Author Topic: Infuriating eavesdropping....  (Read 13304 times)

gatorfox

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Infuriating eavesdropping....
« on: January 13, 2017, 11:18:16 AM »
So I'm in the doctors office waiting room and in rolls an elderly couple on their scooters and the following painful diatribe ensues......


Ann

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2017, 11:21:48 AM »
Yes...?

solon

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2017, 11:25:02 AM »
Know what else is infuriating?

TheStachery

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2017, 11:40:42 AM »
this one time, in band camp...

gatorfox

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2017, 06:49:40 PM »
The horror.....my first post was cut!!!! I had so much more......

Elderly couple, scooters, doctors office.......

The husband...." I can't believe we have to pay property taxes after we pay off the mortgage"
The spouse....." It is even worse that we have to pay any taxes after we retire...."  and "we did our share and we shouldn't have to do any more"

Followed by an endless tirade of complaints about.....copays, horribly uncomfortable waiting room chairs, inability to change the channel on the tv, temperature, fake news, global warming and last, but not least, the fantstic wonderfullness of donald trump!!!

This wonderfully enlightened conversation about entitlement and giving back made me ponder the wonderful fact that I now contribute far far less in tax support to these wonderful citizens.


EarlThePearl

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2017, 04:42:58 AM »
About 2 years ago, I was in Paris and took a day trip to Disney Paris (reasons for this are unimportant). You know what I did not see one of: adults in scooters. You go to Disney in FL, and they are everywhere. I feel like scootering just begets more scootering. Get up and walk! Rest when you need, but unless you have some serious paralysis or advanced MS or something get moving people. I'm no physical therapist, but this seems to be common sense. I'm judging so forgive me, but I'd see folks (mostly very overweight) park the scooter and walk around. Play the long game people.
Also, those doctor's office people stink.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2017, 04:46:49 AM by EarlThePearl »

Ukwhat?

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2017, 05:05:00 AM »
Or, the people in Paris are stuck at home and can't get out at all because they do not have scooter?

EarlThePearl

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2017, 05:08:27 AM »
Possibly. But also the average BMI in Disney Paris seemed a lot lower than Orlando. Someone should do a study. I'd read it

This could be part of the literature review:
http://www.capturingmagicalmemories.com/disney-controversy-using-a-scooter-recreationally-at-disney-world/
« Last Edit: January 14, 2017, 05:14:18 AM by EarlThePearl »

gatorfox

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2017, 05:30:02 AM »
@Earl the Pearl.....You Paris Disney observations are spot on.   According to the WHO (not the band) data from 2008: in France 16.9% of adults were obese.  Meanwhile back at the trough (USA) 33.8% of adults were obese.  This has only gotten worse with time. In fact, last year marks the first year since 1993 that the average life expectancy has actually declined in the US.

Mezzie

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2017, 06:03:12 AM »
As a scooter user, I must respond.

The ADA laws in the U.S. encourage the disabled to continue living actively and being a part of society. I honestly fear my world travel days may be over because my favorite locales have things like cobbled streets and sidewalks, no paving at all, no curb dips, no ramps, aisles too thin to allow a wheelchair or scooter through, no elevators at the majority of subway stops, etc. Of course you'll see more disabled in the U.S.; we're actually expected not to waste away in our homes as a burden on our families and society. Heck, without ADA laws, I probably wouldn't still have my job (a job I do very well. The things I can't physically do have nothing to do with actual teaching, but are part of my contract -- things like lift and carry X number of pounds for X number of feet).

For a full rant/demystification of part-time wheelchair and scooter users, you can read my blog post on the topic: https://mezzielearns.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/why-are-you-in-that-wheelchairscooter-if-you-can-walk/comment-page-1/

EarlThePearl

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2017, 06:35:11 AM »
No of course. ADA is a great thing and I would certainly not want to be a person with a mobility impairment in Europe. It's great that places like Disney are incredibly accessible. And maybe it's a chicken/egg situation. And you just see more of it at Disney because it is accessible. I don't know, and I would hope people aren't abusing it/using it out of minor convenience and if they are shame on them, esp if it makes it difficult for people who truly need it by using up resources.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2017, 06:37:01 AM by EarlThePearl »

EarlThePearl

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2017, 06:43:54 AM »
Also your blog, was a good read. I'll try be less judgy. Best of luck

kimmarg

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2017, 06:58:45 AM »
About 2 years ago, I was in Paris and took a day trip to Disney Paris (reasons for this are unimportant). You know what I did not see one of: adults in scooters. You go to Disney in FL, and they are everywhere. I feel like scootering just begets more scootering. Get up and walk! Rest when you need, but unless you have some serious paralysis or advanced MS or something get moving people. I'm no physical therapist, but this seems to be common sense. I'm judging so forgive me, but I'd see folks (mostly very overweight) park the scooter and walk around. Play the long game people.
Also, those doctor's office people stink.

