Does it bother you when people who aren't disabled use those scooters in the supermarket?

Question

Some of them are just fat. Most appear to just be lazy. Am I being too judgemental?

I don't even like to use a shopping cart if a handbasket will do. (I'm 66 and pretty healthy.)

I have relatives who aren't disabled who use the scooters. Living in a small town I know quite a few of the people I see, and I see a few scooter users who aren't disabled.

I normally assume scooter users are disabled, unless I know them and know they aren't.

Another problem with people who aren't disabled using the scooters, is that the scooters are unavailable to those who need them.

And, yes, I am well aware that some disabled people are overweight as a by-product of their disabilities. They aren't the ones I'm talking about.

Thank you, Dee Jay.

My mother-in-law will turn 88 next month, and is disabled enough to use the scooters. Sometimes she does, and sometimes she doesn't. We're glad to see her maintain as much independence as possible.

My wife and her sister take turns helping her with her shopping, and I have taken her car to get gas and have gone shopping for a few items for her on occasion.

It bothers me when she needs a scooter and one isn't available, either because it needs battery charging or because someone who isn't disabled is using it.

As noted, anyone who needs the scooter should be able to use it.

TMarie, I don't know your issues, but obviously I have pulled your chain. If you read the question, and my supporting comments, I have essentially spelled out 1) I support disabled or handicapped people using scooters, 2) I usually assume people using scooters are disabled, 3) I know of specific people who use them who aren't disabled.

Being inconsiderate is not a disability. It may be a handicap of sorts, but it is not a disability.

I am sympathetic to your handicap due to what I know to be a severe disease. I have no objection to your use of a scooter. But I would hate to see you, or any other handicapped person, deprived of that scooter because a healthy person is using it.

And--trust me--I do know healthy people who use them.

Answer 1

I'm overweight (not grossly, but still overweight), but fairly healthy because, in my opinion, I don't give in to the conveniences of the scooters and other things intended for folks with real medical problems. I park as far from the door as possible when shopping so I can get a little exercise. I do use a shopping cart (mainly so I don't have to carry my overweight purse on my shoulder *laugh*), but I will never use a scooter until there is absolutely no way I can shop without one.

I lived in the same small town my entire life, until 4 years ago, and was appalled by the number of people that I knew for a fact, had no reason to ride around Walmart in a scooter, other than they were lazy. I don't call that being judgmental. I think it is common courtesy to leave the parking spaces and scooters and such, for the folks that really need them. I find it much less annoying now, being in a new place and not knowing many folks, but I still have to wonder sometimes, especially when I see a woman allowing her children to help her drive the scooter.

Answer 2

It bothers the heck out of me!!! My grandmother is 76 years old and has had knee replacement surgery. One leg is 3 inches shorter than the other and it hurts her so bad to have to walk on hard surfaces. Being lazy or fat is not an excuse to use a scooter. The messed up part is that I've seen entire family's use those scooters and they didn't all look like they were disabled either. It really makes me mad when I see my grandmother struggling and then I see a person who has been sitting their lazy butt in that scooter for 30 minuets all of a sudden get up and start walking like they are perfectly fine. Did they just not see my grandmother or did they just not care? Those type of people should be ashamed of themselves!!! Personally, I think that they should have to have a permit to use the scooters in the store just as you have to have a permit to park in a handicap space.


Note: Tmary99 said that she has emphysema, my grandfather has had emphysema for 15 years and that does not prevent him from being able to walk. Sorry but that is a bad excuse for taking a scooter from someone who really needs it.

Answer 3

I'm home bound, but there was a time that I needed a scooter. I'm 72 now, but about the age of 40, I began having pain while shopping.

I would go to the pharmacy or the shoe dept.. and sit for a time and then continue with my shopping.

I soon had to have someone go with me because the best I could do was to shop and have someone take my groceries through the check out, while I sat in the car.

For the next 27 years I slowly got worse until I had to turn in my drivers license and for the last five years my only exercise is taking care of my personal needs and going to the doctor.

My husband is my caregiver. He cooks cleans and shops. He is too proud to use a scooter but he finds some place to sit in the store.

To look at him, one would think he doesn't need one so he suffers through shopping and won't use one.

We really can't tell what pain another person may be in, just by looking at them.

If you were to see me while I'm sitting down, you wouldn't believe that I'm no longer able to walk on my own.

Driving and walking was always my favorite thing to do, but I'm very content, being at home and working on my computer, writing family histories and working on family pictures, slide shows and preserving the past.

In other words, I want to leave a legacy for my posterity.

Right now I'm sitting here and I feel just like I did when I was 17 years old and I love life.

Good question and thanks for the opportunity to share some of my life with you.

Answer 4

Yes, I think that is abuse of people who tried to help the disabled. The people who do that have fun, while the ones who really need it don't get what they really need. Of course u r not being too judgemental, u r just telling the truth, and I agree with u. That is horrible, but some people these days either don't have feelings for others, a brain, or a common sense. But I'm happy there r people who still find that insensible and stupid. And completely useless, because doing harm to others is not a good thing at all.

Answer 5

Not really, unless a disabled person is disdvantaged and has to do without because of it.

While Disabled parking spaces must be provided by law, facilities such as 'Parents with Prams' parking spaces and the electric scooters are usually provided by the shopping centre to attract customers who would otherwise go somewhere smaller (less walking around) or more accessible.

As they provide them it's really up to them who can use them.

Also, I guess people who are fat enough to use one probably have all sorts of problems health wise that walking around on a concrete floor to go shopping wouldn't fix, anyway.

Cheers :-)

Answer 6

First, I dont know someone isnt disabled in some way just by looking at them.

Second, if they are using a scooter and don't need to, then i think it is pretty shameful, yes.

Answer 7

You don't know if they are or aren't. My father is only 57 (almost ten years YOUNGER than you). Overweight and someone might think he's just lazy. What you DON'T see is that he has prostate cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes and his bones. He walks as little as possible so he doesn't have to take too many of his 10 pain pills he has.

I used to have the same attitude until my dad's cancer. Now I know I can never know what is really gone on with someone.

Answer 8

We can never know what is going on in someone's life. Someone who is young, looks healthy, etc may be on a scooter for reasons you cannot see such as heart condition or recovery from foot or knee surgery.

We have to be careful how we judge others. Try to give the beneift of the doubt.

Answer 9

i would be lying if i say that i'm not bothered, in fact it is a way of help when people walk, most of all to fat people. walking is a very simple & good way of exercise.
your not being judgemental, your just being practical.
If i can even carry the item in hand, i won't even use a handbasket.

Answer 10

I think it might be a bad attitude on my part, but I get quite annoyed by extremely obese people. I don't understand how people can let themselves go like that. And the scooter seems to be the give-up point for some of them. So I would agree with you. However, it is possible that some of those big people on the scooters were disabled before they became fat. We can really never know unless we ask them. And that would probably be rude. 80)