So What's With These Little Scooters That Lazy People Ride Around On?

[Stevendsmith]

I mean, are you kidding me? You're able to walk, but you choose instead to haul your lazy friggin' ass around on a scooter. If these things aren't an emblem of American decadence, I don't know what is.

And yes, I realize that legitimately disabled people use these scooters. I am referring specifically to people that are fully capable of walking but choose not to.

[pagerbear]

1. How do you know

...which people are "fully capable of walking"? Disabilities are not always obvious to the onlooker.

[ZenLefty]

2. I've never seen an able-bodied person on one of those

Every time I see one it's a person with some kind of disability. I don't think it's laziness at all, I think there are disabilities that are not readily apparent to the naked eye. Those scooters are expensive even if you're well insured, and no one buys one just for the pleasure of it.

[Stevendsmith]

5. Uh, I beg to differ

I see people that are obese and use these things because they do not have the energy or inclination to walk.

Quite simply, I know that there are people that use these things out of pure laziness.

I am fully aware that there are hidden disabilities, as I worked as an assistant/notetaker for disabled college students.

[GOPisEvil]

6. Uh, those obese people just MIGHT have a medical condition.

Didja ever stop to think that the reason they have no energy is related to something they might not have control over?

[Stevendsmith]

9. Do you really think I would bash people with genuine disabilities?

I'm willing to bet the farm that thousands of non-disabled people are using the scooters because they are just too lazy to walk.

I will do my best to verify this and make another post.

[GOPisEvil]

10. OK - just making sure before I said anything inflammatory.

I understand your point now. Yes, what you describe seems to be wrong. Sort of like parking illegally in handicapped spots.

[ZenLefty]

11. Obesity is a difficult thing to live with

When someone becomes very obese, the simple act of walking can be harmful to their health. I had a brother in law who was very obese; the exertion of walking up some stairs gave him a fatal heart attack at a young age. Sure, you can try to say it was his fault for being so fat in the first place (and I would beg to differ there), but that's not much consolation for the wife and two kids he left behind.

[Delano]

15. riding around on a scooter can only aggravate obesity

and increase the chances of a heart attack in the long run. Sedentary lifestyle is a bigger killer than big macs.

[kmla]

12. And, you are able to discern they are lazy just because they are obese?

Wow. And we as a society are just wasting loads of money on doctors and stuff - what a shame. We should just realize that all fat people are lazy. <sarcasm off> :eyes:

There are myriads of reasons that people use these scooters. And sometimes the people that use these scooters are obese. But assuming that they are lazy because they are obese is painting a group of people with a broad brush, regardless of their circumstances. Sterotyping benefits no one, and only fosters bitterness and acrimony. And coupling Cynicism with Stereotyping - that is a couple that no one wants to invite to a party.

[Stevendsmith]

16. Jesus Christ!

Give a a break!

There are people in this country who are just plain decadent and lazy. Is no one that is exempt from genuine criticism? Is there no one who is just plain slothful.

You're telling me that there is not an increased use of the scooters by just plain lazy people?

[Rainbowreflect]

22. Did you ever consider that for some of those obese people

the scooter is the only way they can get out. Maybe it allows them to be mobile in a way they could not be if they had to walk.
My question is how does anyone, whatever their reason, riding a scooter hurt you?

[Stevendsmith]

25. I Doesn't Hurt Me

When did I say it hurts me?

I just find it rather sad and indicative of a general societal decay.

[Rainbowreflect]

40. I find it rather sad and indicative of a general societal decay

when someone gets all bent out of shape over the actions of another that cause no harm to the anyone besides possibly themselves.

[CO Liberal]

21. Ahem...

I know a few people who are now considered obese because of the medications they were given to combat the effects of MS. And while I can walk with my four herniated discs, there are times when I use the scooters in the supermarket because my back cramps up after I walk short distances - the scooters make it possible for me to shop.

Please don't be so quick to judge others. I hope you showed more understanding for the plight of others when you worked with disabled college students.

[Stevendsmith]

23. Look

I understand that there are people who are obese as a result of medical conditions.

I thought I made this clear in my original post.

Quite simply, there are more and more fully mobile but lazy people using these scooters. I find that ridiculous. I'm not making this up.

I would never rip on people who are legitimately disabled.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Stevendsmith]

31. Oh shit!

I've been exposed. Yes, I'm really a troll here. All of my progressive-minded posts over the past year or so were just a ruse. Only when you brought up my heros Hannity and Rush in a negative light did I feel compelled reveal myself as the right-wing basher of disabled people that I truly am. Yes, I see myself as a judge of these people.

