DH back acting up, I think an ECV with be needed 24/7, help.

[momof5boys]

Hi, My DH myself and my DS9 and DS15 (anxiety and ADHD) are going down to WDW in January. My DH is disabled due to a back injury and multiple failed surgeries. He has his good months and bad, well we are in a really bad one right now, he has gotten knocked into by people on two separate occasions over the past several weeks and is just a mess.

His orthopedic and pain management doctor have been trying to help, he had a caudal injection last week with no results, so it looks like he'll get scheduled for 1 more before our trip, of course that means more pain meds on top of his usual, so now he can't sleep right and has occasional periods of "catatonia" (I actually think he is asleep with his eyes open).

Up until this point I figured he would walk MK, and DHS but rent a scooter for EP and AK due to distance and hills. We plan on getting to the parks at rope drop, leave by lunch (kids can swim, I need a nap, usually work nightshift so I'm used to sleep in the middle of the day) then return to the park around dinner. We plan on leaving parks by 9-10pm, I will not do any EMH.

Now it looks like we will have no choice but to rent a scooter the whole time, he is so deconditioned that I don't think he would even be able to keep up with us walking super slow, which would drive me nuts! My concern is we are using Disney transportation and I'm really concerned with the buses. Plus which would be the best to rent for a 6'1" 230lb man? We are staying at POP, I guess I will call them and request a 1st floor room if possible so at least the problem of using the elevator is taken care of.

I'm looking forward to this trip but this all concerns me, and my DH and DS15 argue alot when they are both cranky, it has gotten alot better, mostly because DS has gotten better with his coping mechanisms, but still nervous.

Sorry this is so long, I guess I'm just looking for someone to tell me it will be fine... I do have a friend that rents a scooter but she also rents a car so she doesn't have to use the buses so in that respect she's not much help!

 

[olwyngdh]

I rented the 4 wheel scooter from Apple last spring, and stayed at Pop in a first floor room (70s, Mickey Mouse phone building.)

I had no issue with the busses. Sometimes I had to wait for a second bus because they were already loading one when I got there, but I never had to wait too long.

It isn't as overwhelming as it seems! Pop is great, there is room in the room for the ECV to charge (pull straight in, back straight out).

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

When you rent a scooter, the company generally asks the size of the renter so they'll know which model to match to him. The 3-wheelers are easier to steer; the 4-wheelers have heavy-dooty motors and stronger batteries.

How are your DH's reflexes when he's medicated? I hope he's able to "steer clear" of the stoopid people who suddenly dart out in front of him, or just stop in the middle of the road -- right in front of the scooter.

Buses are a bit of a hassle, but do-able, especially since you're avoiding the crowded times as much as possible.

 

[krisnme]

It will be fine! rent a full size scooter, and as poster said above POP is great with a scooter, but long walks without one. You will do great.

 

[GrammyJudy]

I rented the larger 3 wheel model from Apple last Jan and will do the same this year $175 for the week. Drivers were great helping me on and off the buses.It was great because I got to roam around the resort. I have knee and back issues due to arthritis etc. I also have a folding cane which I use in the airport etc. Call Disney and say you want a first floor room for medical reasons and it will be guaranteed. It is easier to get the scooter in and out of first floor.

Have a great trip

 

[Bete]

make sure he can handle a scooter safely. Sometimes, medicines tell you not to drive anything and so forth. Manuevering on the bus to get in position can be tricky especially if you are not the first one on. You may have to help and do it for him. Going at non peak times will probably help with the bus situation.

You can always check out some scooters locally at senior, mobility stores. Pick the kind you think you want from the rental company on internet and start calling locally to see if they have the same thing. If they do, then you can go there and check it out for fit and comfort. Test rides are free at mobility stores. Have a few choices when you do this.

You may have to consider doing part of the day without hubby or even having him skip a day here and there if he can't handle it. Make sure you are up to that task alone with your kids. If in pain no one wants to move and he may have to stay behind at times.

 

[tigger_ttfn]

We just got back (Dec 17th-22nd) and used a scooter for the 2nd time. We stayed at POFQ. Last year, we stayed at the Poly because it was our first time with a scooter and I wanted the monorail to avoid the buses except for DHS and we avoided AK.

This year, we used buses exclusively and it was not a problem at all! Every bus driver was so helpful getting DH and scooter onto the bus. The people in line didn't seem too inconvenienced by it either.

We rented from Walker Mobility and everything was fine.

 

[stargazertechie]

My dad is an advanced stage cancer patient. He rented the deluxe 3 wheel scooter from Apple on our last trip. It maneuvers much easier than the 4 wheel. It took him roughly 6 hours to master it (he practiced at wal-mart on their scooters before we left) and by the end of our trip (7 days) he was scooting around like a pro- the bus drivers were super impressed with his "mad skills" (their words )

We went the week after Thanksgiving, and we didn't have to wait for a 2nd bus even once! (I know, not the norm- we were blessed!)

We did have the experience of having a bus come with a broken rear ramp. Two other families helped lift the scooter on the bus so we didn't have to wait (dad was fading fast that night).