Wheelchair Fakers

[hobie16]

Whenever I have someone come through my gate with a wheelchair, no matter the age, I will tell them, in a semi-serious tone: "Racing is not permitted here". I enjoy saying this to people who appear older than me (and I'm 67). Usually they will appear shocked. Often they will tell me they are being pushed, and have no say in the matter. I will then deadpan to them: "You are responsible for your chauffer's actions".

Very good!!!

[EeyoresButterfly]

The ones I dislike are the parents who rent them to use as strollers so they can get in the expedited entrances at the older attractions. I do try hard not to judge though, as one time I had to use a wheelchair at DAK.

I had been pushing a glasses cart through Fantasyland when a guy ran over my heel in an ECV, damaging my tendon. He was very nice, and it was not his fault. I am not even five feet tall and there was no way he could have seen me around the cart or crowd. I was told not to stay on my ankle for more than 10 minutes out of every hour (and yet did not get crutches, go figure.) I went to DAK to play in the park and rented a wheelchair. I was by myself, and let me tell you, it was hard. Everybody should do it just once to see what the guests go through. Many of the ride lines were on hills, which was difficult because I was by myself. I also had problems with the hills on the property in general. Being short, it was hard to reach the wheels around the armrest. I actually had other guests offering to help me on the hills because they could see I was having a hard time.

I was also incredibly self conscious. I felt very put on the spot and was worried CMs would think I was faking. I had jeans on so you couldn't see the brace on my ankle. Last year when my parents came we had a wheelchair for my mom because she had arthritis in her knee and doesn't do well with heat. You would not know by looking at her, and it wasn't that she couldn't walk, but by the end of the day it was too painful. I went to get the GAC from GS and they actually gave us the alternate entrance pass for which we were grateful (didn't ask for it, figured we would get the wheelchair enrance pass). Those experiences have taught me to re-evaluate how I look at people who rent wheelchairs.

[Randy B]

That's the problem. WDW requires LOTS of walking. Many conditions make walking difficult/painful/impossible but are completely invisible to the casual viewer. This can include everything from sprained ankles to massive blisters, and all the way up to various medical problems that make standing difficult or impossible. But the rentals of the mobility assistance devices (of all sorts) are rented to anyone who is willing to pay. There is no requirement for demonstrating "need". And there will always be those who see a way to cheat the system (or think that something will give them an advantage over the rest of us). Because of these last people cheating the system, when someone is seen who looks healthy using a mobility assist, the assumption first tends towards "cheater". I know that this is wrong and probably the VAST majority of people using assistance truly need it. But knowing this and convincing my irrational emotional side of that (which IS where these snap assumptions originate) does not work well.

If there was some way to be assured that everyone who is using assistance truly needs it, the gut reaction would have a harder time of it, and everyone using assistance would be accorded the respect they deserve. I don't know how to make this work as there would then be some form of "decision" and that opens the door to descrimination complaints. So there is no good fix. IMHO

Randy

[EeyoresButterfly]

Sometimes though it is easy to tell who is and isn't faking. Most people who genuinely need it have no problem waiting in the regular line if it allows wheelchairs through it. It's when they throw a stink that I get suspicious.

I had one great example. I was greeting outside Philhar one night close to closing time. A man came up to me with his wife in a rental wheelchair and he had a GAC that said "Use regular wheelchair entrance." I politely informed him that the regular entrance was the wheelchair entrance for this ride. He became very irate and said that they had not had to wait in the normal line all day. I explained to him that some rides lines are not wide enough for wheelchairs and have a separate entrance, but we made the line for this ride wide enough for all guests to enjoy. At this point, the wait said 15, and if you've been to Philhar, you know that pretty much means you're getting into the next show. I told him all of this, but he still refused to use the normal entrance. Now, sometimes I will let it slide, if it's not busy or there is an extenuating circumstance (such as somebody who has their own and didn't know they needed a GAC). This time, I did not. He was being a complete jerk and I knew if I backed down he would pull this stunt at other rides, when one person backs down they think it gives them leeway to do what they want and creates problems for everybody later on.

He stood out there with his wife, in the rain, for 20 minutes watching me! He came back up and asked again and I again politely told him no and showed him where GS highlighted the part that says the pass does not mean you can bypass the wait time. He asked to speak to my supervisor, so I called my captain and he backed me up, which was great! By this time they could have ridden the ride three times over! We sent them to guest relations and he called down ahead of time to tell them the situation and they also backed us up. In this case, it seemed like the woman really needed it, but that does not give you an excuse for preferential treatment. It irritates me when people try to pull these stunts because its as stressful for us as it is for them, and it keeps us from being able to provide a good experience ofr the other guests who are following the rules.

[Princess Susi]

Hunh. I thought I had responded to something in this thread, but I guess I hadn't. Can't remember what it was, so I guess it wasn't important.

