DAS question

[arasekim]

This will be my first trip since a fibromyalgia diagnosis. I have always prided myself on being able to power through and go from rope drop to park closing. I don't think that will be an option for me anymore. Has anyone else with fibromylagia used DAS? I am nervous about utilizing it because I don't "appear" disabled and I'm scared of what type of reactions I may get. I have so many random symptoms, but the worse being stiffness, pain and intolerance to heat. Standing in queues for long periods of time will be difficult. Also, getting off rides might be problematic because of the muscle stiffness. Does anyone know if CM's are willing to assist getting off rides? Just looking for any advice or suggestions or helpful hints from anyone with experience. Disneyland is truly mine and my families favorite place. I am worried about slowing them down. its hard to admit I may need assistance this trip. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[arasekim]

This will be my first trip since a fibromyalgia diagnosis. I have always prided myself on being able to power through and go from rope drop to park closing. I don't think that will be an option for me anymore. Has anyone else with fibromylagia used DAS? I am nervous about utilizing it because I don't "appear" disabled and I'm scared of what type of reactions I may get. I have so many random symptoms, but the worse being stiffness, pain and intolerance to heat. Standing in queues for long periods of time will be difficult. Also, getting off rides might be problematic because of the muscle stiffness. Does anyone know if CM's are willing to assist getting off rides? Just looking for any advice or suggestions or helpful hints from anyone with experience. Disneyland is truly mine and my families favorite place. I am worried about slowing them down. its hard to admit I may need assistance this trip. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Malcon10t]

Does anyone know if CM's are willing to assist getting off rides?

They aren't supposed to. The liability (they accidentally injure you or they injure themselves) is too much. The most they will usually do is offer you a hand to balance, or hold the wheelchair steady.

 

[SteveMouse]

Generally speaking, the DAS is not provided for stamina issues. A wheelchair or other device is recommended. You could bring a rollator, which would provide you a seat any time you needed one, as well as additional stability.

 

[arasekim]

I would probably rather not go than have to use a wheelchair or scooter. I guess it's a pride thing. I'll just have to adjust my game plan. I've had to alter a lot of things recently. There are many "new normals" This trip will be another one

 

[Malcon10t]

I would probably rather not go than have to use a wheelchair or scooter. I guess it's a pride thing. I'll just have to adjust my game plan. I've had to alter a lot of things recently. There are many "new normals" This trip will be another one

Several years ago, I had to make some hard decisions. One of them was the use of a scooter. While at first it was hard, I quickly learned to adjust to my new normal. If it came down to never being able to go, or to use a scooter, use the scooter!! I refuse to limit my life because of my issues.

 

[yesdnil]

Yeah, DAS finally won't be given in situations that a mobility device would help with. I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but even something as simple as a cane might give you some extra stamina to power through. A rollator is a great option for lots of reasons - you have the seat when you need it, but you can still walk around like normal. If you want to go around without it for a while, you can park it at any stroller parking area. You can get ones with cup holders or even storage baskets. So convenient. The seat is one of the biggest advantages when you're exhausted and looking for a place to sit during situations like fireworks or parades. Benches are almost always full, but with the rollator you'd know you always have a place to sit down.

 

[gottalovepluto]

The nice thing about an ECV is you can use it when you need it and park it when you don’t and walk around. It will provide you a place to sit in lines, to see parades, to watch fireworks.

 

[arasekim]

I need to research a rollator i guess. I've never heard of that.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I need to research a rollator i guess. I've never heard of that.

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/rollators/ID=361789-tier3

 

[bumbershoot]

I am nervous about utilizing it because I don't "appear" disabled and I'm scared of what type of reactions I may get.

Please don’t let that worry you. Please.

I am worried about slowing them down.

I doubt your family is worried about that at all. I bet your family worries about you and your health. I bet your family only wants what is best and healthiest for you, and to spend their vacation time with you.

Rollators are nice because they keep you moving, but they can be hard on the upper body.

 

[VandVsmama]

I've never heard of a rollator either, so I just looked it up out of curiosity. It's a rolling walker that has a seat in it.

** Edited to add **
If the rolling walker thing doesn't work out for you, just rent a scooter. When we went to DL in March, I injured my foot about a week before the trip. It was a lot better the day before we left, but after walking 9.5 miles on it on the first day, I just couldn't go any farther and had to rent a scooter. Best thing ever. It saved my trip. All of the CMs were wonderful about it. I was embarrassed at first but I quickly got over it. After a couple of hours of me in it, my kids started hoping that I would miraculously heal so they could take turns using it.

using it in Adventureland was a little stressful just because the walkway there is quite narrow, but it was fine.

Swallow your pride and just do it. Deckert's medical supply in Santa Ana will deliver it to your hotel.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

I also think you should just rent a scooter. I had to use one for the first time in February since I was in a walking boot. I was SO nervous about using it and ended up having a lot of fun riding it! My biggest fear was how I would control it in crowds, but you can make them move so slowly it wasn’t an issue at all. No one will care if you don’t look like you need it. You will not slow down your family—sometimes I had to slow down the scooter because my DD couldn’t keep up with me! I recommend a 3-wheeler, they are really easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

After a major back injury a few years ago, I opted to use a scooter. My family is well versed in our DLR plans and I urged them to go about their touring and I chose not to do many rides except slow ones like train, Pirates, etc. I still had a great time seeing shows and taking it all in.

