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Being courteous to Mobility Scooters users

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by JJLV, Jan 28, 2016.

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  1. JJLV

    JJLV High-Roller

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    Just sharing. This last NYE trip my hubby badly sprained his ankle 2nd day. We had to get a mobility scooter. Made me think how I would do my slot jumping with that. While he was perched at a machine (he does sit long) I tried it. Decided I will have to adjust my play if I ever need one of those. I tried staying on it to play. So difficult as had to be end machines and do a reach or move a chair. I had helped folks in the past with those (like move a chair or such) but will more so now.

    I'm sure none of us here do this but ...
    Using that sure made me notice things. A. Wow are people on smart phones not looking up. I noticed before but wow when you are on a scooter coming straight at them and no where to go either way because people all around... come on look up. I can't tell you how many times I would have to full stop to not hit someone. I would be saying hey, hey, HEY look up. Just was incredible.

    B. The gang of 4 or more that just need to walk all in a line across. You know we have all seen them. It's one thing to get around them when walking but a scooter is so much more cumbersome and often other people all around. On feet I could quick advance and maneuver around. Scooter, I often had to just inch along and get up to them and say pardon me can I get through please. (Then mumble dopes under my breath as passed lol)

    C. Can add the old (we all see them) the gang of 4 or more stopping in the middle of a walk way. See B same thing.
    Amazing again on feet one thing but geeze I am right on them before they notice on scooter. Again see all these thing many times but so much more difficult on a scooter. So surprised I did not use my horn more then once and that was a kill or be killed situation :)

    D. Just as there are a lot of dopes, there are a lot of kind people who do notice and will actually hold a door and often allowed us to go through first and so on. We got priority almost always on elevators by nice people. Was rather interesting using for sure. I must say though other then the A,B,C it actually is a great way to get around Vegas, especially a large casino. I imagine as I age and feel the bones creaking and cracking more I probably will be rolling around the strip again someday on one.

    viva
     
  2. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    I always try to be courteous although, there is one guy I see on a scooter at my local casino that drives recklessly and speeds. No reason a scooter needs to be driven faster than a common walking speed indoors with people around.
     
  3. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Most of what you say isn't only related to people in scooters. There's a lot of bumping and jostling while walking around because people just don't pay attention to where they are going. And don't get me started on the aisle-blocking wanderers. That one drives me crazy. I think if I had a scooter, I'd want a big air horn on it to blow when I'm behind a group of people just standing in the middle of the aisles in the casino. Ah-ooooooo-gah!!! Excuse me, please. :wink2:
     
  4. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    Most of your thoughts are echo-d in posts here --- walking on foot, or otherwise.
    Holding open the door - is a good one for me to remember.
    *
    I do have one beef -
    because you are on a scooter, doesn't mean people walking toward you,have to stop for you --
    Scooter people should STOP and let people pass, too.
    Somehow, this gets lost.
    *
    Hope your husband's ankle is better !
     
  5. ExVegasLocal

    ExVegasLocal Low-Roller

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    During my last Vegas visit, I saw a man in a wheelchair struggling to get to a slot machine. I jumped out of my chair and moved the slot machine's chair out of the way so he could reach the machine. As I moved the chair a woman who was walking behind me was temporarily impeded. She gave me a very loud, sarcastic "excuse me!". I couldn't help but think she was a total B****! Couldn't she see I was trying to help a guy in a wheelchair? It made me furious!

    On the other hand, I have to admit my own prejudice against motorized scooters. If it's being used by an elderly person or a person in a leg cast, I totally get it. But often times they appear to be used by folks who are simply too fat to walk.

    Also on my last visit, I was waiting for a hotel elevator. When it arrived, I had to wait for two very obese people to back off of the elevator in their scooters. On the back of each of their scooters was bumper sticker that read "God Bless America". (I know there is some irony here, but I can't quite put my finger on it.)

    I recognize that I'm prejudiced against these people and I try to be patient with them. But I admit that I do find it difficult.
     
  6. JJLV

    JJLV High-Roller

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    Thanks for asking Joe. His ankle is much better. Was a nasty sprain and he would kill me to admit that cocktails where involved and yes, white men indeed can't jump. :) I also have to add can't tell you how many times we did indeed stop to let people pass. A heck of a lot. We were extremely cautious and yes scooter courteous. Also moved very slow with the crowds as I was walking with him. We by no means were zooming around. There are just those very slow movers sight seeing and talking that sometimes you just need to get past.

