Don't know what to do, could use some insight - WC at WDW

[dtr_angel]

I read the Sticky/FAQ but I am exhausted, overwhelmed and just don't know where to start. We are supposed to leave Thursday for the airport and Friday arrive in Disney World. My DH broke his foot on Saturday morning. We have a 9 month old that does.not.sleep. so taking care of DH and baby and trying to prepare for this trip is making me crazy. I wasn't even sure we were still going but we decided this evening we are, so here I am on this board for the first time.

Right now he is in a boot and on crutches and cannot put wait on the foot at all. We have an appt with the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow afternoon to figure out what is going on. I don't know if he will be able to put weight on it at all (it's not a bad break apparently) or still be on crutches or what is going to happen. Even if he is allowed to walk on it, Disney is I'm guessing at least 5 miles a day of walking. If he is on crutches he said there is no way even at a slow pace he will be able to use the crutches because he is already exhausted using them just around the house. Luckily since we are going with the baby we don't have full days planned. Our plan if it works out is most days to arrive at park opening and leave after lunch for a few hour break at the resort. Then we have dinner ADRs each night and I was going to head back to the resort after dinner with the baby. The only late night we have planned is Sunday since we are going to the dessert party and want to see the parade/fireworks once. If the baby cooperates (like I said, he does not sleep and I'm wondering if we were crazy to take this trip on in the first place!) We do have my brother going with so he will be a big help I'm sure.

The only plan I think we have to change is Saturday. DH and my brother were going to spend the day at Blizzard Beach and I just do not see that happening since I'm sure he will at least be in a boot.

Okay sorry I know I'm not getting to my point... I know we are going to need a wheelchair. DH mentioned a scooter but I don't think it's necessary. We already will have to worry about the stroller, so I think trying to get a cranky baby around on disney transportation at nap/bedtime is going to be hard enough without figuring in a ECV. Same thing with a wheel chair... I think if we rented one off site it would be cheaper but how easy is it to fold them up and get on and off the bus? DH said maybe we should just rent one at the park for the day, he thinks he will be able to walk/crutch to and from the bus stop and at the resort (we are stay in Nemo at AoA so hopefully close) But will it cost a lot if we are doing 2 parks a day? I'm guessing we have to pay the rental fee twice... And what about at the airport? Can crutches be gate checked?

Sorry this is all over the place I am overwhelmed. Tons to do in the next 36 hours before we leave. If anyone has any insight on what might be helpful or where to start, I would appreciate it!

 

[dawnball]

I'd recommend a scooter. You're going to be pushing the baby in a stroller, and pushing yourself in a wheelchair gets difficult fast - those just aren't muscles you usually use in that combination, and with a rental wheelchair your ergonomics won't be ideal. A scooter would give him a bit more independence, too.

The other viable option would be to leave the stroller in the room and have your husband hold the baby while you push him. That's likely to be hot and uncomfortable to some degree - but it's worth considering.

In terms of renting in the parks or offsite:
1) If you rent onsite, one day's rental is good for as many parks as you visit that day - just show your receipt and they'll give you a wheelchair or scooter
2) It's a bit more than a tenth of a mile from the busses to the park gates. You'll need to go through bag check and the turnstyles before you can rent a wheelchair, and that may be awkward with crutches
3) You might have to call around a little, but if you start out renting at the parks and decide to rent offsite, you can probably get one delivered for the next day.

Airports are easy. Call the airline and tell them that you'll need a wheelchair. They'll note it on his ticket - ask when you check your bags and they'll tell you where you can wait to meet the wheelchair. Allow a few extra minutes, because they'll call for someone with a wheelchair when you get there. There should be a wheelchair waiting for him when he gets off the plane, and you can take it right down to magical express if you need to.

Good luck!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Frankly I think a scooter/ECV IS a necessity here. If he's getting exhausted from crutches there's no way he'll be able to wheel himself around all day. Disney is several miles of walking a day, and even though you're only doing short days its still a lot. People get exhausted walking and those are muscles they're used to using that way.

 

[dawnball]

Oh, if you do decide to do a manual wheelchair - bring a pair of bicycle (fingerless and padded) gloves for everyone who will be pushing. Your hands will thank you.

 

[dtr_angel]

I'd recommend a scooter. You're going to be pushing the baby in a stroller, and pushing yourself in a wheelchair gets difficult fast - those just aren't muscles you usually use in that combination, and with a rental wheelchair your ergonomics won't be ideal. A scooter would give him a bit more independence, too.