Absurd.

Why don't you read my original post before you start painting me with the Hannity brush.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Stevendsmith]

17. B.S.

n/t

[ZenLefty]

18. I am humbled by your superior debating skills.

</sarcasm>

[Stevendsmith]

20. How Else Should I Respond

to

"No one buys (one of those scooters) just for the pleasure of it."

That's just plain foolish.

Open your eyes.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

29. Those scooters cost a fortune

and very few insurance companies cover the whole purchase. I think you are being unduly harsh-who are you to judge anyone? Take care of your own business before minding anyone else's.

[htuttle]

3. Do you mean those three-wheeled electric ones?

There has been something of a scam running with those over the last few years. The distributors of them (the ones who advertise on TV) have been selling them to people, and then helping them qualify the purchase as valid under Medical Assistance/Soc. Sec/Medicare, etc...

Originally, this was allowed for people who had verifiable mobility issues, and actually had a valid medical reason for needing a little scooter. Now, however, these tele-distributors have been getting tens of thousands of people to buy them on the government's tab, when they have no valid need for them.

Personally, I fault the distributors for gaming the system, and I fault the system for allowing itself to be gamed. But this is America, land of the scam and home of the cheat, so it's not likely to change any time soon.

[LynneSin]

4. HEY! I had to use a scooter once

The local grocery store where I use to live had scooters and was opened 24 hours. I woke up at 2pm with the flu, I felt like death warmed over and I needed flu supplies (juice, more juice and plenty of nyquil). I was so sick when I went to the store that I hijacked a scooter cause I could barely move without pain. I think after I left they lysolled then cloroxed down the scooter because I was so freaking ill.

[Stevendsmith]

7. Well, of course , that is a legitimate use

I am talking about non-disabled people using these things out of sheer laziness. This is becoming an increasing practice.

[Ladyhawk]

8. I'm disabled, but anyone looking at me wouldn't be able to tell.

Because of pain, I am unable to work out and probably weigh more than I should. I dont, however, use a scooter. I couldn't afford one. That doesn't mean I wouldn't use a scooter if one were available.

[Delano]

14. Sitting on a scooter and putting more weight on your frame

while your muscles atrophy would only aggravate any pain issues. It would be better to find a solution that would alleviate some of the pain, while making use of whatever mobility you have, whether it be pain medication, a walker, a cane. Every case is different, but if you are capable of walking, it's best to walk as much as you can, or you eventually will be unable to.

[Ladyhawk]

49. I would only choose to use a scooter if it were an all-day thing.

In fact, I have yet to use one. I still walk everywhere I go.

Instead of having the bus for the disabled pick me up, I walked into all my classes this semester. It's a huge deal because the campus is in the mountains. :)

So yes, I walk as much as possible and I'm hoping to start some kind of walking regimen on rural roads this spring, where I can catch and release reptiles and enjoy wildlife.

[Delano]

13. They're disgusting in that they aggravate obesity.

The very people that most need to be up and moving around chooose to sit their ass on a little cart.

The thing that bugs me more is those little gas-powered scooters a lot of kids ride around on now. The whole point of the scooter is the fun of exercise, dammit! I can't believe that some parents buy their kids things that will make them fatter and lazier.

[GumboYaYa]

19. I agree with you stevendsmith.

Of course some of the people who use those little scooters do so out of laziness. Not everyone does. I'm sure the vast majority of people who use them do so for legitimate medical concerns ad my comments are specifiaclly not directed at those people.

I know of people who use the scooters solely as a convenience. To me it is disgusting that otherwise healthy people elect to haul themselves around on these devices.

[pagerbear]

24. Without entering into the argument about obesity or disability

...I just wonder why you have such strong feelings about this.

[JVS]

27. good question

[Stevendsmith]

28. My strong feelings

are no longer about the scooters. I was just making a comment about what I see as a symptom of American decadence. My strong feelings are about the hyper-PC-ness of posters who cannot acknowledge that there are legions of lazy, pathetic souls in this country. Does material abundance not have negative consequences? That was the essence of my post.

I also take offense to the notion that I am insensitive to persons with disabilities. I think I made it clear in my original post that I was not targeting these people. Jesus, what kind of an asshole would bash on the disabled?

[CO Liberal]

30. That's What Your Posts Sound Like

You're questioning whether people are truly disabled, and labeling some of them as lazy. That seems a bit insensitive to me. (Especially since I've become partially disabled as a result of three MV accidents in the past four years.)

[Stevendsmith]

33. Well I am truly sorry if I have offended you

I am sorry about your partial disability. I meant no offense to persons with disabilities.

