Elevating Leg Rests for Wheelchairs?

[tmarquez]

Hi

My husband recently injured his ankle and must keep it elevated. We are going to Disney (actually staying at Disney but visiting Sea World and Universal this time) in August.

My question is...does anyone know if the wheelchairs you rent have the elevating leg rests? If not, do you know where I can maybe rent them? He has a wheelchair that he borrowed from a friend for just using around the house on occasion, but it just has fixed foot rests.

He "made" a leg rest for himself using pillows and a board...but I'm thinking that might not be a good thing to drag into the parks.

Thanks for any help!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Those at WDW don't as far as I've seen them last september. Contact the rental places mentioned in the sticky at the top of the disABILITIES board. These type of configurations are fairly standard, so at least one of them should have a chair for rent with them on it. (rental chairs that don't have them -like the ones at WDW- tend to not have the needed stuff to be able to fixate removable ajustable leg rests to them)


Has he tried crutches for around the house? It would take some practice, but most do that within a day (or two). With most ankle injuries (and assuming he doesn't have anything other preventing him from using crutches ofcourse!) they are an option. It would give him some more range of movement than a wheelchair would, especially in a home.

Have you thought about the 'living arrangements'? It would be hard, possibly impossible, for him to do the normal rooms with a wheelchair. Would he hop around the room? Could he still do that after using up energy at the park all day? Could crutches help him out enough? Or does he need to use the chair within the room? Would he be able to shower using a showerbench, or would he need a room where he can shower without a tub being in there? Does he need handlebars?

If needing ANYTHING of this kind in the room; call CRO and have them talk to special reservations. Depending on his need, they can block you a room on ground floor (for instance at CBR where there are no elevators), make sure there is a showerseat in the room (can be done in any room ), block you an accessible room with handlebars or if needed even a handicapped accessible room with roll in shower. Provided these are still available.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I will say that hopefully by August he will not have to continue the elevation. My daughter had double hip, and 8 weeks later, double knee surgery. (Avascular necrosis from steriods) So, I know how it can be with the elevation. We had trouble even transporting her in a vehicle. I cannot imagine trying to wheel thru the crowded parks in August with the leg rests up. I would be very worried about being bumped. OUCH.

Our insurance company provided the proper type of wheelchair, with the legrests.

 

[SueM in MN]

The park rental wheelchairs don't have elevating footrests, but as was mentioned, you would be able to get one from one of the offsite places listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

There is also information (including pictures) about handicapped accessible rooms of various types at WDW in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[zumbergc]

a few years ago, we rented from walker mobility, and you can request to get the foot rests that raise up. They do cost a flat charge more, a few years ago it was a flat $10, per leg, I would guess the price is more now.

One thing I noticed, was when the leg rest is down vs the leg rest is up, you need the leg at different lengths. They seem to measure it out so you are good when the leg is down. Then when I raised the leg, it was too short. Bring an adjustable wrench, so you can fix this yourself. We were at the swan, and a maintenance man was able to help us out.

You will need to put the leg down to maneuver in some lines, when your making turns.

 

[dclfun]

I agree with Pat. My power chair has elevating legrests and there's absolutely NO way I'd go through the parks using them. There's a very high likelihood of his leg being bumped into and you might find it impossible to turn in the queue lines. I really don't have any suggestions though other than to see if your trip could be postponed or if his physician will allow him to have his leg down part of the time. This way he could take rest periods with his leg up, such as in theaters, during parades, meals, and even going back to the room or sitting in First Aid for awhile.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Pat. My power chair has elevating legrests and there's absolutely NO way I'd go through the parks using them. There's a very high likelihood of his leg being bumped into and you might find it impossible to turn in the queue lines. I really don't have any suggestions though other than to see if your trip could be postponed or if his physician will allow him to have his leg down part of the time. This way he could take rest periods with his leg up, such as in theaters, during parades, meals, and even going back to the room or sitting in First Aid for awhile.---Kathy

I have seen people in the parks with elevated leg rests, but it would be very difficult, especially if the parks are busy. I would not advise driving around with them up unless absolutely necessary (and then, very carefully).