[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I started going to Charlotte Autofair in 1978 as a spectator, then later as a vendor. I loved walking the fields looking for parts.

Around 1986, I was in a car accident and had some problems with pain in my right hip. A doctor diagnosed me as as having a defective hip joint that was aggravated by the accident. The ball on the femur was elliptical shaped and one leg was an inch shorter than the other. I was told I would need hip replacement by the time I was 50. I continued to walk the show and used anti-inflammatories kept the pain down. As I started walking less I gained weight. By age 50 or so, I had to make a decision if I wanted to continue to walk the show, either have hip replacement surgery or get a scooter. I felt too embarassed to ride a scooter while I still looked healthy, so I stopped walking the show and began selling parts. I can't say I made the right decision, since I allowed vanity to make my decision for me. I felt people would judge me the way some of you are judging people on scooters

I would be careful about making observations regarding people who are riding the scooters. Not all disabilities are visible to the casual observer. I know there are probably a lot of people that abuse these, but many people that look healthy have issues that are not readily apparent.

I finally had my right hip replaced a couple of months ago, and plan to spend a little time walking the swap meet this September.

Sorry to hear about your accident but like handicapped parking privileges, you are not going to convince me that it is not abused.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

...I know there are probably a lot of people that abuse these, ...

and that is exactly what this thread is all about.

i don't think that any reasonable person will have issue with someone who needs some sort of assistance to get around, but in a day and age where everything is quickly labeled as a "disease", people are being empowered to abuse what has been afforded to people who legitimately need assistance.

Where I live, there is currently an air advisory because of smoke in the neighboring state (which probably isn't helped with the fires two states south), and in the advisory is the warning that "people with diseases like athsma" should be careful;
I have lived almost my whole life with athsma, and don't ever recall this bronchial contition being labeled as a disease...
but that's just the world we live in - everyone wants to be included...

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I started going to Charlotte Autofair in 1978 as a spectator, then later as a vendor. I loved walking the fields looking for parts.

Around 1986, I was in a car accident and had some problems with pain in my right hip. A doctor diagnosed me as as having a defective hip joint that was aggravated by the accident. The ball on the femur was elliptical shaped and one leg was an inch shorter than the other. I was told I would need hip replacement by the time I was 50. I continued to walk the show and used anti-inflammatories kept the pain down. As I started walking less I gained weight. By age 50 or so, I had to make a decision if I wanted to continue to walk the show, either have hip replacement surgery or get a scooter. I felt too embarassed to ride a scooter while I still looked healthy, so I stopped walking the show and began selling parts. I can't say I made the right decision, since I allowed vanity to make my decision for me. I felt people would judge me the way some of you are judging people on scooters

I would be careful about making observations regarding people who are riding the scooters. Not all disabilities are visible to the casual observer. I know there are probably a lot of people that abuse these, but many people that look healthy have issues that are not readily apparent.

I finally had my right hip replaced a couple of months ago, and plan to spend a little time walking the swap meet this September.

Very true! I myself went through Leukemia let me tell ya, I never totally recouped. My strength levels are horrible, that’s only one side affect. I lived in a 200 year old farm house, we had to sell it and got a rancher, I cannot do steps, hills etc. I don’t have a scooter yet, but I see it coming in my future. Most of my side affects from treatments are not visible to the naked eye, but trust me I have many. Kidney issues, heart failure, cornea issues to name a few. So when you see someone on a scooter that may look completely fine.....they may not be. I beat the Leukemia, but not without many many complications, that will put me in a scooter if I choose to continue being involved in what I love.

[poncho-mike]

Chief of the 60s,

I know handicapped parking permits are abused. And many people don't have the permits simply park in the handicap spaces for convenience. My father-in-law was diagnosed with Multiple Schlerosis (MS) around 1975 or so, when he was 45. I met my wife in 1978, and watched him slowly lose the abilty to walk. The last time he walked was at our wedding, he was barely able to walk her down the aisle. She was barely able to keep him upright. During his early years with MS, there was no concerted effort to provide provisions for the disabled. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities act greatly improved conditions for people like my father-in-law. It infuriated me to see what appeared to be healthy people parked in handicapped spots. Some had the placards or tags, and I suspected they belonged to someone else. Some just parked in the spots with no placard or tag.

