Advice Please! Has Anyone Used a Hoyer Lift at Disney

[BETTYDISNEY]

Has anyone used a hoyer lift at any Disney resort? I am just concerned with them fitting under the bed. Also, has anyone had medical equipment like that delivered to a hotel at Disney? Any information on medical supply companies that you have dealt with in the past would be EXTREMELY appreciated.

I am somewhat getting discouraged and worried that I might be too much of a bother/downer for my family on this trip. We have been going to Disney World since my son was 4 but stopped going in 05 when I became totally paraplegic. I do remember all the wonderful times and would love to go again despite knowing I will not be able to transfer from my power chair and will miss out on many rides. Mind you I was the only one to go on all rollarcoasters w/ my son up to 2004!

I'm sorry I guess I am just being dumb but flying again scares me to death without being able to transfer as well. My DH says "I have to get over it and try, so what if people stare and talk (who cares) Do you think you are the only one in a power chair that is heavy!" I know he is right but I feel like people think oh, their is another fatso who doesnt want to walk! Truth is I would walk through the parks 50 times in a row if I could!

I guess I should tell you I have MS and I am 40. I was diagnosed when was 26 and I have always felt somewhat cheated. But I have had a great family to support me through thick and thin, especially DH

Anyways I am sorry this turned into a long rant, but I feel you guys know what I am feeling better than anyone I know.


Thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are getting a room with a roll in shower, the bed should have enough space for using a Hoyer lift.
There is a company listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread that rents equipment like Hoyers, reclining chairs. I think someone had posted in the past about renting a Hoyer, but I can't remember who.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Hi Betty, I did a search here and found this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1745840&page=1&highlight=hoyer

The last couple of replies are from people that had experience using Hoyer lifts at Disney.

There are many rides you can go on and stay in your chair. It depends on the size and length of your chair if it will fit or not. My dbf has CP and a power chair. On this past trip a little over a week ago , he rode The Living Seas with Nemo Clam mobiles at Epcot, The Great Movie Ride, The Backlot Tour, and Toy Story Midway Mania at DHS, and The Jungle Cruise, It's a Small World, and Buzz Lightyear at MK. Buzz was a tight fit even taking his tray off and taking off his feet rests.

I put accessibility pictures in my Trip report. If you want to look, click on the "Pop" picture in my signature. I will be posting pics of Toy Story's accessible ride vehicle in the next couple of days.

Toy Story Midway Mania is fantastic for wheelchairs, we loved it and can't wait to go again in October!!

I hope you have a magical trip !

 

[SueM in MN]

I put accessibility pictures in my Trip report. If you want to look, click on the "Pop" picture in my signature. I will be posting pics of Toy Story's accessible ride vehicle in the next couple of days.

Toy Story Midway Mania is fantastic for wheelchairs, we loved it and can't wait to go again in October!!

I hope you have a magical trip !

Thank you for doing the search. I knew there was something reccent about Hoyers, but didn't have time to look.
When you do post your Toy Story pictures of the accessible ride vehicle, I'd appreciate it if you would do it on this thread, so someone looking for Toy Story Mania information will find it all in one place.
After you post, I'll change the title of the thread to indicate where pictures are.

Thanks.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Thank you for doing the search. I knew there was something reccent about Hoyers, but didn't have time to look.
When you do post your Toy Story pictures of the accessible ride vehicle, I'd appreciate it if you would do it on this thread, so someone looking for Toy Story Mania information will find it all in one place.
After you post, I'll change the title of the thread to indicate where pictures are.

Thanks.

I would be happy to post them there after I post the installment of my trip report that will have them .

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

You guys are wonderful! Thank-you so very much I will have lots to look into now !

I am sorry to sound a bit whinny in my last post, but sometimes when you start writing you just cant stop. Trust me I am not like that at all! I know alot of people are in much worse predicaments than me.

I do appreciate your info and ideads

 

[DisOrBust]

I agree with your DH who give a rats hat what people think. Their the ones who have to live with themselves.

Just an FYI: On our last flight the airline goofed and did the seat assignment wrong and the person in the WC was carried by her DH to her seat in the middle of the plane. They were offered to use the airplanes "smaller" wc that fits down the Ilse to get to their seat but he carried her instead.

My parents always do a test run when they travel. Maybe if you go to the airport or set up a time with the airlines and have a "trial" run you would feel better about flying.


Good Luck!!

 

[mrsksomeday]

We fly Southwest Airlines. Since Bill is in a power chair we are the first ones on the plane and the last off. I am not sure how the other airlines are. They give me all the time I need to transfer him and get him situated. They usually help me with carry ons and the tray he uses too.

