Glad to have found this discussion area!

[photobob]

We are WDW veterans and DVC owners. My DW has been dealing with significant leg weakness and and was just yesterday diagnosed with MS. We haven't even started her treatments yet so we don't know how much stamina she will have once they get started, hoping for great improvement.

We drive so I am thinking of buying a travel wheelchair that will fold. I am thinking we may use it similarly to how we used strollers when the kids were young and use it to get us from place to place and then leave it in the stroller area depending on how she feels.

I haven't even mentioned the idea of the wheelchair to her yet, not sure how she will respond. Even if she responds well to the treatment I'm not sure she could handle the walking required at WDW, it is tiring for me and I am able bodied and work out five days a week! We have a trip planned for the week after Thanksgiving so we can see the Christmas decorations, so we have time to decide.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Just as something to keep in mind, if you get tired from just walking around (which let's face it, everyone does) pushing your wife in a wheelchair is going to tire you out WAY faster. It's a lot of work pushing someone in a wheelchair. It'd also be a lot of work if your wife decided to wheel herself around if she's not used to doing it. I'm not saying don't give it a try, just something to think about.

 

[peemagg]

I also have MS and find that the more tired I get the worse I am. I use a ECV at Disney and around home and it has really been a lifesaver for me. It lets me get out and do things with my family that I wouldn't be able to do without it. I look at it as a tool to help me not something that handicaps me.

I suggest a ECV for your wife. You will both be better off with one.

 

[photobob]

Just as something to keep in mind, if you get tired from just walking around (which let's face it, everyone does) pushing your wife in a wheelchair is going to tire you out WAY faster. It's a lot of work pushing someone in a wheelchair. It'd also be a lot of work if your wife decided to wheel herself around if she's not used to doing it. I'm not saying don't give it a try, just something to think about.

Thanks, definitely is something to keep in mind! I am in excellent shape and can walk around WDW all day long but pushing someone is a bit different and something I haven't thought about.

 

[mackay_j]

I'm am in the same boat. Found out I have MS (well in my case recur/relapsing transverse myelitus in june 2010) - I lost the use of my R leg completely over a week. It has taken me over 1 year to get to the stage of walking unaided- but still cannot do stairs, hills or walk any distance. I still have 10 months to try and get more mobility and I am now on a chemo type drug to try and prevent any more relapses. But I am trying to convince my dh that we would be better renting a ECV as I think it will be very hard work for him to push me about in a chair, esp as I have gained weight due to the lack of excersise over the last year. However, he is trying to avoid this discussion as I think he is hoping that it will all go away before we go

 

[photobob]

I'm am in the same boat. Found out I have MS (well in my case recur/relapsing transverse myelitus in june 2010) - I lost the use of my R leg completely over a week. It has taken me over 1 year to get to the stage of walking unaided- but still cannot do stairs, hills or walk any distance. I still have 10 months to try and get more mobility and I am now on a chemo type drug to try and prevent any more relapses. But I am trying to convince my dh that we would be better renting a ECV as I think it will be very hard work for him to push me about in a chair, esp as I have gained weight due to the lack of excersise over the last year. However, he is trying to avoid this discussion as I think he is hoping that it will all go away before we go

Sorry to hear about your condition, we went to WDW this past june and DW could go about a half day and then we'd go back to the resort. I thought she was just tired and didn't know something more was going on until she told me the last day of the trip. The last two months her fatigue and the weakness in her legs progressed significantly. We have spoent the past three weeks go back and forth to a neurologist who just yesterday gave us the diagnosis of MS. She does have a mild case and will start daily interferon injections in a week. Anxiously waiting to see how she'll respond!