I would have had this opinion had I not used one of those scooters at the grocery store one night. I got a ton of evil judging glares wondering why a healthy looking late 20-something was in a scooter. Well as it turned out that was night 1 of what turned out to be 18 months to get my ankle back to what it was before the injury. I had injured it about an hour prior and I could tell I wouldn't be able to weight it much longer. So I scootered around grabbing some pain killers and a few freezer meals for my anticipated time on the couch. Evil stares ensured despite the cart containing ace wrap, ibprophen, extra ice pack and food. So yea "mile in their shoes"...

kimmarg

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2017, 07:06:50 AM »
As a scooter user, I must respond.

The ADA laws in the U.S. encourage the disabled to continue living actively and being a part of society. I honestly fear my world travel days may be over because my favorite locales have things like cobbled streets and sidewalks, no paving at all, no curb dips, no ramps, aisles too thin to allow a wheelchair or scooter through, no elevators at the majority of subway stops, etc. Of course you'll see more disabled in the U.S.; we're actually expected not to waste away in our homes as a burden on our families and society. Heck, without ADA laws, I probably wouldn't still have my job (a job I do very well. The things I can't physically do have nothing to do with actual teaching, but are part of my contract -- things like lift and carry X number of pounds for X number of feet).

For a full rant/demystification of part-time wheelchair and scooter users, you can read my blog post on the topic: https://mezzielearns.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/why-are-you-in-that-wheelchairscooter-if-you-can-walk/comment-page-1/

Thank you. This is a wonderful blogpost and has increased my resolve to be even more considerate and understanding. Unconcious biases are perhaps the worst ones because it takes effort to realize you have them. I will continue to try to remove mine.

EricL

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2017, 08:07:50 AM »
To be fair, the bias isn't against temporarily or permanently broken people who need to cart their asses around in scooters. It's against the growing amount of fat lazy people who do so.  Yes, jumping to conclusions is wrong. But so is laziness induced obesity.

paddedhat

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #15 on: January 14, 2017, 08:25:26 AM »
About 2 years ago, I was in Paris and took a day trip to Disney Paris (reasons for this are unimportant). You know what I did not see one of: adults in scooters. You go to Disney in FL, and they are everywhere. I feel like scootering just begets more scootering. Get up and walk! Rest when you need, but unless you have some serious paralysis or advanced MS or something get moving people. I'm no physical therapist, but this seems to be common sense. I'm judging so forgive me, but I'd see folks (mostly very overweight) park the scooter and walk around. Play the long game people.
Also, those doctor's office people stink.

Twenty one years ago my wife suffered from a nearly fatal brain injury.  For the med. tech. savvy here, it was an AVM that resulted in stroke like paralysis on the entire left side, with zero recovery.  After three months of rehab. she walked out of the hospital (with a cane and leg brace) and resumed life. Raised two little preschoolers, and taught school to finish off a thirty year career. She is an outlier in the extreme, in that she never gave up, even for a minute. She comes from a line of old school Russian women who are so  tough they can be scary, seriously.

She finds scooters to be entertaining. Her stroke specialist demanded and hounded her until she allowed the insurance company to buy her one. It served two useful purposes. Originally it would sit in the garage until the battery died, then I would charge it up and let our little kids drive it in circles until it died again. Next, as a friend's MS got worse, we donated it to him, as he didn't have the means to afford one.  We have two scooter related interactions on a regular basis now. First, if a store has them available for customer use, there is frequently an employee who offers to get one for her use. This is politely declined, but occasionally some dumb-assed greeter (typically from Walmart) decided that it's worth an argument. As you might imagine, it's quite an odd disagreement, LOL.  She really enjoys the subtle shaming the happens when she bumps into the other odd segment of our culture that has no need for a scooter, but are too damn lazy to walk, Oddly, this is almost universally an early adult to middle aged, obese female. The wife will be entering the store and pass by somebody who is about to beach themselves on a scooter. They look at her, get a bit pale, and often bolt out of the chair, to offer it to somebody who really needs one. She politely declines, but it's painfully awkward for the other person. Now, It's easy to think that maybe we are judging another person who really needs the thing, but there is an odd "self-certification" that goes on. Often, If somebody is legitimately using a loaner scooter and spots her, they typically offer that they are recovering from some type of surgery, or some similar comment. They need it, and have no issue with telling another disabled person why.  The best are the slackers that get caught as she rounds the corner and finds them walking, or stretching to grab something on the top shelf.  As always, she it totally cool and non-judgmental about it. She doesn't use them and couldn't care who does, but the guilty ones are hilarious. We have seen "disabled" women panic at this that that point, and do everything from turning red, while babbling about why they are using a store scooter, to desperately trying to convince the wife to take the thing, LOL. That said, when somebody looks horrified, shoots out of the chair like a jack-in-the-box, and quickly walks away, I catch my DW with a subtle smirk.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2017, 08:28:36 AM by paddedhat »

debbie does duncan

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #16 on: January 14, 2017, 10:06:09 AM »
As much as I hate FOAM......
paddedhat your wife is awesome.
Walking out of a hospital following an AVM rupture is BADASS!!!!!!
You are one lucky guy!