My sister also has MS and is now in a wheel chair. Her and her husband bought a handicapped van. There have been numerous occasions where some moron parked in the area between handicapped spaces intended for use with wheel chair lifts. Most of the time these morons also didn't have the proper placard or tag.

I have a temporary handicapped permit that was issued to me for use after surgery. It is valid until October, and to date I have only used it once, and that was the day of my surgery. I got around just fine on my crutches, and there was no way I was going to occupy a handicapped spot when there might be someone who needs it more than I did.

Mary-Ann,

I wish you luck in your recovery. I watched my next door neighbor battle lukemia for probably the last six or seven years. I mowed his yard occasionally for a couple of years because he was unable to mow it. He survived but the battle took its toll. He sold his house a few months ago and downsized because he didn't have the stamina to take care of it any more.

[400 4spd.]

My mother has a heart valve condition that requires surgery that she will not get. She has low blood pressure and balance problems. Severe arthritis behind her knee cap makes walking difficult, and comfortable sleep a luxury. She has a cane for travel and a walker for home use. To get through the day she needs several naps because she has very little energy, a result of the heart valve problem.
For 2 years I've waited for a chance to take her on a vacation. Her health has kept me from doing that, even though she wants to go.
Tomorrow my wife is buying the wheel chair that my Mom is too proud to use. It's going in the back of the SUV, and when we reach the mountains of Tennessee it will be nearby if needed. I hope she's not offended!
84 years old and tough as nails!

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

We had this discussion a few months ago. Not always been that way.

One time - when the show was held in a private location with restricted access.

[flyingn]

Life is short, enjoy it. Don't let things like this bother ya.

[ponchjoe]

I too was at Norwalk and was surprise to see Polaris RAZRs, JD Gators, dirt bikes, etc allowed. To me there is a solution for this and it is designated parking in areas of interest like the swap, show, and pits. The grand stands have areas to park so they are fine. It is the show field and swap which should be walked or 4 wheel scooters only. Also should only be golf carts or 4 wheel scooters at the venue in my opinion on paved surface.

[gtohurstjudge]

You people that are bothered by a scooter at a car show that covers
acres of ground seriously need to get a life. You thirty year olds that are bitching
will change your tune in a hurry if you get a bad knee or back or severe arthritis
when you get older. If you can't stand crowds or scooters at a car show, perhaps you should keep your car at home in the garage.

[unruhjonny]

I doubt there are many "thirty year olds" making valid contributions to this thread.... or posting in this thread at all.

Why so defensive?

[Bob Hall]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I doubt there are many "thirty year olds" making valid contributions to this thread.... or posting in this thread at all.

Why so defensive?

Well, to be fair, the Original Poster is in his mid 30s

[Firedup6975]

It really amazes me how easily some can be so upset over something like a scooter. There are sooooo many other huge issues in this world to actually be concerned about. You don’t have to dig very deep to comprise a list. So you step aside, or stop for an instant and let it pass you, is that so hard to do?

I was 55 when I started all the Leukemia stuff. I seldom missed work, never smoked, or drank, maybe an occasional beer, rarely went to a Dr. I was very very active. Until I was told what no one ever wants to hear, and I will never be the same again. I had to leave my Directors position at a Daycare, due to my immune system being compromised. Long story short, I’m now 62, I can no longer do the things I’d once done. My being a strong healthy person before the Leukemia pulled me through it, however not without changing my life forever. On the outside I look like any healthy adult. I now have a handicapped plaquard, as I lose my breath easily, have constant cramping in my legs and feet, I always need a cart at the store to lean on because I get weak and wobbly quickly. I’ve been approached many times in the last 7 years, people questioning why I have one, that I don’t look handicapped. So before you question why someone might be on a scooter, instead of just not going out anywhere so you don’t have to stop or step aside for a scooter to go around you, THINK! Maybe just maybe there’s a reason people have them, that you cannot see with the naked eye. concentrate more on how YOU can walk around a big event, while some people have to ride on a scooter.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I doubt there are many "thirty year olds" making valid contributions to this thread.... or posting in this thread at all.

