Be gentle: Is it okay for my Mom and step-dad to use an ECV?

[SHammett]

After 10+ trips to Disney, this is our first experience with handicapped issues, hoped I could find help here. My recently retired Mother is 68, has diabetes, arthritis, frequent gout and severe swelling to her lower extremeties. My step-father was in an acident many years ago that crushed his left leg, resulting in him walking with a cane. He also has colon cancer, although that is in remission for now.

My parents have decided to come along on our trip to Disney next month. This will be their first (and probably last) to Disney. We are spending 1 week in Orlando, but only planning 1 day at the parks, as I know their stamina will probably not hold up to much more.

If they were to go to Wal-mart tomorrow, they would make do without any type of assisted devices. However, that is assuming they would complete their trip in 1-2 hours. SO....is there a rule of thumb for using wheelchairs in parks? Obviously, the cost of admission is way more than what could be enjoyed in a couple of hours, but I don't want them to feel guilty for using a wheelchair (I recall threads in the past of dirty looks for those who ride up to attractions, only to walk without difficulty to the ride vehicle). This has probably been answered here 1,000 times, but is my first experience with this issue, so any advice is appreciated.

 

[ILoveMyGirls]

of course they can share one.

i used one a few weeks ago and have severe arthritis, fibromylgia, a spinal cord injury, neck injury, and a ton of other things wrong with me.

what worries me about your mom is swelling in her lower extremities. the reason i am saying this is that when i used the ECV my legs and feet swelled up so bad that i thought they were going to burst.

we are prob. going for my b-day in Dec. and i will rent an EVC again but this time I will figure out someway to elevate my legs while I am riding on it.

We are thinking about cutting a foam block we have in to two and using duct tape to put it on the scooter so that my legs are elevated.

 

[KPeveler]

There is one thing to remember when using an ECV or wheelchair in Disney:

POO on everyone else! Your family needs to do what is right for yourselves. Who cares what other people think?

Yes, rent an ECV or two! If that is what you need to enjoy the parks, then go for it!

I suggest you check out my thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2564976

I address several of your concerns there

Do whatever you need to enjoy your vacation!

 

[SHammett]

Just what I needed to hear! Thanks so much!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment. Post #3 had a wide variety of information and links; it might be a good idea to look at the various park "Guidebook For Persons With Disabilities" for more detailed information.

And most people tend to walk 8-12 miles per day at the Parks.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[ILoveMyGirls]

most rides that i went on when we were there a few weeks ago, a CM took me thru the Exit and we got on and had to go thru the ride where the people were getting off and on. on one instance a clueless CM asked me if I had one of those cards for hidden disabilities , this was at the pooh ride, we had rode it earlier in the day and the girls wanted to go back on it. as i did not get one of those cards he made us wait in the long line but for our prev. ride earlier in the day they took us thru the exit and had we transfer to a wheelchair and they pushed me on the ride and tethered me to the ride. the next day, for the Halloween party, i went to guest services on my scooter and asked for a card and the man said i didn't need one and i told him what happened and he gave me a card (of course no one asked me for it now that i had it).

 

[Disneygranny1973]

Girl, you take your parents to WDW and rent them a scooter. It doesn't matter what anybody thinks about it. I am a scooter user now, and I don't give a flip what others think. I might look ok on the outside, but I owe NO ONE an explanation as to why I am on one. I don't go round asking people why in the world they are wearing high heels, or a coat in 90 degree weather, both of which I wouldn't do. It isn't any of my business why people do what they do..if that's the what they need to do to enjoy themselves...then who cares? I feel the same way about my scooter. It's the only way I can enjoy the parks anymore, and I don't care if doesn't appear to others I don't need it or not. I do care about being careful and polite on it, as should the walkers be about cutting in front of us ECV users... When the ones giving the dirty looks start paying for my trip, then i'll consider what they think...nah..I wouldn't even then..what good does it have to get a free trip if you can't enjoy it from being in pain from walking on swelled, arthritic feet?...anyways..tell your mom to get up and walk occasionally if she can..it will help with the swelling. I would do whatever it took for your parents to have the most magical fun at the park you choose to go to...who knows...it might work so good for them that they can do another park on another day!..(maybe rest in between days?)

