Lazy Tourists Rent Mobility Scooters
Mobility scooters come in many styles and designs but the point is the same - to allow people with disabilities the ability to get around and maintain their independence. You may be a bit shocked to learn of the latest craze. Lazy tourists are among the people who are renting and using mobility scooters. I'll admit this story caught my attention because it came out of Las Vegas and my husband and I moved to Las Vegas in 2001.
Lazy tourists are forking over about $40 per day to rent a mobility scooter because, after all, it's a long walk down the Las Vegas Strip or from one end of a casino to the other end. The tourists may be saving their feet but what about their pride? Some people are offended by the story of the lazy but healthy tourists using mobility scooters intended for people with physical limitations. Others claim you can't see certain invisible illnesses, therefore judging the person is wrong.
Since I live in Las Vegas, I wish I could say I've never seen it happen. If you live in Vegas, you've seen it all. So, yes, there are young women with 4 inch spikey heels, cell phone in one hand, a yard of margarita in the other hand - and they are using a mobility scooter! Go figure.
In Vegas, I see people with obvious disabilities struggling to walk, but walking with pride. I see other disabled people who would love to get out of their mobility scooter and walk until their feet hurt - but they can't walk. These people are blessed with inner strength and indestructible spirit.
Since businesses don't require a prescription or medical explanation before renting a mobility scooter, it seems nothing is illegal here. It does seem to me that having a conscience now ranks below self-indulgence. Is this as bad as healthy people using handicapped parking spots? Perhaps it's even worse? What is your opinion?
Related Resources:
- Assistive Devices for Arthritis
- Arthritis Can Create Awkward Situations
- Handicapped Parking Permits: How to Apply
- "I am not handicapped. I just parked there, sorry."
- People With Disabilities: Living in a "Normal World"
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Photo by abalcazar (iStockphoto)
Comments
They need to get up and WALK>>> I wish I could…
i know thats true ,i was in florida recently at a hypermarket i am genuine wheelchair user all the scooters were in use 90% were by americans that were just overweight or to lazy to walk as they walked out of shop carrying shopping leaving genuine users without the use of scooters
I think it should be accepted that some people just don’t want to spend their energy walking. It doesn’t mean they are lazy, or that they’re taking advantage of anyone. Maybe their feet hurt when they walk–I know mine do–and I’m not overweight. Less time walking in the parking lot means more time walking once I’m in the mall. I know that I have about half an hour to forty-five minutes of walking before I’m going to have to sit down and rest. I don’t look disabled at all, but I am. My mother had to be very careful about how much walking she did because she had congestive heart. If she could park her car in the handicap space, and walk a short distance to whatever store, she could shop for herself and not depend on others. She didn’t look disabled either, but she was. Everyone just needs to mind their own business. Is there not enough in your own lives to worry about without worrying about who should or should not rent, what amounts to no more than, a “people mover”?
Would love to be able to use a scooter but have to wait at the grocery store while able people jaunt around the store in them. Being unable to walk without a walker and then only walking a few feet I do not get to the store very often.Would like to shop and see whats new for sale.
Maybe “lazy” sounds a tad judgmental. Perhaps a better title would be Healthy People Rent Mobility Scooters. I think most people believe mobility scooters are available for people with some level of disability, whether visible or not. A mobility scooter used as a people mover though may be a new and unrealistic concept for many. Buses, monorails, and taxis are people movers.
It may be legal, but it’s unethical. This is no different as healthy people using a disabled parking spot or the handicapped toilet stall.
When I am around people in mobility carts, I have, and do, give them more room to manuever. They take up more room and I have been hit by them because they aren’t paying attention to their ‘driving’. They are like people walking around with cell phones attached to their ears. I hate to think I am having to lose some of my privileges (being able to move around freely) because of people that aren’t handicapped. It actually handicaps discriminates against me.
I had a great comment and then after typing it up, this program wiped it out.
In brief, I said these people might be pointing the way to another useful use of the scooters. Why not modify them for use by commuters and mall shoppers?
Think how much gasoline could be saved! How much air pollution eliminated!
Yet another example of how selfish and inconsiderate people have become. And our society is to blame as it allows them to get away with it. But if you need a mobility scooter, beat them at their own game. BOOK a scooter a couple of days in advance. We have shopping centres in Australia where you can do that and you WILL be given priority. As we say here – don’t let the bastards get you down!
And people wonder why there is an obesity epidemic?
Sadly though that these healthy, often young, people are using the rental scooter for the fun of it and when people who truly need them try to get one they are all in use. The vendor cant really do anything because asking about disabilities is illegal.
Its just another sign of the selfishness of the “me” generation and their offspring
I work in a Federal Building with handicap access doors. I have bad knees and use a cane to walk. Daily, I have healthy co-workers cut in front of me to use the handicap door. They use the handicap bathroom stalls (six regular empty stalls available) etc. I have to wait until they finish, when I go in, they leave dirt and sprinkles where they stood on the stool and used the grab bars to hold on. We have tons of selfish self centered people.
