Getting my ducks in a row

[StrwLady]

Hi folks,

We leave for Disney on June 3 and of course I decided to trip over a huge garden rock and likely tore my Achilles tendon (MRI later today). I don't know anything yet regarding treatment but from what I have read I will push for non-surgical treatment or waiting after the trip for surgery. Regardless of what path I take this will make this trip a little more challenging.

I have my ECV rented (always use one due to asthma flares I get in Orlando). I called and got a roll in shower room at the Pop. It will be my son and I for the first half of the trip. We move to the POFQ once my hubby arrives and I am pretty sure with his help I will not need a handicap room/shower.

I am not sure if the Guest with Disabilities Pass would be of any additional benefit to me. I know I will be very limited to walking. I don't think I will be able to walk as much as I usually have to with the ECV. Does the pass in any way shorten possible walks? I do intend to ask for moving belts to be slowed or stopped if possible. Also, going often to Disney, will make it ok if I have to skip a ride or 3. Most of the rides I love you can get extremely close to the ride. I will get over letting the CM's take the ECV away. Normally I'm a bit leery about this seeing I am responsible for it. I don't like that they often leave the key in the ignition.

If anyone has experienced a similar injury and can give me any suggestions I greatly appreciate it.

Despite the injury I plan on having a great time. Nothing will rain on my Disney Parade.

PS how do you protect your walking book in rain?

 

[Piper]

I'm sorry you hurt yourself and hope it heals quickly.

The GAC is only for rides and shows. There is no way to shorten all the walking between attractions. You have already done what Disney recommends for mobility problems: rent an ECV or WC. I can't think of a way it could help.

I always take an inexpensive poncho and separate rain bonnet with me for those sudden showers. I tie the rain bonnet over the controls (I like it because the opening allows me to reach the controls without encumbrance. I have heard of people taking garbage bags to cover casts on wet rides and in rain. Maybe that would work.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I brought white kitchen garbage bags for DD10's boot when she had a broken ankle. Worked perfectly.

Your disability is quite visible with the ECV and boot. I can't imagine why you'd need a GAC. The purpose of the GAC is to notify CMs of invisible disabilities. With the ECV you'll always be sent through accessible lines. Most times this will be the regular lines but there are some inaccessible lines where you'll be sent through an alternate way. There's not way to shorten distances but your ECV will take you where you need to go so the distance won't matter.

for a speedy recovery.

 

[StrwLady]

Thanks for explaining the purpose of the GAC. It's good to know I have one less thing to concern myself with.

I was looking at knee walkers today. I found one that is small and collapsible. While it is not steerable I think it will do the trick to get me from the ECV to the ride. I appears to fold up fairly flat so I will bring some bungee cord and zip ties to attach it to the back someway. I might even call Walker to see if there is something they can do.

I had the MRI yesterday and although the tech didn't actually say the words "torn tendon" she let me know that it was torn. I was talking and joking around with her and she felt comfortable letting me know in a round about way.

I have read a lot on treatments and I intend to ask my family practice Dr to refer me to a Ortho that is comfortable with conservative treatment. Then I will push for non-surgical treatment or delaying surgery after Disney.

Thanks for being here to listen to my tale of woe and for giving me information.

 

[peemagg]

If you are using a ECV, then I would just bring my crutches instead of using the knee walker. You will be able to ride the ECV right to where you will load for the ride. You will have a very short distance between your ECV and the ride car. I think the knee walker would be more trouble than it is worth. I would call Walker though and ask if they have crutch holders for their ECV's.

I use crutches and an ECV on a daily basis. It was a real easy walk on the crutches from the ECV to the ride vehicle. Most of the times it was less than 10 feet of distance between the 2. If you needed to, you could ride the ECV all the way to the ride vehicle and then the CM would move it back for you after you have loaded.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are using a ECV, then I would just bring my crutches instead of using the knee walker. You will be able to ride the ECV right to where you will load for the ride. You will have a very short distance between your ECV and the ride car. I think the knee walker would be more trouble than it is worth. I would call Walker though and ask if they have crutch holders for their ECV's.

I use crutches and an ECV on a daily basis. It was a real easy walk on the crutches from the ECV to the ride vehicle. Most of the times it was less than 10 feet of distance between the 2. If you needed to, you could ride the ECV all the way to the ride vehicle and then the CM would move it back for you after you have loaded.

And crutches would be a lot easier to deal with than having to fold and unfold a knee walker all the time.

I have seen guests with knee walkers, but I don’t think i would bring it unless you intend to use it most of the time. If you do bring it, you could park the ECV in the stroller parking area and then walk on to attractions in that area using the knee walker. But, it would probably be easier to just use the ECV.

There are a few attractions that are wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible. If the CM says you need to leave the ECV, let the CM know at the entrance to the ride line that you will not be able to walk and will need a wheelchair. The attractions that have non-ECV accessible lines do have loaner wheelchairs for that attraction.

You may also want to be thinking about which attractions have a long step down. Posts 18-21 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread will be helpful for that info. You can find the thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature to get there.

 

[StrwLady]

I have not been given crutches yet and really don't think I will be able to use the. I have carpel tunnel in both wrist and do not have the best upper body strength. That is why I was looking into the knee walker. I didn't think about a wheelchair from the ECV to the ride. That is a good suggestion. Thanks for mentioning it.

I already know of a few rides I will not even attempt. The first 5 days will be just my son and I. And although I don't want to send him on several rides alone (for reasons of him being lonely) he is old enough to do ones he really wants to do alone. Once my hubby is there I won't worry about what I can't ride. Just being in Disney is enough for me

 

[JennyDrake]

It's not exactly the same thing but......I had to have my ankle rebuilt and they took out 1/3 of my Achillles to do so. I was 24 and very active. In 6 months I was at 90%, in a year 100% (including participation in a ballet company.) Because my job had me on my feet at least 6 hours/day, I did not do PT as walking was the best PT. After getting out of the cast (7 weeks) I used crutches for probably 3 more. My leg was weak and stiff, but I did not have any pain after 2 weeks post-op. So IF you have a surgical repair, your recovery process could be similar to mine. I hope this helps.