SeaEhm

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #17 on: January 14, 2017, 12:20:34 PM »
As I have gotten older, I feel that I had learned a thing or two about society that makes me feel a bit more uneasy than when I was young.  When I was young, "Ignorance is bliss."

I cannot imagine how I will be when I am in my 70s. 

I was just getting a hair cut next to a skateboard shop and was pretty annoyed at how often I heard the wheels going over the sidewalk cracks.

What is even more funny? I just recently spent $$$ at that place buying a skateboard! 

(Do people with multiple personalities know it?  Did I really buy that skateboard or did the other person inside of me?)

dobredjen

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #18 on: January 14, 2017, 12:52:48 PM »
No of course. ADA is a great thing and I would certainly not want to be a person with a mobility impairment in Europe

Why would that be? We have similar laws to garantee the mobility of handicapped people. We just don't accept fat people using scooters because they're lazy.

auntie_betty

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #19 on: January 14, 2017, 01:20:51 PM »
Quote
The best are the slackers that get caught as she rounds the corner and finds them walking, or stretching to grab something on the top shelf

My friend has a myriad of auto-immune diseases including ME, psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia. He uses a scooter though he can walk as the effort of going from the car to the shop, then walking round and going back to the car could mean the next few days spent in bed. Yes, he can stand up or walk over to a hard to reach area but that doesn't mean he doesn't need his scooter.

Having said that, not long been to Disneyland and agree about the number of severely overweight people a) in scooters and b) stuffing their faces with churros, tacos, chips etc.


RetiredAt63

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #20 on: January 14, 2017, 01:24:36 PM »
Sometimes thin healthy looking people are not, lots of health issues are invisible - they need the assistance, the handicapped parking spot, etc.  And sometimes the fat person being put down here is fat because of injuries - how much exercise can you do if your knees went in your 20s, or you have neurological balance issues, or you have MS?  Or you may be fat and fit and can normally walk anyplace, but you just injured something?

Let's not get our exercise jumping to conclusions.

Dollar Slice

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #21 on: January 14, 2017, 03:51:34 PM »
Thanks for sharing your blog post, Mezzie. I'm also a 30-something with a burgeoning chronic foot problem that has nothing to do with my weight, but I frequently feel judged and shamed for it... :-(  I'm not using a wheelchair or anything at this point but sometimes I have to sit in special seating sections for the disabled, or ask someone to let me sit down, or take an elevator instead of stairs, etc. I'm young and don't look obviously disabled, but I'm overweight so I suspect everyone assumes I'm one of those lazy fat people that they apparently despise. Reading posts like some of the ones in this thread make me feel like complete shit because it reminds me of what people are really thinking about me when they see me IRL.

No of course. ADA is a great thing and I would certainly not want to be a person with a mobility impairment in Europe

Why would that be? We have similar laws to garantee the mobility of handicapped people.

I have a close friend who is a paraplegic living in Europe, and he would disagree with you that Europe is as accessible as the USA. It's not necessarily anyone's fault - it's just the nature of having older buildings, older cities, older roads, older everything. Cobblestones, stairs, small/narrow sidewalks, narrow doorways and hallways, etc. It's much more difficult to retrofit a building from the 1700s than it is to retrofit a building from 1960.

paddedhat

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #22 on: January 14, 2017, 05:11:14 PM »
Quote
The best are the slackers that get caught as she rounds the corner and finds them walking, or stretching to grab something on the top shelf

My friend has a myriad of auto-immune diseases including ME, psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia. He uses a scooter though he can walk as the effort of going from the car to the shop, then walking round and going back to the car could mean the next few days spent in bed. Yes, he can stand up or walk over to a hard to reach area but that doesn't mean he doesn't need his scooter.

Having said that, not long been to Disneyland and agree about the number of severely overweight people a) in scooters and b) stuffing their faces with churros, tacos, chips etc.

