For those that live in or travel to Europe and Japan

[Coyote Chris]

It strikes me that in the US, at Walmart and other supermarkets, and on cruise ships, People bring or demand the assess to mobility scooters/wheel chairs. There are obviously Army vets, and people afflicted with old age and other terrible deseases, and accident victums, who need them. But when I was growing up in the 50s-60s, even though we had polio victums and WWII vets and Korean war vets, there didnt seem to be as many people in public in scooters/chairs.
If I were going to Europe or Japan, would I see as many people in public in wheel chairs? When I travel on a cruise ship that is full of old people, there are many of course but also people who are just huge. Watching vids on the web of Japan, for instance, I dont see many if any at all?

 

[mikesim]

Sad to say, at our Wal-Mart the predominant users of the mobility scooters are the morbidly obese. Also, a good many of these folks have a bad attitude and will run you over without a second thought. They seem to think that because of their handicap, they have the right of way.

Mike

 

[Coyote Chris]

Sad to say, at our Wal-Mart the predominant users of the mobility scooters are the morbidly obese. Also, a good many of these folks have a bad attitude and will run you over without a second thought. They seem to think that because of their handicap, they have the right of way.

Mike

That is my belief too. And yes, many morbidly obese people sadly do have this attitude that it "isnt their fault" and they are "entitled" to being compensated by society with bigger airline seats, and scooters. I have no idea how some of them get into airliner rest rooms. I still wonder what things are like in Europe and Japan for accomodations, and the populace attitudes as to whose fault what is. I will stay out of the arena of US politics and what the parents, media , business, and politicians are doing to deal with this crisis.

 

[JQL]

Yes, you will see mobility scooters and wheelchairs in Europe but, not as often as I saw when I visited the US.

Some Supermarkets in the UK offer mobility scooters for disabled customers to use. I haven't seen this is France. In fact, unless it's senior citizens, in my experience, it's rare to see mobility scooters in France. You do, though, especially as we live near a sanitarium, occasionally see wheelchairs usually in parks & gardens or down by the river.

There are, I believe, a few reasons for this:

• Less obesity (main reason), though morbid obesity is, sadly, increasing
• Medical services and corrective surgery, often free or highly subsidised, for joint replacement etc.
• More, often free or highly subsidised, Social Services
• Home shopping delivery
• (not so tongue in check) "The stiff upper lip." We tend to try to make do. There are a couple of senior citizens with limited mobility, who live on our road, and they make do with a cane or walking sticks.
• More (suitable) exercise. Some, well into retirement, (slow) jog or walk 5 km (just over 3 miles) everyday - I see two or three (older) people early in the morning during my walk. In our apartment block we have an 87 year old who has had both knees replaced and a hip replacement and he cycles everyday to get the bread etc. He's usually gone for about an hour on his bicycle.
• Most of our roads in town (and some out of town) have pavements (sidewalks) and the distance to amenities is much shorter.