I think those who object to this are missing the point entirely. No one hates to see able bodied folks using scooters more than I, but that is the “free” scooters, supplied by the establishment for use by disabled people only. The rental scooters are a different thing altogether. I believe they should be there for anyone stupid enough to pay the rental fees, and the establishments should supply free ones for those who are legitimately disabled, and if they don’t, for me it’s simple. I don’t shop there. p.o.
It troubles me to no end that such young people are doing this, what next motorized recliners? I have a teenager and I have plenty of arthritic pain etc. She constantly asks why I don’t apply for the disabled parking plates or permits or use the motorized chair/carts in the supermarket. I have to repeatedly explain that no one wants to “have to” go down that road. Most of us humans want our bodies to be fully functional. Many people who don’t look disabled hurt and tough it out, rather than admit total defeat and sit become de-conditioned. I had to use crutches and a splint, then ankle brace for an injury and much later, a cane in bad weather or with a pain flare. I get the ‘look’ because I’m not old enough to have arthritis (40’s), so dissed like it’s an act. Yeah, it’s hurts and I get cranky, however I’d rather save the scooters for those who need them. I’m sure other have their reasons for not wanting to use orthopedic equipment needlessly. We both recognize that the scooters provide legs or freedom for those truely limited by their bodies illnesses or impairments, that was never questioned by her.
The problem is when she seens these big strapping males or the ‘in a hurry with oversize baby stroller” all that extra baby junk ladies park in the handicapped spot or take or elevator in the mall. Why all the extra baby junk it’s not a trek to the moon? What is she teaching her kids and when will they learn to walk, age ten?
Then when we get in the store we see these oveerweight (so am I) and unfit 40-60’s taking the scooters and she start the questions again about using the scooter. So the parent as teacher then must reinforce the fact that the scooters are to provide ‘wheels”for those who can’t stand or walk for long period and it’s to give freedom of mobility.
I’m a little embarrassed to have to use the electric cart in the grocery store but it’s either that or run completely out of gas at the back of the store and lay there crying for help. Okay, it’s not that bad, but it would take way too much time and way too much effort to get back to the car, if I could even do that. I always felt sorry for the people who had to use those scooters or crutches or wheelchairs to get around because I knew they didn’t choose to have to do that. Now I’m one of ‘em. It doesn’t feel good but at least I’m not wearing high heels and ride just because my feet hurt.
Maybe I need hearing aids too because any excuse these spoiled little brats come up with to try to justify the use of a mobility device intended for the handicapped falls on deaf ears, and I can hear a mouse tinkle on a marshmallow at 200 yards. I’d walk if I could, and I’d complain about it, and my feet would hurt, but at least I could feel my feet and I’d have something to complain about. If they want to use those contraptions it would be my desire to see them “have” to use them – maybe not forever, but at least for a little while.
“I used to cry because I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet.”
It seems a shame that people who need the scooters to help with daily living & being able to get out of the house, are mocked and made to feel like a discrace because they may look healthy, young, and vital, but due to heart or arthritis problems are not able to get around easily.. I wish I could walk in the mall, or down the street, but the problem it I may walk down but don’t have the strength or ability to make it back. But I am afraid to use the scooters because of some of the words and looks I receive when I use it.. The world needs to look not judge. Thankyou, we need to worry about ourselves not others.. Otherwise some day you may not be able to wear a red shirt on Tuesdays, or a white shirt on Fridays, because your neighbors don’t like it…
Thank you.
Scooter rental – If you are phy.disabled or have a loved one that is disabled, you understand what a wonderfull service to have available.
The business could control the abuse if they wanted to, I carry a ID. card that came with my disabled parking permit.
The business plan could be for scooter vacations???
C’mon lot of people are disabled without having any outward characteristics. I for one suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, sciatica, circulation problems. One could come up to me outside of my chair and say ‘you look healthy to me’; so do some people who have cancer. I agree some people might use this as a lazy-mans’ way of transportation but I think this would be few and in-between.
I can’t believe some people feel they have the right to judge others without getting to know the facts first. And for people to complain about what a pain scooters are in malls, offices, etc. for others what about parents with huge 3 kid baby strollers? I also don’t think many people who use scooters go around bragging they spent $3,500 on them.
Recently my husband and I attended the 2008 Missouri State Fair. Upon paying our entry fee and having our tickets taken we entered the fair grounds and we were both suprised to see mobility rentals for EVERYONE! Both our reactions were about the same – get a life people and walk.
Even though I have a handicap and can use handicap parking I do not always use it. I always think someone else may need it worse then me.
Stfu and deal with it people. Ya sound like a buncha haters. I happen to have a scooter, a bum abandoned it in skid row where I work, I’m an engineer. I repaired it, cleaned it up, and me and my girlfriend love it~! I’m perfectly healthy, muscular, etc. I don’t care what people think, as a matter of fact, I holler; get outta my way! handicap comin through!!! hahahahahahahahaah.
You sure all of those you target are lazy? People see me walk very slowly and think I am too. I don’t look handicapped in anyway and you would never know it when you see e sitting. However I can not walk 5 minutes and I am in deep doggie doodoo. I get winded and very unsteady on my feet. The pain gets unbareable. The first time my doctor walked with me to see what happened he told me after about 2 minutes that he does not know why I would attempt to shop or go anywhere. He would not even try if he had to go through what I do.