    But the people on phones looking down. Seriously so many times we had no where to go and they could well before we got to them (often singles, probably on phone looking for or chatting with partner). They are just truly blindly walking forward. Like I said, seen it so often on foot. This cumbersome scooter just made it all glaringly just unbelievable.

    Exvegaslocal... I was often wondering if people thought we did not actually need it since we aren't ancient (yet) and look very healthy. At least he is 65 so gave us some believe-ability (for lake of better word). But it did cross my mind that some un-courteous people might have thought we did not need it. He would park it sometimes at an end of a row get off it and hobble/hop to a middle machine.
     
  7. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    I've been using them in Vegas for a few years now, ever since my MS got worse, and made it harder for me to talk long distances.

    The first year I used it, was 2011, when I was 30 and still in really good shape. Well, besides the walking long distances problem, obviously. The comments and remarks I got were unreal, because to someone who didn't know me, I looked like I was completely normal, and had nothing wrong with me.

    I could walk around the cardroom fine, fetch a drink from the bar, and the restrooms were no problem either. It didn't bother me, as it would have been my natural reaction to seeing someone like myself using something for people that are disabled. However, I'd have said nothing to them, and just gone about my day.

    I'd just explain that I had MS, it only affected my legs if I tried to walk a long way, and that in that respect I was very lucky. If I can save one person from the remarks/comments, that may not deal so well with it, then I thought it was worthwhile taking the time to just explain a little.

    That said, I am lazy, and would probably have gotten one years before, if I'd thought about it :wink2:

    I always drive it very slowly when in crowded spots, because I've been hit by one before, and know how much it hurts. It can be frustrating how invisible you are, but I understand that people are just embroiled in what's going on, and excited because they're in Vegas :)
     
  8. ExVegasLocal

    ExVegasLocal Low-Roller

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    I have a friend that does not drive. He has neuropathy in his feet. Besides that fact that he is an ugly SOB, he looks otherwise normal. When I take him shopping, we use his handicapped parking placard. We sometimes get an ugly stare because he does not need a mobility assistance device. He just can't walk very far without pain. Since I'm familiar with this scenario, I do try really hard not to judge. But when a person's behind is hanging from both sides of the scooter seat, I get extremely judgmental....yet one more thing I will undoubtedly burn in hell for. Still, I keep my mouth shut and mind my own business. But here in the land of anonymity, I can comfortably admit that I am deeply prejudiced.
     
  9. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    It's like every other facet of life, there are a few who abuse it, there are few who assume all are abusing it. Hopefully there are far more in the middle.

    I had an incident on the road yesterday, riding. Minuscule to non-existent shoulder, and what tarmac is there is a cobble of mud since we live in AgVille. I'm doing everything I can to hug the line and of course some fucktard lays on the the horn and screams the usual knuckle-dragging epithets.

    Be it a rude scooter-er or a knot of walkers or a self-absorbed cell-talker, there's room for none of it. Everyone has to yield at some point. Share the shared spaces, people, however you are getting around. It's just common human courtesy, if not the law.
     
  10. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    This is the reason I powered through the pain I was in last year during convention. People are judgemental. I needed to rent a scooter and didn't do it.

    I will admit that I used to think the same way when I would see someone that was obese in a wheelchair or scooter. Even worse when they were smoking and drinking.

    Now I understand what a lot of mobility impaired people go through. I am overweight due to several medical conditions as well as the fact that I absolutely hate to exercise and I have an appreciation for good food. I'm constantly trying to eat healthy so that I can lose weight but my metabolism sucks. I haven't gained anything in years but I can't lose more than 10 lbs. :( I LOVE to walk and used to walk several miles a day but the pain is too much for me now. Riding a bike is also not a possibility with my vertigo issues. I have to save what strength I have just to keep up with my job, house and the needs of my family. I refuse to be a Vicodin junkie so I got off of it. Now I exist on Tylenol, Ibuprofen and a muscle relaxer every night as it's the only way I can sleep without major pain.

