Renting a scooter from scoot around

[tonyalittegirl.livejournal.com]

Has anyone rented a scooter from scootaround before? Could you let me know how your experience was.  My father is going to need a heavy duty scooter.  How was your experience driving a scooter around the crowd at Dragoncon? Thank you for any information :)

Comments

[hanabishirecca.livejournal.com]

Elevators are never a good experience at Dragon*Con. I have witnessed some of the worst in human behavior when watching people in a scooter waiting for an elevator at Dragon*Con.

[dustagorn.livejournal.com]

The only thing I can say is this...can he raise his voice enough to say excuse me so someone would realistically be able to hear? Because one of my, and many others' pet peeves is being honked at by those in scooters.

[undefinable-1.livejournal.com]

Your attitude is one of the main reasons why I question attending Dragon*Con for the first time this year.

You better hope you never have to deal with health issues that leave you unable to get around on your own two feet and cause you to have to experience the inconsiderate behavior of people, such as yourself. People who use scooters don't do it for fun of it and would much rather have the ability to get around on their own two feet without being treated as second class citizens, but we don't get that option. Many people that use scooters also suffer with medical conditions that leave them short of breath and unable to raise their voice loud enough to be heard in a quiet setting let alone a crowded area.

[dustagorn.livejournal.com]

What exactly do you know about my behavior? Because, I'm pretty sure I've never met you or seen you for you to claim I showcase any bad behavior. Actually, I'm pretty certain every time something like this has happened to me, the person will honk a couple times and then say, with no strain at all "excuse me." But, of course, you want to play the victim, so I'm sure that will get twisted. Not everyone is this worst case scenario you describe, and the same goes for what I described. I just don't like being honked at in a huge, traffic heavy crowd that I, even on two legs can't get around. I'm sorry you're in a scooter, but we're both going the same way and this wall of people isn't going to suddenly part like the Red Sea simply because you're disabled. This whole "He said he hates A, HE MUST HATE THE WHOLE ALPHABET!" thing you're pulling here is obnoxious. If you can find someone in a scooter that I've been rude to at Dragoncon or mistreated in anyway, then I'd be impressed. My annoyances are in the back of my mind and I've never treated anyone differently simply because they're disabled. If you want to question going to Dragon for the first time, don't do it because someone who actually looks for a way to help even those who annoy him made a one-off comment on the behavior of some of your scooter-bound brethren. Question it because it's a nightmare to get around even on two feet.

[thestargatekid.livejournal.com]

And that's perfectly fine. It's when obese people use them just because they are obese, and expect special treatment (which they get..awarded with front row seats at panels when others can't get in the door) that makes people upset. It's a big pet peeve that many congoers have. Legitimate illnesses and health issues other than just plain obesity is a different story.

[direwraithe.livejournal.com]

I completely agree. I have sympathy for anyone with a medical condition but the reality is that Dragon*Con is overcrowded and using your damn Rascal as a battering ram isn't safe or acceptable. I'll make a point of waiting for someone on crutches or using a scooter to get by, but I can't speak for the 300 people behind me. Ramming speed isn't the correct response to a jammed up crowd you nitwits.

[undefinable-1.livejournal.com]

I completely agree that using a scooter as a bumper car to clear a path is never acceptable behavior.

[glasscannon.livejournal.com]

Agreed on the ramming speed thing. I have an invisible disability that, while I can usually manage well enough to get around at Con, can be severely affected by being hit by a scooter, potentially leaving me stuck in bed the rest of Con, or at least using my cane. Ramming speed, or expecting the crowd to part if you just keep pushing forward, is never acceptable, whether you're in a scooter, wearing a big costume, or just walking around.

That said, I've yet to have a problem with a single scooter at Dragon*Con. All my scooter-related injuries have been from idiots at Disneyland. ;P

Welcome and Come

[teresa howard (from livejournal.com)]

Please come and enjoy the con. It will be crowded and elevators and lines can be a pain but the convention is wonderful. With around 40,000 people there will be inconsiderate people, but most SF fans are great. Not sure about the guys who answered above, but I have been at Dragoncon regularly since 1991 and always have a great time. For the most part those with disablities are treated with respect and consideration. My favorite author Anne MCCaffrey uses a scooter to get around. Granted she is hell on wheels, and loads of fun. Using a horn for a scooter is not inconsiderate.

Teresa

[tonyalittegirl.livejournal.com]

Wow I'm sorry I didn't mean to start such a debate. I only wanted feedback on others experiences because my dad has not made up his mind about coming due to his disability but after reading this he will probably decide not to come.

