Disabled guests

[murf]

thats a great idea... (heaven knows your probably worn out by the end of the day) we have another couple that come in she have an ECV and he has a normal chair. they wrapped a strap to the electric one and she pulls him around the parks!

[Anim8EdCox]

Last night I was PAC in Town Square for the 9 pm Spectromagic parade. We had the wheelchair area in the hub as well. A guest came up and asked if she and her entire family of 12 could stand in that area ropped off for the disabled. I politely told her the situation of the area and pointed out there was lots of room for everyone on the other side of the street. She pointed out that her young daughter was disabled and needed a wheelchair to get around. I asked here where the wheelchair was. "It's at home" she replied. Where is home I asked and she told me Ohio. Okay. Then I asked if she had a medical alert card for her daughter. She says "Yes, it's at home." At this point I was noticing that the child was not only perfectly fine but dancing for joy all through the Town Square hub! Nothing wrong with this kid I thought. I asked the woman if she was aware that if she had a family member with a medical alert card that they needed to have it handy. I was told "Oh, we only use it here in order to get into this section of the roped off area."

My thought is this:

If this child really was a medical alert patient, then what would happen if anything major happened to her, particularly so far from home?

I finally told the woman, "Sorry, no chair, no card, no section." and politely ushered the entire family across the street to the other Parade Audience Controllers to handle.

Has anyone else had someone try to get into a section they needed to patrol with such a lame excuse much less lamer attempt to cover their blatant disregard for their child's health...if the child truly was a medical alert patient to begin with?

[Mommytomjm]

Has anyone else had someone try to get into a section they needed to patrol with such a lame excuse much less lamer attempt to cover their blatant disregard for their child's health...if the child truly was a medical alert patient to begin with?

My daughter and I as wheelchair users experience this ALL the time.....You wouldn't believe the blatant abuse and disregard for the system...I have gotten very good at 'helping' CM's by telling people when they are in the wrong section......DaddytoMJM and I have learned that one of the worst things that can happen to a new person at WDW is putting them in hcarge of any handicapped section, you are sure to have some guest ticked at you in this position :(

As an aside....I am not sure that anything will ever beat the 35 family members (only 1 in a wheelchair) that wanted to sit in the WC section at SpectroMagic (and every other place we ran into them) Sigh....

[xstechbabe]

First DaddyTom I think I have heard stories about you and yoru family in the parks. I have never seen you but others tell stories of the rather nice guests who match yoru description. Thanks for being nice to the CMs fist of all.

My favorite has always been the wheel chair entrance is this way --->>

"but my father is in a wheelchir and can't walk"

You can take the chair with you.

"you don't understand he can't walk"

I look at them and then just simply say. You can get a fast pass and come back with no wait or your father can sit in his wheelchair in the line.

"Listen...My father can't walk."

okay ma'am listen to me...i never siad he had to walk...get out fo the chair or stand in line...thanks for paying attention to me...I enjoy standing here in the hot sun repeating speil after speail on procedures...and thanks for listening...the wait is 5 min...now go...


Yeah...I am a mean one...but i can be the best if i try...

[BirdMom]

I don't know how Florida handles the groups, but in Anaheim, when I'd have the Parade G.C. wheelie section over by the Plaza Inn/Plaza Pavillion section, we'd have the wheelies sit back about 6-8 feet behind the curb. The area directly in front of the first line of wheelies would be for the kids with the wheelie party to sit on the ground so they'd have a good sight line for the parades and then we'd have the grown-ups who were an extraneous part of the wheelie party stand behind the back rope sectioning the area off. It usually worked pretty well. If the parade was coming and the section wasn't entirely full, we let the grown-ups come in and sit with their wheelie person or kids, and then everyone was happy. It usually worked out the most fairly that way if you'd try to be really patient and understanding when explaining that we didn't want everyone in the group huddled around the one person in the wheelchair to make room for others in wheelchairs. The people with a genuine need don't make as much of a stink as the fakers. It's the group "leaders" who think they're going to abuse the rules by having one wheelie person in a group of 32/24/whatever that make it difficult for everyone involved, and they're the ones who give wheelchair groups a bad reputation when it's undeserved.



