Advice (stubborn FH)

[Binkrin]

FH and I are headed to Disney in a little over 2 weeks. A year and a half ago FH had surgery on his lower back because of deteriorating disks. He had to get 3 disks fused because they rubbed against each other. He has never really been the same. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but when we are walking for a long period of time his leg starts to go numb. We usually have to take a break from walking and then he is fine.

Recently, after running errands which involved lots of walking to different stores, I asked him what we should do. I suggested a wheelchair, and he just gave me a dirty look.

He is (we are) so excited about going to Disney, and I know that he will try and act like he's ok as to not ruin my trip. I just worry about him. I don't want him to overdo it (which I know he will). I hate to see him in pain. I wish there was something I could do.

Any ideas or suggestions on what I should do?

Thank you.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Two suggestions.

The first is to suggest an ECV rather than a wheelchair. One of the reasons for this is he will feel less dependent on others and more in control of himself. He can also be the one to run errands, since he will be in the ECV and can be the one to carry packages also. Sometimes when I am with a group I not only am carrying things in the basket, but bags hanging from the handlebars and sometimes even having packages on the floorboards. This will make him useful and not a burden.

We tend to suggest renting from off-site rather than from Disney. This gives a lower price, availablilty at all times, and a much better an more maneuverable ECV than Disney rents.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The third item down is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs.

Last, and possibly mose important, is ask him the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

Of course you can modify the questions as it is only two of you, but question six is the most important.

I hope these ideas help you.

 

[HeidiMG]

I am relating to your husband's feelings.

I had a cast taken off of a broken foot yesterday and we're heading to Disneyworld next week. My doctor suggested that I will have to use a wheelchair as my foot will not be recovered well enough for all of that walking in just one week.

He also scared me by saying that if I crack the bones again, he'll have to go in for surgery rather than just putting a cast on it.

I don't want to ride in a wheel chair, but I also don't want to experience pain, discomfort, and/or surgery.

I will be using a wheelchair or what the previous poster recommended. (I'm not familiar with ECV? What is it?)

By the way, Cheshire, thank you for those questions. I read them and they immediately made me feel better about my situation.

Tell your husband, I'll be waving at him from a wheelchair and hoping to see him in one as well.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hello Heidi and welcome to disABILTIES!

An Electric Convenience Vehicle, sometimes referred to as a scooter. These have either three or four wheels, are steered with a tiller which is like a bicycle handle, and usually have a lever on the tiller which controls the motion. Taking your finger off the lever automatically applies the brakes. The harder you press on the lever, the faster it goes. The rentals come equipped wth a basket in front.

You might want to go to a nearby Walmart, Target, or large chain grocery store. They tend to have ECVs available (free) for the customer use. Note that these ECVs are much larger and clunkier than either the ones rented by Disney or the off-site companies, especially with the baskets in front.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The third item down is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs. We tend to recommend renting from off-site as you can get an ECV with crutch holders or a cane holder installed. Also the rentals are three wheel rather than four and are much more maneuverable than those from Disney and are available all the time (some of the hotels have very long corridors).

 

[HeidiMG]

Thanks for the info!