The other viable option would be to leave the stroller in the room and have your husband hold the baby while you push him. That's likely to be hot and uncomfortable to some degree - but it's worth considering.

In terms of renting in the parks or offsite:
1) If you rent onsite, one day's rental is good for as many parks as you visit that day - just show your receipt and they'll give you a wheelchair or scooter
2) It's a bit more than a tenth of a mile from the busses to the park gates. You'll need to go through bag check and the turnstyles before you can rent a wheelchair, and that may be awkward with crutches
3) You might have to call around a little, but if you start out renting at the parks and decide to rent offsite, you can probably get one delivered for the next day.

Airports are easy. Call the airline and tell them that you'll need a wheelchair. They'll note it on his ticket - ask when you check your bags and they'll tell you where you can wait to meet the wheelchair. Allow a few extra minutes, because they'll call for someone with a wheelchair when you get there. There should be a wheelchair waiting for him when he gets off the plane, and you can take it right down to magical express if you need to.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your reply. We weren't planning on him pushing himself (thanks for the tip about the gloves!) in the wheelchair since my brother is coming with us and is more than happy to help. I figure I'll man the baby and he can man DH lol. We aren't stroller people, I can count on one hand the number of times we've used a stroller. We usually carry the baby in a carrier. Since it's going to be so hot we aren't sure how that is going to work out during the day, but if necessary I could carry the baby in the Ergo and push DH in the wheel chair. I don't think I'd ditch the stroller and let baby ride on his lap just because he is really wiggly and there is no sun shade on the wheel chair, plus we are *hoping* he might nap in the stroller. Right now we are just trying to decide renting in the parks vs. off-site. I think we are leaning towards off site. DH said he wants to wait until tomorrow after the appt to decide for sure. We will call southwest tomorrow too. Thanks so much!

Frankly I think a scooter/ECV IS a necessity here. If he's getting exhausted from crutches there's no way he'll be able to wheel himself around all day. Disney is several miles of walking a day, and even though you're only doing short days its still a lot. People get exhausted walking and those are muscles they're used to using that way.

He said it's not that he's too exhausted, they are hurting his arms. I think we are leaning towards wheel chair at this point since we have an extra set of hands to help out.

Oh, if you do decide to do a manual wheelchair - bring a pair of bicycle (fingerless and padded) gloves for everyone who will be pushing. Your hands will thank you.

thanks again for the tip!

 

[dawnball]

I had a demon, non-sleeping baby. At 17 months, we took her to WDW, and I spent the whole time carrying her in a sling. It actually worked out really well, but she was either nursing or sleeping the vast majority of the time - I'd make sure to offer fluids of your choice more often than you really think will be needed. When I was carrying her, I was just as hot as she was, so it was a good reminder to take lots of breaks in the air conditioning.

Rides you can wear a sleeping baby on during include:
Teacups (it's fairly gentle if you don't spin or hold the wheel so the cup doesn't start spinning)
Dumbo/Carpets/Triceratops Spin
Jungle Cruise
Pirates (I'd just make sure to have good neck support for the drops)
Haunted Mansion
the new Ariel ride
Indy Speedway (although it's kind of fume-ridden)
Buzz Lightyear
The boat ride in Mexico
Maelstrom (again, careful on the drops)
Journey into Imagination

I will say that when I needed assistance at WDW, I used a wheelchair, not a scooter. I pushed myself some, I was pushed some, I hobbled around some and it worked out - but we were taking it slow and I could walk, even if I used the wheelchair like a walker. If you rent from offsite, they'd probably happily upgrade you from a wheelchair to a scooter if/when you decide that's the right answer for you.

Also, if the crutches are hurting his underarms - either he's using them wrong, or they're misadjusted. My physical therapist told me that most people adjust the crutches so they rest comfortably in their underarms and walk by planting the crutches and then sort of swinging forward on their armpits.

Properly you'd have about an inch of clearance. You stand on your good foot and place the crutches just ahead of your foot, about half a stride. Lift yourself on your arms and tense your abs to lift the good foot and you'll kind of glide forward until your foot is in front of the crutches. It's like doing crunches and triceps extensions - over and over and over again. If it's his triceps that hurt - yeah, that just got more and more sore for me, sorry.

I do hope that his foot isn't badly injured and he can walk some in a boot.

Other possible options:
A knee walker (you can rent them)
A hands-free crutch/hands-free elevating brace (possibly rentable or available used- but harder. I'd look for it locally or ask your husband's orthopedist.)

