Disney on crutches

[Donald7570]

Hi Everyone:
I'm going home to OKW tomorrow and need some suggestions. I fell on Saturday and am now on crutches for a bad sprain & torn ligament. I will have to be on them for a week and then to a cane. We will be there for ten days. Any helpful suggestions in regards to the crutches. I know we can get a wheelchair at the parks, but what about the rest of the time? I'm dreading the airport, etc. for the trip down. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[maepartner]

There are several off-site places to rent ecv's and wheelchairs. If you are a big guy, I would get the ecv as you wouldnt want to burden your family with pushing you (unless you can manage yourself) They will pick up and deliver it to your hotel. I think they all average around 150.00 a week (well worth it if you plan on covering alot of ground) You will find the phone numbers on the DISabilities forum. GOod luck healing Bad timing on your part
Mae

 

[kem330]

I guess it depends on how athletic you are. When I broke my leg, I could hardly stand being on crutches for very long- it really was fatiguing. I was totally non weight bearing and being in a wheel chair was alot more comfortable. We didn't go to WDW then- though we thought about it since you get to go to the head of the line! But we did travel elsewhere, and the wheelchair assistance at the airport really helped get through those long corridors! Good luck!

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

Get thee to the disABILITIES board - I know they'll have suggestions.

Personally, I would ditch the crutches. Better intruments of torture have rarely been created by man.

The day before we left for a WDW trip, I seriously sprained my ankle. Tried crutches for the first day, said the heck with this and hobbled around with just the inflatable imobilizer thing they gave me at the ER. First day at WDW saw me sliding down the water slide at SAB. Ok, yeah it was unconfortable from time to time, but a heck of a lot better than crutches.

For something like your injury, I'd probably go with an ECV. We rented one for my mom one time from Walker Mobility - www.walkermobility.com - they delivered and picked up right from OKW.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Yes, the disabilites board is a wonderful place. We went the day after my DD had her cast removed on her leg (she begged the M.D. to remove it so she could swim, he wanted 1 more week!!). She still had crutches and it was wrapped in an ace bandage.

We used a wheelchair in the parks and she used the crutches the other times!! The disabilities board was very helpful with suggestions!!

 

[teri]

Hey, welcome to the disABILITES Board. You are in the right place.

Take a look at the disABILITIES FAQ - look at the link in my signature. It includes information about using whelchairs, which rides are accessible by transfer, tips on pacing and making your trip successful.

Wheelchairs are available at the onsite resorts on a first-come-first-serve basis, and you can rent wheelchairs or ECVs at each of the parks. You might be much better off renting from off-site though, cost-wise and also to help you get around the resorts, restaurants, etc. while you are there.

Here are the companies that are most often used by our readers:

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

Read through some of the posts on this board, you will find lots of useful information and support. I hope you have a lovely trip!

 

[Nanajo1]

When you get to the airport ask a skycap get you a wheelchair, then at check-in ask to a have a wheelchair waiting for you in Orlando. Also ask for a wheelchair for your return trip. Usually, you can request this well before hand but due to the sudden onset you should be able to get this assistance. I vote for the ECV, it can be tiring wheeling yourself and your companions get tired as well. Also, be careful not to lean on the crutch arm pads. Sometimes when folks are using crutches their hands get tired so they put weight on the under arms. There is a nerve there that can be damaged by improper crutch use. Sorry if this sounds preachy but I've seen too many folks getting tired crutch walking and using damaging techniques.
Have a wonderful trip.