Your cut and pasted did a nice job of removing the intent of my post.  I was pretty clear about the minority of scooter riders who look at my wife in horror as she walks past with her struggling awkward gait and cane swinging, and know damn well that they are busted. If you have a condition that requires the use of a scooter, believe me, you don't turn red, while profusely apologize for taking the last scooter in the lobby.  In fact, if you have a chronic condition, there is a pretty good chance that you brought your own damn scooter, since you are in no shape to walk from the car to the lobby. Sorry, but I have spent most of my adult life as a partner with a severely disabled person. I'm well aware of the needs and difficulties of folks who suffer from disabilities. I'm also aware that the hyper PC climate of our society has created an environment where lazy shitbags will take advantage of any situation where they know it would be illegal, or "inappropriate" to question their actions. Don't question why  a huge and healthy mother doesn't feel like walking through a store, but rides a store scooter while shouting at her kids to pick items for the cart. I have literally seen a "scooter train" at a FL. Walmart. Three young obese women walked a considerable distance from their car to the lobby, then all mounted store scooters to do their shopping. Don't question the the lazy shitbag who "borrows" grannie's HC parking tag after the family took the car keys away, and now has upgraded to parking at the front door of every establishment.  Don't question the latest trend in this bizarre world,  the fake "service dogs" that end up in restaurants and on planes, since all it takes in a BS certificate, or doggie vest, to turn your cuddly little mutt into a medical requirement that needs to be by your side, without question. I have nothing but respect for anybody who struggles in life, but  FFS, we have really gone off the deep end once we have become so PC that we can't even talk about the obvious.

bugbaby

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #23 on: January 14, 2017, 05:31:46 PM »
The horror.....my first post was cut!!!! I had so much more......

Elderly couple, scooters, doctors office.......

The husband...." I can't believe we have to pay property taxes after we pay off the mortgage"
The spouse....." It is even worse that we have to pay any taxes after we retire...."  and "we did our share and we shouldn't have to do any more"

Followed by an endless tirade of complaints about.....copays, horribly uncomfortable waiting room chairs, inability to change the channel on the tv, temperature, fake news, global warming and last, but not least, the fantstic wonderfullness of donald trump!!!

This wonderfully enlightened conversation about entitlement and giving back made me ponder the wonderful fact that I now contribute far far less in tax support to these wonderful citizens.
It almost seems to me the elderly couple's support of president-elect Trump is a huge part of their being vilified here. I mean they sound otherwise mustachian- paid off house, concerned about taxes and medical costs etc. . .

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk


RetiredAt63

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #24 on: January 14, 2017, 05:35:15 PM »
The horror.....my first post was cut!!!! I had so much more......

Elderly couple, scooters, doctors office.......

The husband...." I can't believe we have to pay property taxes after we pay off the mortgage"
The spouse....." It is even worse that we have to pay any taxes after we retire...."  and "we did our share and we shouldn't have to do any more"

Followed by an endless tirade of complaints about.....copays, horribly uncomfortable waiting room chairs, inability to change the channel on the tv, temperature, fake news, global warming and last, but not least, the fantstic wonderfullness of donald trump!!!

This wonderfully enlightened conversation about entitlement and giving back made me ponder the wonderful fact that I now contribute far far less in tax support to these wonderful citizens.
It almost seems to me the elderly couple's support of president-elect Trump is a huge part of their being vilified here. I mean they sound otherwise mustachian- paid off house, concerned about taxes and medical costs etc. . .

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

No it is the The husband...." I can't believe we have to pay property taxes after we pay off the mortgage"
The spouse....." It is even worse that we have to pay any taxes after we retire...."  and "we did our share and we shouldn't have to do any more"

Total lack of understanding of how society works.

Not to mention all the other complaining - strong sense of entitlement.

Cpa Cat

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #25 on: January 14, 2017, 06:01:05 PM »
A couple of years ago I broke my foot. I mostly avoided the store while it was healing, but one day I was doing pretty good without my crutches and I stopped in at Walmart to get some milk. I briefly considered using a scooter, but then thought people might laugh and make fun of me since I wasn't visibly disabled (although I did have a big orthopedic boot) and I didn't actually know how to use a scooter. I didn't need it anyway, right?

I get about halfway through the store and realize that Walmart is the biggest f-ing store in the world and milk is at the farthest point from the door. I could turn back or push on. I pushed on. But as I made it farther, I started to seriously wonder if I could make it. I was thinking about how embarrassing it was going to be when I just sat down and gave up in the middle of Walmart. I was almost in tears when I finally made it out of the store and it took me an excessively long time to make it out.

Sometimes I see people in the scooters and think, "If you really needed a scooter you would own your own scooter." But it's not true, is it? If I'm an obese woman, I don't necessarily own a scooter, but it might be really tiring to get through the store. And sure, if I had the choice right that moment between losing 150 lbs and using a scooter, I'd probably choose to instantly lose the weight. But that's not a real choice. The choice is: use the scooter, or don't use the scooter because I'm fat and people will think I'm lazy.