Note that any medical devices/medications (like the crutches) don't count against your carry on allowance, and if your husband needs a specific seat or type of seat (say with his injured foot against a wall or bulkhead so it can't be bumped) he should speak to a gate agent and Southwest will ensure he has the seat he needs.

 

[Tehanna]

I second the use of a scooter over a wheelchair I have used both. If you are staying onsite, I would encourage the use of one of the companies mentioned in the first post on this board. I know you read it, and there's a ton of information there, don't let that overwhelm you, but do focus on the info about the ECV companies. Here's a link back to that post:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

Here are my positives/negatives about using an ECV (aka scooter). Hopefully folks with more experience than I have will chime in. This is based on my experience only:

Upsides of using an ECV:

1. The person using it has more independence, and doesn't have to rely on someone else as much.

2. The person/people pushing WILL get tired. They are walking in the sun/heat all day, and even super nice and super athletic types may eventually resent being "tethered" to the person in the chair.

3. It's easier to carry a cane/crutches on a scooter than it is on a wheelchair. This is important when it comes to transferring onto rides.

4. The rental companies that serve Disney are good at what they do. I made the call to rent an ECV mid-trip once, and it was there in a couple of hours. Until I no longer have mobility issues, I will be renting an ECV.

Downsides of using a scooter:

1. Buses: It takes a few tries to get used to parking a scooter on a Disney bus. Most drivers are helpful, but I did once run across one that was cranky and impatient. (Monorail and boats are not difficult)

2. Cost: wheelchairs are cheaper than ECVs, both onsite and off

3. Transportation if you are staying offsite. I have no experience with this as I have only stayed onsite.

4. Rides: there are a handful of rides that you can bring a wheelchair onto, that your DH will have to transfer from an ECV onto.


Regardless of whether or not you use a wheelchair or ECV, do consider getting one from offsite. Here's why:

1. It will help your husband get from resort to parks and vice/versa. The space between your room and transportation, or the tram dropoff to the gate is pretty far.

2. It's cheaper than the daily rental in the parks.

Hope this helps. Please also remember to take care of you. This is your vacation, too!

 

[SueM in MN]

I started writing this last night, but DD called me into her room and it didn't actually post. Some of the things I mentioned were already covered by others between when I wrote and now, but here goes anyway.

Sorry about his accident. Hope he gets a good report at the surgeon - keep in mind that the surgeon might say he needs surgery or can't travel, so the trip may be off anyway.

Just to add a bit to the information you already got.
Crutches can be gate checked or (depending on the space on the plane) stored on the plane.
Since he is having arm pain using the crutches, he should check that he is using them correctly. A lot of people are just given crutches without much instruction.
Used incorrectly (mostly putting weight on the underarms), can cause pain and even nerve damage from pressure on the underarm area. Most of the weight should be on the hands.
Here's some good information about using crutches:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYzUQb79_Rw
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/surgeryrehab/a/crutches_use.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000344.htm

If he still is non-weight bearing after seeing the doctor, you may want to look into something else, called a knee walker or knee scooter. It looks like 1/2 of a walker with a platform the injured leg rests on with the foot off the end.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee_scooter
Depending on his injury, this might not be a good alternative for him, but if he can use one, it would be a different aid that he could alternate with the crutches.
I have seen people using them at the parks and they looked like they were doing well, but you are correct about the 5 mile a day average at WDW, so using a walker or crutches every day will be too difficult for most people.
You also have to be careful that the foot doesn't get bumped since it is sticking out behind where people can possibly hit into it. So, may not be the best choice for being in crowded places with a bad foot injury.
You can rent knee scooters and if you rent one at home, it could be gate checked on the plane.

Wheelchairs don't need to be folded on the bus. He would be able to stay in the wheelchair, the driver lowers a lift or ramp and the wheelchair gets rolled on, parked in a spot and then it would be fastened down securely to the bus.
(He could use the ramp to get on with a knee walker, but would have to sit in a seat and fold it on the bus).

This would be helpful for him because he would not have to worry about manouvering himself onto the bus on crutches and would also not have to worry about possibly standing on the bus if it's busy.

 

[stargazertechie]

Do yourselves all a favor and rent the scooter. I was injured during the 2011 marathon weekend, and I was too chicken to use a scooter, so we got a manual wheelchair.

I don't think folks realize how many hills there are in Disney until they are pushing a 150+ pound person around for hours on end.

