a HC spot. [This was before I had Brenda.] I got out of my car and was proceeding to walk inside as he yelled at me, "what's your handicap?" I walked over to his car, pulled-up the back of my blouse and showed him my spinal scars [they start in the middle of my back and go down to my tush-4 surgeries later], he apologized all over the place and was very embarassed.

I no longer have the ability to walk "down" stairs. I can walk up them and, can walk on straight, level ground...I just can't walk down stairs. It's very weird. But, I'm so grateful because before the last surgery I couldn't walk at all!!!!!!!!

I look like I can take on the world but, at times, all you have to do is tap me and I'd fall over! Hence, the Service Dog Extraordinaire!!!!!!!

I don't mind answering people's questions, even if they're asked in a very terse manner. :rolleyes:

[xxoocruiser]

I had a very rude man park his car by the opening to a Target, while I was parking in a HC spot. [This was before I had Brenda.] I got out of my car and was proceeding to walk inside as he yelled at me, "what's your handicap?" I walked over to his car, pulled-up the back of my blouse and showed him my spinal scars [they start in the middle of my back and go down to my tush-4 surgeries later], he apologized all over the place and was very embarassed.

 

I no longer have the ability to walk "down" stairs. I can walk up them and, can walk on straight, level ground...I just can't walk down stairs. It's very weird. But, I'm so grateful because before the last surgery I couldn't walk at all!!!!!!!!

 

I look like I can take on the world but, at times, all you have to do is tap me and I'd fall over! Hence, the Service Dog Extraordinaire!!!!!!!

 

I don't mind answering people's questions, even if they're asked in a very terse manner. :rolleyes:

 

Before using mobility aids, a similar insensitive situation happened to me. I was walking through the revolving door into a medical center no less . Because I was walking and pushing the door slowly the medical student behind yelld " Are you crippled can't you move faster". To which I replied"as a matter of fact I am as I have MS. What's your problem other than the fact that you apparently missed class the day bedside manners and sensitity training was taught!" Needless to say the med student couldn't do enough for me after the fact.

[mosaic_mom]

blondie your husband is way out of bounds with his weight comments and the disabled.

 

So tell you husband not to be quick to judge those of us who are overweight. A lot of us can't help it. Just tell him he's lucky he doesn't have to live in my shoes.

 

I totally agree with you. I don't use a scooter as of yet, but right now I use a rollator and deal with all the same issues that people have said about people who use scooters. When boarding our last ship, I got special boarding and even had a few people ask as I walked by why fat people get to use walkers and go to the head of the line. I have lymphedema over 75% of my body and I would MUCH rather be standing in line with everyone else and going to the beach and walking freely like them, but that's never going to happen. In appearance without my rollator, I look like just another overweight female, except all the pain and swelling and everything else I have to deal with having this condition. It is not fun. I am just thankful I am still able to walk as well as I do. I have been also questioned in parking lots when parking my car whether I am disabled or just fat. People can be so insensitive.

 

A lady on our roll call (who never showed up for anything on the ship) wrote a review about the "old and crippled people" on the cruise who were in the way. She made comments about walkers and scooters blocking aisles in the theater and always in the way. Umm, I must have been in those locations at a different time than she was. People can be so insensitive.

[wizard-of-roz]

Before using mobility aids, a similar insensitive situation happened to me. I was walking through the revolving door into a medical center no less . Because I was walking and pushing the door slowly the medical student behind yelld " Are you crippled can't you move faster". To which I replied"as a matter of fact I am as I have MS. What's your problem other than the fact that you apparently missed class the day bedside manners and sensitity training was taught!" Needless to say the med student couldn't do enough for me after the fact.

 

I hope he NEVER forgets this incident.

I've, unfortunately, known a few doctors in my life who could have used some "sensitivity" training.

As I've gotten older I just tell the doctor when he's behaving badly and I no longer allow any care giver to be mean, insensitive or rude! I used to be afraid to speak-up, boy does that change once you reach 55+!!!!!!!!!

I don't want to be a "crouchety" old woman, one day, I just want to be assertive and stand-up for my rights. ;)

[SeattleCruiselover]

I hope he NEVER forgets this incident.

 

I've, unfortunately, known a few doctors in my life who could have used some "sensitivity" training.

