Today I was waiting forever at a stoplight coming out of a residential area onto a busy street. Across the street, I watched a guy come zipping down the sidewalk in his motorized cart. When the light changed for the traffic and the car ahead of me went to cross the street, motorized cart guy didn't even slow down let alone STOP. He just zoomed out across the street, against the light right in front of me.
He was lucky he didn't get creamed. Scared me to death.
Just because they're in a chair doesn't mean they don't have to follow the rules!

It can be a problem. We had to have our son's modified so he couldn't go so fast. I understand , but it is dangerous. Most have no mobility except in their chair, so they want to prove they are still able to get around. In our son's case, not only was he a para, blind in one eye and very limited sight in the other, he was a huge NASCAR fan! A recipe for disaster. The places that provide carts are helping get people in their doors, but never bother to make sure they are trained. It is hard, but try to be as tolerant as you can be, it could be you or one of your loved ones. I don't condone it, but am sympathetic it is a tough position to be in.

I've had numerous occasions when I've had to jump out of the way of a self-propelled wheelchair tearing along on a downtown sidewalk. There's nothing to be tolerant of as far as I'm concerned, people who do that are voluntarily and unnecessarily putting themselves and others at risk of injury. It's no different than a jerky kid who decides to roller blade or skate board through a crowd.

There are plenty of disabled people who can drive vans and other vehicles fitted with special controls. Surely you're not suggesting, cathyid, that their disabilities give them the right to ignore highway speed and other traffic rules?

There are idiots everywhere and of all shapes and forms. Some of them are in wheelchairs. My partner is in a motorized wheelchair and he doesn't behave like that.

Yep I've noticed it sometimes. There are some that are really trying hard not to hit anyone and to be tolerant. Then there are others. I had to drive my daughter and granddaughter to the doctor the other day and I was on a four lane highway. The light was green. Out zooms a woman in a motorized chair - I did see her and stopped but I got the finger. She didn't like the way I stopped. She proceeded to cross the street and as she got to the next street she chose the center line. This is a busy street. Not sure why anyone would take the center in one of those things. My dad has one of those and I would hope he wouldn't do something that stupid.

This is going to get worse as more and more people live longer outside of nursing homes and are using motorized chairs in public places.

There's ongoing warfare in cities between bicycle riders on one side, and pedestrians and motorists on the other. I see less animosity towards taxi drivers, now that the focus is on bicyclists!

"Can't we all just get along?"

I'm in a motorized wheel chair. The same rules that apply to pedestrians also apply to me. That being said, I can't count the number of times I have accidentally run into stuff (walls, doors, displays stacked in the aisle) or the number of times I have ran over Cindy's toes. I knock stuff over a lot. After I tore the kitchen door off the hinges (twice) we replaced the doors in the house with wider doors.
I do try to be considerate in my chair. Those rude chair drivers have no excuse.

Pooh Bear

I have a motorized scooter with a seat. I only use it for day long outdoor things that involve a lot of walking.
If I was walking in a crowded place, I would hold people up.

I don't use one but have observed others using them.

If stores are not going to provide adequate room in the aisles for people to be able to use the motorized shopping carts...then why bother? Many stores try to cram as much merchandise as possible into a space.

I personally have not seen a rude person in a motorized chair here..but have seen them try their very best to shop without crowding other shoppers. I have often offered to get an item off of a high shelf for a shopper that's in one of those scooters. But that's another post I suppose. :)
We do have those shoppers that will congregate and talk to friends blocking the aisles. Again, that's another post. :) I wouldn't want to try to get through one of the stores here in a scooter. It's almost impossible for them.

For some of the people that ride in the scooters that are rude..I wonder if it could be over compensation? Already feeling a little inferior?

I had to smile..a lady was getting out of one of those scooters one day and asked me if I wanted it. Judgement call?? LOL I have no idea. Anyway, I smiled and said.. Not today! But we never really know when we might.

I don't see too many in our Walmart that drive fast. I will offer to pick something off the shelf IF I see them struggling other than that I just smile, and go on. I find most try to be as independent as they can, and usually they will ask. But I am short and several times I have asked for help and we both get what we want with a smile and thanks.