You guys would have the reaction I want to have when I see a family standing in a loadzone like the other night, grandma up on her feet leaning against the post, and her grandson sitting in her scooter while they wait for the bus. You just want to go into a fit of rage and explode all over them for doing that, proving that neither must need the chair.

I joke about my weight, because I know and acknowledge that I did it to myself (that's not to say that everyone else did too... most, but not all. I know there are medical conditions including depression that make you gain weight like crazy... I know that was one of my factors... when you're depressed, food somehow becomes a wonderful escape). If I could go back knowing what I know now, I would go back to the time when it was easy to run for miles and still have energy, and today I would be about 130 lbs lighter than I am now... my final goal for my current weight loss. For now, I am doing it by going out when I get a chance, just going into the parks and walking, walking, walking, walking and occasionally going on an attraction to cool down for a minute. I like the parks because they give me a place to go, they capture my interest as I walk, and I don't think about the walking until I get into my car after a full day and realize just how much my feet hurt. I need that diversion, and then I get great exercise.

Yep, I know exactly what you mean. I have clinical depression and it helped me put on 30 lbs. Meds ahve helped with the depression, now I have to help with the 30 lbs... when my back stops hurtuing, though the past couple days have been great. I have been able to walk for several hours without pain. Maybe the shot is kicking in late!

just returned from a trip to WDW and Universal. we get a wheelchair for my daughter. we tried for one day a universal w/o the chair and due to the heat, she got clammy sweating, flushed and was cold. she threw up. we then made sure she is always in the chair. when we were in WDW one day and got the chair, we rec'd a comment from the CM with a not so nice tone, whats the matter? are your little legs tired? and i just said, no, she has a heart condition.

That was uncalled for and cruel. The CM should have been reported.

Whenever I have someone come through my gate with a wheelchair, no matter the age, I will tell them, in a semi-serious tone: "Racing is not permitted here." I enjoy saying this to people who appear older than me (and I'm 67). Usually they will appear shocked. Often they will tell me they are being pushed, and have no say in the matter. I will then deadpan to them: "You are responsible for your chauffer's actions."

At this point, usually the person in the chair and their whole party will realize I have been kidding around and will laugh.

Of course, for people with an ECV I will tell them: "No drag racing allowed."
(For the record, I use an ECV myself when I am in the parks.)

I love this! What fun you must be! That would make me smile and laugh and start my day in the Park on a high note!!!!!

Sometimes though it is easy to tell who is and isn't faking. Most people who genuinely need it have no problem waiting in the regular line if it allows wheelchairs through it. It's when they throw a stink that I get suspicious.

Good for you and all the people who backed you up. This is how we stop the SGs.

It is irritating that people use the chair to get in faster. We always wait in the regular line and do so gladly. Gladly because we are able to even be at Disneyland or WDW! If it were not for these aids like chairs and scooters, some would not be able to go at all. :(

The chairs and scooters were so helpful for me last trip, and I am going to have to take it on a day to day basis this trip. I will have to see how my back and legs do. If they start to throb and get weak, I will need a chair or ECV. If not, I will walk and be so happy to be able to walk down Main Street. Heck, I might even skip the whole way down, naw, probly throw my back out! LOL!

sooze :p:

[TechieSidhe]

Most of my lumbar spine has bulging and herniated disks. I hurt all the time, but 90 percent of the time it's not bad enough to keep me from working or doing anything. My doctor is amazed that I'm not on permanent bedrest or on disability, and still have a good range of motion. I taught karate 10 years go as an assistant instructor, and suffered an injury to my back that went downhill from there. That, plus 4 years of heavy school backpacks, did a number on me. What complicates things is my weight. I'm a big girl. I was doing two hours of karate classes a night, eating very healthy, and never dropped below a size 18. This also confuses doctors, as it makes it really, really hard for them to pull the "exercise and lose weight" thing. (I found out later my hormones were and still are probably farked up.)

Last year, the family and I went to Disney for three days. I made it through two days of walking, but even with the heat wraps, hot tub soaks, constant rest, and ibuprofen, my back was uncooperative. Somewhere in the back side of Animal Kingdom, my back decided it had enough. It went out, taking my ability to walk more than a few feet with it. My wonderful husband got a wheelchair from Guest Services, and we tried to make it through the last day of our vacation with him pushing me through the park.

Note, all the cast members I dealt with rocked. From the ones who got me a wheelchair, to the ones who held doors for me, they were wonderful. I never got anything but positive vibes from them. I really appreciate you and the job you do! I wished later I had gotten names so I could send a letter or something.

Whoever invented those shoes with skates built in should be shot, no wait, that's too good for them. Part of the problem with my back was that I kept getting run into by kids on skates. That, or I had to dodge them or stop short as they cut me off. When I was in the wheelchair, they'd zip right in front of me, then their parents would give me dirty looks when they hit me, or I accidentally hit them because I couldn't stop in time.

