Can nyone advise me?

[PigSoldier]

Without getting too hopeful, my sister should be cured of RSDS this summer. We've booked a fortnight in Orlando to celebrate, and I'm a bit worried about how she'll handle it.
After spending 3 years in a wheelchair, and having endless experimental treatments, her legs are very weak. I'm not sure how she'll manage walking miles around theme parks and spending hours in queues. She loves thrill rides, and has a lot of energy, so I can't really see her 'taking it easy', or taking a break mid-afternoon.
Using a wheelchair seems the only option, but this is a trip to celebrate her being able to walk, so this would be like a step backwards for her.
I can't see a way to solve this problem. Maybe someone here can help?

Thankyou,
Suzi

[Michigan]

Only your sister will know her limits and what is best for her. Everyone told my father he would need a wheelchair or not to go at all in 1997 5 weeks after open heart surgery, but he did it and without a wheelchair he just went at his pace and so did we.

[teri]

PigSoldier, welcome to our board. I am very happy for your sister, and hope that she recovers as swiftly and completely as possible. Please click on the link in my signature below, and take a look at our FAQ. In particular, read the sections on the GAC, wheelchair tips, and pacing. I think you will find some good information there.

I don't think that using a wheelchair, as needed, to go the long distances between attractions would be a step backwards at all. It is just a form of transportation. Nobody says that she has to stay in the wheelchair all day - it is just a mobility tool to make it possible for her to pace herself, save her physical energy for the things that she is looking forward to doing. An ECV might be a better choice for her, as it would give her some independence.

The point of a trip like this is to celebrate all that she CAN do, to relax, to rest, to refresh. Your job is to do anything that you can do to make the fun, good, refreshing things possible. Lots of us have done this, and Disney really is a great place for a vacation for people who are recovering because they DO make the effort to accomodate people's needs.

Feel free to ask questions, and do check out the FAQ!

[Wheelsie]

Hiya PigSoldier and welcome!! :)

Let me mirror both of these posts a bit...

I do agree that your sister WILL know her own limitations and will tell you when she can't go on and needs to rest...

But I also know the power of the Disney magic.....silly as it sounds...Id wager she will forget she's tired LOL

No seriously tho...I also think you MAY want to suggest a rental of a chair or ECV for one of those "just in case" moments...

but trust that she will know what she can and can't do...what you see as tired may be her just getting a second wind!! :)

[Mickeyworker]

I know that you can start out feeling terrific but all of
a sudden you poop out. It might be a good idea to
suggest an EVC, that you all can share driving.

It is hot in Florida in the summer and can be draining.
If you all take turns driving, when she starts to
feel washed out, it's her turn.

Also, it's a great way to also have water bottles,
damp wash cloths (in plastic baggies), etc. that you
don't have to carry (the ECV is a great little
carrier).

[SueM in MN]

I agree that the magic just sort of takes over and all of a sudden you realize you have done more than you should.
If she doesn't want to rent a wheelchair, the whole group needs to be willing to move at her speed and she needs to be willing to let everyone know when she needs a rest.
It might help her to look at her energy as a bank account with only a certain amount of energy available. Once she has "spent" it, there is now more available for the day. if she uses all her energy walking between attractions, she may "spend" all her energy before the end of the day. And the wheelchair is a way to stretch her energy farther than she could just by walking.