They should use the scooter. That's what it's there for. Whatever their discomfort is... that's what the scooter is for.


LadyMuMu

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #26 on: January 14, 2017, 06:19:44 PM »
My FIL used to brag that he shouldn't have to pledge to PBS or NPR although he watched/listened to them almost exclusively. He said he paid taxes and was entitled to them. He also believed that everyone else was sponging off the government. This while he received oodles of benefits himself including having part of his home remodeled thanks to the VA. The entitlement was strong in that one.

bugbaby

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #27 on: January 14, 2017, 06:39:26 PM »
The horror.....my first post was cut!!!! I had so much more......

Elderly couple, scooters, doctors office.......

The husband...." I can't believe we have to pay property taxes after we pay off the mortgage"
The spouse....." It is even worse that we have to pay any taxes after we retire...."  and "we did our share and we shouldn't have to do any more"

Followed by an endless tirade of complaints about.....copays, horribly uncomfortable waiting room chairs, inability to change the channel on the tv, temperature, fake news, global warming and last, but not least, the fantstic wonderfullness of donald trump!!!

This wonderfully enlightened conversation about entitlement and giving back made me ponder the wonderful fact that I now contribute far far less in tax support to these wonderful citizens.
It almost seems to me the elderly couple's support of president-elect Trump is a huge part of their being vilified here. I mean they sound otherwise mustachian- paid off house, concerned about taxes and medical costs etc. . .

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

No it is the The husband...." I can't believe we have to pay property taxes after we pay off the mortgage"
The spouse....." It is even worse that we have to pay any taxes after we retire...."  and "we did our share and we shouldn't have to do any more"

Total lack of understanding of how society works.

Not to mention all the other complaining - strong sense of entitlement.
Ok, ok I concede, the ignorant entitlement is stunning, too.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk


Metric Mouse

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #28 on: January 14, 2017, 07:03:26 PM »

They should use the scooter. That's what it's there for. Whatever their discomfort is... that's what the scooter is for.

I guess that's how I feel. I mean, if someone is going to feel bad because other people think they're lazy for using a scooter, don't use a scooter. If someone give zero fucks about what other people think, use the scooter. I've never felt that someone else using a scooter, even if it's a bunch of kids who are clearly perfectly capable of walking, has any effect upon me, and I've never felt the need to look down on someone who made a choice I wouldn't have.

MgoSam

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #29 on: January 14, 2017, 09:10:33 PM »
As a scooter user, I must respond.

The ADA laws in the U.S. encourage the disabled to continue living actively and being a part of society. I honestly fear my world travel days may be over because my favorite locales have things like cobbled streets and sidewalks, no paving at all, no curb dips, no ramps, aisles too thin to allow a wheelchair or scooter through, no elevators at the majority of subway stops, etc. Of course you'll see more disabled in the U.S.; we're actually expected not to waste away in our homes as a burden on our families and society. Heck, without ADA laws, I probably wouldn't still have my job (a job I do very well. The things I can't physically do have nothing to do with actual teaching, but are part of my contract -- things like lift and carry X number of pounds for X number of feet).

For a full rant/demystification of part-time wheelchair and scooter users, you can read my blog post on the topic: https://mezzielearns.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/why-are-you-in-that-wheelchairscooter-if-you-can-walk/comment-page-1/

Thank you. This is a wonderful blogpost and has increased my resolve to be even more considerate and understanding. Unconcious biases are perhaps the worst ones because it takes effort to realize you have them. I will continue to try to remove mine.

Thank you for this blog post, it raised a lot of good points that I had not considered!

TheGrimSqueaker

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #30 on: January 14, 2017, 10:18:20 PM »
A couple of years ago I broke my foot. I mostly avoided the store while it was healing, but one day I was doing pretty good without my crutches and I stopped in at Walmart to get some milk. I briefly considered using a scooter, but then thought people might laugh and make fun of me since I wasn't visibly disabled (although I did have a big orthopedic boot) and I didn't actually know how to use a scooter. I didn't need it anyway, right?

I get about halfway through the store and realize that Walmart is the biggest f-ing store in the world and milk is at the farthest point from the door. I could turn back or push on. I pushed on. But as I made it farther, I started to seriously wonder if I could make it. I was thinking about how embarrassing it was going to be when I just sat down and gave up in the middle of Walmart. I was almost in tears when I finally made it out of the store and it took me an excessively long time to make it out.

Sometimes I see people in the scooters and think, "If you really needed a scooter you would own your own scooter." But it's not true, is it? If I'm an obese woman, I don't necessarily own a scooter, but it might be really tiring to get through the store. And sure, if I had the choice right that moment between losing 150 lbs and using a scooter, I'd probably choose to instantly lose the weight. But that's not a real choice. The choice is: use the scooter, or don't use the scooter because I'm fat and people will think I'm lazy.

