convoluted question for you experienced Dissers...

[slcmom]

OK, I need to give you a little background. DH is cognitively disabled and has mobility and balance issues. We tried renting an ECV once for him but the cognitive stuff really didn't mesh well with the motorized device (picture Mr. Toad;s Wild Ride....). On recent trips I've pushed him in a manual wheelchair and that works fine.

DS has low-end Down syndrome and 'graduates' from high school this May. It is a big deal in his life. I would love to honor with with a WDW trip, his favorite thing in all the world. In addition, he's been very patient in enduring a truly horrendous year and has really earned a major reward and something to look forward to because

For the last 9 months I've battled stage 4 cancer, and have been in the hospital or rehab center for the last 3 months.

Assuming that I am well enough for a trip, I know that there is no way my stamina will be back to the point of being able to walk and push dh's chair. But if I rent an ECV for myself, that leaves dh without transport. What I really need is an ECV with a sidecar! Seriously, a 2 person ride.

Is such a thing even possible? Would WDW allow it? I remember that a long time ago I had a phone number for some magic disabilities guru at WDW who might have been able to troubleshoot with me, but I can't find it.

Do any of you experts have any suggestions or ideas? Thanks a bunch.

 

[Bete]

if a 2 passenger scooter would fit into the handicap box for sizing at Disney. Disney is getting very hard on their policies. I doubt if you would fit into most ride queue lines with anything like that.

I have only three suggestions that may or may not help. Take the trip as only you and your son. The next choice is to have your son push his father's wheelchair. I would practice this with him and dad at a zoo or somewhere similar. Your son would have to understand he'd be doing this for the duration of the trip. The third option is quite expensive but you can pay for services that would allow a paid caretaker to push the wheelchair for your hubby. Such a service would probably go for $20/hour with a 3 hour minimum each time. Here's the deal with this option: you would also have to pay the caretaker's way into all the parks. Furthermore, the paid caretaker usually gets a mileage allowance, as well. You may be able to get someone from your family to do this for you for less and join up with you.

I'm not sure if postponing your trip would help your strength or not enough to push a wheelchair yourself. I certainly would talk to your doctor about it if you tried that way.

 

[SueM in MN]

Even though it may sound like hat you need, it would not work.

A 2 person ECV or ECV with a side car or towed seat would not be allowed in the parks. If they exist, they would be too big to fit anywhere that a regular ECV or wheelchair would fit, including buses and boats ( the doorways are no more than 36 inches wide).

The general size for a wheelchair or ECV that things are arranged for under ADA guidelines is no more than 48 inches long and no more than 32 inches wide.
WDW rules do not allow anything attached to or pulled by an ECV or wheelchair for size and safety reasons. Even the park rental ECVs, which most people think look huge are smaller than that.

I have seen some pictures of 2 person ECVs that are marketed to and used in retirement communities. They are basically modified golf carts and are used in places where there are walking paths that can be used to get from home to places nearby. Since they are too big to transport, they really can only be used in situations like that.

So, if you can't push your DH's wheelchair, your best option would be to find a relative or friend who wants to travel with you.

 

[powellrj]

Is it possible to take a family member with you to help out? I am sorry I have no other suggestions, but hope you can make it work!