At WDW now and need advice ASAP!

[jekjones1558]

Thanks to the recommendation of a kind DISer I finally talked DH into trying a wheelchair this trip so he wouldn't have to spend so much time sitting in the room (he is having trouble accepting his limited mobility). It has been great and he has been able to see and do things that have been beyond his stamina for a few years. BUT I am a newbie at pushing him (200#) and I am going to have blisters on my hands soon. He won't try an ECV. Has anyone tried leather gloves--maybe fingerless or some type of sport gloves? I am about to head over to either the outlet next to the Shrine Church or the other one (can't remember the name--one on the way to SuperTarget on 192) but I don't really know what to look for. Any advice would surely help my hands. Thanks!

 

[toocherie]

Thanks to the recommendation of a kind DISer I finally talked DH into trying a wheelchair this trip so he wouldn't have to spend so much time sitting in the room (he is having trouble accepting his limited mobility). It has been great and he has been able to see and do things that have been beyond his stamina for a few years. BUT I am a newbie at pushing him (200#) and I am going to have blisters on my hands soon. He won't try an ECV. Has anyone tried leather gloves--maybe fingerless or some type of sport gloves? I am about to head over to either the outlet next to the Shrine Church or the other one (can't remember the name--one on the way to SuperTarget on 192) but I don't really know what to look for. Any advice would surely help my hands. Thanks!

Jean: why won't he try an ECV? That would really be the best solution. That way neither of you would have physical limitations. I think you are going to tucker out pushing him around the parks.

 

[jekjones1558]

DH is afraid of running into people with the ECV. He has seen how rude some guests are, darting right in front of ECVs. Also, he has never used one so feels that he might need practice in a less crowded environment. Believe me, I had to do some pretty-pleasing to even get him to consider this wheelchair option!
I have called a local Sports Authority store and they recommend gloves that weight lifters use that go to the first knuckle on your fingers. I think I am going to run over there now and buy some. It is worth a try. I am not currently worried about getting too tired. I can actually use the exercise. My back is a little sore from some of the steeper ramps, but nothing I can't handle so far. Maybe I will only gain 4 pounds this trip instead of the usual 5!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Cycling gloves work great in my experience.

dolphingirl47

 

[jekjones1558]

Got my gloves at Sports Authority. It looks like thunderstorms tonight so we may not get to try them out until tomorrow. I am learning lots this trip!

 

[toocherie]

Best wishes to you--I hope it works out and that you have a wonderful time!

And when you get home . . . you might go to a grocery or Costco that has ECVs and let your DH try them out so maybe he wouldn't be so worried about using one next time.

 

[jekjones1558]

Hey--great idea! We are Costco members and he likes going there! Thanks!

 

[toocherie]

They are really easy to get the "hang" of--

 

[SueM in MN]

If you can talk him into trying one of the park ones on your trip, Epcot is a good place to try one out.
My FIL never would use on at MK, but he did at Epcot and the Studio. Epcot is a lot more open than the other parks and has wider pathways with less chance of running into anyone.

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks for the suggestion, Sue. We move to BWV tomorrow and will certainly be doing EPCOT while we're there. I will pass along your suggestion and see what DH says.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also, IF he is capable, can he at least propel himself on flat surfaces and shallow ramps? This will save at least some pressure on you.

 

[jekjones1558]

Hi, Kaytie,
We do not have a regular wheelchair, only a transport chair, so I am the power. It offers lightweight portability and allows us to drive to parks. There is no way that he would deal with a wheelchair on the WDW buses and the transport chair works well when we drive to outlet malls, etc. It is not the perfect solution but it is a first step in the right direction for him. Maybe by our next trip he will have made the mental adjustment to another type of mobility. The transport chair was a big step in our lives!

 

[scroot]

You can't do anything about it right now but you might think about changing from rubber hand grips to the foam type. They are much eaiser on the pushers hands.

 

[jekjones1558]

You can't do anything about it right now but you might think about changing from rubber hand grips to the foam type. They are much eaiser on the pushers hands.

I didn't know about these. Thanks for the tip. People on this board are so helpful! This mobility issues scene is new to me and I appreciate everyone's patience as I learn the ropes.

 

[waltfan1957]

I didn't know about these. Thanks for the tip. People on this board are so helpful! This mobility issues scene is new to me and I appreciate everyone's patience as I learn the ropes.

hi have you thought about a power wheelchair much easier to handle than a ecv also you can get folding ones

 

[jekjones1558]

hi have you thought about a power wheelchair much easier to handle than a ecv also you can get folding ones

DH still has some mobility. He can walk around the house or short distances with a cane. It is just the intensive walking (like WDW) that is an issue now. So he doesn't think of himself as really needing a wheelchair yet. I am learning how much mental adjustment it takes to deal with mobility issues, at least for my DH.

 

[SueM in MN]

DH still has some mobility. He can walk around the house or short distances with a cane. It is just the intensive walking (like WDW) that is an issue now. So he doesn't think of himself as really needing a wheelchair yet. I am learning how much mental adjustment it takes to deal with mobility issues, at least for my DH.

An ECV is actually easier for most people to drive.
There are some portable power wheelchairs, but the majority sold in the US can't be folded and require a handicapped accessible (ramp or lift) van.

 

[iuki]

DH is afraid of running into people with the ECV. He has seen how rude some guests are, darting right in front of ECVs. Also, he has never used one so feels that he might need practice in a less crowded environment. Believe me, I had to do some pretty-pleasing to even get him to consider this wheelchair option!
I have called a local Sports Authority store and they recommend gloves that weight lifters use that go to the first knuckle on your fingers. I think I am going to run over there now and buy some. It is worth a try. I am not currently worried about getting too tired. I can actually use the exercise. My back is a little sore from some of the steeper ramps, but nothing I can't handle so far. Maybe I will only gain 4 pounds this trip instead of the usual 5!

I was also hesitant to rent a motor scooter, but I am so glad I did. You're right - I had to stop on the dime. However, just have him start off on slow speed and he'll get the hang of it.

He'll be very happy if he rents an electric scooter.

iuki

 

[ForAandA]

DH still has some mobility. He can walk around the house or short distances with a cane. It is just the intensive walking (like WDW) that is an issue now. So he doesn't think of himself as really needing a wheelchair yet. I am learning how much mental adjustment it takes to deal with mobility issues, at least for my DH.

Sounds like my DH has the same amount of mobility as your DH. My Dh learned to manuver an ECV in target of all places. Only took one trip, and he feels pretty comfortable with it.

He also has the mentality that is someone is ignorant enough to jump in front of one, they deserve to have their foot run over Something I don't agree with, yet understand his frustration.

Good luck!

 

[Rpsemont]

Thanks for the suggestion, Sue. We move to BWV tomorrow and will certainly be doing EPCOT while we're there. I will pass along your suggestion and see what DH says.

Aren't there some companies that will rent and deliver to the resort? It seems to the Boardwalk area would be a great place to practice. Use it to go to DHS and Ep