A sensitive question for my adult Brother

[chrisn]

10 months ago while cliff jumping in Maui, my brother severely injured his foot/ankle (Pylon Fracture). His ankle and part of his foot bone shattered like snowflakes and were blown out of the side of his foot to reside at the bottom of one of the Seven Sacred Pools. The Dr. said it was the worst he'd ever seen in his entire career. His first question to me was "where is your brothers ankle"? He was hospitalized for over a month. He has had 7 surgeries, lost 3 inches of leg bone due to bacterial infection, almost lost his foot and for a minute there, we were worried that we were going to lose him. He's basically been bedridden since that time. His most current surgery was to install a device that would enable his leg bone to stretch and regenerate and also to fuse a piece of his hipbone onto his foot so that he will be able to walk again. His bone stretched for 3 months and now he has to wear the appliance for 9 months before his physical therapy will start (September). He is able to finally put slight pressure on his foot at this point but it is now stationary so there is/will be no pivot in either direction. He will walk with a slight limp and will be limited (especially at first) to walking and standing. I'm sure he will need the use of a wheelchair or scooter at WDW.

He missed our family vacation to Florida this past February and was very sad. He is planning to go down next February when we all go again and is determined to crawl if he has to. How are these types of disabilities handled in certain types of queues and waiting areas? I guess my question is will he be entitled to special lines or queues? Please no flames, the only reason I am asking is because he was told that Disney has some type of medical card available with a Dr's recommendation if the situation warrants. I just want him to be able to enjoy himself and not dwell on what he can no longer do.

I just realized I should have posted this on Disabilities. Moderator, please move if necessary. Thanks for your replies.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Chrisn,
I really do not know how to answer but I am sure you have come to the right place!! The wealth of information here is incredible!! I just wanted to say that my prayer and wishes are with your brother. It sounds like he has been through a very hard time in his life! I am impressed on how wonderful and consdierate of a sister you are!! I hope you all have a magical time!!

 

[Puffy2]

This is simple.
First, if you are staying onsite (which would be 100% better for him to do), rent a scooter from one of the many companies. I have used Walker Mobility myself (www.walkermoblity.com I think) . They deliever the scooter to the hotel and pick it up. When you check in , ask for it at the checkin desk.
Scooters cost about 30 -40 dollars a day. Worth every single penny. It's electric so it will give him total independence. The battery lasts all day in the parks - just plug it into an outlet each night to recharge.

As far as lines, there is a booklet available for those with disablities that is very through - you can request one sent to you from Disney - 407 W DISNEY or look on their website.
Sometimes there will be a separate entrance for him , sometimes he will use the regualar que. . Generally you stand (sit) in the same line up to a point and then a Cast Memeber will direct those with special needs. Some rides will allow the ECV (scooter) on the ride. Some (most) will require that he transfer to the ride vehical. Cast Members are NOT allowed to help a person transfer - perhaps someone else in your party could do this for him. Sometimes rides have to stop to allow a person with special needs to board the ride (like on Space Ship Earth) this is not a big deal.

Scooters can be fun. Definately give him independence and it's the right thing to do in this case.

They can also be rented at all four theme parks (more of a hassel and you have to get to the parks early to get one - they can not be reserved at the parks)

Most disney buses can accomodate the ECVs. As can the monorail and most boats (MK boats vary depending on water levels)

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

If you are wheelchair bound or are in need of a wheelchair in order to get around the parks more easily you and your family are entitled to special lines for rides. My grandmother went with us to Disney right after she had two hip replacements and while she could walk around on her own, walking all day and standing in line all day was not feasible, so we had a wheelchair for her down there. Because of this every time we were in line, for instance, at Spaceship Earth, if the line stretched outside, we would be in line with everyone else in the queues, but once we reached the spot where you would go into the actual "Earth" we were seperated from the rest of the line and ushered onto the ride via a different pathway. Honestly the longest wait we had, and this had been in July, was 30 minutes because of this. Basically when someone is disabled Disney goes out of their way to help make the trip extra special for them, and b/c of their physical limitations waiting in line is no longer a thign you will have to worry about as much. At least that was the case with us on our trip. There are areas in normal lines where wheelchairs cannot fit, and this is also a part of the reason for this. Just call 1-800-828-0228 and you will get WDW's reservation line. Have them transfer you to the appropriate department and you can have every question about your brothers disability answered promptly. I will keep your brother in my prayers and I am very sorry to hear about his accident. I can only imagine how horrible that must be to go from being so active to not being able to walk for a time. And have no fear about the vacation. WDW will do a LOT to make your vacation extremely enjoyable.

 

[CarolA]

Check out the disablilities board here on the DIS. I bet they have great tips for you!
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

 

[missypie]

If you subscribe to Tour Guide Mike, he talks about disabilily access for every ride. Might be worth the $20 for that information.

 

[slk537]

I sent you a PM. Hope it helps!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Disney is accessible for handicapped visitors. My Mom uses an ECV (scooter) when we go to the parks as her mobility is getting harder as she gets older. They are wonderful. She is independent and able to get around everywhere!

Hang out on the DISabilities board. Even better, if your brother has access to a pc, send him there. He will be much reassured about his ability to get around.

Think about where you are staying too. The value resorts are smaller and the ECV will crowd the room. Some of the deluxes are within walking or momrail distance and less bus travel.

Have fun planning!!

 

[Lizzybee]

My dad had quadruple bypass surgery 3 weeks before our Nov 2003 trip and the doctor gave him the ok to go so we went. He used a wheelchair some because his surgery was still pretty fresh. The resort loaned us one for our entire stay so we didn't have to rent them in the parks...but, as the "pusher" of the wheelchair...long periods of pushing a full grown (kind of 'fluffy' as Stitch would say) was no easy task. If he needs the wheelchair most of the time, I'd work on the scooter type. I don't know much about disabilities because my dad's was a temporary thing. Some lines we got to the front of, like ISWA but pushing him back up that exit ramp about did me in. He could walk some but we felt like people were judging us for taking advantage of the wheelchair when he did walk. I guess I understand because there are probably people who take advantage of the plus side of the wheelchair when there really is no need. I wish you and your brother TONS of pixie dust on your trip!

 

[goofyernmost]

From experience, WDW goes out of it's way to accomodate a person with any disability. That doesn't mean that you necessarily go to the front of the line. You may enter from a different location but you usually have to wait your turn or for a handicapped accessable vehicle to become available.

I don't know exactly how it is now because it has been about 10 years since I went there with a disabled person but they used to have a maximum number of disabled at any given time on any given ride. This was because of the safety factor of having to assist in the event of the need for emergency evacuation. Other than that it is just a normal experience for everyone.

 

[phorsenuf]

Everybody gave you great advice so I have nothing more to add there. I did want to say though my husband did the same thing!

He fell off a ladder and shattered both ankles. One of them blew a hole right out the side! He was laid up for a long time and they actually filled the hole with a piece of leg muscle. He had numerous surgeries, a skin graft and eventually had his ankles fused. So now one moves one way and the other moves in a different direction. It took him a long time to decide to do that but it helped with the pain alot! Uneven ground (sand) is hard for him as is walking barefoot.
They didn't know if he would walk again but he was determined to and he is. Its been about 10 years now since the accident and he's starting to have problems again.
He's been to Disney several times and has been able to walk it but I think those days are ending soon. I'm trying to get him to rent an ecv for this trip but doesn't want to.
I wish your brother all the best and a speedy recovery!