We went with my dad in november 2011 (he was an end-stage cancer patient) and he rented a scooter. With the exception of ONE bus driver, we had ZERO issues with getting on and off and being where we needed to be when we needed to be there.

I'm actually on my way to the doctors in a bit for an x-ray as it appears that I have a stress fracture. We're headed to Disney in 7 weeks. I've already reserved a scooter through Apple just in case it is broken and I have surgery between now and then. I'm actually not concerned at all about navigating the parks or the transportation in the scooter- even though we'll be there during one of the busiest weeks of the year (July 4).

I also know that my FAMILY will have a better trip not having to push me around.

 

[ttintagel]

I started out in a manual wheelchair at WDW when I broke my foot, but there turned out to be more hills and ramps than I had realized. The person pushing me wore out quickly, even with me pushing myself as much as I could.


I'm not saying it won't work for your group - your husband and brother are probably a lot stronger than my friend and me! The point I'm working toward is that the company was able to get me an ECV pretty quickly when I called them, so it's certainly an option to change your plan if the original one doesn't work out. Either way, you'll still have a great time - WDW is a great distraction from pain.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would look at an off site rental of a scooter. if hot, the pushing will get old quickly. also the lines for buses, ferries or monorail can be long and standing the whole time. with a scooter husband will be able to control where he goes and not depending on others. hopefully it all works out for you guys

 

[LoriZH]

Omgoodness, I'm exhausted just reading your post!

I am going to be the scooter advocate too! I have to use crutches most days for my legs and hips, but have decided to get a scooter this time and am going to rent where they deliver it right to your resort. http://applescooter.com/

This is a Disney recommended site and they're VERY reasonably priced. I only need a small one and am going to get some opinions on that later, I just saw your post and felt so bad for you!

Another thing is this, your husband can still help with the baby, he can hold him while waiting in lines or watching parades. I was a little panicked for you at first until I saw your brother is going with you. He will be a big help too. Your days seems to be very reasonable with someone who has an infant, so you're good there I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about.

For the record, according to most sites, you walk about 12 miles a day in Disney. Yours may be a lot less due to your schedule, but still, a scooter for the DH is your best choice imho. He can maneuver it himself without tiring out his arms. He can still bring his crutches for short walks to the pool, around the resort, etc. while you and your brother take turns with the stroller.

I think you guys will be fine. I hope the DH heals fast and I'm sure you're going to have a magical vacation! Let us know how it goes

 

[Piper]

If you have an ECV, please do not hold a child. It is very dangerous. It is also against the terms of your rental agreement.

 

[blondietink]

Agree with others who have said DH is using the crutches wrong. I was on crutches for 6 months and could walk from one end of a Super Wal-Mart and back before DH got half way. When used right, crutches can be very efficient. Your DH needs to practice more using them correctly.

We have 2 disabled adult aged sons and they use wheelchairs. Honestly, we have never seen the need for fingerless gloves when pushing them around WDW. I will say the worst park for wheelchairs is AK. The paved walkways are very bumpy and there are many "hills".

Good luck.

 

[anonymousegirl]

If you have an ECV, please do not hold a child. It is very dangerous. It is also against the terms of your rental agreement.

I think the poster meant that the husband could hold the baby while the ECV was completely stationary, not while operating the vehicle.

Or at least that is what I inferred.

I do agree that babies and ECV's don't mix generally.

 

[Piper]

Unless the ECV is turned off, it can easily move with just a touch of the controller. I have accidentally done that with my own personal ECV and I use it daily. It isn't practical to turn off an ECV in line at Disney. They are moving most of the time.....slowly sometimes, but moving.

 

[dtr_angel]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm a nurse and DH has been on crutches before so he's using them right. I think he meant he would be too tired if he had to crutch our whole vacation.

He's in a walking boot now and can put weight on it some. We rented a wheel chair from apple and will switch to an ecv if necessary.

Baby will not be on dh's lap in an ecv or wheel chair, not sure where that came from. We have an ergo carrier and stroller.

Sorry reply is short, on phone. Long day getting to hotel by airport. No crib or pack n play for baby so this should be interesting. We will be in Disney in less than 12 hours then hopefully I can relax!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[LoriZH]

I think the poster meant that the husband could hold the baby while the ECV was completely stationary, not while operating the vehicle.

Or at least that is what I inferred.

I do agree that babies and ECV's don't mix generally.

Oh by all means I meant that! lol While watching a parade or if you're in a waiting area for people with EVC's where you're not riding/moving. She stated she has a stroller for the baby so there's no need for DH to be holding the baby while moving