I may have had my toes run over once or twice, no biggie. It can happen to anyone, motorized wheelchair or not. The thing I have noticed in regards to motorized wheelchair use in large stores that provide them is that very obese people are using them, even though they can walk. I'm not saying this is wrong or right, just something I have noticed.

I think both 'sides' of the story have been told, but I would like to add...."it is People....as much as their vehicle. Some people are just mild mannered, some more assertive (?) or aggressive. Gosh, when I think of the doorways I have been stuck in, or impassable aisles.... it is usually pretty funny. My friends know I don't see well... they, and most onlookers are kind and they (and me) find situations mostly funny and I've never been needing help without getting it.

Quickly, now I would like to add... scooters have NO brakes. You release the power thing and you do not always stop on a dime. Not all scooters, even the three I own are the same. Some maneuver more easily, some wider so they get caught going around corners. As for traveling on city streets...I
don't, but my city is small. I did use it in SantaFe, NM recently and had no problems, even in the very crowded Basicilla/Church. I have never encountered one that goes very fast... but my travel group sometimes threaten me with speeding tickets!

And, yes, this im-mobile person can get a bit of a thrill whizzing around the campground roads or parking lot to test my top speed of 3 mph! ( I used to run/jog/walk faster than that!.....but I could stop, pivot, maneuver on a dime too.)

Learned something today. I didn't realize these scooters had no brakes. That would take much skill in a large box store with many customers.

I don't think I have ever run over anyone or even bumped into anyone. I have had many people offer to help me when I was trying to reach something...I have bumped a few displays and that sort of thing but whizzing down an aisles is pretty hard to do. My husband has told me that it has been his experience that shoppers have been pretty rude and ill mannered where he has been concerned.

Wal-mart policy is to deny no one a chair...doesn't matter their reason for needing one...A 500 lb woman or man probably needs one just as bad as someone with any other issue...We have a guy at our Wal-mart that gets a cart so that his kids can ride around with him instead of walking...and many times I have had to walk while his kids have a joy ride...pisses me off but hey..it's Wal-marts rules...

A large person can have a disorder or medical problem just like anyone else, don't automatically think that is the reason they are on a Scooter, that would be a very judgemental thought! How would you know that they had a severe heart condition and were unable to walk more than a short distance. Or that they had severe back problems that caused them to live in horrible pain.
And how exactly would you know that they had MS? Or crippling Rheumatoid Arthritis? People of every size can have these conditions but can you tell just by looking, not necessarily.
None of my conditions stand out and scream see this is why I am in a Scooter. But I certainly can't stand and walk for more than a very short distance especially unaided.
How exactly is a "disabled" person supposed to look?

To get a disabled parking permit is not easy they don't just dole them out. I had to have a written prescription from my doctor as well as him filling out several forms specifying my exact abilities and disability. And I have to go through a process every time it expires to get a new one.

Sorry Ravencajun, did not mean to imply that all people in motorized wheelchairs were rude. I guess I notice it more because I'm around them so much.

Yes, I've seen crazy drivers of those scooters. But thank you God, I am not in one. I'll put up with crazy drivers if I can stay healthy enough to not be one myself!!

My power chair has a regenerative braking system. It will stop very fast.
The electric buggies at the big box stores seem to work the same way.

Pooh Bear

Raven thank you. I could not have said it better. All disabilities are not visible.....

Raven, yes you covered just about everything.
I have been using a three wheeled handicapped scooter for nearly 20 years. I try very hard to use courtesy while out and about, but there are times that I don't get the same consideration from the public. The truth is that the person on a scooter is out of the standing upright person's line of vision. They just don't see us in time. I have learned to anticipate sudden movement from those who often step into my path not knowing I am there.

I would dearly love to go to one of those large craft happenings that are common at this time of year in my area, but haven't done so in many years. Trying to get to the booths to see anything becomes impossible as rude people have no regard for the fact that I cannot see over them and give me no space to do so. I don't have an aggressive bone in my body, so don't "push" my way around. I just hope that someone will give me a break, but wind up being disappointed. My DH on the other hand is not so polite (on my behalf) and winds up embarrassing me so I stay home. I guess in the end it is 'my fault' that I can't enjoy this type of outing.

