Handicap ticket ?

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 12:20am

I’ve had brain cancer for the past years. It’s messed up my nerves. I use a cane. I don’t use a wheelchair. 
 

am I a douchebag if I order the handicap seats? 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 12:33am

Unless the "seat" is an empty space to put a wheelchair, they're for anyone who needs the accessibility. If you need it, there's no reason you shouldn't buy them.

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 1:33am

I asked cause I have a problem w moving. 
 

looking at me I don’t look handicap. 
 

 

[msmp]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 5:24am

JBradshaw said: "I’ve had brain cancer for the past years. It’s messed up my nerves. I use a cane. I don’t use a wheelchair.


am I a douchebag if I order the handicap seats?"

Not at all! Like TaffyDavenport said, just make sure that they're transfer seats and not an empty space for a wheelchair. The accessible seats/transfer seats are designed for people with any kind of mobility issues as I understand it, while the non-seat spaces are strictly wheelchair only.

I usually attend the theatre with my mother, and her mobility issues vary day to day, and we have never once had a problem booking handicap seats and her showing up with a cane. If anyone asks, you can be honest, but I doubt anyone will be that intrusive about it.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 5:45am

JBradshaw said: "I’ve had brain cancer for the past years. It’s messed up my nerves. I use a cane. I don’t use a wheelchair.


am I a douchebag if I order the handicap seats?"

I’m so sorry you are going thru this. I have a brain tumor that is benign but its location has caused issues and it is rapidly producing a bad hormone that is making me sick. I sometimes need a cane because it can throw off my balance. I like to call in advance and inquire about accessible seating because my needs vary and I don’t ever want to risk booking the wheelchair spot. If calling is an option for you, it might ease your worries.

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 10:01am

Before pandemic, I accompanied my grandmother to a Broadway show (Harry Potter). A few days before the show, I recall receiving a phone call from the theater asking if there's anything special needed to be done with the seat (some seats are removable or can be changed due to the needs of the person with disability.)

And no, you are not a douchbag for asking for a handicap seat.

[msmp]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 2:09pm

Wick3 said: "Before pandemic, I accompanied my grandmother to a Broadway show (Harry Potter). A few days before the show, I recall receiving a phone call from the theater asking if there's anything special needed to be done with the seat (some seats are removable or can be changed due to the needs of the person with disability.)

And no, you are not a douchbag for asking for a handicap seat."

This has also been my experience with both the Shubert and Nederlander houses as well as City Center, though I've also had email contact from Jujamcyn's theatres (now ATG, but I'm not sure if they are handling it the same way). Roundabout has been hit-or-miss, but at the Todd Haimes (formerly American Airlines) I seem to recall that the accessible seating is rear orchestra with non-fixed seats that don't require notice.

What Wick3 is referring to with the changeable seats is what I meant by "transfer" seats, to clarify my post. Some of those seats have either an adjustable armrest to aid in moving from a wheelchair or scooter to the theatre seat, or are simply positioned on the aisle for ease.

One thing I might suggest if your mobility issues are such that getting up and down repeatedly is difficult is to ask your usher to redirect people to the other side of the row. I've had to do that because even on good days, my mother's knee issues mean the most difficult thing is changing position.