They should use the scooter. That's what it's there for. Whatever their discomfort is... that's what the scooter is for.

I'm heavier than I like to be right now due to some knee injuries and a few other things I won't bore you with. That's one of the reasons I didn't use the scooter after either of my ACL replacements, particularly the Sumo incident. If I'd been down at a reasonable competition weight I might have considered it.

It was wintertime, so what I generally did was to take the crutches along with me, wedge them into the cart, and then lean on the cart. Wal-Mart was the closest available grocery store, but when I went inside to get groceries a greeter offered me a cart. As I recall, the words that came out of my mouth were: "No thanks, I'm not fat enough for that." I probably shouldn't have said it, but it was how it came out.

WildJager

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #31 on: January 16, 2017, 07:12:08 AM »
My FIL used to brag that he shouldn't have to pledge to PBS or NPR although he watched/listened to them almost exclusively. He said he paid taxes and was entitled to them. He also believed that everyone else was sponging off the government. This while he received oodles of benefits himself including having part of his home remodeled thanks to the VA. The entitlement was strong in that one.

The military population is mostly concervative leaning politics wise.  My brain often explodes at the cognitive dissonance when I hear people complain about socialized healthcare (we get free healthcare), welfare moochers getting government handouts (we get food and housing stipends), various tax breaks for being poor, having kids, etc (we get all kinds of special pay tax free), snowflakes complaining about the cost of school (we get tuition assistance up to $750 per credit hour).

I don't think many people in the military realize they are living in what is basically a socialized economy.  But God forbid anyone else get similar benefits.  "But we're in the military.  I'm risking my life!". Yeah... Very few people in the military are operators.  The military is mostly a logistical machine, so a lot of people push papers same as any white collar civilian.

TOgirl

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #32 on: January 16, 2017, 07:55:16 AM »
I have no issue with disabled persons using scooters at all. This thread reminded me of a recent trip to Florida, where we happened to go into SawGrass Mills mall. Other than it being an overload on my mustachian senses, one thing that stuck in my mind was the carts that you could rent there for $15USD. These resembled the mall carts that you could put a child in, and put a couple purchases in the back of. HOWEVER, these were for adults. Huge storage area for purchases, and then a seat. There were hundreds of patrons in this mall (because it's huge) just sitting in these carts. EVEN better, were the adults that were pushing other adults in these carts. It boggled my mind. Even my 5 year old wondered out loud "why do all the grown-ups need strollers??"

Overall it seemed like laziness on the part of patrons, combined with greed on the part of the mall - "too tired to walk anymore? bought more than you can carry? Pay us even more money to rent yourself a stroller!! All the big kids are doing it!!"


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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #33 on: January 16, 2017, 08:17:43 AM »
A couple of years ago I broke my foot. I mostly avoided the store while it was healing, but one day I was doing pretty good without my crutches and I stopped in at Walmart to get some milk. I briefly considered using a scooter, but then thought people might laugh and make fun of me since I wasn't visibly disabled (although I did have a big orthopedic boot) and I didn't actually know how to use a scooter. I didn't need it anyway, right?

I get about halfway through the store and realize that Walmart is the biggest f-ing store in the world and milk is at the farthest point from the door. I could turn back or push on. I pushed on. But as I made it farther, I started to seriously wonder if I could make it. I was thinking about how embarrassing it was going to be when I just sat down and gave up in the middle of Walmart. I was almost in tears when I finally made it out of the store and it took me an excessively long time to make it out.

I am still recovering from a recently broken foot with a badly sprained ankle.  Having to go to the store, especially a large store, and shop on crutches was just something I couldn't manage.  I went and got the scooter.  Even with my crutches laying across my lap and my foot in a boot, I felt like other people probably needed the cart more than I did.  I could not have managed to carry milk from the back of Wal-Mart to the front on crutches.  That's amazing.

During this period, I also went to Epcot at Disney.  I was at the point where I could walk short distances, but too much would cause unbearable pain.  That day, I used a wheelchair that my sister-in-law had.  I had to get up to transfer from the chair to some rides, and I feel like every time people were thinking, "that guy doesn't need a wheelchair!"

Yeah, it's best not to judge.   That said, I spend a lot of time at Disney and there are a lot of people who "seem" to be using scooters just because it's easier.  A full day at Disney can be 20,000-30,000 steps on my pedometer--which might be beyond the capabilities of some people.

katstache92

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #34 on: January 16, 2017, 12:20:50 PM »
FYI - Disney did change their policy a few years ago in response to the growing numbers of scooters.
http://www.insidethemagic.net/2013/10/disney-releases-official-statement-rules-and-faq-on-new-disability-access-service-card-replacing-guest-assistance-card/

my ACL replacements, particularly the Sumo incident.

