Wordless Wednesday – Traveling by Scooter at Disney
I’m not very good at the wordless part of Wordless Wednesday, but this photo reminded me of a post I’ve been meaning to write. Lately a lot of bloggers have voiced their displeasure at seeing “fat and lazy” people riding around on scooters at Disney – both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. I was completely appalled at the posts and surprised at the utter hatred in the comments section toward people who choose to use a scooter to get around. Most thought the reason the people are fat is because they’re riding, while others were convinced they were doing it to get ahead in line.
Mom enjoys her rented scooter at the Animal Kingdom - Walt Disney World
First let me say that I to would have used a scooter at Disney but didn’t because my son asked me not to, he was too embarrassed and would rather walk slower and see less than put up with people’s condemnation. How sad is that! My mother on the other hand didn’t give a rats a*s what other people would think. She used a scooter and was in heaven. She went everywhere and saw everything – something she’d never have been able to do without it.
Is my mother overweight? Yes, but can you see the scar running from her thigh to below her knee? There’s an identical one on the other side. My mother has had both her knees replaced and while she’s more pain-free than before the operations, she still has problems walking. And yes, she’s gained weight. First because walking was so painful before the operation and then after, because healing took quite awhile in one knee and her gait has changed so it causes pain when she walks. By the way, my mom is in her early 70s – she deserves to tour the parks any way she wants to 
Me? I have Multiple Sclerosis and while physically I’m fine right now, I suffer from chronic fatigue. So walking the parks means I’m done within an hour or two. I also suffer from exhaustion afterward. I was only able to go to the parks 1-1/2 days out of four because of my MS. Had I used a scooter? I could have gone all four days.
So, my message is don’t judge. Assume someone spending $70 a day (the cost to rent the scooters at Disney -$20 is returned as a deposit) is doing it because he/she NEEDS it. I would love to be able to go and use one some day so that I don’t miss out on so much. Mom had a great time – I love that.
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I must say that when I first came to Disney World, I was shocked by the number of people who were using scooters. Does America really have that many disabled people? Because where I come from, only disabled people would use a wheelchair or a scooter. Then I realized that not everyone was disabled. In fact, people were renting these out of convenience, and it is a social norm in the USA to use these scooters! Needless to say, I was shocked. We hear about how the US is a fat nation, and it is little things like these that enable and propagate this notion. The abuse of modern conveniences. They should make a Wall-E attraction somehow incorporating these scooters! That would be ingenious. The weather can get bad in Florida, but to the point of no will to walk? I think if it helps things out, why not? But it ultimately comes down to a conscious decision whether to use it or not. You still want to talk about needs here? I couldn’t judge everyone who happens to ride a scooter by me, but if it’s so commonplace, you have to wonder. Judging is okay sometimes, if people never judged, we could never have an idea of what people are like. This isn’t racism we’re talking about here. It’s a slippery slope about the freedom to use a scooter, whether it’s for a disability, or plain convenience. If someone in a scooter was giving me a hard time, and jumped out of their seat to pick a bone with me, do you think I still shouldn’t judge? I am all for personal freedom, so it really comes down to yourself to decide what’s best for yourself. If it’s a pain to walk, by all means, use a scooter. But if walking is just too boring or tiring for you, maybe you should let some one else who is willing to stand for several hours your place in line for Soarin’.
I’m speechless….