 

As I've gotten older I just tell the doctor when he's behaving badly and I no longer allow any care giver to be mean, insensitive or rude! I used to be afraid to speak-up, boy does that change once you reach 55+!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't want to be a "crouchety" old woman, one day, I just want to be assertive and stand-up for my rights. ;)

 

I guess I have been lucky to a certain extent. As a health care professional myself, my professional colleagues have been more than kind and solicitous to me when I needed their help and understanding. My non-clinical colleagues (e.g management, HR, et cetera), on the other hand........:eek:

[wizard-of-roz]

I guess I have been lucky to a certain extent. As a health care professional myself, my professional colleagues have been more than kind and solicitous to me when I needed their help and understanding. My non-clinical colleagues (e.g management, HR, et cetera), on the other hand........:eek:

 

Folks with no people skills come in all walks of life. When they cross my path, I have a few choices.....usually, I'll just pass them by [if I can], sometimes I have to interact with them....and, if you've ever seen "hackles" on a dog, it's exactly what happens to my blonde hair! :D

[sparky-elpaso]

 

A lady on our roll call (who never showed up for anything on the ship) wrote a review about the "old and crippled people" on the cruise who were in the way. She made comments about walkers and scooters blocking aisles in the theater and always in the way. Umm, I must have been in those locations at a different time than she was. People can be so insensitive.

 

We were behind an elderly couple (at least late 70's - possibly early 80's) leaving the theatre on our HAL cruise in the Caribbean last year. She has a walker so they're not moving too fast. He has a cane but has it hung on the side rail of her walker and is using it for balance - with his hand on hers. I didn't hear any comments as to how slow they were moving. In fact, as we were going through the shops one of the gentlemen who worked there watched them go by - and had the nicest smile on his face. Made you wonder who they reminded him of.

 

I thought it was great that they were still out there traveling - and obviously still enjoying each others company.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Folks with no people skills come in all walks of life. When they cross my path, I have a few choices.....usually, I'll just pass them by [if I can], sometimes I have to interact with them....and, if you've ever seen "hackles" on a dog, it's exactly what happens to my blonde hair! :D

 

Unfortunately, I have to interact with them every darned day. And people wonder why my blood pressure averages about 190/100, even on six antihypertensives.....:rolleyes:

[Umbarger]

We were behind an elderly couple (at least late 70's - possibly early 80's) leaving the theatre on our HAL cruise in the Caribbean last year. She has a walker so they're not moving too fast. He has a cane but has it hung on the side rail of her walker and is using it for balance - with his hand on hers. I didn't hear any comments as to how slow they were moving.

 

Why are people in such a hurry on a cruise? People need to be reminded they are on vacation. Are we playing a game of 'Who can get to their stateroom/casino/buffet the quickest' :confused:

[uppitycats]

Why are people in such a hurry on a cruise? People need to be reminded they are on vacation. Are we playing a game of 'Who can get to their stateroom/casino/buffet the quickest' :confused:

 

You forgot main elements of the game -- who can get to the dining room (or buffet) the quickest... As for the buffet, indeed the game seems to be who can get to the buffet the quickest in front of everyone else, "just in case the food runs out". Or my "favorite" -- who can drip the most food in the hair of the person in a wheelchair in front of me, while I reach over her to grab something in front of her...

[sparky-elpaso]

You forgot main elements of the game -- who can get to the dining room (or buffet) the quickest... As for the buffet, indeed the game seems to be who can get to the buffet the quickest in front of everyone else, "just in case the food runs out". Or my "favorite" -- who can drip the most food in the hair of the person in a wheelchair in front of me, while I reach over her to grab something in front of her...

 

Boy, am I glad my parents taught me manners. Obviously a lot of people haven't. Or they don't think they need manners because "they're on vacation".

[kitty9]

Like I've said before, I've been disabled since age 2, but for some reason, many people think you have to be elderly to be disabled. I've had people pound on my car window when I was pulling into a parking space, even with my placard in the window. I've had a policeman park behind me to watch me walk/limp with my canes (this was pre-scooter days). I even had a woman follow me around the entire supermarket to make sure I limped throughout. Once, at Disney, I heard a younger man make a comment to his girlfriend that I looked like I was fake limping when I got off my scooter to walk to a drinking fountain. I went over to him, raised my pant leg and showed him my deformed foot and leg, saying, "Is this disabled enough for you, jacka**?" I know this is mean, but I wish everyone had to experience being disabled for one stinking day. That would change a lot of attitudes.

[wizard-of-roz]

Why are people in such a hurry on a cruise? People need to be reminded they are on vacation. Are we playing a game of 'Who can get to their stateroom/casino/buffet the quickest' :confused:

 

Oh! No! That's what my DH always says. I happen to be one of those "fast walkers", can't help it. I'm tall, I've got the attitude, "to get the job done" and, walking is a job! I'm not trying to beat anyone, I just have to get where I'm going NOW!!!!!! :o

I swear I've worn-out my dear, sweet, loyal, Service Dog. My DH is continually raising his voice at me to "slow down" and let Brenda take a breath. Even when my back is breaking and I feel like my lungs are on fire, I have to move quickly.

My Dad used to say that I walk like I'm on stage and the audience is throwing tomatoes at me!