[trilliumB]

Hear, hear, Matt!

[trilliumB]

A note on the scooter/wheelchair "switching" phenomenon: Sometimes people have a disability that allows for short bursts of independent movement, or even requires it (to improve circulation and prevent clots, that sort of thing). Some health problems also make it that a person tires very quickly, although they can otherwise walk. Just a couple of situations I can think of where you might see someone out of their scooter...which requires that another member of their party has to 'drive' in the meantime, which might well account for what looked like "switching".

In any case, it's hard to see what benefit this fraudulent scooter usage would bring. Getting "special" handicapped access is apparently very often worse than what you get in the "regular" line --seating tends to be way in the back, or all the way up front, waits can be even longer for loading/unloading, and many things aren't accessible at all. Tinkerbell's latest trip report helped me to get a little more of a sense of what it's like --and she ain't no whiner, believe me. It just gives you a sense of how many times in a day there's a hitch or problem if you are dealing with accessibility issues --even at WDW!

I keep thinking that there's some misunderstanding here about what sorts of disabilities land people in a scooter or wheelchair (so many problems are hidden, or intermittent). WDW has got to be the most disability-friendly vacation destination there is, and that's reflected in attendance, to be sure. It's a different experience for some of us to encounter so many people with disabilities in one place, if we're among the lucky ones (..for the moment...) who bounce about in the (often inaccessible) world of independent movement. WDW is likewise an international-friendly place, and so we meet lots of folks from all over as well. I think it's great that this more inclusive experience, both in nationality as well as mobility, is part of WDW.

[Curtis]

I can't tell you all, how funny I have found, the uproar, over this one paragraph...

Also, an open letter to any potential Disney travelers, don’t confuse being fat and lazy, with being handicapped. I can’t tell you how many times, I have the backs of my legs run up on, by those motorized scooters, only to turn around and see either a big fat person, or a parent, and their kid, out for a little ride. I blame Disney firmly for this, and there should be some sort of rules governing who can and who cannot have those things. We wonder why America is getting fatter.

I followed it, with a clear explination of the population I discussed, but it didn't help. Shocking..lol.

Compared to many of the threads here, this comment is rather benign, but it seems to be a hot button topic, here, for whatever reasons() Hyper-sensitivity, or just a desire to be angry at someone, for no good reason? The truth will always escapre me, I suppose. I had to pull this back up, because the amount of whining taking place, I thought I had forgotten some horrible comments I made. I was glad to see, I had not, and it was simply overreaction, by the mod. Have a great day....

[Curtis]

Originally Posted by Towncar T

To keep this dragging on.

The last thing I want, is this to drag on. The only thing I want less, is to be misunderstood, and attacked for no good reason, and that was why I posted today. I realize now, it's pointless to try. Nevermind...

[MerlinMatt]

For the record, I just deleted my prior responses to this thread. I suggest that others do the same.

Lest I be confused with someone who is dictating proper web behavior, you all can do whatever you want, I'm just making a suggestion.

[Curtis]

All I wanted to do, was post a report of my trip, but it's never that easy is it?

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Towncar T

Good idea. Now why didn't I think of that????

You did! I stole it!

I only steal items of value. It was a valuable idea so I couldn't resist.