On another note, last week I spent 2 hours at the mall. In particular I was looking to see what is available in bras. In the 5 stores I was in, trying to navigate the much to tight aisles, not one sales assistant even acknowledged me, let alone offered to help me. In one store, I left the area for several minutes twice and then came back just to test the young sales assistant. At no time did she acknowledge me. Yes, I could have asked for help, but when I worked retail, as soon as any customer, handicapped or able bodied, entered my area a greeting and an offer to help was immediate. I am shopping mostly from catalogs these days because the aisles in department stores, especially clothing, are often impossible to navigate and many no longer have an assistant in the department, let alone one who will offer help. I will say that other customers are more likely to ask if help is needed, and it is greatly appreciated, especially in the grocery store.

Thanks Gazania.... You said it beautifully. I do tend to forget the reasons that I am home so much. I only shop at places that have(nice and reliable) scooters. Went to the mall here 10 years ago and they had a scooter you could 'check out' for your shopping. Next time I went they had discontinued that service....I discontinued going.I have had the same problem searching for a bra.... don't we all love shopping for that! Stopped at a Factory Stores Outlet....Jockey store, on our trip south, was greeted by a clerk and found the perfect bra (just like my years old worn out one I was wearing) and I was a happy camper out the door )even tried it on) in probably 15 minutes. Life was grand and a perfect start for our month long trip. Thanks for writing your experiences!

BTW....I often use a walker far more often than my scooter for the very reason that people don't see you when you are below their waist! I tire easily, and can't go far in BIG stores, but I can sit down on the walker and maneuver more easily. I use it in restaurants too.

I sometimes wonder how handicapped folks get from car to where carts are....inside the store mostly. Bewilders me. I have NO balance... cannot walk TO that cart/scooter/basket from my car. Thus, my dependence on a driver. (and THAT gets tiresome..... no freedom to just dash about as in years gone by.)

I can walk short distances. Cindy lets me out at the door and then goes and parks the car. Lately though, I have been using a walker some because of the dizziness when I stand up. My walker has a seat on it in case I need to sit down.

Pooh Bear

I couldn't imagine how hard it must be to maneuver in stores and crowds. It does hurt though if a scooter bumps into you. Happened at Disney earlier this month. I was walking (not stopped) thru a crowd and got rear ended. No apology was offered, buts thats ok. it must have been a driving nightmare.

My comment (and experience with rude speeders) was really directed at motorized wheelchairs, which often have young people who appear very disabled (think of someone like Stephen Hawking sitting crooked in the seat). The scooter people seem to be a different crowd, usually senior citizens, sometimes obese, otherwise with limited mobility or strength. Scooter people seem more patient and polite, I've never seen one tearing through a crowd as with the first group.

Practices for disabled parking stickers must vary from state to state. I got a temporary one when a sports injury forced me to wear a removable "boot" for 6 weeks. The orthopedist filled out a form that was on a pad like a prescription, I took it to the DMV and was in and out in 5 minutes. My mother in law had an injury several years ago that reduced her mobility for a few months - her doctor simply gave her a form that got her a permanent disability permit. I think it's valid for many years.

This week our family (9 or us) have spent 4 days at Disney World and 2 at Universal Studios. One person with us has a compression fracture in his spine so he has been using a motorized wheelchair. I can't tell you how many times he has had to stop quickly because of pedestrians. They either walk right in front of him or walk directly into him. It's like he didn't exist. He managed to not run into or over anyone. I never saw any rude behavior from people on scooters or power chairs all week. Twice I saw someone on a scooter driving really fast but they were in spots that had very few people at the time. They both slowed when they encountered a crowd.

There are times when I can only walk a few feet. I try to park near an area where patrons put the carts so that I can use one as a walker. Once inside, I'll get one of electric carts and everybody just better get the heck outta my way!

Just kidding. :-)

After checking out, I use a push cart as a walker to get me to my car.

I have serious nerve and muscle issues after having been prescribed Crestor over ten years ago. Most days I hobble; good days are memorable.