Broken kneecap with 19 days to go!

[Monica]

Last week, while on a fieldtrip with the summer program I run for my town, I broke my kneecap (hairlinefracture) and possibly tore ligaments. I go back for re-evaluation next week to find out the specifics on the ligament damage. Best case senerio- full leg brace without crutches. Worst case- immoblizer, crutches, and wheelchair for the parks (this is what I currently am doing). I am going with 8 other family members so reschedualling is not an option. To make matters worse, my husband is not going with us. My 21 year old brother has already designated himself "the pusher"-lol. He told me it's good thing I only weigh 100 pounds or I'd be on my own-lol! Any hints, tips, or suggestions? If I'm in a leg brace- can I do anything at any of the water parks? The Dr said (Igrilled her-lol) that it would be ok as long as I did lazy river type things but will Disney let me? Thanks for any help you can gives me because I'm so overwhelmed!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You may be better off renting an ECV, as pushing a wheelchair can get very tiresome, especially if you are not used to it. Also it depends on the weight of the passenger and the condition of the pusher(s). Some information for off-site rentals are:

Here are the urls:

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

I have used Walker a few times. They will ask for a credit card and charge it the day before arrival. They will deliver the ECV to your hotel bell services before your arrival and pick it up there after your departure. Their rates, especially for longer than a week, are much better than Disney's. Also, their scooters are much better.

You don't say if you are renting a car or what. If you are using a car for getting around, the ECVs break down into five peices, the heaviest about 39 pounds. They take about a minute or so to take apart and about two minutes (once you are used to it) to put it together.

Another suggestion is find out your state's requirements for a termporary disabled hang tag and get the paper work and have your doctor sign off on it. The tag will allow you to use any of the handicap parking areas (which will be a necessity). Also, with the policy of charging for valet parking, with a handicap hang tag the fees will be waived. Also the valets will usually volunteer to assist in loading/unloading an ECV. In Virginia I printed the required form from the DMV website. When I took the completed form to the DMV Office it took less than 15 minutes from the time I walked in until I had my tag.

If you get a cast, you might want to have the person who puts it on you draw a line with a marker where it will be sawn off. Then bring a "Sharpie" type marker pen with you and have the Characters sign the cast. Warn them when signing to not cross the line. After the cast is removed you will have an interesting souvenier.

You can use a bungee cord to help keep cruthes on the EVC or wheelchair. Usually it would be a short walk with the crutches from the wheelchair or EVC.

Good luck and let us know what finally happens.

 

[FergieTCat]

Just a word of caution --

Do not think you can do it without an ECV or a wheelchair!! I spent a day at Disneyland with a torn Achilles Tendon, and by the end of the day I could barely walk. I had orthodics in my shoes, but my feet were so swollen they didn't even fit properly. You might feel fine in the morning, but after an hour or two of being on your feet (even with crutches), you will regret your decision.

Also, you might actually injure yourself all over again.

Donna

 

[piratesmate]

I've never used an EVC - always the chair. So I don't know much about them, but if you need to go the immobilizer/wheelchair route, will you be able to keep your leg straight/elevated?? When I totally wrecked my knee, that's what they wanted. I know it works in a wheel chair.

Anyway, I see you are from NY. We're from PA & have hills here that someone from Orlando would probably view as a small mountain. DH said it was not a problem to push the chair - especially after doing it around here! - and I'm considerably more than 100lbs. If your brother is willing, I would let him. Just make sure you have a discussion with him about not "parking you over here out of the way" so that you can't see anything! (DH did this on our first trip until I was ready to scream. ) We talked first this time & it was much better!

Also, don't forget to put extra sun lotion on your legs - knees & shins! Different areas get hit by the sun when you're seated than when you're standing!

The one ride that comes to mind that could present a problem is Buzz LIghtyear. When you exit the ride, you get off on a conveyor belt. It moves at a pretty brisk pace. Each time I got off, I was almost thrown forward off my feet. I'm not sure they can/will stop that one to let you on or off. I use a folding cane, so I can always have it with me when getting off rides. If they won't let you take your crutches in the car with you, make sure that they will stop the ride or conveyor belt so that someone can get the crutches for you.

The first time I had trouble, I kept thinking "it will be okay for this one ride". I couldn't believe how bad my knee got by the end of the first day. I tried to do too much, thinking I was being a pain to people around me. All of that on/off and in/out of rides can really take a toll on your knees - the good one & the bad one!

 

[SueM in MN]

It hurts just reading the subject for your post!
You have already gotten some really good advice. I agree an ecv would be nice since you could have more independence, but if you need your leg elevated, I think you can only do that with the wheelchair.
You can ask the CMs at any ride if they can stop the moving walkway . In some rides they can slow it down, in others, they can stop it. Buzz Lightyear is one that they can stop. There are quite a few rides where you can actually stay in a wheelchair and won't need to transfer to the ride car. Even if you feel good, I would suggest staying in the wheelchair or ecv when you can. Each transfer doesn't seem like much, but by the end of the day, they add up to be exhausting. At least, alternate rides/shows where you have to get out with ones where you can stay in.
For the "lazy river rides", just floating sounds great, but will you be able to bear weight to get out of the inner tube and out of the river? (can't bring crutches in the inner tube) . And, you also have to think about what could happen if you tip out of your inner tube. (I admit to trying to change positions while floating and flipping my tube right over, flipping myself in the water).

 

[piratesmate]

SueM - Thanks for the info about Buzz. I thought I remembered having them actually stop the moving walkway for me to get on & off when I was in such bad shape in Aug 99. But when I asked about it just to get off in May of this year, I was told that they couldn't do it. I figured that policy had changed - or they just decided that if I could get in okay I would be able to get out okay. This is good to know for the future!

 

[SueM in MN]

They have to stop Buzz to load wheelchairs, so I know it can be stopped. They may be more willing to stop it for you iof you go when there isn't much of a line.
There are some rides that they will not or can not stop. We asked the CM to stop Peter Pan because DD can only walk (pretty slow) if someone is holding her up. That's one they said could not be stopped.