 

[shovan]

Has anyone used a hoyer lift at any Disney resort? I am just concerned with them fitting under the bed. Also, has anyone had medical equipment like that delivered to a hotel at Disney? Any information on medical supply companies that you have dealt with in the past would be EXTREMELY appreciated.

I am somewhat getting discouraged and worried that I might be too much of a bother/downer for my family on this trip. We have been going to Disney World since my son was 4 but stopped going in 05 when I became totally paraplegic. I do remember all the wonderful times and would love to go again despite knowing I will not be able to transfer from my power chair and will miss out on many rides. Mind you I was the only one to go on all rollarcoasters w/ my son up to 2004!

I'm sorry I guess I am just being dumb but flying again scares me to death without being able to transfer as well. My DH says "I have to get over it and try, so what if people stare and talk (who cares) Do you think you are the only one in a power chair that is heavy!" I know he is right but I feel like people think oh, their is another fatso who doesnt want to walk! Truth is I would walk through the parks 50 times in a row if I could!

I guess I should tell you I have MS and I am 40. I was diagnosed when was 26 and I have always felt somewhat cheated. But I have had a great family to support me through thick and thin, especially DH

Anyways I am sorry this turned into a long rant, but I feel you guys know what I am feeling better than anyone I know.


Thanks

Boy do we understand! My DH 53 has MD. Traveling has become a lot more difficult lately. I'm a natural worrier so traveling or even going out anywhere new, tends to freak me out. That's one of the reasons we return to Disney again & again. In the last few years, we have been very lucky getting the correct info on the room & not having any bad "surprises".
We use an portable Easy Pivot lift, the "legs" are shorter than a hoyer but it does go under the bed.
We have also been very pleased flying SouthWest. They actually transfer my DH from his powerchair, to the aisle chair & then into the plane seat. He drives his chair all the way to the door of the plane, then they take it.

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

Do you find that they usually sit you in the front row of the plane? I always notice that the first few rows of aislezs on planes are booked when you look it up on the webites. So I thought maybe they keep these open for handicapped passengers?

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

Hi Betty, I did a search here and found this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1745840&page=1&highlight=hoyer

The last couple of replies are from people that had experience using Hoyer lifts at Disney.

There are many rides you can go on and stay in your chair. It depends on the size and length of your chair if it will fit or not. My dbf has CP and a power chair. On this past trip a little over a week ago , he rode The Living Seas with Nemo Clam mobiles at Epcot, The Great Movie Ride, The Backlot Tour, and Toy Story Midway Mania at DHS, and The Jungle Cruise, It's a Small World, and Buzz Lightyear at MK. Buzz was a tight fit even taking his tray off and taking off his feet rests.

I put accessibility pictures in my Trip report. If you want to look, click on the "Pop" picture in my signature. I will be posting pics of Toy Story's accessible ride vehicle in the next couple of days.

Toy Story Midway Mania is fantastic for wheelchairs, we loved it and can't wait to go again in October!!

I hope you have a magical trip !

I so enjoyed reading about you and Bill! You seem like a person who has alot of to give. He is really lucky to have you! It seems you guys have so much fun at Disney

Thanks for all the great tips and info!

 

[shovan]

Do you find that they usually sit you in the front row of the plane? I always notice that the first few rows of aislezs on planes are booked when you look it up on the webites. So I thought maybe they keep these open for handicapped passengers?

We have flown Southwest the last few years exclusively, we have been seated in the very 1st aisle. I don't think there is enough room to transfer my DH anywhere else on the plane. When we have flown with more family we have managed to transfer him ourselves. But it has become increasingly more difficult. Our last 2 flights have been just my husband & I. I have been really pleased with the assistance SW has provided. Priority boarding is automatic, they usually choose to load my DH first, after sizing up his abilities.

The last time we have flown anything other than SW, my husband was a bit more mobile, but yes, we were usually seating in the front of coach seating. One time they seated us in 1st class, because they couldn't accommodate him in coach.

Good luck with all your plans! If I can help, just give me shout here or pm me!

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

We have flown Southwest the last few years exclusively, we have been seated in the very 1st aisle. I don't think there is enough room to transfer my DH anywhere else on the plane. When we have flown with more family we have managed to transfer him ourselves. But it has become increasingly more difficult. Our last 2 flights have been just my husband & I. I have been really pleased with the assistance SW has provided. Priority boarding is automatic, they usually choose to load my DH first, after sizing up his abilities.

