People using wheel chairs when they don't need them?

Question

Hello

I need to ask a very serious question about something I saw on the bus yesterday.

While I was on the bus yesterday. At one stop a guy in one of those motorized wheel chairs got onto the bus and got into the designated area for wheel chairs. When he got on I couldn't help but notice that his legs were moving. I got the distinct impression that he wasn't paralyzed at all but rolls around in a slow, cumbersome chair that forces everyone else out of their seat when it comes to public transportation.

Another time I'm in the supermarket and I see an overweight person riding around those scooter/chair things picking up their groceries. Again their legs looked normal. I felt slightly bothered by it. and asked myself

"Why would someone who doesn't seem to be paralyzed use a wheelchair???

Most likely I'm being naive. Maybe there's a health condition that they have that I don't know about. Maybe they have very very very BAD joints. Idk. But I'm a tad bothered by people using wheel chairs who apparently don't need them. They cost so much, people have to move and accommodate them in public places and on transportation. It just seems kinda wrong.

Answer 1

Not so much naive as uninformed. Total paralysis is very rare. More often than not people in wheel chairs can move their legs, and in many cases, even stand for brief periods. The idea that someone would use a wheel chair to force people out of their seat is silly.



Granted, there are overweight people who would be better off walking than riding, but again, there are medical conditions that can lead to weight gain, and there are drugs for chronic illnesses that can also lead to weight gain.



I've had back surgery. I look perfectly normal, and can function well, but I can't lift anything more than 30 lbs. As such, my wife ends up putting heavy things in the trunk while I just stand there. i get a lot of nasty looks and occasionally someone will say something. i would rather put up with the looks and comments that risk more back injuries. It isn't anyone else's business.

Answer 2

I sometimes use a wheel chair and am not paralyzed. The idea that only people who are paralyzed need wheel chairs is false. I use them because I have a condition that does not allow me to walk for more than a few minutes at a time. If I stand or walk for too long it causes swelling in my legs that can be dangerous. So when I go out, I use a wheel chair. Without it I would not be able to go out in public. However, if you were to see me walk at home, I walk just fine with only a cane for support. At home I rest a lot and can put my feet up when they start to swell. When I am out, My feet swell just from being down, walking would be unbearable.



By the way. I am not overweight. I am 6'3" and weigh 210 lbs.

Answer 3

In my observations, the most common occupant of a scooter is a grossly overweight (100-200 pounds overweight) woman. People like that don't have the stamina to get around under their own power all the time.

Answer 4

My daughter has a Wheelchair....but can walk with support....but is still likely fo trip or fall and perhaps injure the person helping her and herself. People in Wheelchairs , are overweight , as a result of not burning calories off, as they would if they were fit. Most people who stop exercise....put weight on...because it is not natural to Cut down on our food intake...in response to injury or immobility. People in Wheelchairs , cannot generally walk any distance without , pain , discomfort , or putting themselves in danger.

Answer 5

Some people I guess are just too weak to walk,

but I do see a lot of overweight people in wheelchairs, and I can't help but wonder if they really are just too tired/weak to walk, or if they just don't feel like walking...

Answer 6

He maybe has Parkinson's which causes involuntary movements