So, I don't know what happened in your sumo incident, but I did accidentally tear someone's ACL while we were in those blow up sumo suits.  I don't think you can possibly be the person I did this too (I still feel terrible about it!)  I do wonder if there is a bizarre trend of people tearing ACLs in sumo suits.  Anyone else have any anecdata?

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #35 on: January 16, 2017, 12:41:01 PM »
My FIL used to brag that he shouldn't have to pledge to PBS or NPR although he watched/listened to them almost exclusively. He said he paid taxes and was entitled to them. He also believed that everyone else was sponging off the government. This while he received oodles of benefits himself including having part of his home remodeled thanks to the VA. The entitlement was strong in that one.

The military population is mostly concervative leaning politics wise.  My brain often explodes at the cognitive dissonance when I hear people complain about socialized healthcare (we get free healthcare), welfare moochers getting government handouts (we get food and housing stipends), various tax breaks for being poor, having kids, etc (we get all kinds of special pay tax free), snowflakes complaining about the cost of school (we get tuition assistance up to $750 per credit hour).

I don't think many people in the military realize they are living in what is basically a socialized economy.  But God forbid anyone else get similar benefits.  "But we're in the military.  I'm risking my life!". Yeah... Very few people in the military are operators.  The military is mostly a logistical machine, so a lot of people push papers same as any white collar civilian.

+1

It's been that way for a while.  Historically, political opinion was mostly under the radar.  What was maddening for me my last few years in was the internet provided endless opportunities for troops to regurgitate whatever was on the Drudge Report in a never ending circle jerk. 

Though I also think prevailing liberal attitudes to the military discouraging enlistments plays a role. It's just not a preferred career for their special snowflake spawn. Far better to hide them in some academic safe space.   

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #36 on: January 16, 2017, 01:29:09 PM »
FYI - Disney did change their policy a few years ago in response to the growing numbers of scooters.
http://www.insidethemagic.net/2013/10/disney-releases-official-statement-rules-and-faq-on-new-disability-access-service-card-replacing-guest-assistance-card/

my ACL replacements, particularly the Sumo incident.

So, I don't know what happened in your sumo incident, but I did accidentally tear someone's ACL while we were in those blow up sumo suits.  I don't think you can possibly be the person I did this too (I still feel terrible about it!)  I do wonder if there is a bizarre trend of people tearing ACLs in sumo suits.  Anyone else have any anecdata?

No blow-up suits were involved.

I got carried out while the ESPN cameras were rolling. Basically I did something stupid involving two highly ranked amateur Sumo wrestlers and the Queen Mary. That wasn't the stupid part, though.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2017, 01:38:10 PM by TheGrimSqueaker »

katstache92

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #37 on: January 16, 2017, 02:28:41 PM »
No blow-up suits were involved.

I got carried out while the ESPN cameras were rolling. Basically I did something stupid involving two highly ranked amateur Sumo wrestlers and the Queen Mary. That wasn't the stupid part, though.

Oh geez!  I hope you're recovering well!

Mezzie - thanks for posting that blog post.  Things I've never thought about before but wish I had.

mm1970

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #38 on: January 16, 2017, 05:19:00 PM »
Sometimes thin healthy looking people are not, lots of health issues are invisible - they need the assistance, the handicapped parking spot, etc.  And sometimes the fat person being put down here is fat because of injuries - how much exercise can you do if your knees went in your 20s, or you have neurological balance issues, or you have MS?  Or you may be fat and fit and can normally walk anyplace, but you just injured something?

Let's not get our exercise jumping to conclusions.
very well said

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #39 on: January 16, 2017, 07:02:32 PM »
No blow-up suits were involved.

I got carried out while the ESPN cameras were rolling. Basically I did something stupid involving two highly ranked amateur Sumo wrestlers and the Queen Mary. That wasn't the stupid part, though.

Oh geez!  I hope you're recovering well!

Mezzie - thanks for posting that blog post.  Things I've never thought about before but wish I had.

The knee is fine. My ego may never be the same.

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #40 on: January 16, 2017, 07:57:11 PM »
No blow-up suits were involved.

I got carried out while the ESPN cameras were rolling. Basically I did something stupid involving two highly ranked amateur Sumo wrestlers and the Queen Mary. That wasn't the stupid part, though.

Oh geez!  I hope you're recovering well!

Mezzie - thanks for posting that blog post.  Things I've never thought about before but wish I had.

The knee is fine. My ego may never be the same.

Time heals all wounds.

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #41 on: January 17, 2017, 08:29:53 AM »
Reading this thread I keep imagining scooters in Walmart or Disney - I mean Vespa two-strokes buzzing around  inside the store or the theme park. That would be FUN! Can I snag a big bundle of TP at 25 mph? Can I eat cotton candy while weaving through pedestrian traffic at Disney?

