ECV or not?

[chi-mom]

I have been suffering with plantar fasciitis for about 8 months now, and am getting very worried. We have a trip to WDW scheduled in Oct. 2003, and don't know how I'll manage if this is not better by then. I am a nurse and my heels are unbearable after an 8 hr. shift. I have been reading about ECV's, but think I might feel strange. I can walk, just not too much, and standing is even worse. If I do go with the ECV, can I just park it by the rides and enter on foot. Will I get disapproving looks??

Please help!:

 

[Puffy2]

Get the ECV - go ahead and book it. I get one everyyear when I travel with my friend who has lupus - we don't use it all the time. We generally drive it to the park, and take it from ride to ride (parking it and then getting in the regular line.) We use it to get from point A to point B. She would never be able to tour the parks without it - the fatigue would just wear her down to nothing and then she would be sick for weeks. No one looks at us strange; I've never gotten any "comments" (it's none of their business anyway) and I was worried about it just like you before we started renting one.
It's the best $30.00 a day I spend!! THe one day we left the scotter at the hotel and went to the MK without it she was saying "scooter.....scooter........where are you scooter...." about 1/2 way through the park. Never again - we're taking it everywhere this time!
I get mine from www.walkermobility.com they deliver and pick up from the hotel for free.
Have fun!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You should rent an ECV. Yu are better off renting from off-site so it will be available to you at all times (and it costs less than from Disney). Some information for off-site rentals are:

Here are the urls:

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

I have used Walker a few times. They will ask for a credit card and charge it the day before arrival. They will deliver the ECV to your hotel bell services before your arrival and pick it up there after your departure. Their rates, especially for longer than a week, are much better than Disney's. Also, their scooters are much better.

You don't say if you are renting a car or what. If you are using a car for getting around, the ECVs break down into five pieces, the heaviest about 39 pounds. They take about a minute or so to take apart and about two minutes (once you are used to it) to put it together.

If using a car, you might also want to see about gettting a temporary disabled hang tag from your state. With the ECV you will want to park at the close-in medical parking since you can't get the ECV on the trams and Orange County does patrol the medical lots and issue tickets.

If you need an ECV, you need it and should use it. Many people do not realize there are "invisible" disabilities; if they comment just sweetly ask if they would like to trade health conditions sight unseen.

Good luck and let us know what finally happens.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others. It would make your trip much more pleasant and if some other people stare or make comments, it is none of their business and they are being rude. There are people who judge no matter what the condition is. I have heard people say they think we are cheating when they see my DD sitting on a bench next to her wheelchair. She has CP, has an obviously expensive custom manual wheelchair and isn't even able to walk by herself. But some people think they can "tell" who has "valid" needs and who doesn't. You are the only judge of what you need and you are the only one whose opinion matters.

Many people do not realize there are "invisible" disabilities; if they comment just sweetly ask if they would like to trade health conditions sight unseen.

i like that one, Cheshire Figment

 

[travelitis]

I started with plantar fasciitis and ended up with reconstructive surgery on both feet. I know how painful PF can be. GET THE ECV! You have a walking disability. If you don't like the looks, wear sunglasses. Because people can't see your eyes, they can't make eye contact and give you disapproving looks. One time I even wrapped an ankle so they'd think they knew what was wrong. Unfortunately, it worked, proving how judgemental people can be. Those other people aren't paying for your trip to Disney, and you being in an ECV doesn't make them wait any longer. Who gives a rip what they think? I've had to tour in an ECV since I was 24, and I looked about 19. You can guess the looks I got. I've learned to park the ECV and walk when I can and forget what people think. I would love to be able to stand in lines and walk the parks. My dh hurt his ankle on our trip and used my ECV for an hour (after which I really needed it back), and he told me he'd never envy me again. Too bad so many don't realize that looking at their rear ends and avoiding them stepping out in front of you constantly without looking is no great treat. Do not subject yourself to the pain. Did I mention this yet? Get the ECV!!!

 

[JudithM]

I have used an ECV on my trips to WDW for the last two years. It was the comments on this bb that gave me the encouragement to get a handicapped parking permit & to use an ECV at WDW. I agree with the comments already posted here. Get an ECV!

On my last two trips - in October & again last week - I rented from Walker & would recommend renting off site & from them.

 

[cupcake]

I dealt with the "what will people think" issue years ago when my foot bone problem got worse and made it physically impossible to tour WDW on my own steam. I used a push wc for many, many trips, but still felt funny about trying the ECV. The great people on this board encouraged me to di it, and it's one of the best things I ever did. The fact is, you can walk however much you can walk. What people may or may not think will not change this essential fact. You need to do whatever will enable you to do everything you would like to do, without pain.

Cheshire Figment, LOVE the "would you like to trade with me sight unseen" comment! But Chi-mom, don't let that make you think that people will be flocking to make stupid comments. I've had people step in front of me or dart out more times that I can count but no one has ever come out and said anything to me about my wc/scooter use, and I have taken at least 8 trips with mobility assistance.

Do what you need to do to have a magical trip! Please don't let your perceptions about what you think others might think prevent you from really enjoying your trip.

I also vote for off-site rental (I used Walker). The scooters are better & easier to manage and you won't have availability concerns. Go for it!!! I wish I moved to the scooter years ago, I will be renting again even if my dh is available to push.

Cupcake

 

[Nanajo1]

My mantra is do what you need to do to insure you and your family has a great trip. Don't worry about what other people might think. There is always some self-appointed know- it- all waiting to show his/her ignorance. Ignore it. Smile adn enjoy your trip.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have only once had someone attack me directly about my wheelchair use and the fact I was at Disney. It was more on the fact that I was vacationing at Disney on their tax money. Assumption made was I am on SSDI which I am not and never have been. And even if I had been so what. Told that person off.