EVC for MIL

[mukorasirish]

Hi All,
I'm having a bit of an issue and am looking for advise as to how to handle it. We are going to Disney in June for 9 days. It will be my husband and I, our 3 kids, my mom and my inlaws. We have been to Disney in the past but this is our big once in a life time family trip. We are staying at AKL. My MIL has had problems with her feet her whole life - terrible bunyons and general pain. We would like to get her an ECV to keep her comfortable but she is having none of it. She says she will bring her epsom salts, soak her feet and she will be fine. We've tried to explain the amount of walking - even just walking from the bus to one of the Epcot restaurant is most likely going to cause problems but she insists she will be fine. I suspect it is a pride thing (even though my mom is 72 she still runs 3 - 4 miles a day). As we are going in June, I'm afraid that if we wait to order one during our stay there won't be any available.
This is her first trip there. I want her to be comfortable and be able to see and experience as much as possible without any pain. Any ideas on how to gently convince her without making her feel uncomfortable?
Thanks!

 

[lanejudy]

It's tough, and you'll have to get her to buy into the idea. However, present it as a way for her to be comfortable and enjoy the trip, and to not impact the kids' fun waiting for grandma to rest.

Someone here has posted a good analogy... pick a point about 1 mile away from her house. Ask if she could walk there....(pause)...and back...(pause)...and do it again...(pause)...six times in row...(pause)...then again every day for 9 days. The average person walks at least 6 miles per day at WDW. I suspect after the first day she'll be glad to ride. Maybe you could reserve it with the intent that she'll decide she wants it after the first day.

If she's concerned about driving an ECV, suggest she try one out at a local grocery store or big box store. Those are usually bulkier and more cumbersome to drive that what you'd rent, but it will give her some practice.

Fortunately, with a June trip you have plenty of time to work with her on this concept.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[bedogged]

Hi All,
I'm having a bit of an issue and am looking for advise as to how to handle it. We are going to Disney in June for 9 days. It will be my husband and I, our 3 kids, my mom and my inlaws. We have been to Disney in the past but this is our big once in a life time family trip. We are staying at AKL. My MIL has had problems with her feet her whole life - terrible bunyons and general pain. We would like to get her an ECV to keep her comfortable but she is having none of it. She says she will bring her epsom salts, soak her feet and she will be fine. We've tried to explain the amount of walking - even just walking from the bus to one of the Epcot restaurant is most likely going to cause problems but she insists she will be fine. I suspect it is a pride thing (even though my mom is 72 she still runs 3 - 4 miles a day). As we are going in June, I'm afraid that if we wait to order one during our stay there won't be any available.
This is her first trip there. I want her to be comfortable and be able to see and experience as much as possible without any pain. Any ideas on how to gently convince her without making her feel uncomfortable?
Thanks!

If your mother "runs 3-4 miles a day," I don't think I would worry too much about her!

 

[lanejudy]

If your mother "runs 3-4 miles a day," I don't think I would worry too much about her!

I think that's the mother who runs. It's the mother-in-law who needs the ECV.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[ttintagel]

When I needed one at the last minute in June '11, I was able to get one, so there's hope there. I suppose you could go ahead and reserve it in the hope that you can change her mind between how and then, or that she'll see she needs it on the first day and have it for the second.

Also, she can park it in one area and walk around as much as she wants to; she doesn't have to stay in it 24/7. Maybe if she thinks of it as a backup instead of something she has to depend on it'll be an easier idea to get used to.

It might help to frame it as making the trip better for the kids - they'll be able to have Grandma with them instead of leaving her behind, resting on a bench in pain, and they won't have to slow down to her pace.

 

[bedogged]

I think that's the mother who runs. It's the mother-in-law who needs the ECV.

Thank you for clearing that up.

 

[tarak]

I think the questions posed by Cheshire Figment are great ones. I'm struggling with this myself, so I sympathize with your MIL. Assuming your mom is about the same age, it can't be easy for her to travel with someone who's physical condition doesn't require the accommodation. At this point, my plan is to rent an ECV for myself (bad knee which will require a replacement in the near future) and park it when we go to the parks, knowing I can retrieve it if I have to.

You mention in-laws - will your FIL be traveling with you? Is it possible to have him talk to her about it? You do have plenty of time to talk her into it. I spent three hours shopping last Saturday and that did the convincing for me. I wish you luck!

 

[mukorasirish]

Thanks for all your great advise! My FIL is coming as well, but he too is having no luck convincing her to even entertain the idea of renting one. I am going to reserve one prior and then revisit the idea as we get closer. One idea my husband had was to rent it and have it brought to our room. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus (although very well controlled at this point) and we could keep it around in case I - or anyone - might need it. (Although if I take a turn for the worse we may have to rent another one any ways!)
Thanks!

 

[MushyMushy]

I just want to chime in on this issue. I've always been extremely reluctant to use an ecv, but I got injured on my last trip and it was either that or stay in my room the whole time.

I called a scooter rental company and they had it delivered to our resort within a couple of hours. The rest of our trip was saved and it was wonderful.

One thing I worried about a LOT was what other people would think, because of all the negativity you see on the boards and such. I was pretty self conscious and embarrassed.

But let me tell you this. I didn't get a single negative reaction whatsoever. From the CMs, from other guests, from anyone.

I still won't be completely recovered by our next trip and I plan on reserving one. If I need it, it'll be there and if I don't, that's fine too. They can be parked with the strollers or wherever else is designated parking, and you can walk around the area.