Wednesday, July 26, 2006
I woke up quite sore. Besides the toenail I am pretty sure that I strained a ligament on the top of my foot and sprained my ankle. I was very thankful for the Dilaudid. Ya know for a disabled person, I’ve had an awful lot of injuries. Stitches 7 different times from my walking days when I fell a lot, 4 concussions (1 from falling, 2 from tipping my chair, 1 from falling out of my chair), and I tore the ligament behind my right knee twice (1 was a lifting oops, the other I fell out of my chair) and left knee once (lifting accident) and countless sprained ankles. Anyway I decided not to go to get an x-ray. I had pain meds and besides-I was at Disney!
Besides all the regular care and getting ready, I also had to clean my toenail. We were just about ready to go when we had a crisis. A critical piece of tubing on my portable suction machine broke.
I have to have that machine to leave. The cruelly ironic thing is that it was the one piece of equipment that we didn’t pack.
Mom and Dad had a heated argument. Especially when Dad cut the tubing. I was praying mightily. With more snips of tubing (Danny, what are you doing! Fixing the machine!! How? Talk to me!) Dad was able to connect the broken tube to pieces of the longer that connects to the suction catheter. I breathed a sigh of relief.
We started off to Magic Kingdom-later than intended. Outside the entrance, we stopped to ask about a dump for the RV. It was full and emitting a not so nice stench. I chatted with a CM in an electric wheelchair. She used an antenna topper for her joystick/toggle on her chair. Getting the information took awhile because the CM had to call around.
Between the sore foot, fighting, and all the delays, I was feeling a bit frustrated and grumpy.
Finally, we entered Magic Kingdom.
I picked up an ace bandage from first aid to help stabilize my ankle and after the bathroom break headed to Frontierland for Country Bear Jamboree. I think I last saw it when I was 9. It was, um, not my favorite. A bit corny and hokey. Dad liked it.
Then we headed to Pecos Bills café. Even though it was 2:00, it was very crowded and noisy. The seating wasn’t especially wheelchair friendly. We all crammed around an end table. Now right outside the afternoon parade was going by. There weren’t very many people standing. I suggested that we go outside (it was really loud and I was getting a headache). Nope. I couldn’t go out alone. So I missed a parade that was mere feet away, I wouldn’t have had to wait for, and was by an air-conditioned building. Instead I had to spend the next 45 minutes watching people eat.
Whoopee.
Dad didn’t appreciate my glum look and got upset. The morning was not going well.
After eating, it was off to Adventureland for Jungle Cruise. I hadn’t ridden this since I was 7. I was excited to try the wheelchair accessible boat. This is one of the few attractions that has a separate wheelchair line. They had to start up Big Bertha so instead of the posted 20 minute wait, ours was 45. Danielle and Grandma went first and came off smiling.
Then it was Mom, me, and Dad. Mom had some trepidation because the step was so big that she wasn’t sure she could get out. But she took the plunge. The wheelchair loading is very well done. You pull straight on, the platform is twisted forward and lowered, and then to get off the platform is raised and turned and you drive straight off. Low bars ensure you don’t drive off and give extra security during the ride.
Our guide was quirky and into her part.
I enjoyed the whole ride and appreciate all the work to get an accessible boat…Some of the turns unnerved me because the boat tipped slightly. I kept remembering how imagineers had trouble with the wheelchair boats sinking…But I returned safely from my voyage avoiding wild animal attacks, cannibals, and seeing such wonders as the backside of water. We docked and I got off safely. Mom, however, was in trouble. She couldn’t step up. Even with Dad’s help, she wasn’t making it.
And there is some strange rule that only wheelchairs are allowed on the lift. We were seriously getting worried. Mom was flustered and embarrassed-we were holding up the line. The guide was trying to keep it light hearted but looked concerned. Dad tried one more time-Mom’s arms around his neck; he put his hands under her tush, and with a great heave-she was free! If you have any doubts about your ability to step out of the boat (about 10 inches) stay in your wheelchair.
Next we swung by Aladdin’s flying carpets. We were kindly informed that only manual chairs were allowed on the ride. The way they secure the chair is a raised area between the front and back wheels and battery boxes get in the way. Okay.
Much to Dad’s chagrin, another bathroom break was needed. This was a bathroom filled day. We were late to the Pirate show and it was hard to see. I wish Disney would set up a roped off area for wheelchairs for the street shows. The show itself was good. Jack Sparrow was great.
One of the little kids being trained aimed low with her sword to which Jack made a funny comment. At another point, they were split into teams. One kid wanted to be on Jack’s side and snuck over.
“A mutiny!”
And then Jack ran away.
I am pretty sure at this point that we had a Dole Whip. I hyped this one up and the family tried it. Unfortunately Dad didn’t order the floats but just the whip. They weren’t especially impressed. I was able to eat some of the tangy goodness. Yum. A unique refreshing treat.
Me pin trading (I didn't actually trade with them):
Danielle wanted to see Cinderellabration. We headed there 30 minutes before show time to ensure that no one would stand in front of us. Mom took pictures of the castle while we waited.
About 5 minutes before the start of the show, this family squeezes their two daughters in front of me and Mom, ummm. Mom politely points me out and asks them to scoot back over. They grudgingly do so but one girl still stands partially in front of Mom and the thing she waves hits Mom in the face repeatedly. Definitely not Mom’s favorite experience. Again I wish Disney would set up a roped off area for wheelchairs for the street shows. The story is that this is Cinderella’s coronation and a celebration.
After a bathroom break, we decided to do a tried and true ride to try to turn this day around. Winnie the Pooh. I specifically asked for the bounce button so I experienced more effects. The ride vehicle sloshed back and forth when Piglet was in the rain scene, blew around when Owl’s house was falling, and bounced along with Tigger. Danielle was having a bad bladder day and needed the bathroom again.
As soon as she got back, we headed to Philharmagic. It was just as wonderful the second time around. It really is a must see.
It was raining when we got out. As we donned the rain gear, we discovered that our guide book was missing.
The one with the locations of all the rides/attractions, their length, how many wheelchair spots, the location of all air conditioned counter service restaurants, the location of all Companion bathrooms, the busyness factor of normal bathrooms and number of wheelchair stalls, and the one with Indiana Jones, Cinderella, Belle and Beasts autograph. Gone. We figured that it was probably left in the bathroom. Dad went to check and asked a lady to look for him. Nope.
There was an argument on whether to continue look for the book. Dad was a bit grumpy. I thought that we were going to stay for Wishes because this was a planned late night. But Mom was tired and wanted to go home. After more exchanging of words in an unDisney fashion, Dad stormed off to Lost and Found to ask about the guide book. No luck. I am sure that it was a great find…
As we were leaving, Wishes started. This made Mom feel even worse. Dad was just irritated. We dismally headed to the car-a very long trek to RV parking. On the way we passed a confused looking woman and asked if she needed help. She had gotten separated from her party. She was from Scotland. She borrowed our cell phone to try to get in touch with the other member of her party. No such luck. We suggested she return to the park…
The drive back to the house was tense.
I am afraid that this was not a very good day. We were one of those families that you look at and shake your head. There was some good stuff but all the stress and attitude definitely detracted…
Next installment on Saturday, August 4, Doin' the Park hop
Doin' the Park Hop w/pics- Page 29, Post #430
hope it gets better, and no xrays. 
KIM
OMGoodness your poor toe I'm cringing for you, that sounds incredibly painful, hope it got better really quickly!
heres to better days.
Erica
I had forgotten how beautiful the Castle was with all the gold embellishments!
