abuse shouted at me because I use a mobility scooter.

Resuscitated by someone for spamming on Mon 19-Sep-22 08:01:23.

Your last comment resonates with me, Bluebelle.
I use a stick and walk very slowly. The other day I was nearly sent flying by and elderly man on a mobility scooter, who was racing along the pavment.
No apology, just a glare for not moving out of the way fast enough.

But folks it’s a two way process the people using mobility scooters have to show concern for the walkers equally
I m sure everyone on here does but in my town it’s not so good there’s a woman lives near me she has a trailer on the back of the mobility scooter and it s rigged up to loud pop music she drives very fast and weaves in and out with this trailer flipping around it’s usually got loads of ‘stuff’ or shopping in it and sometimes a child plus ‘stuff’
One day one enclosed scooter going very fast overturned I ran to help thinking the worst , before I got there a large man climbed out literally picked this enclosed mobility scooter up to put it right way up, got in swearing loudly and drove off

It has to be a two way process respect from both sides

reported

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Just tell them to be thankful that don't yet need one.
"Just wait until you do. You'll feel different then"
neither of us needs one, and sometimes buggy users frustrate us, but are pleased that we don't need one yet. When we do, I shall be happy that I don't have to carry the shopping bags, or get tired walking. Very little is all bad.

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All disabled people should pass a proficiency test for mob scooters. I had one until recently and was permitted to get on and drive away without any instruction and this was wrong.

Same with bikes and horses, there should be user proficiency testing and also user insurance.

Laws take too long to be enacted.

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No idea! No-one was posting after May 2018, so I imagine everyone had said all they were going to say and it just faded away. Mobile Granny must have seen it somewhere years later and added a post - which didn't seem to go down very well with GN. As we can't read it, we don't know why.

And so… what was the problem? With the thread I mean

MobileGranny

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Mollygo GN don't resuscitate threads, posters do. This thread resurfaced on Fri 18-Feb-22 because the poster I have quoted sent a new post to it after it had lain dormant since Thu 31-May-18. That post was deleted, but it strted the conversation up again.

My take on the whole scenario of mobility scooters is this :-

Before i start this is CERTAINLY NOT woe is me, cry the poor tale, boo hoo x

I was diagnosed in 2008 with MS. It lay dormant and i began to 'scratch my head' in thinking have the specialists got it right?

Then my precious mum left me and WHOAAAAAAA every MS symptom rear their ugly heads. MS stole so much from me, my mobility began to deteriorate to a point where i need equipment to get about outside ( sticks , mobility scooter and wheelchair ). It is either use a mobility scooter or be pushed in a wheelchair or stay at hone and allow my life is reduce to the size of a pin head.

The use of a mobility scooter gives me a freedom that i believed i would never experience again, it allows me to absolutely revel in a fabulous walk on a summers day, it allows me to revel in days out with my DD and GC, picnics, walks, fun, laughter, photos, memories, the mobility scooter brings me joy and the ability to do the things that were no longer an option.

Its a very sad state of affairs when people are viewed well, you look ok to me as if its sheer laziness fabricated, wanting sympathy and utter pretence, its sad because its like the person who has health issues and needs to use a mobility scooter had to prove they are unable to walk far.

After writing all that i am throwing my arms around everyone and giving you alllll a great big hug .. xx

I think those Chanel 5 “scrounger/curtain twitcher” type documentaries have a lot to answer for.

They are the go-to viewing of malcontents.
These people are so very happy in their own hardworking/tax paying/car driving/home owning lives that instead of thinking - as I would “aren’t I fortunate?” and concentrating on living my best life;
they have the time, energy and inclination to monitor what others get,
even if it’s help they would themselves have no legitimate need or use for anyway.

Maybe it gives their lives a purpose.
Either way they suck the joy out of life.
I wish there was a remote control that would mute ? their uninformed nonsense in the same way that I can mute the the Chanel 5 (others are available) “documentaries”.

Marieeliz

I do sympathise but these scooters seem to be getting larger. In my local small town they go, at speed, out of shop doorways, I have almost been knocked down a few times. The user is a youngish person though.

I thought people using mobility scooters as opposed to electric wheelchairs, left them outside shops, especially small local ones? They certainly do where I live, although that might be because there is a step into the shop? Sometimes the shopkeeper pops outside to talk to the user or they manage to walk a few yards into the shop using a walking stick.

Apologies if I’ve offended anyone with my misunderstanding, I am not criticising you if you do go inside a shop on your scooter. Obviously in large supermarkets where you can borrow one there is plenty of room.

My next door neighbour has one and has tried to persuade me to borrow hers to see if it helps me and I admit I am tempted as I would love to be able to browse the local shops instead of relying on deliveries for everything I need.

I’m going to use one for a forthcoming visit to RHS Bridgewater, never used one before so could be an experience!

Mollygo

I wonder why such an old thread suddenly surfaced? Perhaps GN think we need reminding. Reading these posts makes me aware of just how nasty people can be. Whilst the government policies might be blamed for lots of things, let’s not give those unkind people anyone to blame except themselves. In the meantime, ( puts hard hat on) can I ask the lady on the mobility scooter walking her three dogs, not to choose school start and close times for her outings.

... I didn't look at the date of the OP - just the subject. Must remember in future to be more observant!

And a mobility scooter ride with three dogs? I think I'd be too scared for that challenge! Are they large dogs?

