Broke my knee any advice

[ziggy1]

I broke a bone in the right knee Monday and have changed our rev to a 1st floor at OKW due to medical. Will be there 18-26 July and really have seen just about everything. I am not cancelling due to 3 kids and mini family get together. We have two 2BR and a Studio reserved.

Any advice at I will be on cruches the whole time. We normally only go to the MK one day anyway and maybe one other park. The bright side is now we may get on some rides faster as I get to go into the handicaped lane. Just looking for any tips you may have and I will be good as new by late August.

We have been members since 94 at OKW and have one add on and am on the waitlist for another. Joining DVC has been the best use of money I can remember for us.

Also does anyone remember when the logo went from 3 peaks to 2 and the reason why?

Jack S.
Ziggy1

Member since '94
Going to WDW since 70's

 

[LizL]

My suggestion would be to consider renting a scooter. Check on the Disabilities board for more info on where to get one (definitely off-site).
Also read up on the board about the GAC (guest assistance card). THis is what you need to show teh CM's regarding your special needs. Just to let you know, there is no special line. If you cannot wait in the regular line due to not being able to stand on your crutches that long, there are sometimes places set aside for you to sit while your family waits in line. Sometimes you might get on a little quicker but rarely does this happen.
Most rides can be slowed down or stopped to allow you to get on easier.
If you post this question on the disabilities board you will probably get a lot of good suggestions.
Good luck and have a great time!

 

[WDWCRAZY32]

Highly recommend getting a scooter. Last Xmas trip my wife broke her ankle a week before we left and I ordered a scooter from Walker Mobility, they delivered it to OKW the day before we arrived and then picked it up the day after we left. Could not have survived the trip without it. You will still need to carry the crutches around with you as scooters are not allowed access to everything. It made life for the rest of us much easier as most people are real SLOW on crutches. My DGS had a ball riding on it with my wife. They rent them by the day or week whichever suits your needs. Don't leave home without it!

web=www.walkermobility.com
phone=888-726-6837

P.S. Almost all the buses have an elevator to accept scooters which we used all the time from OKW just so my wife could get to the parks.

 

[donald@home]

You could also rent a wheelchair at the front gate of the different parks, if you don't want to travel with a scooter.

 

[disny4ever]

that if you go and swim in every pool at WDW that you can expect your aches and pains to go away. Some sort of MAGICAL powers.........................................

 

[Disney Doll]

I would also recommend renting a scooter from an outside source. There aren't a lot of them availabe at WDW, and they go quick.

Friends of ours went down there a couple of years ago with elderly parents and they rented a scooter from a medical equipment supply company, and I want to say it got delivered right to their hotel.

 

[Caskbill]

Also does anyone remember when the logo went from 3 peaks to 2 and the reason why?

Don't remember when, but it's been awhile. In the original 3-peak version, one of the peaks is definitely leaning over to the side. My guess is that gravity finally won out and it fell over completely, leaving only the two peaks left....

<i>Anyone using my DVCPlanner program may notice that in the slide show that shows on the opening splash screen, the last slide is the 3-peak logo. I kept it there for nostalgia.</i>

 

[mdpoppins]

I am a physical therapist and just want to say you definitely will benefit from a scooter or wheelchair. Your "underarms" will be sore, not to metion your strong leg and also wrists. You will get worn out quickly from crutch walking. Just remember how far it really is from point A to point B at WDW.

 

[JudithM]

I have rented an ECV several times from Walker Mobility. I highly recommend them. There are several posts on the DISabilities section of this bb regarding ECVs, crutches, wheelchairs, GACs, etc. Rent an ECV & save everyone the time, energy & aggravation of having to push a wheelchair. There is even a subject over there about how to attach crutches to an ECV.

 

[yearlightbuzz]

You also might want to try and strengthen your upper body between now and then. Nothing radical, but something so you don't get to WDW and do way too much that first day on your crutches. Remember, it's always better to do a little too little than a little too much. Have a nice trip. I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be with a broken knee.

 

[SueM in MN]

The bright side is now we may get on some rides faster as I get to go into the handicaped lane.

You will find that most of the rides/attractions are "Mainstream Access," which means that people with wheelchairs and scotters wait in line with everyone else. So, you won't be getting on any rides faster.
I also agree with those who suggested you rent an ecv (scooter). The distances involved in spending a day at WDW are immense. It's over a mile just to go around WS! in most cases you will be able to bring the scooter very close to the ride car; for rides like Pirates where you can't, they will provide a folding wheelchair for you to use on the ride at the entrance. You will still need the crutches to walk a few steps to get on rides. You won't need a GAC if you have a wheelchair or ecv - just having one of those lets the CMs know that you need assistance.
Here's a link to the DIS page about touring with mobility disabilities. Also, here's a thread about boarding rides. And, follow the link in my signature if you want to get to the disABILITIES Board.

 

[cdrn1]

The most important advice of all: do range-of-motion exercises to prevent getting a blood clot in your leg. People with leg injuries are at increased risk, and that is compounded by the fact that the hot Florida sun has a tendency to dehydrate you. Riding a scooter with your legs not moving much also increases risk. Toss in a few hours spent on a plane to get there, and you have all the ingredients necessary for a clot to form. My sister and I visited WDW a couple years ago when she had a broken knee, she rented a scooter, and by the time we left she had a clot. I am an RN and should have known to make sure she exercised her foot, etc. but I guess I put the nurse part of me on hold during the vacation. She spent a week in the hospital after she returned home and was on blood thinners for six months.
So, discuss with your MD, drink plenty of fluids, and don't let your legs sit immobile for long periods of time. Move your foot, draw circles in the air with your toes, anything to move those calf muscles and push the blood back up toward your heart. Be alert to pain and swelling or color and temperature changes in your leg and see a doctor IMMEDIATELY if you have symptoms.
And by the way, the scooter worked out great, except for that!

 

[rbuzzotta]

I can't add to any of the advice given but do visit the disabilities board. My DD had her cast removed from her leg the day before we left for WDW a few years back (against my better judgement, she persuaded the M.D. so she could swim).

The disabilities board was wonderful and offered lots of suggestions. WE used a wheelchair and carried her crutches along so she could easily get from the entrance to the monorail once we returned the wheelchair......

Good luck and I'll probably see you at OKW.........

 

[skelooch]

I'm sure you'll have a great time anyway!