Really? That is quite an insensitive, prejudiced and judgmental comment. If you took the time to know and love someone suffering from gross obesity, you may learn that the root causes vary person to person and are often far more complex/difficult to deal with than you imply. It is more than diet and exercise. For example, I know someone who suffered from gross obesity after struggling for well over a decade with severe depression following the violent suicide of her only child. It took much counseling and surgery and struggle to rebuild her life and become 'acceptable' to people like you.
That's one thing that really stuck out for me in the article. If they think people were waiting 2 1/2 hours for It's a Small World, they're been suckered. Often, IASW is walk on, and usually only has a 5-15 minute wait.From the article:
“My daughter waited one minute to get on ‘It’s a Small World’ — the other kids had to wait 2 1/2 hours,” crowed one mom, who hired a disabled guide through Dream Tours Florida.
Waiting 2 1/2 hours for Small World? I agree, after waiting that long and then enduring that ride, it would truly be horrible. I would pay anything to get that done and over with in 15 minutes or less.
Devil's advocate maybe, but if a disabled person can earn money by taking rich people on a private tour at Disney, I say great idea. I know it's easy to get mad at the rich people, but this is an income opportunity for those who would have a very difficult time getting employment elsewhere.
Devil's advocate maybe, but if a disabled person can earn money by taking rich people on a private tour at Disney, I say great idea. I know it's easy to get mad at the rich people, but this is an income opportunity for those who would have a very difficult time getting employment elsewhere.
That's one thing that really stuck out for me in the article. If they think people were waiting 2 1/2 hours for It's a Small World, they're been suckered. Often, IASW is walk on, and usually only has a 5-15 minute wait.
IASW lines vary greatly based on the season and time of day. There are plenty of times where IASW is well known for having much longer lines for wheelchairs, since there is a limit to the number of wheel chairs that can go down the ramp at any one time and the boats that can hold a wheelchair for those who cannot transfer and the safety evacuation procedures in place.
I think feigning disability to buck lines is despicable! Though DW and I have offered to take turns in a wheelchair at airports to scoot through security and priority board (in jest only).
So what is the suggestion? A doctor's prescription for disability? Who's going to check it in a Disney line? Mickey? Fat chance.
So what is the suggestion? A doctor's prescription for disability? Who's going to check it in a Disney line? Mickey? Fat chance.
Jim
EDIT -- And for those of you who are invariably going to use "you don't know what Mr. Sprinter's invisible condition is," I put it to you that you don't know that he even HAS a condition, either. Maybe his only condition is that he's an entitled nitwit who can get his doctor to write up something bogus. I would say that is a more likely scenario than Mr. Sprinter having some invisible malady that justifies the handicapped plate.
ScoopLV - your example of Mr Sprinter, sprinting alone and on his way to the gym in a Ferrari is an extreme example of abuse. Problem here is that too many people are too quick to judge when there is a legitimate, 'less readily apparent' disability, such as a child with autism or a child with severe seizure disorders mentioned earlier in this thread. Wheelchair / physically apparent disability is not the only kind of real handicaps that exist in this world. There is far too much of a lack of understanding and compassion in our society for the mentally disabled and people suffering from extreme disability. It is like folks have learned to not be openly prejudiced against someone who is a different race, gender, age, physically disabled or gay ... however if one is mentally challenged or fat, people feel ok mocking & discriminating & lying to get "the same perks" as if those two conditions are a state of choice. Shame!
I am all for medical proof provided to DMV and the Disney guest relations representative with legitimate need to know in order to issue the passes. I support legitimate policing against cheaters, to catch people like the rich folks mentioned in the article. I am all for harsh penalties when one is caught abusing the system because it hurts people with a legitimate, yet not readily apparent need. I am NOT for ignorant judgements from strangers passing by thinking they know something when the reality is often that they don't know anything at all! I also know that some of those who pass the harshest judgements are physically disabled themselves or caring for someone who is, and unfortunately they lack compassion for the mentally disabled.
No, my example of Mr. Sprinter is pretty normal for my area. I will never say a word to Mr. Sprinter. I will not even give him a dirty look. Who knows what his issue might be.
But to not think that his issue might only be "entitlement" is naive in the extreme. What percentage of people are simply cheating the system? I'd say it's a rather high percentage -- especially with service animals. In the case of service animals I contend that there are more people cheating the system than not.
EDIT -- In response to ricoba: Here in Las Vegas, you can pay doctors to write up any damned thing you want.
Just saw a story on our local news about airport wheelchair "abuse" by some. I guess there are some people that have assistance and a wheelchair to get through security and board the plane but then when they get to the destination they are miraculously cured and able to jump up and walk off the plane unassisted.
Hey - we want to see a full-sized picture of the happy couple!
If you email it to me I can post it for you (if you like.)
My DD and SIL?
Yeah! Just noticed your new avatar!