 

[ddwlms]

I would probably rather not go than have to use a wheelchair or scooter. I guess it's a pride thing. I'll just have to adjust my game plan. I've had to alter a lot of things recently. There are many "new normals" This trip will be another one

Renting a scooter was (in my wee brain) one of the most humiliating things I ever deliberately did. It was also the MOST WONDERFUL!!! I can make it thru the parks. I can still enjoy the happiest place on earth. If my health ever changes I will gladly give it up. But in the mean time, it is from heaven. Please do not let your pride get in the way of your enjoyment. -and your family's enjoyment. They will be much happier if they are not continually worrying about how you are doing. Do it for them! (please)

 

[bumbershoot]

From the late great Cheshire_Figment, who was a cast member at WDW and both he and his wife used ECVs....

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[wendow]

My dd18 was diagnosed with fibro a few years ago but that was an incorrect diagnosis as she actually has chronic EBV and chronic Lyme disease. Either way, many of the fibro symptoms are things she deals with...joint pain and stiffness, muscle pain, heat/cold intolerance, fatigue, dizziness, migraines, GI pain...you name it, she has it on any given day...Using a wheelchair for her was one of the BEST things we ever did. It's made her Disney trips better (she can make it through the day now!) and it's made our family's trips better because I am not constantly stressing about her and how she is doing.

She doesn't need a DAS because she can wait in lines, as long as the wheelchair can go through the queue. Her problem is standing in lines themselves as she cannot do that for long. On our recent trip to DLR, we found DCA to be accessible and there was no need for assistance but DL is not completely accessible. We were given return times for whatever the current standby time wait would be (I think this is how a DAS works but not really sure). That worked great as many times we just went to a store and restaurant close by to stay cool and relax while we waited. My dd looks completely healthy also. I see lots of people looking at her trying to figure out what's up with her and the chair...they are looking for an injury...but she is young and it's hard to reconcile a young person confined to a chair so they are just curious. I get it.

The hardest part is maneuvering around the parks. We run into a lot of people's ankles as they step right in front of the wheelchair trying to get ahead of us. Can't help that. They should watch where they step

ETA: CM's cannot help you off the ride but they will regularly extend an arm or hand that you can hold as you step off. Your best bet there is to have a family member help you. I or my dh always stick close to my dd on the moving walkways to assist her off so they don't have to stop the ride for us but they will do so if you let them know you need that.

 

[arasekim]

My dd18 was diagnosed with fibro a few years ago but that was an incorrect diagnosis as she actually has chronic EBV and chronic Lyme disease. Either way, many of the fibro symptoms are things she deals with...joint pain and stiffness, muscle pain, heat/cold intolerance, fatigue, dizziness, migraines, GI pain...you name it, she has it on any given day...Using a wheelchair for her was one of the BEST things we ever did. It's made her Disney trips better (she can make it through the day now!) and it's made our family's trips better because I am not constantly stressing about her and how she is doing.

She doesn't need a DAS because she can wait in lines, as long as the wheelchair can go through the queue. Her problem is standing in lines themselves as she cannot do that for long. On our recent trip to DLR, we found DCA to be accessible and there was no need for assistance but DL is not completely accessible. We were given return times for whatever the current standby time wait would be (I think this is how a DAS works but not really sure). That worked great as many times we just went to a store and restaurant close by to stay cool and relax while we waited. My dd looks completely healthy also. I see lots of people looking at her trying to figure out what's up with her and the chair...they are looking for an injury...but she is young and it's hard to reconcile a young person confined to a chair so they are just curious. I get it.

The hardest part is maneuvering around the parks. We run into a lot of people's ankles as they step right in front of the wheelchair trying to get ahead of us. Can't help that. They should watch where they step

ETA: CM's cannot help you off the ride but they will regularly extend an arm or hand that you can hold as you step off. Your best bet there is to have a family member help you. I or my dh always stick close to my dd on the moving walkways to assist her off so they don't have to stop the ride for us but they will do so if you let them know you need that.

That's interesting that you mention Lyme disease. My mom has talked me into being tested for that later this month. She is almost certain I was bitten as a child, but doctors didn't correlate my bullseye rash with the bite. Maybe I'll have a new diagnosis. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Blessings to your daughter.

 

[arasekim]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful replies. I love being a part of this Disney community.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...I doubt your family is worried about that at all. I bet your family worries about you and your health. I bet your family only wants what is best and healthiest for you, and to spend their vacation time with you...

I can echo this sentiment so much as I’m one of those worried family members. Tbh I didn’t know how much the worry about my dad hung over me and my family members until it wasn’t there anymore. He needed an ECV, he wouldn’t get one. It’s been like that since I was a little girl (full grow adult now). One day a couple years ago mid-trip he was so laid out we went into the parks without him, when we met for lunch he rolled up on an ECV- to our total (absolutely delighted) shock! After that he never does a park without one. Zoo, Universal, Knotts. The parks became much more enjoyable for him without the pain and the major risks to his health. And then we realized how much more we were enjoying the trips when we weren’t worried about him. We have trouble keeping up with him now on trips!