Sad about our last trip w/ wheelchair

[homer424]

while we had a FANTASTIC time, I was so sad at the amount of rude people we encountered. As I mentioned in my trip report, people were literally steping over and pushing past my grandmother in her wheelchair/walking with her cane. Three times I heard a version of "get in front of the person with the wheelchair/ cane." I am surprised I did not hit anyone with the wheelchair. We didn't rent a scooter because my grandmother was not secure with it, and I think the people we encountered, it was better I was in more direct control of the chair. It is amazing how people saw me struggling to push the wheelchair up inclines, yet felt compelled to walk right in front of me causing me to slam to a halt and possibly hurting myself or grandmother (or 5 year old DD walking next to me).

I don't think I have ever said "excuse me" (not in a snotty tone but to just be able to get inside somewhere or blend with the group) more times in my life as I have on this trip. There was an incident in The Living Seas where I was in tears standing by the doors to enter the Hydrolators, screaming excuse me at people trying to get through and people were literally steping over the top of my grandmother's feet/legs. A CM saw me and escorted me through. I was really shaken up and spent the majority of the time just sitting in the corner trying to compose myself.

And leaving/entering stores with doors? I will just say this: it is truly depressing when an able bodied adult stands and watches my 5 year old struggle to open a door to a store and you walk in in front of us and not even thank my daughter for opening the door. That was the low point.

We did encounter a few families who were wonderful to us-one helped me get my grandmother's wheelchair across Main Street (the wheels were caught in the tracks and this was our first day) while others just stood around and stared. The CMs went ABOVE and BEYOND and every single one I met was awesome (I wrote guest relations about the exemplary service already!) But by the end of the trip we just waited until the very end, didn't even try to blend with the crowd anymore.

This was just 5 days in our lives, I truly feel for those who have to be in a wheelchair/scooter every day. My grandfather was wheelchair bound on and off right before he passed away, but I guess I had forgotten what it was like since this was over 10 years ago. It is sad the lack of respect some seem to have. I am not saying every person who has a wheelchair (or stroller for that matter) are just happless stander-bys, I have seen people use both has battering rams to get through crowds and act as if it is their right. I am just saying from my perspective where I was careful and tried to be mindful of everyone else's personal space, most of the people just saw the wheelchair as an obstacle in their way of "being first".

 

[SandrainNC]

I am so sorry to hear that you had to deal with such rude people! I know it isn't the same thing, but I have had people just stand there and watch me do the same thing with a stroller and doors before and I can't believe that they are so rude! When we were at WDW in November a woman knocked my little boy down rushing to the bathroom (not even a crowded time so it wasn't like she needed to be in that big of a hurry) and she just kind of smiled and went on about her business as I was fussing at her. He was crying with scratched knees and she just did not care and even had a grin on her face.

I am glad at least a few people were helpful and the CMs were helpful to you.

Sandra

 

[Nik's Mom]

I am so sorry! I know all to well about this. I've seen it many, many times, and have experienced it with our stroller. People can be very rude and inconsiderate of others. I get so angry when I see people in wheelchairs being stepped over! It never ceases to amaze me how some people can be totally thoughless! We will be traveling with my Mom in a scooter and FIL in wheelchair next summer. I dread the rudeness that we will experience.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sad to hear about your experiences with rude people.
One thing I have noticed thru the years at WDW is the increase in people who think it is all about them (even if they inconvenience or harm other people).
The good still outweigh the bad, but there are plenty of bad people out there.

 

[boosmom96]

I am really sorry to hear about the rude people you encountered. Sorry but, unfortunately, not at all surprised. My DD is almost 9 and is severely handicapped. We recently returned from a trip to DLR and I was also appalled at how rude people were. I lost count of how many times people would push in front of/cut off my DD's wheelchair and then give me a dirty look when I bumped into them!! My DD's wheelchair weighs over 50 pounds!! It can't stop on a dime!!! This was our first (and most definitely LAST!!) trip during the summer rush. I will take her out of school from now on to avoid the crowds.
The most important thing you need to remember is to not let it ruin your trip. I was really sad to hear how upset it made you in Epcot. I think I have developed a much harder shell because of this. I simply don't allow people to push in front of my DD and have been known to make pretty loud comments directed at people that try.
I'm really glad to hear how helpful the CM's were. We will be making our first trip to WDW this November and that news is really great.

 

[homer424]

I'm really glad to hear how helpful the CM's were. We will be making our first trip to WDW this November and that news is really great.

They were out of this WORLD! Honestly, we didn't have to say a word to any of them, they came right up to us, engaged both me and my grandmother, and moved us to where we needed to be or told us anything we needed. And if we needed anything, they were more than willing to help us. One male CM held my grandmother's hand when she was getting on to a ride and talked to her the whole time, and then gave her an air peck on the hand thanking her for honoring him with her presence. It was so adorable and choked me up. THAT is what makes Disney so magical!

Thank you all for your responses, I was just taken so aback by it. I do need to develop a hard shell but I am so sensitive when it comes to family, I can't hold it together sometimes!

 

[dclfun]

Sigh...it's not just the rudeness to your grandmother because she was travelling in a wheelchair or using a cane, but merely because she is elderly and thus should receive respect and courtesy. Other countries/cultures honor the elderly and it seems as though we see them as a hindrance to our busy lives. Just waiting in a checkout line behind an elderly person tying to sort change and hearing the remarks of others behind him/her is enough to make me want to speak up and reprimand someone who can't wait a few short moments for someone to manage their coin purse or wallet, etc. Perhaps they can't see well or their fingers don't move so swiftly anymore. Unless we meet an early demise, all of us will one day have to face the challenges of being elderly. On a humorous note though, once I was in the World of Disney and in a walkway ready to exit when a woman came rushing down the aisle. As there really wasn't enough space for her to pass me she pressed into my chair, threw her leg over my armrest/joystick to get ahead and then was quite surprised when her own body parts caused my chair to move forward to stick the joystick right in her...well, you can imagine. I just sat there and shook my head as she looked at me accusingly when she was the one who goosed herself! Kathy