    My pain (other than a slight limp due to bone spurs on the bottom of my heel) can't be seen. People that know me well have no idea how extreme my pain is. Just getting out of bed in the morning is a struggle most days. I still go on with life. I refuse to give up. I can't do a lot of things I was able to do a couple of years ago due to my issues. It sucks, but that's just the way it is.

    I'm going to rent a scooter this year. Some may judge because I look like a fat, lazy woman and I guess I have to be okay with that. I can't afford to be laid up for 2 weeks after I get back again. I will no longer let what some stranger thinks impact my decisions. I need to do what I can to minimize the wear and tear on my body this trip.

    I'll do my best to watch out for others as I'm riding. (I would if I was walking as well.) It's all a matter of human kindness and respect.
     
  11. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    No deed to defend or explain yourself -- be you, be proud; better to be wrongly judged than to judge wrongly. The next perfect person I see here will be the first perfect person I've ever seen.
     
  12. JJLV

    JJLV High-Roller

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    Quote "I'm going to rent a scooter this year. Some may judge because I look like a fat, lazy woman and I guess I have to be okay with that. I can't afford to be laid up for 2 weeks after I get back again. I will no longer let what some stranger thinks impact my decisions. I need to do what I can to minimize the wear and tear on my body this trip."

    I almost thought about putting a sign on his back that said "I need this scooter, be glad you don't" :) Just a thought.

    I will admit I did feel guilty when I just tried it for a few minutes to see how it was. I truly did want to try though to see what it would be like since I can see myself someday needing one. (I have had chronic sciatica and more for years and all my family from parents to siblings have had knees replaced) to gamble the way I do (machine jumper) That would be very difficult with one indeed.

    Hope you have a great trip and don't worry about the ones that might judge. They have not walked in your shoes... so to speak :)
     
  13. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    I'm glad your husband is better! Ankle injuries are one of my issues too. Something about being over 45 and having several accidents! :thumbsdown: The sign is a good idea. :)

    I'm a machine jumper as well so it will definitely be a challenge but it will force me to slow down! I love being in Vegas so much and love to try new places every time so the scooter's a necessity this trip. I'm sure it will have it's quirks but it will definitely be worth it. I'll just have to force myself to use it. When I'm feeling good, I'm sure my friend will want a turn. :)
     
  14. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    :peace:
     
  15. sabre

    sabre Low-Roller

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    There aren't many people who are overweight due to medical conditions or "bad metabolism". It's unfortunate that the few with legitimate thyroid issues or Cushing's are marginalized by people who are overweight because they don't exercise and eat crap.
     
  16. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Can we not make this another fat bashing thread? Please.
     
  17. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Have I ever impeded you in any way in Vegas or elsewhere?
     
  18. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    The lack of common courtesy, lack of situational awareness and people being judgmental are all issues that are prevalent nowadays.

    I had ankle surgery a couple years ago and had to use one of those carts at the grocery store. Even with my crutches people still rolled their eyes when I tried to maneuver around them. In the airport when traveling home I tried to go without hitching a ride on one of the carts there and it sucked so I ended up doing it.

    The lollygagging four abreast or stopping in the middle of walkways really grinds my gears and I usually will say something to the offenders.

    And good point on the smartphone obsession...people just walk and text and don't give a rip about where they're going. Sadly a college girl back home was killed because she ws texting and walking and went to cross the street without looking and was hit by a car.
     
  19. bretmc

    bretmc Low-Roller

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    i rent a scooter every time i go to Vegas. I have CMT and it effects my arms and legs with muscle loss. I can walk but not very far so a scooter s needed unless you don't want to anything while is Vegas. I'm only 33 and people give me looks like i shouldn't be on one. If they had to experience what i got through everyday they wouldn't give me dirty looks. I'm always on the look out for other people while riding on a scooter. For the people who are walking and just stop is annoying haha but i always yield for people walking and just keep pace with everyone else. Just be be respectful to everyone.
     
  20. ju5tagt

    ju5tagt Low-Roller

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    Not to hi-jack the thread, but we are coming in May and one of our people is in her 70s and we are interested in renting a scooter for her for the week. Are there specific places one can rent from or do we just go to the Bell Desk at the hotel??? Any advice is appreciated!
     
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