Hell on Wheels tale

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hello all! After all the great advice that I was given on this forum I feel I owe you a report as to how things went with my first trip with a walker.

It was the best decision I had ever made and without it I could not have manged as well, if at all.

I have heart and lung issues which make it difficult for me to stand still, in lines and such, although my legs work pretty well. It is an odd condition that I have learned is not at all uncommon but it does appear odd to other folks who might not think me disabled at all. (sigh)

On advice here I bought a simple and relatively inexpensive walker with seat. $80 at our local Krogers. It had a collapsible soft storage place which was a necessity in order to be able to fold the unit up.

While I was not able to ride some rides, especially those with moving sidewalks as well as POTC, I was able to enjoy most of the rest as well as be able to see many things that I would not have been able to otherwise, the Santa productions at EPCOT as well as one particular showing of the CP where I was able to sit behind the ropes and see Whoopie Goldberg. BTW, I would not have been able to ride the aforementioned rides without the walker either.

It was easy to get on and off the buses. Who would have figured that I would learn to love the new buses???? I waited for another bus a few times when there were several wheelchair people and such as I could sit and wait while I am not able to stand and wait. Because I got on the bus first I had enough time and room to lower it down and press on the big bar to fold it up and slide it in between the seats so it did not inconvenience anyone else. I also made sure to be the last off the bus when there was only one stop for the same reasons.

It really came in handy for when I had to go get our food as I could put the tray on the seat and wheel it to my husband.

I had minimal pain in my chest and back even though it would have been helpful for the handlebars to have been a bit taller.

I bought a carpenter's apron at Lowe's for a mere $.79 and decorated to tie to the handlebars with the pockets facing toward the seat and me to hold park maps and such in and even had a stocking hanging with small treats for the children I met. Naturally there was a big LGM hanging as well.

I did not keep my purse beneath the seat because I was afraid I might forget it but it rode nicely on top of the seat as did the heavier coats we had to carry some days. The light jackets fit in the storage. Just remember to remove all items from the storage before attempting to fold the unit up. It is especially important when you have cupcakes, cookies and other goodies in there.

Another great attribute of the walker is that the part that extended out was the nicely padded backrest and the one and only time that it came into contact with another person it did not damage. BTW, she walked into me. I think that is the problem with scooters and strollers is that they have bottom parts that extend out further and the people using them cannot tell how very close they are to other people.

I highly recommend this to people with the same problems as I have. Having lost a large amount of weight I am always fearful that if I sit down on a scooter it might find its way back. Many truly need the scooter but some of us just need a bit of extra help and I think a walker is the total solution to our problem.

I hope this helps someone and if you have any questions I will be glad to answer in repayment of all the help I was given in making my decision.

Slightly Goofy

 

[WDWisTheBest]

After reading your post, I am happy for you that your walker helped you to work your way through problems that could have occured.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

WDWisTheBest, thank you. You are so right!

BTW, it is folks that you that made this a house hunting trip too. Clearwater here we come.

I had found a place that I was pretty sure I liked but the day we left and headed to Disney and was there a bit over an hour later I knew it was for us.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Bete]

I bought a carpenter's apron at Lowe's for a mere $.79 and decorated to tie to the handlebars with the pockets facing toward the seat and me to hold park maps and such in and even had a stocking hanging with small treats for the children I met. Naturally there was a big LGM hanging as well.
Slightly Goofy

That's a great idea and this can help in many ways besides going to Disney.


Did you take the walker on any rides?

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Bete! Long time no see.

When I had searched for an organizer to put on my walker I found prices in the $30-40 range and that was nearly half of what the walker cost. I am not a sewer so I had to think. Since hardwares are my favorite place to shop the idea for using a carpenters apron came to me. I was shocked at how little it cost but I am guessing it was because it carried an ad for said hardware but what do I care?

I think it is such a good idea that I plan to go and buy a couple of dozen and take them to the nursing homes I visit for the patients. I can even use the fabric paint to decorate and put their names on them. Gonna be one of my projects for the year.

Since I can walk fine I mostly left my walker outside when I went on most things but in the theaters I was able to take it in as long as I sat in the back with the folks in wheelchairs etc. It was useful to lean on and made more more comfortable. I do not do thrill rides and such so I cannot tell you about them. The big advantage was that I had a seat when I needed one and was able to stake out a place way in advance, to the side so as to not get in the way of others, for such things as Off Kilter, Invasion, CP as well as most of the Story Tellers at EPCOT.

The best part was that when I ran into a DISer I was able to actually visit a bit as before I had a hard time standing for more than five minutes and had to excuse myself.

If there is anything else I can tell you just let me know. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to an even better New Years.

Slightly Goofy