First time to Disney since spinal cord injury-should I try for DAS?

[Elliesmommy]

I have a minor spinal cord injury, I also have MS, and fibromyalgia. My spinal cord injury and MS leaves me with multiple issues but I can walk just fine with a wheeled walker. I plan on bringing my walker instead of renting a ECV or wheelchair as I get circulation issues for sitting too long. My walker does have a seat on it that I can rest on during long lines.

My biggest concern is the incontinence issues stemming from the spinal cord injury. Of course I wear products, but at the same time I suffer severe rashes if I do not immediately change out of my briefs after a bowel incontinence episode. No amount of skin protectant will fix this issue.

I also get spastic legs on occasion from my MS. Basically, I need to walk of the cramps or do exercises to stop them.

This sucks! I have done the Disney marathon multiple times and now my body has failed me! I hope to get a DAS pass, this would relieve a lot of my nervousness about my upcoming trip.

 

[nikkislaght]

I believe your issues will be considered Mobility .. you can always ask for a DAS, but be prepared for them to say no..

 

[wilkeliza]

You can always try. Just remember to tell them why you need to wait outside the line and return after that wait and not diagnosis or anything like that. I would be prepared though to use a good plan of action and fp+ just in case you are told no since they may see the mobility issues. If you are denyed trying doing the park with out it and if you have issues go back to guest seevices and explain what happened and asked for a DAS again.

 

[gap2368]

you can go to GR and talk to them when you do let them know what you needs are when waiting in lines that a wheel chair scooter or wallker will not cover ( a mobility device )

when using a mobility decide remember you do not have to use it all the time

a wheel chair you can get out and push if you can do a lot of walking and just need to sit if in a longer line.

an ECV you can park out of a shorter line and get out and walk ( I know a friend that will put her walker on the back of her ECV so that she can walk around some)

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yes you should absolutely try for a DAS. It sounds like you have more going on than just mobility. Tell them all of your issues just like you wrote here.

I hope you have a fabulous trip!

 

[mamabunny]

I have a minor spinal cord injury, I also have MS, and fibromyalgia. My spinal cord injury and MS leaves me with multiple issues but I can walk just fine with a wheeled walker. I plan on bringing my walker instead of renting a ECV or wheelchair as I get circulation issues for sitting too long. My walker does have a seat on it that I can rest on during long lines.

My biggest concern is the incontinence issues stemming from the spinal cord injury. Of course I wear products, but at the same time I suffer severe rashes if I do not immediately change out of my briefs after a bowel incontinence episode. No amount of skin protectant will fix this issue.

I also get spastic legs on occasion from my MS. Basically, I need to walk of the cramps or do exercises to stop them.

This sucks! I have done the Disney marathon multiple times and now my body has failed me! I hope to get a DAS pass, this would relieve a lot of my nervousness about my upcoming trip.

I'm genuinely sorry to hear that you have had to deal with these issues; I hope as time progresses, you can begin to find more peace, and more comfort.

My Mom suffered incontinence issues after multiple strokes. When visiting WDW, we would set up "bathroom kits" that I would create in a gallon zip-lock bag. It would have a fresh pair of briefs, a pair of nitrile* gloves, and a small supply of wipes in a sandwich size zip-lock bag. We would also include a fresh, clean damp washcloth folded in a separate ziplock bag. Because Mom sometimes got emotional during toileting (side effect of her stroke) I always popped in another sandwich bag with a few tissues folded up. In two separate gallon zip-lock bags I would put one pair each of the soft knit pants she preferred to wear i case we needed a wardrobe change. As the day progressed, I would keep/consolidate any "extras" that we didn't use, and place soiled briefs, wipes, etc. into a ziplock to dispose of. Soiled washclothes went back into a ziplock bag for laundry. We also made sure to carry sufficient snacks, water, and a supply of clean cotton bandanas (again - ziplock bag!) which can be handy in *so* many ways. By packing everything "flat" in ziploc bags and squishing all the air out, it makes it super easy at Security/Bag check as well; they can see all the contents of every bag, and so won't have to go rooting around through everything.

*we only carry nitrile gloves so we don't accidentally expose someone with a Latex allergy to a trigger.

Just remember that - as difficult as it is - that the Rollator is just a TOOL to let you do what you want to do. Just like I use glasses to see better, or someone may use hearing aids to hear better, or a calculator so I don't have to count on my fingers and toes. Use all the tools at your disposal to have the best possible time you can!