First trip with one leg :)

[keegz63]

Hi There!
So I am a WDW chick from waaaay back. Went as a kid, took my four kids every two years while they were growing up... And had my first trip, without the now grown kids, six years ago. Five years ago I lost my left leg below the knee, which is why it's been so long since my last trip. I'm now 51, and need to get back to my happy place - especially since my fiancé is 52 and has never been! I know he will love it.....

Honestly, though I'm beyond excited to plan this trip for 2015, I'm also scared to death. The upside is that I've been so many times, and have stayed at most of the on site resorts, I know my way around better than most. On the other hand there have been SO many changes to WDW in the past 5 years, Im feeling overwhelmed as I read the boards.

And then of course, I have always been very active and fit... Bombing around the parks all day and night. Those days are behind me. I'm older and walk with a prosthesis, and I have advanced arthritis in my sound ankle and hip. I am nervous about my stamina, my ability to stand in lines, and planning will be a challenge. I've done super with planning my family trips of the past, but this time around i feel like a fish out of water.

The reason for this thread is I would love to hear experiences, tips, challenges for other people who are amputees AND walk with a prosthesis. This trip is very special to me because it is ... Like a homecoming.... And at the same time I get to experience it with someone who is experiencing the wonder for the first time. Since losing my leg, finances have been tight and I've been saving forever for this trip, not knowing if I will actually get another chance to go for a good long while. I want to make it memorable, happy, special and most of all physically doable without overdoing it or making myself too tired to have fun.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.... It means the "world" to me

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

How wonderful to plan a trip for a happy place. I would suggest you know how much walking there is, to rent an off site scooter. It's a more enjoyable trip if you can have the stamina or really enjoy each moment.

 

[keegz63]

How wonderful to plan a trip for a happy place. I would suggest you know how much walking there is, to rent an off site scooter. It's a more enjoyable trip if you can have the stamina or really enjoy each moment.

Thank you! I am thinking about the scooter but wasn't sure if I should get an offsite one, I will be using the WDW Trans. And don't know how much trouble it is to get a scooter off and on the buses etc. I'm hoping to read the threads here and get a better feel for things before I make any decisions. I usually walk with a cane but I know The parks can be up and down hills and slopes.

 

[Pooh2]

Hey fellow New Hampshirite!

Don't really have much advise to offer for your specific situation but just wanted to say Hi and wish you a wonderful trip!

 

[POOHsie]

Hi There!
... I've done super with planning my family trips of the past, but this time around i feel like a fish out of water.

The reason for this thread is I would love to hear experiences, tips, challenges for other people who are amputees AND walk with a prosthesis. This trip is very special to me because it is ... Like a homecoming.... And at the same time I get to experience it with someone who is experiencing the wonder for the first time. Since losing my leg, finances have been tight and I've been saving forever for this trip, not knowing if I will actually get another chance to go for a good long while. I want to make it memorable, happy, special and most of all physically doable without overdoing it or making myself too tired to have fun.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.... It means the "world" to me

We just finished a great trip to WDW a week ago. All the planning seemed overwhelming, but when we got to the parks, it went as well as any typical visit went. Our MagicBands worked 100%, our FP+ scheduled rides went very smoothly. I am an L AKA. It's probably more challenging for me, because I don't have a knee and all the muscles that tie into it for maneuverability. So it's like only having one working leg. My prosthetic holds me up, not much more. I use a scooter because of balance issues, and take it all the way up to the ride car.

You mention arthritis in your good leg and hip. Sorry for that. I believe the amount of walking at WDW, plus the heat, may possibly aggravate that. Be ready to rent a scooter or wheelchair so you can walk if you wish, or save your stamina by staying off your limbs. It can be difficult for another person to push a wheelchair for hours in the parks in the heat. That's why I prefer a scooter. But in a scooter, you are 2-3 ft lower and conversation becomes difficult. You'll have to pay close attention to where you're going in a scooter, not so much time to turn your head and talk. If you feel well enough, you can park your scooter in strategic places and explore the immediate area on foot.

Difficult rides for me are those where you step down into a ride car. Gravity puts me in the car OK, but getting out with only "one leg" can be dicey. Your fiance can lend a hand to help you up and out of these ride vehicles. The Disney employees won't assist you, per their rules.

The only general comment I have is that, with your conditions, and a mobility device, you will accomplish less and go slower. Actually, that's not bad IMO. There are places along parade and fireworks viewing areas that are set aside for those with disability. Refer to your park maps for this info. Each park has special brochures for the disabled visitor, including transfer info for each ride, and marked companion restrooms which can accommodate a mobility device better than a crowded "regular" restroom. If you need a hotel room with roll-in shower or tub with rails and a shower seat, make sure to reserve that type of room. Taking a scooter on Disney transportation may seem scary now, but do it once and it becomes very easy. We rode buses, the monorail and different water craft. So don't hold back -- the park is yours to enjoy. Except just a few places -- At MK, WEDway PeopleMover and Peter Pan have access ramps that won't stop. I can't move well enough to successfully handle those two. Little Mermaid has a moving ramp, but you transfer into a wheelchair and they will put you in a special wheelchair car. Pirates of the Caribbean has an elevator upon exit, so you don't have to go up the ramp. Haunted Mansion has a moving ramp that I have to ask to have stopped for me to load and unload. I'm not sure if you are up to that. Be sure to discuss with the CMs there. BTMRR can be a challenge to exit without a wheelchair or scooter - so be sure to tell them your physical limitations and they can have a wheelchair at exit. Don't be afraid to ask for help. The Disney folks want to be helpful.

The thing that helped me the most was to have a big and sincere smile on my face at all times. Since I counted on the kindness of others, including many strangers who opened doors for me, or carried a food tray for me, I made sure to show a happy and appreciative attitude at all times. Best of luck to you, and write back with your experiences.

 

[MrsMeow]

My son is a BBKA and we just got back from Disney. He's 5, so he's obviously a very different situation than you, but we would not have survived without the stroller we brought in place of his wheelchair. He did ok standing in shorter lines and a little walking, but the combo of the heat and the walking that he did do really did him in, and he didn't last long at the parks (5 hours, tops).

People were really nice and accommodating when he was walking (slowly) through the lines. I was worried about dirty looks and people being frustrated because he moves slowly, but we didn't hear any negative words.

Good luck on your first trip back! It's ok to move slow, and take lots of breaks for both legs of yours.