A question about 'attachments'

[harperwi]

Hey, guess what, everyone, I'm going to Disney World!!!!

True, I may not be able to do very much while I'm there, but I'll be at the Contemporary, MK view room, and if all I can do is sit and stare at my favorite place in the whole world, well, that's better than what I'm able to do tonight in my own living room!

Actually, I did have one very specific medical question (and I'm sure I'll have many more!)...

I'm on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) each night for 12 hours, and what that means to my upcoming itinerary is that there may be times where I'm touring one of the parks with a "backpack" in tow, attached to me via a long, thin, white IV tube.

Bearing in mind that I'm not a huge "thrill rider" any more anyway, due to my overall medical condition, I still can't help wondering how restrictive the CMs may be about letting me take my unavoidable "carry on" with me on attractions. How lenient are they for guests who simply can't avoid their particular medical tag-alongs? For the record, the backpack is just that - it's got a shoulder strap and is about the same size, shape and weight as a middler schooler's backpack (actually maybe a little thinner).

Any advice you can offer would be much appreciated!

Jon

 

[samkj]

Honestly I don't see why it would be a problem. we carry on backpacks and such, so why should that be any different? The problem would be if you couldn't put it on the floor between your feet during the ride, if you can put it down you should be ok.

 

[KathyRN137]

I've seen many guests carrying medical equipment such as yours, or portable oxygen, etc. WDW is really great about making accommodations for special needs. Just ask for help/advice from CMs when you need it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others.
The only problem I can see is that some of the rides have rather shallow seats, so if it has to stay on your back, you may find that you are sitting on the edge of the ride seat.
Not really a problem for the theater shows, where the seats are quite deep. But, the rides might be sort of uncomfortable. There is an attraction vehicle photo gallery on Deb Wills' site that might be helpful.

 

[skoopman]

you are talking about since my daughter has had one since November for fluids, medication and TPN. Most of the time, for her anyways, most people don't even realize she is hooked up to it. The tube comes out from under her shirt, gets tucked up around the backpack to stay out her way and people have no idea. If yours is the same as hers, I don't think it will be the backpack that will be the issue, rather the fact that it is attached to tubes coming out of your body (I assume you have a central line) that should not get pulled. This is where I see an issue. Now that I am thinking more about it, is there any way you can move the stuff from a backpack to a fanny pack? You could wear the pack part on the front, the tubes would go right into it, and nobody would be the wiser.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.
Suzanne

 

[SueM in MN]

Now that I am thinking more about it, is there any way you can move the stuff from a backpack to a fanny pack? You could wear the pack part on the front, the tubes would go right into it, and nobody would be the wiser.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.
Suzanne

That would also get rid of the problem that I mentioned (that some of the rides have pretty shallow seats).