[archersangel.livejournal.com]

tell him don't let the attitudes of a few keep him away. from what i witnessed, people have been considerate to those in scooters/wheelchairs or using a cane/crutches. but it's a crowded con people get bumped (i sure did), elevator waits can be long (people should take the stairs/escalators if they can) so deep breaths & counting to 10 is sometimes needed.

[grimthorn.livejournal.com]

Using a horn for a scooter is not inconsiderate.

That depends, I suppose. If the person using the horn is trying to bulldoze their way through a crowd, then it sure as hell *is* inconsiderate. It is just as rude as someone on two legs shoving people out of the way. There are just as many jerks on scooters as there are on two legs.

I have all of the sympathy and consideration in the world for folks who need a little help in getting around, but that does not mean that those people have the right to plow through crowds that the rest of us have to deal with too.

To the original post, I really would not recommend a scooter for something like Dragon*Con unless you are very comfortable navigating through crowds. The convention is packed and will become moreso. Unless you know your way around or are with someone who does, it can be extremely frustrating trying to get from point A to point B. Truth be told, that is true regardless of whether or not you need a scooter to get around. If your dad can handle the crowds, then go for it.

[meowwl.livejournal.com]

Ya'll, the OP asked about experiences with Scootaround...Can we not hijack her thread with out pet scooter peeves?

[jarissa.livejournal.com]

I do not have experience with ScootAround (or for that matter experience with using a scooter at D*C at all) but I heartily recommend that you contact Disability Services. They'll have all sorts of contacts with folks who have used that service, plus they can help your father with a lot of other things once it is time to pick up that badge and start the con.

Scooters at DC

[cheriedcds.livejournal.com]

If you have disabilities that limit your mobility or make it hard/painful to walk long distances, a scooter is the way to go. It will allow you to traverse the 5 or so city blocks (on a hill) that the Con covers with minimal discomfort.

That being said, as you can see from the debate above, there are issues to being on a scooter at Con. One thing to keep in mind is that any time you cram 40000 plus people into a confined area and fill that area with exciting wonderful things they want to get to; people get a little ... intense. MOST people --on scooters and off-- are wonderful, friendly, helpful people who will do what they can to not cause you problems while they enjoy their Con. There are some people --on scooters and off-- who are so intent on their own goals that they cannot see beyond their own needs to see that other people have needs too. It isn't intentional rudeness, necessarily, it is often just an intense single-mindedness that precludes consideration of others. Wait, I guess that is a pretty good description of rudeness, but it isn't intentional. Then there are those who are just rude, intentionally. Those are very few and far between, thank goodness. (not even entering into the discussion about the football fans/other mundanes)

Your choices are three:
Do con with a scooter, avoiding whatever consequences that will bring physically, perhaps at the expense of some rude confrontations with people.
Do con without a scooter, suffering whatever consequences that will bring physically. This will result perhaps in less confrontations. Perhaps not, because those single minded people will still get rude if someone slower moving is in their path, whether or not that person is in a scooter. Disability Services has heard some stories of people on canes getting pushed out of the way... People just don't think about anyone but themselves sometimes.
Your third choice is not to do Con at all. If your father is just coming out of idle curiosity and not a true interest, he needs to consider the difficulty of getting around in huge crowds with a disability, on scooter or off, and weigh that against his level of interest. He is the only one that can make this choice.

After all that I just want to say that the vast majority of people are wonderful people. I have heard as many "and then this guy came out of nowhere and helped me get up those miserable three stairs/saved the day" stories as I have horror stories. Most of the horror stories involve elevators and the stairs into the food court on the Hyatt side. Come to Disability Services, we can help you find accessible routes to wherever you need to go. They may not be the quickest/most direct, but we can help you get where you need to go. You are also free to find any hotel employee where you are, and ask them to help you. If Dad is a true fan, then the joy that is DragonCon will hugely overshadow the minor discomforts and rudeness that he will encounter.

Cherie Wren
DragonCon Disability Services

Scooting around the Con

[krystalblade.livejournal.com]

Cherie is correct, but she left out one other source for possible help - other scooter riders. Speaking as someone who scooted around last year, it was the best decision I've made in along time. I had more fun than in many years because I actually got to go places instead of being in my room in agony.

I personally didn't have any problems with the elevators except during the Monday exodus (everyone with luggage trying to check out). Just remember there are ALOT of people and give yourself plenty of time to get to any event.

