DH has herniated disc, DAS appropriate?

[LibrarianBecky]

hi all,

We are going to the world in November. My husband has back issues (herniated disc) which makes it painful for him to stand for long periods. He can walk fine ( albeit slowly), but standing still is very painful for him. After reading about GAC, I thought this might be appropriate for him. It would allow us to ride a few things that have long stand by lines. He doesn't do most of the headliner rides (no space man, no splash, etc). But, even standing in a 30 minute line for haunted mansion would cause trouble for him. We are going at a less busy time of year (first week November) and I make our plans based on recommended parks to limit waits as much as possible.

 

[cfriend416]

Anything mobility related, and they will recommend renting a wheelchair or scooter rather than issuing a DAS.

Edited to correct GAC to DAS.

 

[lanejudy]

The former Guest Assistance Card (GAC) program was changed to the Disability Access Service (DAS) in 2013. There is information about the DAS at WDW on this thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/wd...15-digital-das-on-tickets-magicbands.3178976/ (only the first post is necessary to read).
This thread is similar yet specific to the California parks: http://www.disboards.com/threads/dl...-1-update-12-7-14-das-tied-to-ticket.3179460/

As PP mentions, his needs would be considered as mobility or stamina, and the standard accommodation for that is to recommend a mobility device which allows one to sit when needed. An ECV might be helpful for him, or a wheelchair which he could push when he wishes to walk and sit when it's too painful to stand.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[seashoreCM]

(copied from another thread) A rollator (walker with wheels) with a small center bench, or a cane with a fold out tripod and seat are also choices of (smaller) assistive devices you can get. You can practice at home with these to see if they are good enough as opposed to a wheelchair.

Now, if you want to move while seated then you will want a wheelchair or scooter.

A folding stool is not permitted in Disney parks.

 

[anonymousegirl]

also, many lines are almost constantly moving, slowly moving, but moving. The lines where he might be standing still for longer periods would be the "shows" like Monster Inc Laugh Floor, MuppetVision 3D, Little Mermaid at DHS, or the films at EPCOT (I'm old-school and still capitalize the acronym)

 

[SueM in MN]

also, many lines are almost constantly moving, slowly moving, but moving. The lines where he might be standing still for longer periods would be the "shows" like Monster Inc Laugh Floor, MuppetVision 3D, Little Mermaid at DHS, or the films at EPCOT (I'm old-school and still capitalize the acronym)

There is a full list of those type attractions in post 22 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. This is a link to page 2
http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...ed-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/page-2
Using DAS would do nothing for those 'standing waits' . There are no seats available unless you have a mobility device with you.

 

[LibrarianBecky]

Thank you for the replies. I'm sorry I used the wrong term--I've been reading about this, but it is new to me. I've edited my title to the correct term. I know my husband will not use a scooter/wheelchair at this point. He is concerned that if he switches to using a device, he will become dependent upon it (further aggravating his condition by weight gain). There will be a day when he doesn't have a choice, but while he still does have a choice, he won't use one. Does that make a difference at all in the issuing of a DAS?

As another poster said, most lines are moving, so maybe this won't even be a concern for us. I like to have all the information I can get going in to a situation, so I can make the best decisions for my family. Thank you all for helping me learn!

 

[Mum23]

If a device (wheelchair or scooter or walker) is able to be used for the problem, then I do not think they would issue a card for it. The choice is there to use it and if he chooses not to use it, that is a personal choice.

Of course ONLY those at Disney can actually make that call.

 

[lanejudy]

I know my husband will not use a scooter/wheelchair at this point. He is concerned that if he switches to using a device, he will become dependent upon it (further aggravating his condition by weight gain). There will be a day when he doesn't have a choice, but while he still does have a choice, he won't use one. Does that make a difference at all in the issuing of a DAS?

If a mobility device will solve his needs, and he doesn't have other invisible needs, then he most likely will not be issued a DAS. The accommodation for stamina/mobility concerns is mainstreamed lines which allow for use of a mobility device. I understand his desire to not use one, but he should look at this as a very different experience than everyday life. WDW involves maybe 6-8 miles of walking per day, for many guests that includes multiple days in a row as well. So much more walking than a typical week at home.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have time for a long reply, but just wanted to reply to the idea of 'getting dependent' on an ECV or wheelchair.

People mention that like using one is the plague - to be avoided at all costs.
Wheelchairs and ECVs are tools that can be used to avoid pain, allow a user to go longer without pain or be able to do things they could not otherwise do.
People who need glasses usually see those as a tool and don't worry about getting dependent on them.

If he wants to make sure he still is doing some walking, people do things like using a rollator (walker with a fold down seat), use a walker like a wheelchair or park the wheelchair/ECV periodically and walk.