 

[GranJan]

I'm am in the same boat. Found out I have MS (well in my case recur/relapsing transverse myelitus in june 2010) - I lost the use of my R leg completely over a week. It has taken me over 1 year to get to the stage of walking unaided- but still cannot do stairs, hills or walk any distance. I still have 10 months to try and get more mobility and I am now on a chemo type drug to try and prevent any more relapses. But I am trying to convince my dh that we would be better renting a ECV as I think it will be very hard work for him to push me about in a chair, esp as I have gained weight due to the lack of excersise over the last year. However, he is trying to avoid this discussion as I think he is hoping that it will all go away before we go

I agree with others that renting (or buying) an ECV would be better than the wheelchair. The first time I went to WDW after becoming unable to do all the walking, my husband pushed me in a wheelchair. It makes you feel so dependent & like you're a burden. I knew he would be tired but he insisted he wasn't. He didn't think I would be comfortable driving the ECV in the crowds...seeing the huge ones they rented in the parks, I don't think I would have either. While on vacation in Hawaii a fews years later we met a woman who had one of the smaller travel scooters so we rented one. It was nice to have the chance to get accustomed to it with no crowds. I ended up buying one which I recommend if you think you'll get use out of it at home. Having it at the airport has been great. I always hated all the rushing around at the airport with my husband trying to handle all the luggage & assist me. I waited until my strength & balance was so bad that I had to hold onto his arm when walking. It doesn't take too many times of renting one before you could have paid for one. Having the ECV gives you independence instead of having to ask someone to help or push you where you want to go.

 

[bedogged]

I also have MS and find that the more tired I get the worse I am. I use a ECV at Disney and around home and it has really been a lifesaver for me. It lets me get out and do things with my family that I wouldn't be able to do without it. I look at it as a tool to help me not something that handicaps me.

I suggest a ECV for your wife. You will both be better off with one.

I think Peemagg and I both have the Go Go Elite Traveler Plus model Scooters. I have the HD model and love it. Mine weighs 117 pounds and easily comes apart in 5 pieces so you can take it with you in the car with no special equipment. One thing to consider when looking at scooters is the control area. The Go Go scooters allow operation with either hand and that may be of importance to someone with MS. FYI I bought my scooter locally in the Denver area for the total cost of $1,100. Just be sure you if you purchase a Go Go scooter that it has at least the AH18 or AH17 batteries. The less expensive models often have different batteries that don't last a full day at Disney.

 

[peemagg]

I think Peemagg and I both have the Go Go Elite Traveler Plus model Scooters. I have the HD model and love it. Mine weighs 117 pounds and easily comes apart in 5 pieces so you can take it with you in the car with no special equipment. One thing to consider when looking at scooters is the control area. The Go Go scooters allow operation with either hand and that may be of importance to someone with MS. FYI I bought my scooter locally in the Denver area for the total cost of $1,100. Just be sure you if you purchase a Go Go scooter that it has at least the AH18 or AH17 batteries. The less expensive models often have different batteries that don't last a full day at Disney.

Yes, we do have the same model scooters except that mine is just the plus model not the HD. I love mine too! It weighs about the same as bedogged's does. I agree to with getting one with the bigger batteries.

 

[SueM in MN]

My son in law has MS. He has not needed a wheelchair or ECV, but he is young and in generally good health. He knew an ECV was an option if he needed it.

My suggestions (besides the ECV) would be to be careful to avoid dehydration, rest inside after a period outside and consider touring early in the day and late in the day to avoid the hottest part of the day.

 

[photobob]

My son in law has MS. He has not needed a wheelchair or ECV, but he is young and in generally good health. He knew an ECV was an option if he needed it.

My suggestions (besides the ECV) would be to be careful to avoid dehydration, rest inside after a period outside and consider touring early in the day and late in the day to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Thanks Sue, since we just became empty nesters we will probably from now on try to visit in cooler months! Your suggestions sound like our touring plans pre-MS! I look for us to just to take our time and stroll around very leisurely, do an attraction or two and have a nice lunch and then head back to the resort. Have a nap and maybe catch some fireworks or night shows later or maybe not!
That's pretty much how our last few trips have been anyway!