The last time we have flown anything other than SW, my husband was a bit more mobile, but yes, we were usually seating in the front of coach seating. One time they seated us in 1st class, because they couldn't accommodate him in coach.

Good luck with all your plans! If I can help, just give me shout here or pm me!

That makes me feel a little bit better! So the electic chair goes right to the door then you have to transfer to an airplane chair to get to your seat right

 

[shovan]

That makes me feel a little bit better! So the electic chair goes right to the door then you have to transfer to an airplane chair to get to your seat right

On Southwest it does! My DH uses an Invacare M61. SW allows him to drive it up to the plane door. THEY (last few times it has been 2 healthy good size young men) will then transfer him into the manual aisle chair. Then I turn everything off & they manually move his chair into the plane's storage area. They take DH to the first row seats & lift him into the 1st row aisle seat. When we arrive, I remind the attendants, we have to wait until the whole plane has deported but then they get his power chair from storage & have it waiting as they move him from the seat into the aisle chair & then his chair. Yes it takes a little longer than "normal" but from everything we've experienced, SW does great! Also works well with Magical Express, although your party must retrieve your luggage from SW & move it to the ME check in area.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Normally the bulkhead rows are shown as not available on the websites, just as the exit rows. These tend to be assigned at the airport itself.

However, if you contact the Special Services department at the airline you will find they they can probably book the bulkhead seats for you even if shown as no availability.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I so enjoyed reading about you and Bill! You seem like a person who has alot of to give. He is really lucky to have you! It seems you guys have so much fun at Disney

Thanks for all the great tips and info!

Betty thank you so much for your kind words . I am lucky to have Bill in my life, he is my light, my inspiration, my best friend, and the love of my life . We have a fantastic time at Disney, it is truly our happy place!!

On Southwest it does! My DH uses an Invacare M61. SW allows him to drive it up to the plane door. THEY (last few times it has been 2 healthy good size young men) will then transfer him into the manual aisle chair. Then I turn everything off & they manually move his chair into the plane's storage area. They take DH to the first row seats & lift him into the 1st row aisle seat. When we arrive, I remind the attendants, we have to wait until the whole plane has deported but then they get his power chair from storage & have it waiting as they move him from the seat into the aisle chair & then his chair. Yes it takes a little longer than "normal" but from everything we've experienced, SW does great! Also works well with Magical Express, although your party must retrieve your luggage from SW & move it to the ME check in area.

Southwest also lets Bill drive his chair right up to the plane door. I can transfer Bill from there (he is light). We have always been the first people on the plane because they have to take the chair to an elevator and down to the tarmac.

We love Magical Express. We never had to retrieve our luggage from SW and move it to the ME check in area. We always put the yellow tags from ME we recieve in the mail and the airport and ME handles it. This has been our experience the previous 4 trips with the last being June 13th-16th 2008. We do have to take our luggage to the ME bus for our flight home.

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

Thanks eveyone All of these tips go right into my planning agenda!

 

[SueM in MN]

I have to apologize for these pictures. I thought they were turned before I posted them. You'll either have to turn your head or your computer/


The first one shows a typical aisle chair:

The airline crew makes the transfer by themselves. The first step is parking the wheelchair next to the aisle chair. That's what this picture shows.

For my DD, two of the crew work together to lift her the small distance between the wheelchair and the aisle chair. My DD is very small and light; for a larger person, they may use more lifters. This picture shows the last step - fastening the different belts that keep the person in place and keep arms and legs from getting away during the trip down the aisle.

The airline crew wheels the aisle chair down the airplane aisle and then reverse the process to transfer to the plane seat. To get off the plane, they just reverse the whole process.

My DD is little, but Christopher Reeve (not a small man; he was over 6 feet tall) traveled extensively after his spinal cord injury. He was actually spokesperson for one brand of aisle chairs. So, if they were able to transfer him onto a plane, other people should be confident that they can be transferred too.

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

Thanks Sue Great information, I was wondering what the aisle chair looked like. On our many trips with my manual chair I would wheel up to the door and then walk on to the plane by myself. Now I am goig to have to use the transfer chair. My husband will transfer me as I am close to 300lbs so thats my major concern. I don't know if that will also be an issue If I was your daughters size I would feel more comfortable but DH will not let that stop me

Do I need to say something about the transfer chair or do they usually have them there at the gate?

Thanks for everything

 

[mrsksomeday]

Hi Betty, just wanted you to know I posted Toy Story mania accessibility pictures in my Happy Birthday Bill TR and also here on the disabilities board in the Toy Story Mania thread. That ride ROCKS!!!