If I could have gotten out of the chair, I'd have kicked me some parental ass. As it was, my husband made sure a few of them heard about it, at least the worst offenders. Teach your frelling kids about wheelchairs. The wheelchair I got was one of the older ones, and was not the most maneuverable thing in the multiverse. The dirty looks and comments don't make them move faster either. I'm glad you're 18 and mobile. Your mobile ass can wait a few seconds.

Speaking of the dirty looks....I'd like to send a big screw you to the SGs that gave me dirty looks and comments. Yes, I'm a fat chick in a wheelchair. My disability isn't my weight. I know society has raised you and your moronic kids to believe that fat people are the scum of the earth, and to you I must look like a lazy person who didn't want to walk. I'll tell you what, take my back problems for a day and see if you can walk 5 miles of theme park. You can't. I'd think that you were only being flaming dicks because my disability is internal and your small brains can't grasp that. But I saw you treat a group of kids with Down's just as bad that day.

The fakers make it so much worse for the rest of us who actually need some help from time to time. I've learned now to get a scrip for a steroid dose pack before I go to Disney. If I start taking the 7 day dose 2 days before I go, I can actually make it 4 days with little problem. (That, and a massage at least once.. :D :)

I wish there could be some kind of doc's note required, but I know they can't do that.

[Randy B]

Whoever invented those shoes with skates built in should be shot, no wait, that's too good for them. Part of the problem with my back was that I kept getting run into by kids on skates. That, or I had to dodge them or stop short as they cut me off. When I was in the wheelchair, they'd zip right in front of me, then their parents would give me dirty looks when they hit me, or I accidentally hit them because I couldn't stop in time.

It sounds like the heelies are getting worse at WDW. I have a few ideas for WDW. A series of fake railroad or streetcar tracks crossing walkways at an angle. The "flange gap" needs to be very narrow. The wheels on heelies are thinner than the wheels on a WC. The Chair wheels would span over the gap while the heelies wheels would slide down into the gap. If the "track" is at an angle across the path the heelies would be constantly thrown off course and possibly even twist the wheel enough to snap the wheel loose from the shoe. These grooves could be themed as tracks or be "rain drainage channels" that would be there to help the SGs keep their feet dry when it rains. :D: ;) In fact the latter may be better as these "channels" could be placed much closer together and be almost constant on slopes to "promote traction"

Randy

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

It sounds like the heelies are getting worse at WDW. I have a few ideas for WDW. A series of fake railroad or streetcar tracks crossing walkways at an angle. The "flange gap" needs to be very narrow. The wheels on heelies are thinner than the wheels on a WC. The Chair wheels would span over the gap while the heelies wheels would slide down into the gap. If the "track" is at an angle across the path the heelies would be constantly thrown off course and possibly even twist the wheel enough to snap the wheel loose from the shoe. These grooves could be themed as tracks or be "rain drainage channels" that would be there to help the SGs keep their feet dry when it rains. :D: ;) In fact the latter may be better as these "channels" could be placed much closer together and be almost constant on slopes to "promote traction"

Randy

Great Idea!! till some SG's kid falls on his butt, then it will be sue sue sue!! Cause their little darling SG kid couldn't follow the Rules, cause he has---(fill in the blank) and cannot be made, or expected, to follow ANY rules or regulations, even if they are for safety reasons!!

(that is a great idea, kind of like a "mini" cattle grate!)

[Shorty82]

I thought heely wheels were a good bit wider than a wheelchair's. The wheels on regular inline skates are about the same size as a chair's wheels and I don't see anything having even thiner wheels. What they should do is have security confiscate the wheels from any person caught wearing heelies. Get the SG's name and tell them that they can pick up the wheels at the Guest Relations, the security office, Lost & Found, or somewhere like that at the end of the day. Make sure there is a notice on the sign out front of the park that says no heelies (if there isn't one there should be) that warns that wheels will be confiscated so the SG can't claim convincingly they didn't know.

[dancinghomer]

I thought heely wheels were a good bit wider than a wheelchair's. The wheels on regular inline skates are about the same size as a chair's wheels and I don't see anything having even thiner wheels. What they should do is have security confiscate the wheels from any person caught wearing heelies. Get the SG's name and tell them that they can pick up the wheels at the Guest Relations, the security office, Lost & Found, or somewhere like that at the end of the day. Make sure there is a notice on the sign out front of the park that says no heelies (if there isn't one there should be) that warns that wheels will be confiscated so the SG can't claim convincingly they didn't know.

Personally, I think that is too nice. I think that security should carry something that could cut the wheel in half. After that, they can give it back to the SG with a piece of paper stating the rules and some legal text proving that they broke the rules and this is the only way of teaching them a lesson. I think word might spread fast that Disney doesn't approve of the use of Heelies in the parks (I'm not sure if the policy spreads throughout the entire Disney property) using this method. All this might take is some signs posted out front, and no one reads them anyways, so its not gonna make that big of a difference when they claim they didn't know.

Of course I'm a little biased since I've been ran into by kids wearing this devil shoes everywhere.