GAC/ HC seating parade & Show viewing questions.

[DisOrBust]

I just start posting here so sorry if this is a repeat.


My Dad has Parkinson's and it recently is effecting mobily badly. This is his first time considering using a w/c or ECV. After reading the responses I am thinking we rent w/c at each park BUT thats my thought. I am guessing Dad will say no but may rethink it later in the day. Now to make life easier I will get the GAC but...

1. We are a party of 8 people? Its only good for 6??

2. Parades. Standing for a long time will be difficult I know how hard it is to get a bench. Do they offer a h/c viewing area if your NOT in a w/c.

3. Shows. Example FOTLK. The stairs will be tough to navigate. Can he/we sit in the h/c area w/o a w/c?


I am really trying to respect his indendence and not "make" him get a w/c.

any thoughts???

TIA!
Sue

 

[Chuck S]

I would imagine after about an hour in the park, he'll be ready for a w/c. Most w/c parade viewing areas no longer have benches to sit upon, the w/c and ECVs are in front, everyone else stands behinds them...or sometimes they allow one person (two small kids) to sit on the ground directly in front of your family member that is in a wheelchair, it depends on how crowded the W/C area is on a given day, and what safety concerns they may have.

As far as shows, etc, a gac should allow him to sit in the front w/c areas for FOLK.

Many WDW resorts have a limited number of standard push wheelchairs available at the resort for free use by guests...it does require a deposit. It may be easier for you to rent at the parks, but if he has trouble with stair/steps, I would recommend getting one from the resort and he can load on the busses without having to step up into the boarding area. I understand his "pride" and not wanting to use one...but pride does little good if you make everyone else in your party miserable, or if he is injured because he can't walk well.

 

[zumbergc]

Independance wise an ecv will give the person more freedom and independance in my opinion.
When being in a push wheel chair, the person sitting down is kind of at
the mercy of the pusher. Its a lot of work for the pusher, however, the
person in the chair would appreciate when you stop which way you are facing.

We did the wheel chair at first before the ecv. My husband would kind of park me facing a wall, facing where there is nothing to look at. He was a dangerous pusher down main street in MK. Those RR tracks in the ground are dangerous for wheels of a wheel chair, I think at least 5 or 6 times one of the wheels would get in one, and when that happens you tip. So please be careful, especially when its crowded at night.

I love being in a scooter compared to the wheel chair. If you don't have super strong arms, then much above wheeling yourself around occasionally, or wheeling yourself thru the stores is all I can do. Just as your walking down the street, even in a group of 3-4 people, you can kind of sway and check things out. When your being pushed you are at the mercy of the person who is pushing you.
When your in a scooter, your window shopping, checking out the animals in the animal kingdom, you go and look exactly where you want to be.
Of course its easier to be standing and checking things out in a store, than in an exc, but, when walking, motoring thru the park, you have more independance in the ecv.

Thats my opinion, it does cost more, but the person will feel more independant in the ecv, than wheel chair, thats my opinion.
Since your dad has parkenson, I don't know if that would affect his abililty of driving the ecv, or and pressing the lever down on the handle which makes it go forward.

Just my $0.02,
Good luck,

 

[DisOrBust]

Thanks I laso thought the ECV would be better but I think its difficult to navigate around crowds. We tried to take him to our local Grocier store to try one out but he said "he'll be fine." I hope he is but his track record lately isn't so good. At least its WDW. I know if we get in trouble their are resources available. I really think the hard park will be at the end of the day and walking to the buses, then to the room. I