Do many people assume people who use electric carts are also mentally challenged?

I don’t know. I certainly don’t assume that. In fact, I assume they must have a certain level of competence if they can manage to operate them.

I think I usually notice people with behavior or mental problems, and imagine I would tend to notice if someone was “off” behind the wheel of one of those, but I don’t remember ever noticing that.

What does being overweight have to do with it???

I don’t make that assumption.
What did people do that made you think they made an assumption like that?
Can you provide more details. I may help.

No.

It’s hard to explain. Like, they tended to try and talk over me and talk to Rick, and disregard me. They quickly learned I was in charge of this situation.
When I’m on my feet they talk to us equally.
Also, people were giving me funny looks like “Are you just lazy?”

Maybe they thought your behavior was juvenile so they made the assumption from that.

What you are describing, @Dutchess_III, is something that wheelchair ridden people also experience often; they don’t get recognised as a talking partner if there’s an ‘able’/standing person with them.
I think it stems from the fact that someone in a wheelchair resembles a toddler (size wise).

Also, if I watch YouTube movies from America I get the feeling that there are a few people that ride these things because they are either morbidly obese, lazy, or a combination thereof.

something that wheelchair ridden people also experience often

A couple of years ago, we started using a wheelchair for my mom when she had to leave home to see the doctor or whatever.

When I was pushing, I was horrified to find I was treating her like cargo. I entered and elevator and left her facing the back wall while I faced the door and talked to the other riders.

I quickly figured it out and kept her pointed towards anyone we met, and to stay quiet so people would address her and not me.

Being a person who is without choice, I must use a cart, this question is in my expertise.
Yes, lots of people treat physically diminished person’s as if we are mentally challenged. It isn’t everyone, but it is enough of a population to feel pretty resentful.

The worst is when you speak and they look absolutely stunned and say, wow, you are really smart! As if I suddenly shed stupidity right then in front of them.

I’ve never had that problem. Then again I’ve never tried to play bumper cars with other people’s bodies!!! I try to treat people with respect…often offering to let them go before me. I speak to everyone around me…frequently engaging them in conversation!!!

@jca2…you don’t really believe I tried to play bumper cars with anyone?!

So I wasn’t imagining things. Sigh. Wish my feet would fix themselves.

I don’t unless they are driving down the middle of the road.

People who would think that, probably would have that Stephen Hawking was also mentally challenged.

I never assume that, and I would find it shocking if other people do. I assume someone on a scooter has a physical difficulty walking long distances.

Playing bumper carts might be why people gave you looks. I agree with @jca2 and @LadyMarissa.

I think people are taught not to stare, and so they overcompensate sometimes by looking past a person in a scooter or wheelchair. In some ways it’s impossible, because if the person who is disabled is very self conscious or insecure, then they might read into other people’s behavior around them or over-think. I don’t think most people who are disabled feel this way in a supermarket though. I hope not.

Side note: If you haven’t had a recent blood test for your kidneys you might want to.

Maybe people just assumed that the man was in charge of Lowes purchasing (even though statistically women make >50% of purchasing decisions).

I DID NOT REALLY PLAY BUMPER CARS WITH PEOPLE! IT WAS A JOKE! And @jca2 of all people should know that. She sees my whacky Facebook posts!

I wish you’d start reading the threads before you respond @JLeslie.

I don’t. I can’t speak for others.

What do my kidneys have to do with anything @JLeslie?

@JLeslie might have a point about kidneys: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5102165/#:~:text=Peripheral%20neuropathy%20in%20CKD%2C%20also,%E2%88%BC90%25%20of%20dialysis%20patients.&text=Patients%20typically%20experience%20functionally%20disabling,loss%20of%20sensation%20and%20weakness.
But as always – check with your doctor.

I’ll just let my doctor take care of it.

Never have time in stores to make assumptions about other people. Too busy walking all over looking for my wife. She can disappear inside a store like nobody’s business.

I have experienced baby talk, people over simplifying what they say to me. “This crossbow is a real weapon. You know it isn’t a toy?” “Okay, I just wanted to make sure you understand it is dangerous. Do you have someone to help you with it?”

I get treated like a child. Some people act like I am probably contagious.

It isn’t everyone, but it is enough to make me want to reduce my interactions with people I don’t know.

There are some truly wonderful people. When I have an encounter with any of the great ones, it nearly makes me cry, because it is so rare.

Exactly my experience @Patty_Melt. I could sense they were focusing on Rick and dismissing me, so I stood the fuck up and took the reins.