Answer to both: no b/c I have a clutch and shifter on the left and the throttle on the right... Hands are full!

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #42 on: January 17, 2017, 08:54:32 AM »
Quote
FYI - Disney did change their policy a few years ago in response to the growing numbers of scooters.

I noticed less scooters on our recent trip for sure.

I rarely see people in this area (Boston area) use scooters, but I think we tend to have a bit of a suffering complex up here, a bit of a left over puritan ethic.  Also, compared to the south, I think the average BMI is lower. 

I would be reticent to use a scooter unless I had no other choice or had a visual impairment.  I have seen too many people (including my own mother) who stop moving due to pain or difficulty, and end up losing mobility and strength permanently. 

Gal2016

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #43 on: January 17, 2017, 09:18:12 AM »
I've never used as scooter and I'm not "disabled" in that I've never considered applying for benefits or anything.  I do, however, deal with daily pain to such an extent that it alters my everyday life. It sucks. I work full-time, go to college for my Doctorate, have kids, a dog, a life ... but I also spend a whole lot of time "recovering" from that life.

A trip to Walmart on a bad day will leave me lying down for the rest of the day, to recover.  And, yet, if I grabbed that scooter, I'd be able to have energy and less pain and actually be able to do something when I got home rather than "rest". I've never used a scooter. I'm not fat, per se. Though I'm fatter than I was this time last year (I could stand to lose 40lbs) due to increased pain and the accompanying inactivity.

I've looked longingly at the scooters. But, I don't want the dirty looks. I don't want the judgement. And if someone obviously disabled were to see me, I would definitely scramble out of my scooter (if I ever chose to ride one) and give it to them -- even though it meant that I went back out to the car to wait for my husband to do the shopping.

This is why I order online and had my groceries delivered (prior to getting married). I want to pretend I'm normal and life isn't excruciating every day. It would be nice to have the scooter option, but my pride won't let me.

Daleth

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #44 on: January 18, 2017, 08:27:04 AM »
About 2 years ago, I was in Paris and took a day trip to Disney Paris (reasons for this are unimportant). You know what I did not see one of: adults in scooters. You go to Disney in FL, and they are everywhere. I feel like scootering just begets more scootering. Get up and walk! Rest when you need, but unless you have some serious paralysis or advanced MS or something get moving people. I'm no physical therapist, but this seems to be common sense. I'm judging so forgive me

You are judging, and quite unfairly. One obvious thing you're failing to consider is that perhaps the folks who would be in scooters in American Disneyland are not even at Disneyland Paris--they stayed home because they can't get around easily. (Did you notice how NOT handicapped accessible the Paris metro system is?).

Just Joe

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #45 on: January 18, 2017, 12:22:46 PM »
If anyone wants to use the store scooters and fear being judged - take a cane needed or not and lay it in the basket.

Metric Mouse

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #46 on: January 19, 2017, 07:16:23 PM »
I've never used as scooter and I'm not "disabled" in that I've never considered applying for benefits or anything.  I do, however, deal with daily pain to such an extent that it alters my everyday life. It sucks. I work full-time, go to college for my Doctorate, have kids, a dog, a life ... but I also spend a whole lot of time "recovering" from that life.

A trip to Walmart on a bad day will leave me lying down for the rest of the day, to recover.  And, yet, if I grabbed that scooter, I'd be able to have energy and less pain and actually be able to do something when I got home rather than "rest".

Reminds me of the spoons theory. It has really helped me to better understand the daily struggles of persons with chronic issues like this.

Playing with Fire UK

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Re: Infuriating eavesdropping....
« Reply #47 on: January 25, 2017, 01:35:44 AM »
I've never used as scooter and I'm not "disabled" in that I've never considered applying for benefits or anything.  I do, however, deal with daily pain to such an extent that it alters my everyday life. It sucks. I work full-time, go to college for my Doctorate, have kids, a dog, a life ... but I also spend a whole lot of time "recovering" from that life.

A trip to Walmart on a bad day will leave me lying down for the rest of the day, to recover.  And, yet, if I grabbed that scooter, I'd be able to have energy and less pain and actually be able to do something when I got home rather than "rest".
Reminds me of the spoons theory. It has really helped me to better understand the daily struggles of persons with chronic issues like this.

+1. Before I found spoons it was infuriating explaining to (well meaning) friends that while I could either walk to their house OR play with their kids outside OR stay up late for dinner. They'd seen me do each of them before and would plan these (well meaning) fun days that I just couldn't take part in. I've improved since so have more (but still finite) spoons; and I still find the theory incredibly useful for everyday planning of work and tasks (like alternating high and low energy, having something semi productive to do next to me on the sofa).

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!