I know that there are lazy people out there who will use any convenience as they see it rather than use their muscle power. However, just because a person rides a scooter and looks perfectly fine doing so, do not immediately jump to the conclusion that they are lazy. I can tell you that some of them do have very serious medical problems.
Maybe if the tourists walked, it would cut down on the obesity epidemic in the USA.
I have horrible pain after 5 minutes of walking/standing. I have been handicapped for 11 years. My age look like I am in my 30s. I get the dirtiest look from grandmas/grandpas and nasty comments from older folks. Now my hair is 90 percent white. Finally, I would not have to shout obscene names at the stupid judgmental old ladies. They just quit when my hair color matched my age. People ask my why don’t I dye my hair, I just laughed.
Ok – I just came across this today while searching for a rental scooter. Why am I looking for one? Because my friend and I are signed up for a two day function that requires a full day of walking and/or standing. We did the event last year, and for three days after the event my friend had terrible pain. Her knees are both arthritic, and we won’t even talk about her feet. She is NOT considered handicapped, but it certainly will make for a much more pleasant day if she isn’t in pain the entire time. Further, I agree that people should not use the ‘free’ scooters that are there for those who truly need them – but when someone is PAYING to use it, then there is a market/demand for the product. Lazy tourists are paying for this service…but I don’t see how that’s lazy… isn’t it faster? Isn’t it their choice? And so long as they aren’t taking it away from someone else who ‘needs’ it, then there isn’t any harm done here.
Don’t think i’m being mean – or that I don’t understand. I have a daughter with a physical handicap – and i would give anything to help her ‘not’ have that issue, but it’s not up to me. That doesn’t give me or her the right to be mad at someone else that can use both of their arms/hands. It’s not a fault for us to take advantage of the opportunities available to us.
I am over weight, have lost 155 pounds through gastric bypass, but I am diabetic too. My feet are now arthritic, and I have bone spurs. My weight gain was due to 2 bouts of ovarian cancer. I can walk, do so every day, but last vacation I walked the bottoms off my feet. Diabetic ulcers. The week before Christmas I get part of my foot amputated. With shoes, you will never know if I am disabled, but I don’t want to lose any more of my feet because of ulcers from walking…what right do you have to decide if I should rent a scooter on my next vacation? When my pain gets so bad I scream. I don’t give you the right to judge when I feel I need help.
Having only used a scooter once (at a Wal-Mart) because I had overdone, I can certainly see the points brought up. Some of the folks I encountered as I (reluctantly) used the scooter were pretty brutal, too. I normally can walk about ten miles a day, but that day, my left ankle had given out, despite having boots on.
I personally only use the things when it is absolutely necessary, and some who gripe about “security personnel and store associates” using them aren’t really watching where they’re typically coming from (usually the parking lot) or going to (the recharge stands). Plus, sometimes, a person working retail is themselves disabled, and their own scooter is not available for whatever reason. One of my supervisors when I worked renovation crew duty at Wal-Mart was that way. She needed a wheelchair or scooter, and the store permitted her using one of theirs. Perhaps it was improper, but it was the law; law says they have to make “reasonable accommodations” to permit someone to work.
As for the obviously-healthy using them (as the gent from Vegas reported)? It’s wrong. I have been in Vegas. I walked everywhere I went, unless there was a speed belt, then I used it while also walking. However, the other comments about “How can you tell if an apparently-healthy person really is?” also are true. I don’t see an easy solution to this problem.
Why on earth are people complaining about this?
If healthy people are dumb enough to risk modifying their future by dipping into it early then why not leave ‘em to their stupidity?
It’s not like it’s free. IMHO the real target of complaints should be that the extra money from the idiots hiring of things they don’t need absolutely MUST be reinvested in new/extra scooters. This would radically improve the supply, especially outside holiday season.
One modification I would make is to nudge the hirers (owners) of the scooters into simultaneously boosting their prices while introducing a range discounts, the level of which mirrors the level of proven need.
Anything from a disabled badges to an OAP bus ticket should get you anywhere from 50% discount to completely free use depending on the severity being demonstrated. Chuck in some targetted council assistance, again with an inbuilt requirement that the system it supports must be funnelled in some way to only those with a medical need, and you’d have a setup that would expand to fill whatever need.
As a final comment, I notice the ‘hairy shirt brigade’ are well represented among the commenters. When is it going to be absorbed that there is nothing /good/ about suffering, that it does not make someone a /better/ person to just ‘deal’ with a disability without accepting amelioraty items and benefits.
If you need a scooter then USE one! You’re why they’re there! What’s more, you might think that suffering shows that you’re a ‘better’ person but in behaving like that you’re actually letting the more practical disabled folk! If you d(w)on’t use the scooter then there’s one less user for the statisticians to count. There is then slightly less incentive for the administrator to buy more.
Dave Jackson
Mobility Products are mainly for oldies and handy-caped and if available on low rate then it is helpful for them.