Broken foot - help needed

[phisigprincess]

Hi everyone,
We're set to leave in 13 days and my sister broke her foot on Saturday. We're trying to decide whether to still go or to cancel the trip completely.

We're booked in the ASMu family suites, and I'm wondering if she's going to have enough room to maneuver or if we need to rent another room.

Also, how hard are the rental wheelchairs to obtain during the first week of August? Is it going to require us being there at rope drop every morning?

I'm going to assume we'll need to cancel her out of the Segway tour we have planned. If she's in a walking cast, would there be any way possible for her to still take the tour?

Any help, advice, or encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I'm broken hearted about the thought of cancelling the trip completely. Thanks everyone!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Firstly, don't panic! This is Disney, they'll make sure you all have a fun trip! Disney is the most accessible place I've ever been, and is really easy to get about in a wheelchair. I don't think you need to cancel the trip, she'll be able to get around, and the sun and Disney magic will do her a lot more good than staying at home!

As for a wheelchair, I would recommend you consider renting from an off-site vendor. These tend to work out cheaper, are lighter and more maneuverable, and you can have it throughout the stay. There is a list of off-site rental companies in the disABILITIES FAQ. If she is over 18, she could consider renting an ECV (electric scooter) instead. This would give her a bit more independence (pushing a wheelchair needs a lot of arm muscle, so she probably wouldn't be able to self-propel for the whole trip), and save everyone's energy a bit more. You can usually get crutch holders fitted to an ECV or wheelchair rented from an outside company, if you ask.

she has two options for rides, she can either take the chair through the line, or get out and walk through it. I'd recommend staying in the chair for most things, as this will help her save her energy for the fun stuff. Almost every ride now has mainstream queuing, so you would all go through the regular line, and be pulled off near the end to a suitable boarding area (often the exit). for those few rides that aren't mainstreamed, you will be directed by the CM at the ride entrance. You should all be able to stay together, unless you are a large party (more than 6 in total).

If she can move around on crutches or a walking boot, she should be able to get around a regular room without too many problems. The wheelchair or ECV can be parked in an out-of-the-way corner while you're not using it.

I don't know about the Segway tour, that is really down to the people organising the tour, and your sister's limits. I'd suggest phoning up to see if you can talk to someone about it in advance.

Hope this helps a bit, if you have any more questions, do just ask. Using a wheelchair for the first time can seem like a daunting prospect, but it really isn't too tricky at Disney. It may mean going at a slightly slower pace, and it may take a day or two until you get used to boarding rides with a chair, but all in all, it will still be a Disney holiday!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

Do not cancel. WDW is probably the best place for anyone with any type of disability to have a vacation.

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, including where people rent wheelchairs and ECVs in Post #2.

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

If she will need a walk-in shower or grab bars on the tub contact reservations as soon a possible and ask about an accessible room. You might try 407-939-7807 which is the direct number to special (medical) reservations.

In addition, you might want to talk to the person who will be removing the cast. Have a line drawn on the cast where it will be cut for removal. Then bring along some "Sharpies" and have the characters autograph the cast, asking them to make sure their signature does not directly cross the line.

Once the cast is removed and fully dried out, she will then have a very unusual souvenir of the trip.

 

[J&J'sMOM]

Don't despair and don't cancel! My foot is also broken and we leave in 3 weeks. These boards have provided so much helpful info! I am still going to have a great time, and so will you!

 

[zumbergc]

How much weight can she put on the foot, and does she need to keep it elavated, and for how long at a time? How much pain is she in?

If she needs to elevate the leg, offsite rental places have the adjustable leg thing, where you can put it out strait, to have your foot even w/ your waiste. You have to request that special, and I believe its a flat charge.
If she gets the ecv, you really can't elevate the leg at all, and its in the sitting down position all day.

Whether you do ecv or wheel chair, if you do offsite you have the ecv/wheelchair the whole time, back at the very large resort, long trip from room to bus stop, counter service, pool at resort, and from bus to park entrance. At the end of the day she will probably be tired and possibly in pain, from just all the transfers, etc.

Make sure she has her pain pills, otc or rx, with her the first days in the park, having them back at the room, no help when your far away.
Those old fationed ice pack bags, with the screw top work great for icing in the park. You can get a cup of ice at most counter service locations, fill ice pack. She may want to pre-ice in the mornings and post ice at the end of the day at the bare minimum. It takes time, but might help prevent some pain and swelling.

We did the segway tour, lots of fun, just call and ask if she can still do it, or ask if its up to the operators discretion. Ask if she is able to get refund if they decide she can't do the tour. If she does go, she could be the one taking picture or video during the training portion of the tour, she can't really follow on the epcot section without being on a segway.. I'm assuming your doing the epcot tour.

 

[SueM in MN]

Looks like you are pretty well set with advice.

For the Segway tour, I would expect that WDW would say you can't do it with a walking cast
My advice would be to skip the Segway tour, even if WDW says it would be OK unless she can stand in one place comfortably for over an hour.
I have been on the Segway tour 3 times and the people I was with and I were surprised how tired your legs get. You are basically standing on a platform in one place. You can shift your weight from foot to foot a bit, but you have to keep both feet on the platform. One of my companions had a foot problem (not sure exactly what), but she said her feet did ache afterwards pretty similar as if she had been walking.
You also go by leaning forward and slow by leaning back. Turning is accomplished partially by leaning side to side. Depending on where the break is, that might be uncomfortable for her or may be a bit difficult if her walking cast is holding her foot in one position and doesn't allow it to bend (which is the point of a cast).
The first hour of the tour is orientation and practice in a room, learning to stop and go, going around obstacles, etc. The 2nd hour is in World Showcase. You might want to search on youtube for "Segway+ Disney" and watch people's feet/ankles to see how much movement is involved in riding.

 

[phisigprincess]

Thank you all so much for the advice! We're pretty much in a holding pattern until this afternoon when she goes to get the foot set. She broke it Saturday night, walked on it all day Sunday until it was x-rayed that evening and none of the doctors can get her in until this afternoon. Hopefully that means the break isn't too bad. I appreciate all of the advice!