DAS Question

[SarahC97]

Thank

What is nice is that she would still have the option to rent a ECV or a wheelchair at the parks if after a day or two she feels like it is too much for her. My mom (older, but very stubborn) gave me a hard time the first time also so we rented it for a few hours the first time just so she could try it out and it ended up making the trip better for her.

Still go and talk about getting the DAS and see what they say since no one on the boards can give you a definite yes or no. Have a great trip!

Thank you!!

 

[Starwind]

Thanks for the input everyone, I understand the issue clearer now. I'll build a touring plan for her that tries to limit wait time.

For the record, my friend is only 39. It's not just an "I'm old and everything hurts issue." I understand what you're all saying, but I really don't think I can get her to rent an ECV. I've tried to bring up the topic and she is very resistant. She tries to be very active in order to keep her mobility up -- I just don't think she's to the point yet where she will take that option. But it's nice to walk into the situation and know what to expect so we can plan ahead. Thanks again!

I was a couple years older than she is when I rented an ECV for the first time. The difference it made in my trip was tremendous and we have rented on each time since. It allows me to be MORE mobile than I would be without it, because I am not hampered by as much pain and as I would be without it. It lets me enjoy the trip.

It was a difficult decision, but I have found the benefits far outweigh any negatives, for me.

At home I don't need an ECV. WDW is a whole different beast, however.

YMMV.

SW

 

[gap2368]

Thanks for the input everyone, I understand the issue clearer now. I'll build a touring plan for her that tries to limit wait time.

For the record, my friend is only 39. It's not just an "I'm old and everything hurts issue." I understand what you're all saying, but I really don't think I can get her to rent an ECV. I've tried to bring up the topic and she is very resistant. She tries to be very active in order to keep her mobility up -- I just don't think she's to the point yet where she will take that option. But it's nice to walk into the situation and know what to expect so we can plan ahead. Thanks again!

I would show your friend this thread let her read thought it and decide on what she want to do. As there are some very good suggestion ( and maybe more to come too)

 

[mamabunny]

Thanks for the input everyone, I understand the issue clearer now. I'll build a touring plan for her that tries to limit wait time.

For the record, my friend is only 39. It's not just an "I'm old and everything hurts issue." I understand what you're all saying, but I really don't think I can get her to rent an ECV. I've tried to bring up the topic and she is very resistant. She tries to be very active in order to keep her mobility up -- I just don't think she's to the point yet where she will take that option. But it's nice to walk into the situation and know what to expect so we can plan ahead. Thanks again!

As your friend well knows, RA doesn't give a flying rats patootie about how old someone is. RA could care less.

Tell your friend this: The ECV - or scooter - is nothing more than a TOOL that will allow her to better utilize her vacation time. Would she refuse to wear glasses if she needed them? Probably not. Would she shun a calculator, and instead try to do long division by counting on her fingers and toes? I doubt it. Those are just 2 examples of every day items we use as TOOLS to accomplish things in our world quicker, safer, easier.

The ECV will make a difference in how long she is able to stay in the Parks. If you rent off-site (and she should), she will be able to use it at the Resort, and at Disney Springs as well. It will give her a form of independence that she may not realize she needs at WDW.

No one is saying that she has to use one from now, everywhere she goes, home or abroad. This is just a TOOL to manage her pain, and extend her stamina during her vacation!

And when she says (and she will) "What will people think of *ME* riding a scooter!!!" You will tell her this: That her, on an ECV at WDW is a non-event. I promise. Everyone else is so busy checking Facebook, and Instagramming their lunch, and Tweeting about who-knows-what that she will literally have to make sure that they don't walk into her. Seriously. Guests at WDW are notoriously self-absorbed to begin with, and the advent of smartphones has only increased that.

No one will notice. No one will care. And if anyone does*, she can just give them a big 'ol "Bless your heart!" followed by an even bigger smile. You are her friend - take along in your phone the information for a couple of off-site rental agencies (Walker and Buena Vista are popular around here) so that if she needs to rent one during the middle of the trip you can call and have one delivered.

And thanks for being such a caring friend.


*No one will. Rarely happens. You will probably see a unicorn burping rainbows before anyone will say anything...

 

[Mrsjvb]

What Bunny said. I was diagnosed at 5. I am 6 months from my 50th and should find out this week when my Hip replacement surgery will be scheduled for. 3 or 4 trips ago, we started our trip at AK. this was back when they still had benches far more readily available.

by 10 I was going from bench to bench and by 12 I was done. saw pretty much nothing the entire time. the entire next day I spent in the resort in so much pain it hurt to breathe. the third day my husband forced me to sit in a WC that he pushed around( he loves saying he can push me around and I Let him) I was able to actually enjoy the next 4 days of my trip and walk at the end of it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Would she shun a calculator, and instead try to do long division by counting on her fingers and toes?

but this piqued my curiosity. Unable to find a way to divide using hands and feet, but multiplication is possible! http://www.basic-mathematics.com/finger-multiplication.html

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I have fibromyalgia and a spinal deformity that give me pain if I stand in one position too long. It isn't uncommon for me to walk in place or do step-touches side-to-side when I'm stuck in line at Disney World. If I have room I'll even do stretches. I don't give a damn how I look anymore. And I'm only 37.