Also, don't let the
ECV's you see in
walmart turn him off to the idea, there are some really nice models you can rent off-site. Most will deliver free to area resorts. DH was really happy when I found "The Dream"
scooter that Scootorando.com rents. They call it a "Harley look", and he said he "wouldnt feel like an old man riding that one!".There are also models that are compact and/or foldable which a lot of people love.
One thing to keep in mind about the "Dream" Scooter is that it is considerably larger (wider and longer) than most ECVs. Because of the 'motorcycle style' front, it turns sharper than most, but because it is way wider than most, it will be a tight fit thru doorways, bus lifts, etc.
I would not recommend that particular scooter unless the driver has considerable time/experience driving a scooter already.
If he has any visual field or field neglect problems or depth perception problems (all of which often occur with a stroke), this scooter would be even more difficult for him than for the average person. IMHO, I would stick with a smaller scooter and not even show him this one.
EDITED BY MODERATOR TO ADD:
AS OF MARCH 30, 2010, OVERSIZE SCOOTERS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED ON THE WDW BUSES. THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED on MARCH 30 BY A WDW BUS DRIVER:
There is now a painted box at the wheelchair loading queue which is 30"X48" (which is the ADA standard). Your ECV MUST conform to those dimensions to ride the bus. http://www.access-board.gov/transit/html/Transfig1.html
If your ECV does not fit those dimensions, the driver is to call for a transportation manager who will explain alternate arrangements.
THE DREAM SCOOTER DISCUSSED HERE IS LARGER THAN THE ALLOWED MEASUREMENTS. END OF EDIT
For the distance, one thing that often works to convince someone they need an ECV or wheelchair, is to pick out a place well known to the person that is about 1.2 miles away - ask if they could walk there (1 -1.2 miles is the distance once around World Showcase in Epcot). Find another place 3 miles away and ask if they could walk there - (3 miles is the lowest estimate I have read of the distance someone walks a day at WDW). Estimates range from 3 - 9, even to 12 miles a day. Even some of the queues are a long distance (with no way in that is shorter) - just the walk from the queue entrance to the boarding area of Soarin is over 1/4 mile - and when you are done, you have to walk an equal distance to get back out.
Garden grocer, netgrocer, or local pharmacies will deliver distilled water. Also, If your water is in bottles, you can check them. Airlines will not let you have them in your carryon luggage, but they can go in your checked bags.
TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is the agency that does inspections ans determines what can go thru security (airlines may or may not be up on what is allowed and do not examine your luggage, so would not know what is inside).
Here is a
link to the TSA page about air travel with a CPAP machine.
You can bring what are called "medical liquids" through security (
link to TSA page about travelers with disabilities). It's a long page and hard to direct someone to an individual paragraph, so I will just pull a quote from it.
"Additionally, we are continuing to permit prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditions. This includes:
* All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
* Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;"
and further down on that page:
"However, if the liquid medications are in volumes larger than 3 ozs each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to the Transportation Security Officer. A declaration can be made verbally, in writing, or by a person's companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member.
Declared liquid medications and other liquids for disabilities and medical conditions must be kept separate from all other property submitted for x-ray screening."
You can have whatever quantity you will need (keep in mind that water is heavy, so a roller bag will be helpful, plus you will need to be able to lift in into the overhead storage if your carry on bag is too big to fit under your seat).
If you don't want to go thru the extra declaration and have 3 ounce bottles of distilled water, you could put any number of them that will fit in your one quart zip lock bag. Some people have found that is enough for their trip. I know some people have actually measured how much water they used in an average week before their trip so they know how much to take along with a few days extra.