I wonder why such an old thread suddenly surfaced? Perhaps GN think we need reminding. Reading these posts makes me aware of just how nasty people can be. Whilst the government policies might be blamed for lots of things, let’s not give those unkind people anyone to blame except themselves. In the meantime, ( puts hard hat on) can I ask the lady on the mobility scooter walking her three dogs, not to choose school start and close times for her outings.

Terrible, i am so sorry you receive such downright nasty comments x

Its bad enough having to use equipment to help with your mobility problems but to be in the firing line for abuse is just so upsetting. Im sorry.

In my case i have MS and i have bought a mobility scooter to enable me to be part of the 'rat race', my oldest GD calls me Madge but it's all said in a jokey way, i havent met anyone who has thrown derogatory comments my way, all i have received is kindness and helpfulness.

I don't go on it a lot, but when i do i am conscious of stares, or is it ME thinking ppl are staring at me? I dont know. I think that people see me sat upon my scooter (. Its not a huge big thing with an array of stadium lights positioned precariously upon it ) dressed fashionably, sunglasses on, hair flowing and look and look with an expression of WHAT YOU DOING SAT ON THAT !

If i were you and i heard nasty remarks, i would say to the person that you would give ANYTHING to be able to walk as they are doing. I certainly wouldnt yell out a quick fire comment to them because then you are lowering yourself to their level.

They are ignorant, they cant possibly understand, they have noooooo experience.

Be strong,be proud of yourself that you are doing all that you can do, be damn well proud... x

The abuse that some posters on here have endured because of their disability - hidden or otherwise - is appalling.

One has to question why people can be so mean-spirited, mocking, intolerant - and just plain ignorant. I suppose also there is the fact that some individuals are repulsed by disability out of fear - but that's no excuse either.

Personally, I think it's largely ignorance and I don't just mean ignorance of medical conditions., but the literal definition of the word - uneducated, uninformed, unschooled, untrained, unaware, insensible.

Although one really can't simply blame the government (this one or the last / previous) - the deluge of articles in certain tabloids highlighting the abuse of the benefits system with false claims to disability, really doesn't help at all.

And Duncan-Smith's 'campaign' to focus on the abilities rather than disabilities of the poor and disabled though possibly well-intentioned has backfired. It has led some to believe that every disabled person can get a job "if he / she wants to". Though in principle that's a nice idea - the reality is somewhat different. Many employers simply do not want to employ disabled people because of the adjustments they might have to make which can be costly and time-consuming. In a highly competitive, market-driven economy, a disability is simply a disadvantage to the employer - that's the reality. Some though, have made those adjustments - and kudos to them for it. But in the 'public mind' there is the belief that there's a job for every disabled person. I remember people citing the late Stephen Hawking as an example of what the disabled could achieve if they "set their minds to it"... failing to mention the fact that he had round the clock carers and the finances to accommodate his lifestyle - not to mention an unusual and brilliant mind.

I hate the ignorance, the prejudice, the mis-information, the intolerance - not just of the disabled, but exhibited towards anyone who is in some way disadvantaged. And I can't help but think that it's connected to the fact that we live in a winner-takes-all, devil-take-the-hindmost, society. I don't believe that disabled / sick/ impoverished people benefit much from a free-market, libertarian, 'every man for himself' system of government. Of course, it's debatable, but that's simply my opinion.

Another very old thread!

I am really horrified by the stories on here. I must confess I give anyone on a disability scooter a very wide berth as sadly, where I am, they go at some speed and I cannot jump quickly out of the way. I also have hearing difficulties, which also never gets taken into account by people who drive at speed on the walkways and the other being cyclists. I don't hear you when you are behind me. Having said this, I have never abused or commented on anyone on a disabled scooter in my life. It's not my business why they have it. I have an unseen autoimmune condition, so I know what it's like when everyone assumes you are fit. One problem is many scooter owners have never driven, some are very bad at just reversing without looking to see who is behind them. I honestly cannot understand how you need a licence for a car/bike etc, but you don't for what is essentially a vehicle. Some of these scooters are massive and could do you a real injury. They should also need insurance to drive. Im sorry so many on here have received abuse, that is awful.

I should add that my father had a mobility scooter and a disabled parking badge. I was his chauffer for about six years. So I have seen the difficulties he faced.
But he aways tried to be courteous to other pavement users and would have been mortified if he'd accidentally run into someone.

I don't recall him ever being shouted at maybe it's different for men?

I agree it's disgusting how disabled people are treated and especially people with hidden disabilities. However, it's important to also bear in mind that, just as some able bodied people are horrible. You also get some disabled people who aren't very nice.
Becoming disabled doesn't automatically turn you into a nice person if you're previously been horrible.
I've been run into by a disabled scooter in the past. One lady even bellowed Get the f**k out of my way. Nice.
On the other hand, rhe lady who lives next door to us is disabled and is the nicest person I've ever met. She has a disabled parking bay. But whenever possible she will move her car so that that it makes it easier for us to park (if we have visitors etc) We are always courteous and kind to her as well and help her out as much as possible.
On the other hand a couple moved in down the road two years ago, and basically told all the neighbours that he would be applying for a disabled bay and didn't care what anybody else thought, even though there were loads of objections. Extremely narrow road, plus its on a cyldesac The disabled bay wasn't even for him. It's apparently for some relative who's disabled that doesn't even live there
Two neighbours have had to turn their front gardens into parking bays, at great expense, all because of his entitled attitude.

Trying to see things from both sides

My poor Aunt used to get taunted by the lovely youths in her village when she went out on hers, poor parenting and not educating children about disability. I do object to mobility scooter being driven at full pelt around our shopping centre though, no warning, just speeding behind you and expecting you to jump out the way.

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