 

[mbb]

Oh my - please, please please rent an ECV!
And leave any "guilty" feelings behind right now.

Yes, some folks may *think* that someone in a wheelchair/ECV and is mobile is "faking" it.

We know better though.

Because when you know better, you do better.
When you know different, you do different.

We know that without these items, our families wouldn't be together at WDW.

My mother one day at the MK - she was in her wheelchair, and I had the honour of escorting her - wondered out loud if people thought she shouldn't be using her wheelchair???

I asked if she ever wondered how many people she inspired??

"What do you mean?"

"How many people do you see right now mom?"
"Hundreds"
"And how many of those people do you think are in some type of pain/agony/ distress knowing because of what they're doing right now (walking around a hot, crowded theme park), they will pay a huge physical/emotional price later on??"
"Probably more than I think"
"do you think they might look at you, enjoying this hot crowded theme park, and decide, that your life looks like the one they want...and make a better decision for themselves?"
"I hope they do".

Peace to you - and have a wonderful trip!



...oh, and your mom may want to look into using compressions stockings. Even ones 15-20compression may help with the swelling
HTH!!

 

[carrie1626]

Sending pixie dust your way and hoping your family has a wonderful vacation

It's their vacation,too! Do what needs to be done!!!

 

[dmccarty]

Get them and ECV or a wheel chair. Check out the previously mentioned FAQ on renting at WDW or from an off site vendor.

I have family members who are in pain when they walk but they will not use and ECV. They have excuses but what it gets down to is pride. They would rather be in pain than admit they need the danged ECV/Chair.

I understand this so I do not push the ECV. At some point they will use and ECV. I always bring it up as an option but I do not push it.

If the family will use the ECV/chair go for it. The "looks" people report seeing when using an ECV/chair one gets when using a FP. I am going to use FP regardless of what people think. If I was in pain I would use an ECV/chair.

Everyone will have a better time if your family can get around easier at WDW. Get it and do not worry about what others think.

Later,
Dan

 

[loriandmatt]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - do not hesitate to get them both a wheel chair or a scooter.

neither of my parents could handle the walking it would take for a day at any disney park. they are fine in the grocery or the mall for an hour or so, but never something like that. they think they can't do such family outings because they would never consider a wheelchair or scooter and therefore miss out on so many wonderful days that could be spent with their grandchildren.

if you parents are willing to use either wheel chairs or scooters, don't worry about what some rude person who has no idea what it is like to have limited use of your limbs or reduced stamina thinks. there are lots of us who would look at them and wish longingly to have their parents with them that day in a scooter or not.

i hope you all have a wonderful trip.

 

[kamik86]

The only reason I would be hestitant to recommend an ECV is it sounds like your parents don't normally use them. Would they be able to drive one ok in the crowds?

My mom has really bad knees so we got her a wheelchair when we were there but there is no way I would get her an ECV... she would have run over all our feet and probably many other peoples as well, much safer to let someone push her, this way no one got hurt.

If you do want to do an ECV I would recommend getting one of the ones they have for people at Walmart and other stores one time just so they can try it out somewhere that isn't quite so crowded.

 

[cm8]

The only reason I would be hestitant to recommend an ECV is it sounds like your parents don't normally use them. Would they be able to drive one ok in the crowds?

My mom has really bad knees so we got her a wheelchair when we were there but there is no way I would get her an ECV... she would have run over all our feet and probably many other peoples as well, much safer to let someone push her, this way no one got hurt.

If you do want to do an ECV I would recommend getting one of the ones they have for people at Walmart and other stores one time just so they can try it out somewhere that isn't quite so crowded.