We will be traveling next month with my brother-in-law who is in a wheelchair. Can anyone provide information on how easy/hard it was to get around the parks, get on attractions, etc.?? We want him to have a great time!!!
We will be traveling next month with my brother-in-law who is in a wheelchair. Can anyone provide information on how easy/hard it was to get around the parks, get on attractions, etc.?? We want him to have a great time!!!
During our visit this past summer, a rather small, elderly man in a wheelchair with his family were trying to board the POOH ride. He had one leg and one arm. His good leg was crippled, he could barely use it for balance. He looked like a combat victim and I was almost tempted to ask him cuz I noticed a Marine Corp service pin on his hat. For some reason or other, he was trying to board a regular vehicle and not the wheelchair vehicle that I often see in the POOH ride. The CM made no attempt to put him into the wheelchair car...don't know why. The man was struggling to get into the vehicle and no one was helping him. He looked at me and I literally picked him up like a 150 lb rock and placed him in the car. He thanked me and off they went. Of course, the same problem occurred at the end of the ride and no one came to this guy's aid. He could not get out of the car. I was in the car behind him and I volunteered to help him and, once again, I lifted him like a baby and placed him in his wheelchair. He grabbed my hand to shake it in thanks and I looked at him and said, "Semper Fi brother" and tears welled up in his eyes, a proud Marine with unrealistic expectations of his ability to get around the Magic Kingdom. How sad!
The woman he was with, I presume his adult daughter, and a teenage girl, did little to assist and the female CMs looked totally helpless cuz they would not have been able to lift him. I was in total wonderment how the poor man intended to function throughout the day and worried about him constantly. I only mention this incident cuz his wife twice said to me that she "didn't think it would be this hard for someone in a wheelchair."
I realize this is an extreme and rare example but legitimate, hardcore wheelchair guests don't have it so easy at the parks despite the efforts to make life a bit more comfortable for them. Me and my family were quite moved by the whole ordeal and we came away with a new appreciation for the good health with which God has blessed us.
During our visit this past summer, a rather small, elderly man in a wheelchair with his family were trying to board the POOH ride. He had one leg and one arm. His good leg was crippled, he could barely use it for balance. He looked like a combat victim and I was almost tempted to ask him cuz I noticed a Marine Corp service pin on his hat. For some reason or other, he was trying to board a regular vehicle and not the wheelchair vehicle that I often see in the POOH ride. The CM made no attempt to put him into the wheelchair car...don't know why. The man was struggling to get into the vehicle and no one was helping him. He looked at me and I literally picked him up like a 150 lb rock and placed him in the car. He thanked me and off they went. Of course, the same problem occurred at the end of the ride and no one came to this guy's aid. He could not get out of the car. I was in the car behind him and I volunteered to help him and, once again, I lifted him like a baby and placed him in his wheelchair. He grabbed my hand to shake it in thanks and I looked at him and said, "Semper Fi brother" and tears welled up in his eyes, a proud Marine with unrealistic expectations of his ability to get around the Magic Kingdom. How sad!
The woman he was with, I presume his adult daughter, and a teenage girl, did little to assist and the female CMs looked totally helpless cuz they would not have been able to lift him. I was in total wonderment how the poor man intended to function throughout the day and worried about him constantly. I only mention this incident cuz his wife twice said to me that she "didn't think it would be this hard for someone in a wheelchair."
I realize this is an extreme and rare example but legitimate, hardcore wheelchair guests don't have it so easy at the parks despite the efforts to make life a bit more comfortable for them. Me and my family were quite moved by the whole ordeal and we came away with a new appreciation for the good health with which God has blessed us.
Great story! Yes, my understanding (from what I've read and heard) is that CM's cannot help guests onto rides. My brother-in-law has MS and we will have to transfer him onto those rides that we can. That means that some rides are out, but he's gonna have a blast anyway. Not sure what the answer is.
The two golden rules we learned after our first trip (and have found to be true ever since), are #1) Take your time, don't let anyone rush you and #2) don't be afraid to ask for what you need.
AEfx
One assumes we have the scumbag ambulance chasing lawyers to thank for this.Great story! Yes, my understanding (from what I've read and heard) is that CM's cannot help guests onto rides. My brother-in-law has MS and we will have to transfer him onto those rides that we can. That means that some rides are out, but he's gonna have a blast anyway. Not sure what the answer is.
A while back I made a tread telling of my experiences in the parks with my wheelchair using Mother. She can walk for short distances, so transferring was not that big an issue on most attractions:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=42507
Have a great trip :wave:
This is such a great link...I love that you keep an eye out for these questions.
Thanks.
Understand this, I'm not insulted by your comment, because if you look at it a certain way, your saying that if there's a marine around they'll be the first to help. I've never been in any branch of the military nor did I want to be. My brother however was in the army for almost 18 years, and I learned alot from his experiences. But the one thing I will do is NOT hesitate to help anyone who needs it, ( or too proud to ask ) and I can understand that part as well. Your comment was geared towards the marines, but it just didn't sit right with me for some odd reason. I commend that person for not hesitating to assist the gentleman, as would I. God bless the marines, but God bless anyone who helps anyone who needs assistance. I'm sorry if this has openned a can of worms.God Bless the USMC...I love how you guys stick together. And I love how you can always count on the Marines (hubby is prior service). You're right, this is probably an extreme example but this thread has provided some really good info on all types of scenarios.
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