:wheelchai [font=Comic Sans MS]Yeah, we've got the one girl in the wheelchair and the rest of the Brownies, troop leaders and me...um...27 I think...[/font]

[IndyandMarion]

I think the greatest situation that I deal with on a regular basis is this:

*Guest approaches the line on an ECV*
Me: Just so you guys know, before you go in, you'll need to transfer because your ECV can't make the turns in the line.
Guest: This turns on a dime.
Me: OK...Well. You'll need to transfer before you go in, because your ECV can't make the turns in the line.
Guest: But I've gone in before with my ECV
Me: Well, this time you're not. I'm sorry, you'll need to transfer or I can send you to the exit of the ride and you can get on the ride from there.
Guest: NO I'LL JUST TRANSFER, JESUS.
Me: *In my mind* Yes?

Never could understand the point of arguing with us.

Or like yesterday:
I witnessed someone come through unload with like four others and flash his G.A.C (Guest Asisstance Card) when one of the CMs over at unload stops the party.

CM: Can I help you?
Guest: Yeah, we're going through the alternate entrance.
CM: Yeah, the alternate entrance for here is the Fastpass line.
Guest: But they said it was up here.
CM: Sorry, it's through the Fastpass line.
Guest: *Something I didn't catch*

When I arrive at the grouper area, I see that group come through the back way and I think, WTF. The CM came through a few minutes later and I look at him and give my usual "Raise the eyebrow" look and he said "Either he went through that line, or I deck him and have his party carry him back here."

[VICisGOOFY]

The people with a genuine need don't make as much of a stink as the fakers. It's the group "leaders" who think they're going to abuse the rules by having one wheelie person in a group of 32/24/whatever that make it difficult for everyone involved, and they're the ones who give wheelchair groups a bad reputation when it's undeserved.
:wheelchai [font=Comic Sans MS]Yeah, we've got the one girl in the wheelchair and the rest of the Brownies, troop leaders and me... um... 27 I think....[/font]

I have to agree with you on that post. Just today I had four guests that were anxiously waiting for ECVs to return. There was one that barely walked with a cane, another guest with a disease I dont remember, I think cancer in general, and another guest that, for me, is genuinely disabled. But the fourth guest walked perfectly and not only did she demand one ECV, she wanted TWO ECVs and argued when I told her it was not fair for other guests that acctually need one because of their immobility. Of course out of all the guests waiting for the ECV, the "Faker" was the most outspoken and rude. I got appreciating remarks from everyone except for the guest that was faking her need for the ECV. Next time stay home If you dont wanna walk around the park. Eventually, I gave all of them the last of the ECVs and one back up that I got in trouble for because my "leader" also demands that we have a certain amount of back ups for the ECV guests.

[TalkingHands]

I think the greatest situation that I deal with on a regular basis is this:

*Guest approaches the line on an ECV*
Me: Just so you guys know, before you go in, you'll need to transfer because your ECV can't make the turns in the line.
Guest: This turns on a dime.
Me: OK...Well. You'll need to transfer before you go in, because your ECV can't make the turns in the line.
Guest: But I've gone in before with my ECV
Me: Well, this time you're not. I'm sorry, you'll need to transfer or I can send you to the exit of the ride and you can get on the ride from there.
Guest: NO I'LL JUST TRANSFER, JESUS.
Me: *In my mind* Yes?

Never could understand the point of arguing with us.

Maybe because some CM lump ECVs and power wheelchairs into the same category and the power wheelchair really can go through the line without a problem. I use a Mini Jazzy 1103 which can handle lines without getting stuck on the turns. It has midwheel drive and can turn in the area that the chair sits in. It can even turn around in the aisle of the monorail car or the bus. I really get tired of being lumped with the ECVs. I use a power wheeelchair not an ECV.

[Ansem]

Maybe because some CM lump ECVs and power wheelchairs into the same category and the power wheelchair really can go through the line without a problem. I use a Mini Jazzy 1103 which can handle lines without getting stuck on the turns. It has midwheel drive and can turn in the area that the chair sits in. It can even turn around in the aisle of the monorail car or the bus. I really get tired of being lumped with the ECVs. I use a power wheeelchair not an ECV.

Yes, your chair is one of the very few that could actually go through most lines no problem. If I am greeter at SGE, I would let you through... if you wanted to do it, of course, seeing as how most of the time I see you you are with a very special family. ;)

[Mommytomjm]

[quote="Ansem"]Yes, your chair is one of the very few that could actually go through most lines no problem. If I am greeter at SGE, I would let you through... if you wanted to do it, of course, seeing as how most of the time I see you you are with a very special family. ]Awwwwww :) Yeah, No SGE for MJ! We'll be at MK Sunday showing off MJ's new chair!