My sincere apologies,

Steve

[CO Liberal]

35. But When You Make Venom-Filled Posts Like Yours....

...you have no idea how many people you offend.

[JVS]

36. yeah, dehumanizing people isn't cool

[Heddi]

32. Let me tell you about me and my disability

A few years ago, when I was 26 or so, I had a herniated disc.

Started out as no big thing...but within the span of a year, I had sciatiaca, which caused an awful burning sensation to run from my ankle to the base of my spine on my right side.

I couldn't walk, I couldn't sit, I couldn't stand, I couldn't sleep.

Walking was the worst, because it was physically impossible for me to do so for any span of time over, oh 5 minutes or so.

Being that I was 26 at the time, and being that for the previous year I'd had little or no excercise b/c of my disability, I had gained some weight. Not terribly obese, but at least 50lbs over what I should weigh.

So here I was...fat, young, disabled.

I wasn't allowed to get a handicapped parking permit for my car, so I'd have to hobble from car to the grocery store.

But once I got inside the store, I'd use the scooters whenever possible. Just because walking was unbearable. I mean, whenI say unbearable, I really mean it.

So one day I'm in safeway---26, fat, with a bad back, but otherwise look in good condition, scooting through the aisles in the scooter (Which is VERY embarassing, might I add), when someone, who possibly could have been you for all I know, came up to me and started berating me. Called me a lazy fat bitch. Get off my ass and walk. What the fuck is wrong with me? Those scooters aren't for lazy fat bitches like myself, they're for genuinely disabled people. Why don't I get off my lazy fat ass and walk some of that fucking fat off, you miserable bitch?

I sat there amazed at what an incredibly rude person I was encountering. Who were THEY to determine whether I was 'deemed' worthy to ride a scooter?

I sat there crying as this asshole berated me. No one stopped him. A few people stood there nodding their heads in silent agreement. Finally a manager came up and asked US to break it up (I hadn't said a word). Mister Arbitrator Of All Things Disabled said "Well this fat bitch needs to stop being so fucking lazy"....so I stood up and got off the scooter.

I walked out of the store, dragging behind me my limp, nerve-dead right leg behind me. Couldn't even move the thing by that point in time.

So Not only did I get to suffer the humiliation of having to ride the scooter to begin with, but I got to suffer the humiliation of people who think, JUST LIKE YOU DO, that they're able to psychically tell who is and who isn't disabled. Who is and who isn't injured. Who is and who isn't capable of walking for longer periods of time. I *ALSO* go to suffer the humiliation of NO ONE coming to my aid. NO ONE saying a nice word to me, as I walked...no, GIMPED...out of the store, dragging my leg behind me because I couldn't control it. Dragging my foot behind me with a terrible limp. Walking out of the store alone.

So, next time you "KNOW" who is and who isn't disabled, please remember that just because someone looks young, or is obese, or doesn't have a body cast on, or don't use a handicapped parking sticker, it doesn't mean that they don't have a legitimate reason to use the scooters.

Your attitude is sickening. I only hope you never have to suffer through society's attitudes by aquiring a 'hidden' disability, like cancer, or bone problems, or such. Things that aren't "OBVIOUS" to all-knowing people like you, who have the ablity to look at someone and KNOW AUTOMATICALLY if they're 'disabled enough' or not.

sick sick sick.

[Lars39]

38. I have an inflamed sciatic nerve right now.

I've been getting looks and comments just because I started using a cane! Can't imagine going through something like what you described.
I don't understand this attitude towards the handicapped and obese.
All I can say is that these folks with zero sympathy/empathy are missing something vital in being a human being.

[Delano]

43. Such conditions are not uncommon.

They probably explain a lot of the "able-bodied" obese folks on scooters, and I agree that the venom is totally uncalled for.

At the same time, relying on a scooter to get around will only increase obesity (and usually whatever pain caused the scooter reliance in the first place) and cause muscles to atrophy.

Personally, I'd rather be on painkillers and exercise as much mobility as possible, so as not to become incapacitated altogether. It is a vicious cycle.

I love cycling, because it is low impact on the joints, and you can get as gentle or as hard a workout as you want, but when I've invited overweight friends to join me for an easy ride, they always say "No, I'd better start with a short walk around the block". Some of them seeem genuinely terrrified just to get on a bike. I wonder what kind of shut-in childhood these folks had that they find a bicycle terrifying? I was like Beaver Cleaver - biking and running around nonstop until dinnertime. I wish I still had time to do that.

[AlienGirl]

46. Why Some People Don't Cycle

Balance disorders.

