Wow I hate to read this. I have finally got the courage up to rent one in March because after 20 minutes of walking my knees become too painful. I do not have a cast so it sounds like I will be even more of a target. Last time even pain pills did not help and my husband rented me a wheelchair, but I hate asking him to push me around all day. I hope people are not rude to me, I was excited to think of going to Disney and not worrying about pain.
We had a weekend trip planned for DD's birthday the weekend before Christmas. The Monday before Thanksgiving I herniated a disc in my back and by the week before our trip I had mostly lost the ability to control my right leg. While I could still walk (and was determined to do so!) it was very slow and tiring and I didn't want to ruin our trip for everyone else. (Oh, and my doctor forbid me from going unless I used a wheelchair or
ECV.
)
DH & DS wanted me to get a wheelchair... they said they'd take turns pushing me and DH thought it would be more obvious that I actually "needed" it - since no one could see what was wrong with me. But I didn't want to be dependent on anyone!
So I did the weekend
ECV rental, and I have to tell you, it was worth every penny - and I honestly didn't notice anyone who had a negative issue with it. DH says they were out there, but I was too focused on:
1) Not running over anyone - I started laughing and saying "Don't worry, I only run over my own kids!" when parents would try to move their kids out of my way (in a polite way, no one was ever rude about it that I saw).
2) Getting loaded onto busses correctly and quickly so as not to hold everyone up - it actually wasn't bad once I got over my fear of the thing! I was a pro by the time I had to give it back - and hated giving up the freedom it gave me!
3) Enjoying my DD's birthday weekend! We had so many fun surprises planned for her and I was determined that my injury was not going to dampen the fun! I have to share her fascination with the "Transformer stairs" on the busses - I think that was almost the most impressive part of the trip for her - I'm pretty sure she still has the video on her phone!
and 4) staying warm! (Who said it could be cold in Florida?!)
Anyway, get your ECV, focus on enjoying your time, not running over anyone, and if anyone is rude enough to say anything just offer to change bodies with them since they are "lucky enough to be able to get around without help".
ETA the good news: By New Year's weekend I finally regained control of my right leg and after 2 months of 3X weekly sessions with a physical terrorist I am now walking almost normally again - without surgery! Still gotta regain/rebuild strength, but am very lucky and very happy.