DBF Is Refusing to Use a Wheelchair in WDW

[cpanagiotakos]

DBF slipped on ice last January and fractured his ankle/leg in two places and snapped it in another. His leg was reconstructed with metal and he has a major skin graft that takes up his entire calf. He still has major mobility issues. He is alright walking but it is the standing for a long time that really bothers him.

We went to Disneyland last June and he was fine. We got a GAC which we only ended up using on a few rides. He thinks because he was ok without one out there that he will be fine in WDW.

We are not trying to bypass lines by any means and I understand that his injury is a lot more bearable than a lot of other people. I know that WDW has a lot more wheelchair accessible lines so even getting a GAC card won't help with a lot of standing in line. I am very concerned with all the walking and standing and I know he won't complain when his leg is bothering him. I am going to force a lot of breaks, try to do the park in sections to try to reduce walking, and intersperse standing in long lines with sitting in shows etc.

Is there any more I can do? Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[ttintagel]

Keep the phone number of a rental place handy; they can deliver to your hotel very quickly if he changes his mind.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I'm guessing he doesn't want to impose on you to push him. Has he considered renting an ECV?

 

[Butterbunkins]

My mother, who is currently undergoing chemo and is very weak much of time, feels the same way. She just doesn’t want to use a wheelchair. She knows that when the time comes (we have about 5 ½ months) if she is feeling like she is now she will probably get one. But we don’t know where she’ll be in her treatment at that time and as of right now she is dead set against. We all know she will be much happier in a chair and of course have no problems pushing her. So I know how you feel.

Has DBF ever been to WDW before? Does he have any idea the amount of walking/standing he’ll be doing? And a trip to DL does cannot properly prepare him for it. If he doesn’t know what he’s in for I would print out info for him showing him what he’ll be up against and suggest renting a chair anyway just in case. That way, if he still wants to walk, after his first day of doing so he’ll have the chair waiting for him. I would suggest that even if he has been to WDW before.

 

[dzorn]

Does he realize how big WDW is? People walk an average of 8-12 a day. Disney answer to not being able to stand in long lines will be to suggest a wheel chair or ECV. Make the best use of fast pass that you can.

Denise in MI

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Basically a person has a certain amount of energy available to them daily. If they relax during the day the amount of energy available will increase; when they sleep at night they recharge their system,

However, when in pain energy is used up much faster than in normal conditions. If you become exhausted, with by what you have done or, more importantly, what you have done while in pain your system will not recharge to the original energy level overnight and you are starting the next day with a lower amount of energy available.

You might pick a location at least a half mile from where he lives and ask him would he like to walk there. If he hesitates, then say "and back", and of he is still not sure then add "at least three times in a row".

Once around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is more than 1¼ miles; most people tend to average 8 - 12 miles per day at WDW.

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!

 

[cpanagiotakos]

We have been together for five years and have been to both WDW and DL twice (before the accident) so he knows what he is getting himself into. He is just being stubborn.

Thank you Chesire I am going to try these questions on him.

I think I have gotten to the root of the problem though. We usually go just the two of us but this trip we are going with his parents as well as his younger sister and her new BF. I think it is in intimidation factor. He doesn't want to look vulnerable to this new guy.

The trip is a little over two months away. We are going to start walking around our city and hopefully that will either prepare him or make him realize that the wheelchair is a good idea.