Tucker

[geniph]

47. Heddi...

that sucks and I'm sorry it happened to you. The guy who ragged on you is a lame asshole, and I hope karma will get him eventually.

or maybe it already got him...maybe that's why he was so angry and bitter. Whatever HIS reasons, I'm sorry he attacked you; that was uncalled for and offensive.

And I hope you get better.

[kmla]

37. If, as you say, you are only referring to those "lazy people"...

... who are riding scooters, it seems to be a relatively victimless offense. But if I may intersperse an opinion (not trying to hijack a thread or anything) - What is your opinion on those who smoke? And are unable or refuse to quit? In reality, these people should know that it is not good for them by now. Some continue to smoke. Often in the same air that I breathe. And some women even continue to smoke during their pregnancy. Even though the chance for harm to the fetus is greatly increased and well documented. And, coincidentally, Americans are forced to pay a higher premium on their health care to cover those who will not quit smoking. Is this fair?

IMO, (this is a discussion board, no?), this problem would seem to be a little bit more of an emblem of American decadence than someone who is lazy who rides on a scooter. But that's just my opinion. Thanks for listening.

[rasputin1952]

The biggest problem I have w/scooters in stores...

is that they block aisles, because the people who use them, generally don't pull close to the side where they are pulling things from the shelves....:( I just go to another aisle and get something else I need, then come back later...:)

A far more sinister problem is the gaggle of geezers at the checkout that argues w/the poor cashier about the price of things. This is a true story:

I was second in a line, behind a woman who was behind the guy checking out. The guy, and 80ish man, had on onion, a single onion, as his purchase. the cashier weighed said onion, price 19 cents. This guy immediately went into a tirade about the price of onions! I thought that maybe there was some kind of 'disability' because of his age; but as he went on, I noticed that his English was perfect, and his delivery was not slurred...he was just MEAN! I dug into my pocket, pulled 19 cents out my change and put it on the conveyor and said, "I bought your onion, would you please move on, you're holding up the line".

Much to my chagrin, the guy looked at me strangely, the went right back at yelling at the cashier. I stepped past the lady in front of me, told the guy to pickup his onion and get out of the store. The guy started up on me, not a good idea....I stood my ground and moved forward again, he backed off and finally left the store. The people on line were laughing at him as he left, and I returned to my place in line to applause.

Point is...I see stuff like this at least every third time I go to the store. When the geezers that are supposed to be our "role models" act like fools, it is a much surer sign of the degeneration of our society than someone who may, or may not be disabled using facilities for the disabled.

O8)

[CO Liberal]

41. I Have Another Problem With Scooters - When I'm On Them

People who go shopping with their rug-rats think nothing of blocking up the entire aisle by making their kids stand right next to the cart while they decide which type of Hamburger Helper to buy. I've lost track of the number of times I've said "Excuse me?" to get by, only to have these inconsiderate dolts AND their offspring all stare at me as if I had three eyes......

[JVS]

44. 19 cents for an onion! what an outrage!

[Stevendsmith]

39. I Have Read All of Your Responses

I regret that I have offended.

Of course, I meant no offense to persons with disabilities.

Yes, I should realize that many people have hidden disabilities. I have likely mistakenly assumed that some genuinely disabled persons riding the carts are lazy. That is insensitive of me, and I regret it. Lesson learned.

I still believe and find it sad that there are a good number of people out there that are just too slothful to walk and use the scooters to transport themsleves.

This, of course, is their right. I don't lose sleep over this.

[Mrs. Venation]

42. A Good Number of People?

How do you know? Do you look at a person on a scooter and make a judgment based on their weight? Their apparent state of health?

I know you've apologized, and that's good. Now I think you need to look within yourself and question your need to be so judge mental.

I can walk, but I have arthritis in both knees, one hip and probably one ankle. Some days I feel just fine and enjoy a walk. Other days walking is extremely painful for me. I don't have a scooter, but if I did there would be days I would happily use it, and you would probably look at me and think I was too slothful to walk.

I think people got upset with you because you sounded smug and arrogant, Steven. I don't think people were trying to be politically correct when they challenged your assertions; I think people were trying to point out to you that you can't always make a reasonable judgment based on appearances.

[ScreamingMeemie]

45. I would have to say as one who has used these (age 33) I am deeply

offended. When I was pregnant with my son, it was the only way I could get around lest I aggravate a case of PIH. No, it wasn't because I was too fat. I gained 19 pounds with my son. No, it wasn't because I was lazy...it was because my daughter needed her mother.

Please think. Thanks. :hi:

Laura

[Don_G]

48. Medicare

My Grandmother has two...as seen on TV.