Growing up inn the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Aleisha has never let distance stop her from enjoying Walt Disney World vacations. From an early age, whether it be on a family vacation or tagging along with a friend on her vacation, she fell in love with the magic and the joy that Disney brought. Now making her own memories as a DVC member with a Star Wars obsessed little boy, she tries to capture the same magical feelings into every day life. She has quickly established a reputation with friends, relatives and coworkers as a real-life Belle. Always with a book in her hand and available to help others plan their magical Disney vacations. Beyond Disney, Aleisha is a lover of all genres of music; craves a good concert from time to time, considers her food allergies a blessing rather than a curse and can be seen at the good old hockey game during the NHL season.
ECV’s (Electric Conveyance Vehicle or mobility scooters) are all around Walt Disney World. We all have an opinion about them one way or another. For some of us, we do not let it get in our way; we go about our vacation working around them. For others, they think they are a nuisance, and that everyone uses them, does not need them. If you think I am wrong, just listen to people at the bus stop talk about them the next time you are down. Yes, the majority of the folks understand, but there are a lot of people who don’t and would rather roll their eyes and make rude comments. Before I start, let me say, I know there are people who do not need them, that take advantage of the system and get away with it. I get it. But for the most part, I believe those using the ECVs actually have a reason to use them. Maybe it is not fully visible to the rest of us, but they have one for a reason. I have also learned that sometimes the most painful disabilities are often invisible to the rest of us.
But have you ever thought about what it is to be on the other end of things, to actually be in one of the ECVs and need it? After witnessing taking my mother to the parks with an ECV and more recently sitting down with a friend whose husband is partially paralyzed and spent a week around the parks with an ECV, I decided to ask if there was anything they wish those of who don’t have to use one would understand.The answers may surprise you.
Here are 10 things they wish you would know.
- We took our own car a lot. I was afraid of the looks I would get from people when we got to the buses. Plus sometimes it was just easier.
- Give us a little room, the ECVs don’t have brakes. Because it is battery operated it just stops and goes. People don’t realize that and walk right in to you. It is not as easy as you think to JUST MOVE.
- You hate waiting for the bus, so do we!
- Just because I use an ECV doesn’t mean I can’t get up and do things on my own. It just means I can’t stand or walk for as long you can.
- ECVs are not just for senior citizens. And just because we are young doesn’t mean we are faking something.
- We are not lazy.
- Next time you stand in front of them for the fireworks, that show, remember they paid just as much as you did to be there.
- No it is not okay to lean up against them for no reason. Or ask if your kids can squeeze in between them.
- We do see your eye rolls; we do hear your remarks.
- I resisted getting one, because I was embarrassed to use one. I didn’t want to be THAT PERSON.
While there are so many other things to mention, perhaps this list will give you a better understanding and make all of us think twice before we do or say anything. After all, we are all there to enjoy the parks.
