ECV Questions

[Hopefully]

I have read the FAQ's. I have read the current threads here. I still have a few questions.
I have bad bursitis in my Left hip. I am relatively young (56) and healthy, but I can NOT walk long distances. I saw the MD on Friday. We are trying a new anti-inflamatory med and TENS for 3 months. If not better, I might require surgery.
At any rate, we have a trip planned for October. I am considering whether I will need a ECV or whether to just cancel our trip I am a long time Dis'er and I know how people feel about "healthy" people using ECV's. I am worried.
I would be able to stand/walk in a regular line. I can stand without pain. I can walk short distances fine. Long distances (less than100 yards) result in extreme pain!!!
Are there places to park an ECV outside of a queque or restaurant? I would stand in the regular line. If you enter in one area but exit in another, would your ECV be moved?
We are booked at the BWV's but I KNOW that I can not walk to Epcot from there. I read about charging ECV's, so I am assuming there really is no problem with most.
I am very worried about loading onto buses for the AK and the MK.
How do ECV"s work on the trail to see the animals in the AK?
Any thoughts are welcome.
I would hate to cancel, but I wonder if we (DH and adult DS) can have a good time if I am a burden.
Thanks in Advance

 

[Chuck S]

Well, I can share my experiences as a "wheelchair pusher", as Mom uses a standard w/c, not an ECV.

The AK animal trails should be fine...a little bumpy, but OK. The busses shouldn't be a problem. Most of the newer busses are ramped, if you do get an older "lift" bus, you'll need to back the ECV onto the lift. For an ECV, not a w/c, it would be safer for you to transfer to a regular bus seat after loading the ECV, as the ECVs have a higher center of gravity, and tip easier than a w/c.

There are always places to park your ECV in order dine in a restaurant. For many rides, just stay in your ECV until you reach the actual boarding area, go ahead and board, and the CMs will move your ECV as necessary. Stay in your ECV for theater type attractions. For rides, ask the CMs outside the ride whether you should park, or stay in the ECV through the regular line.

Don't worry at all what "people think", and most importantly, you WILL NOT "be a burden." WDW generally is very, very ECV and w/c friendly.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

What Chuck said.

If you haven't used an ECV before, the most important advice is to practice a bit before going out into 'traffic'.
You need to be able to turn both ways, sort of parallel park and be able to back into a spot, entering from the right or the left.

Speaking from experience of traveling with someone who should have used an ECV before he finally decided to (my FIL), it was painful to watch him and we felt bad knowing he was in pain. We were also very aware of trying to walk slowly so he could keep up, which made him more conscious that he could not keep up unless we slowed down.

As for what others might say, YOU know you need one and your family knows you need one. Those are the only people whose opinions matter.

There are people who will make decisions based on how you look, but they don't know what living in your body feels like. We have run into a couple of people who made rude comments about DD being a 'cheater' just using a wheelchair because they saw her sitting on a bench next to her wheelchair. What they could NOT see is that she can't walk at all, so sitting on a bench was a sign she wanted a change of position (not a 'sign' of 'cheating' as they assumed). For each person like that, there are 10 nice ones though.

 

[brady961]

Use the ECV, wheelchair, or whatever YOU need to enjoy the trip. Don't worry about what others think. You know YOU and your body better then anyone else. So choose a mobility device that will work for you.

Go and have fun using the device. I agree though if going to use a ECV/scooter do some practicing before hitting the "crowds". You will feel more comfortable and have more confidence doing this as well.

Go have fun, use device you need!!!!!

 

[zumbergc]

Make sure to take your pain meds or ice, what ever works for your hip bursitus. When mine was really yucky, make sure not to skip out on your meds. If ice gives you any relief at all, you can get some at the first aid centers. If you bring your own refillable ice pack, you can get a cup of ice to refill it.

You were wondering if you should take the ecv in the lines. you probably should. You can spend lots of time in lines, and that time adds up over the day, best off, just staying in the ecv when possible.
If you have extra energy at the end of the day, maybe try it out, but I woudln't recommend it at the beginning as you could end up really tired and in pain at the beginning of the day.

There are very few rides that that the queues and such are not good w/ ecv, a couple they have you transfer to a push wheel chair. Ex peter pan (to get in the line), stitchs great escape, pirates of the carribian.

 

[DrmWvr1299]

Don't worry about what you think others are thinking, (did that make sense?). I was very self conscious the first few times I had to use one (broken foot that resulted in many surgeries) I felt everyone was looking at me and wondering why I needed one because I could walk short distances without needing one. And...a lot of times I needed to walk just to stretch out the ligaments and tendons and my son had to drive it, got many looks on that one. I honestly feel that 90% of people don't give it a second thought unless you run into someone. AK has very uneven terrain, practice using it away from others, it will not take but a couple of minutes to get the hang of steering and stopping

 

[freemore]

Do whatever you need to do to be able to enjoy your vacation and don't worry about what strangers think..they haven't walked in your shoes, only you have and you don't have to prove anyhing to anyone. My husband and I love the ecvs and wouldn't be able to go to Disney without them.