In defense of wheelchairs first

[Tinkerbellaella]

ME..ME...ME...

That is what our society has turned into. Stop and be considerate of others. On both sides, able bodies and people who need assistance. Make the world a friendlier place.

[Hayden's Dad]

We found it much easier on our last trip to just drive to the parks. I wish we had done this before, but when your wheelchair doesn't look like a wheelchair it just makes life easier. We didn't have any rude comments from other guests, our problems came from a couple of bus drivers that either didn't believe we had a wheelchair, or just didn't see us.

[GrandFlo]

I don't mind when these things happen. I know from a family member that she would rather wait in line for hours if she could just have the use of her legs back. When I have to wait longer, I don't complain, I thank God I have legs that I can stand on.

[irish1967]

I've lurked on this thread for quite awhile now and finally decided to tell you a story that I hope makes everyone realize that there are many people who are sensitive to the challenges that physically handicapped people face.

It was about 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10. Two friends and I were waiting for a bus back to our resort from DTD after eating lunch. Prior to going to DTD for lunch, we had gotten up at 3:00 a.m. and participated in the half-marathon. We were tired, we hurt and the only thing we wanted to do at that moment was to get back to the resort and take a nap.

Add about a dozen more people in the same condition, or supporters/children who had gotten up at 3:00 a.m. to cheer the race particpants on.

Most of us had just missed the previous bus, so we had been already waiting 30 minutes for the next bus. The bus arrives, we all get on and a man in a wheelchair rolls up to the door to ask the driver a question. He had, apparently, missed his bus and wasn't sure when the next one would come and where to go. Not only did the bus driver get him to the right place, he also waited for the appropriate bus to arrive in order to make sure the man did not miss the next one.

He explained the situation to the people on the bus and NOT ONE PERSON said a word of complaint. Every single person on that bus realized that even though we were exhausted, even though many of us were in pain, nothing we were experiencing at that moment compared to what the person in the wheelchair went through on a daily basis.

My only wish was that I had been on the ball enough to get the bus driver's name. He definitely deserved a letter of commendation for his act. I did thank him for his compassion as I exited the bus.

Please don't the the actions of a few cloud your perception of all - in my experience, the vast majority of people agree that wheelchairs should go first!

[Marilyn Michetti]

Opinions aside, it's still the law. The driver must load wheelchairs and scooters first, as his seat is unattended during that time.

[Nini5055]

I am sorry for those who do not understand the WDW policy about wheelchair & ECV users. My father was unable to walk for more than a few steps. He used an ECV and yes my mother, myself and dd6 boarded with him. I always made my dd sit on my lap so we would take up as few seats as possible.

HOWEVER...my father was REFUSED boarding by a bus driver who did not feel the policy was correct. He let EVERYONE in line on before my father. It was so blatently obvious a bus driver behind him went over to speak with him and called for another bus to come right away because his bus was not handicapped equipped. We waited an additional 20 minutes because some driver was having a "Bad Day" (the words we were told).

My father is now completely wheelchair bound and it was really an awful stressful situation to be in for his last trip to WDW with his grandaughter. It just makes me so sad.

Personally, I don't care if there are 10 wheelchairs...they can board first. I waited when I took my dd by myself...I even had to stand a few times while holding a sleeping child while MEN just sat and looked at me....maybe I'm just too darn good looking!!!!!

[vicster]

So sad that some people are like that. And yes, I have seen many men not give up their seat to a woman holding a child. Maybe they should try holding a child and hanging on to the bars during the bus turns - maybe then they'd understand.