The stairs to the food court can be avoided by taking the skyways from the Hyatt to the Marriott to the food court. There's a ramp by the Chickfil-a to the second food court. Watch out for the ramp at the end of the Hilton skyway - it's a tight switchback.

If your dad does go with the scooter, here's a few things to think about.

Make sure to get the dimensions of the scooter to make sure it will fit through the room door or you may need an accessible room.

Try to get there early enough so he can test drive the scooter to get the feel of it. (Just like with cars, pick up, speed, and braking are different.)

Don't forget to make sure it's charged every morning.

You may want to play herald to help clear a path. (I don't have a horn to honk, but I do have a voice and I'm not afraid to use it!)

Becareful of the walkies, they don't realize that scooters (especially large ones) can't stop on a dime and that the rider really can't see the nearby toes.

Most important: If you get stuck in a crowd, just chill and people watch - it's one of the funnest things to do there anyway.

This is for all the never used a mobility device people: try to understand that besides the physical pain, there is also emotional baggage to using such a device - especially for the first time. A whole gambit of fear, frustration, depression, and embarrasement is having to be dealt with while trying to have fun. This is something that you can't see so don't know about. Of course if you see someone scooting along with a big smile on her face, you don't have to worry about her. (That would be me if you haven't guessed.)

Re: Scooting around the Con

[veracity]

Don't forget to make sure it's charged every morning.

I've never used a scooter but I've seen people who get frustrated when the battery won't stay charged, so make sure to get a written statement that if you get a lemon the company will come and replace the scooter promptly. Otherwise, the enjoyment and fun of con becomes a burden. Cover yourself just in case.

Re: Scooting around the Con

[thestargatekid.livejournal.com]

I get frustrated when people in scooters (only the ones who are in them just because they are obese) get special treatment to front row seats at panels while others sometimes can't even get into a panel. It's plain wrong.

Re: Scooting around the Con

[tonyalittegirl.livejournal.com]

Well my father is obese because of his health issues/illness. Sometimes people have conditions that make them obese, he doesn't want to be that way.

[wynnegruffyd.livejournal.com]

Scootaround is a good company to use. For the past 4 years, I've rented from them and they will always back up their product. I have never had a problem with one at DragonCon but I did have a problem with one at another convention and they promptly came out and replaced it. That being said, the elevators can be a pain. It is especially hard to get on one in the main area of the Hyatt. Occassionally they post a hotel employee there to help get you on one. Never really had a problem in the Marriott where I tend to stay. The hotel room doors and layout can be a problem if its not an accessible room. I've found with a heavy duty scooter that the switchback on the overstreet tunnel from Marriott to Hilton is not doable. I always cross at the street level for that. I am very careful to put the scooter on the lowest setting when in crowds because it makes it much easier to stop quickly. The horns are usually not real loud and therefore having someone who can herald for you if you can't do it yourself (I have no problem as I'm a teacher and normally can employ my teacher voice)is a good idea. They can also ask for those entering an elevator to give the scooter room to get on. I also make sure to announce to people to please stand back as I don't want to catch any toes. Even with all the caution, its not uncommon to bumb someone or have someone run into you because we are lower than they are and if they are in a rush, they can run right up on you. I have never nor would I ever use my scooter as a battering ram. That is just common courtesy. I have no intention of causing injury or to maim someone. Lord knows I have enough pain and arthritis for a dozen people. This year I finally broke down and bought my own scooter. This will be a new experience for me at DragonCon (my 11th year attending) because this scooter is faster and wider than ones I've used from Scootaround. I will be even more diligent to insure that I don't run over toes or bumb someone. Even with all that, enjoy the con. It was the best thing I ever did to get a scooter because it allowed me access to venues I would not have been able to go to and as the con has spread out so much, it would have been impossible to see it all.
OH be sure and go by Disability Services when you get your badge and have them put a handicap sticker on your badge. This will allow the scooter driver to enter before the crowds and get an end seat where they can park the scooter. It doesn't guarantee a closer up/front row spot but it will give you an easier in and out especially for the really crowded panels.

[cheriedcds.livejournal.com]

Come by Disability Services BEFORE you get your badge. We will help with that part....

cherie

[tonyalittegirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you guys for the information, it is really helpful. He has decided to come. Thank you so much!

[scootaroundmike.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind words about Scootaround, wynnegruffyd! I work for Scootaround, and I can tell you our Atlanta crew is very excited for and looking forward to DragonCon!