 

[SMD]

People also push their own empty wheelchair when they feel like walking. Using a wheelchair is not an all or nothing thing. One thing you can do is hang back a little when the line is moving. That way if it stops you can leave a gap between you and the party in front and if you stay back he'll have room to pace between the people in front and you. You may want to explain why you're maintaining a gap to the party immediately behind you, just in case you stop short or something.

 

[Glittercat]

Just have to pop in and say I understand your DH's fear. Getting to the point where you can no longer avoid a mobility device can be tough on the psyche. If he's not wheelchair ready then the advice of everyone above in regards to a cane w/ seat or a walker with seat are good first steps.

Also if he does end up needing one there are some great workouts one can do to maintain strength while using a wheelchair. My bum is a lil' fluffier than I prefer but I've been a in chair for years and have not much gain. I use yoga videos on you tube and self propel my chair to stay strong and active.

Disney World is tough on the body so I would do a lot of walking and outdoor activities and see what his limits are. He may come to the realization himself that the pace is just too much, and it would better if that happened at home instead of on your vacation. Wishing you both the best!

 

[minnie mum]

I understand your DHs reluctance, but also think he needs to rethink it. Just because he doesn't need a chair 24/7 at home is no reason to reject its use at WDW. It's not an all or nothing situation. I don't need a chair at home. I can usually get by quite well with my cane. But before my surgery, I couldn't have walked from the gates to the castle without pause. Even now I get a chair and use it only when I need it. I push it for most of the day. Sometimes I'll park it in stroller parking when going on some rides. But when my leg has had enough, I can sit. Whether this is in a queue, a pre show area, or going from one side of the park to another, it enables me to stay in the park longer and enjoy it pain free. And my family can enjoy THEIR day without worrying about me.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Unfortunately Disney won't make an exception if he can be accommodated by a method other than a DAS. Too many people would prefer the DAS option, and having that many people using the FP lines in addition to FP users would impact ride operations, and actually result in longer waits in the FP line. That would essentially negate the positive impact the DAS ha door the user.

Just because he uses an aid during the trip doesn't mean he's forever dependent on it. Disney is a different animal in terms of the jokes you walk and hours standing. He needs to use the tools available to him to make the most out of this trip.

 

[tobikaye]

I have to agree, that a rollator, might be the best bet here. I know it is tough, but it could help more than he realizes in everyday life.

My mom has degenerative disc disease and has had 2 neck surgeries to have brackets placed, but there is nothing they can really do for her lower back area. She also has trouble standing in one place too long and does better walking at her normal pace or sitting. She hurts more if she has to move at a slower pace than she normally does. She found that leaning slightly helps a great deal. In the last couple of years, I have finally got her to start using one of my sister's extra rollators. This has made it a bit easier for her to go some places. If she is going someplace with little to no seating, she will take the rollator. She can lean on it when she does not want to sit.


She has not been back to WDW since her last surgery, but has already said she would at least need the rollator, but possibly an ECV.

 

[tinka-belle]

Disney really does involve 6 or more miles walked per day, for some people even more. You walk to from the room to the bus stop or food court, from the bus to the entrance area, in addition to walking around the parks and the shuffle of stop/then walk a little/then stop again through attraction lines. It can really wear you out, and is definitely different from day to day walking at home.

He would have to stop constantly to rest his back, so you wouldn't get as much done in a day. Not saying this applies to him, but some people can get mighty cranky after a few hours of discomfort. Makes for a not so Magical day.

Just using a device for a week as needed does not make one dependent on it, he can still get all the exercise he wants when he feels up to it during the trip.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

they won't issue a DAS because he doesn't wish to use a wheelchair. He would have to describe why he needs to wait somewhere other than the attraction line, and "I need to have an alternative to standing" can be accommodated by a wheelchair so no DAS is needed.

 

[ttintagel]

A mobility aid isn't like heroin. Just because you use one some of the time during a physically strenuous vacation doesn't mean you can't stop using it once you get home.

 

[gap2368]

and your husband dose not need to use the wheel chair the whole time he can push it some ( I see a lot of people doing this you can tell they have some mobility need by how they are walking) he can also get one of those walkers with a set ( I forgot what they are called) people do a lot more walking at disney then they normally do I think if he uses a mobility device and walk some he could have a very good balance of the two where he did not feel he was using a mobility device to much

 

[Gracie09]

When Dh had a herniated disk (presurgery) the thing that helped the most was pushing my DD's stroller. It allowed him to relieve the back pain by leaning on something and helped him keep balance. We used a stroller as a wheelchair more than the GAC (pre-DAS). It was a godsend.