Why so defensive?

I got a few years before I reach 30. lol

[1968firebird455]

Norwalk is a very large show with a lot of fun stuff to cover. I can see where a cart or atv would be very convenient for seeing everything and moving heavy parts but they need to remember that pedestrians have the right of way and that the entire facility is not a race track. People in the swap meet area and show field are wandering around focused on parts, not traffic. It is up to the driver to make sure nobody they don't hit anyone.

[ponchjoe]

Originally Posted by 1968firebird455

Norwalk is a very large show with a lot of fun stuff to cover. I can see where a cart or atv would be very convenient for seeing everything and moving heavy parts but they need to remember that pedestrians have the right of way and that the entire facility is not a race track. People in the swap meet area and show field are wandering around focused on parts, not traffic. It is up to the driver to make sure nobody they don't hit anyone.

That was kind of the point I was trying to make. If you make designated parking areas close to the areas you eliminate the issue.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by 1968firebird455

Norwalk is a very large show with a lot of fun stuff to cover. I can see where a cart or atv would be very convenient for seeing everything and moving heavy parts but they need to remember that pedestrians have the right of way and that the entire facility is not a race track. People in the swap meet area and show field are wandering around focused on parts, not traffic. It is up to the driver to make sure nobody they don't hit anyone.

Everybody should be watching each other, and being aware, considerate, and respectful of one another. Adults should know better, however like anything else you’re always going to have those who will never get that. Just plain ignorant!

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I doubt there are many "thirty year olds" making valid contributions to this thread.... or posting in this thread at all.

Why so defensive?

I agree, but......... they won’t always be 30 either! One day it might be them who uses a scooter!

[eaglesan13]

There is an annual car show in the town next to me. I never used to go because the entrance fee was something like twenty bucks a person just to get in. My upholstery guy told me that if I took my muscle car, the entrance fee was ten bucks and it came with two passes. So, I entered the car and took my wife to the show, and it only cost me ten bucks instead of forty.

Originally Posted by GT182

I hate car shows that charge for us to show our cars and they let people in off the street in for free. I don't care one bit if it's not promoting the hobby... they pay just like the rest of us have too. You don't pay you don't get in.

.

[Simple Man]

Originally Posted by The Champ

One time - when the show was held in a private location with restricted access.

Told this story before.
Umpteen years ago, POCI convention was in Grand Rapids MI. I do not belong to POCI, but lived a couple of hours away, and wanted to check out the show cars, and swap meet. I DID NOT wish to participate in meetings, seminars, side trips, meals, etc. Just see the show cars, and the swap meet.
EMailed the person in charge, told him this, and asked where those two venues would be held. He EMailed me back, and said, while they couldn't physically keep me away, they would discourage me from attending, because this event was for POCI members only. Never gave me locations.

[1965gp]

I don’t think any of us are upset at the people that need scooters- weather they look like it or not. If I see someone on a scooter that’s designed for medical/age reasons I don’t gave an issue at all. These people are usually respectful of the crowds.

What I am upset/annoyed about is the golf carts that weave up and down the swap meet aisles. The ATV’s that cruise around people in the show field- there are a lot of people walking the show. I saw several examples of people jumping off of bikes/atv’s like the duke boys jumping in the general. No reason for them to be driving up and down the show or swap meet aisles.

I understand Ames having carts to load/unload parts in the swap meet.

Designated parking by each section is a great compromise.

As far as not allowing the public into the show- We wonder why kids don’t want our cars yet we don’t want the public to see them??

I prefer the cruise in. Come and go at your leisure- anyone can attend. We had a great one but it recently shut down. The promoter charged to park in the area with security, food trucks, etc so people ended up parking outside the roped off area. Eventually the club could not afford to rent the parking lot. I went when I could- even if it was to pay my fee, drive a loop and go home