Help, DH broke ankle! How do we do this?

[maxsmom]

He will be exactly at the 6 w/k mark the day before we arrive. However, that doesn't mean he'll be ready to tour Disney and do that much walking. We also are not early people and often arrive at the parks noon or later. We also don't use Disney transportation and drive to the parks. He is not wanting to get a scooter. I get that. He wouldn't need one the entire time also. He also realizes that he may not make it the whole day and have to go back early. Just looking for advise from others that have been in this position. We don't tour commando style, but we want him to make it through everything we do and not have to go back early. Thanks for your help!

 

[stitch09]

Last time we went (it was just my mom and I), my mom was near the end of recovering from multiple foot surgeries. She had a lot of pain in her left foot, and it was very difficult for her to walk at times. She managed to still do everything, as we planned things so she wouldn't have to walk that fast/walk long distances- I would run for FPs; etc.

Here's some things you can do so he doesn't get too worn out:
-Have other members of your party run to get FPs and have him and whoever is with him meet those runners at your next meeting point.
-Pick attractions that do not have long waits. I know you said you aren't early people, but maybe try getting to the parks more toward opening so you can experience the most popular rides without having to stand in line on your feet for a long time. If not, then make sure you get FPs for these.
-Don't criss-cross all over the parks. Plan your day ahead of time, including what you want to do when so you can minimize walking. For example, in MK, do all the attractions in one land before moving on to a new one (don't do Pirates and then go to Buzz and then come back and do the Jungle Cruise; etc.)
-Take advantage of shows/sitting attractions. 3-D shows, live shows; etc. Do a lot of attractions where your DH can sit and relax off his feet.
-Alternate walk-on rides and shows with longer stand-by lines. By doing this, you'll spread out his having to stand on his feet for a long period of time.
-Take it slow and take several breaks. Sometimes it's a good thing to go at a slow pace- you can enjoy all the little details and wonders that are Disney if you take the time to do so.

Hope all goes well! Have a great trip!!

 

[Rainwater]

Walking boot, and wheel chair.

 

[dudelydude]

First and foremost, you have to be completely realistic about your situation. For how much you don't want to picture a Disney vacation that doesn't include every member of your family being all together and doing everything side-by-side, your reality has changed....most especially....if DH doesn't want to get on wheels. If he couldn't appreciate the use of an ECV, propose a wheelchair. a wheelchair may seem worse, but it offers two things aside from being able to wheel him around....1) a quick place to sit down when it is needed to rest his ankle and 2) it acts as a walker on wheels when he does want to be on his feet.

I realize that DH isn't up for "wheels," but after day 1 of walking around and really trying to act as if the ankle can handle it, then comes day 2. For how much I am an advocate of getting off your butt and forcing yourself to move around after an ankle injury (to get it loose), Disney walking is different and there will likely be lots of swelling, tightening, etc. If you've never had an ankle injury, the first time DH puts his foot on the floor after waking in the morning after Day 1 of walking around will be very painful and may knock him out of activities for Day 2. Be persistent about walking aids or wheels.

 

[Zuzu03]

I agree about urging him to use a scooter or wheelchair. My mom was adamant about not wanting a scooter in 07 but after just doing DHS the first day, she was really uncomfortable (she has gout and ankle, foot, hip issues). Our next day was Epcot so there was no way she would be able to negotiate the whole park upright. We talked her in to the scooter because we said that we needed the basket to help carry things anyway (I know, weak, but it worked). She grudgingly accepted and it made a HUGE difference to our day - she was happy as a clam for the rest of our vacation. Good luck!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going over to the disABILITIES Forum. One of the first threads is the disABILITIES FAQs. On Post #2 we have a lot of information for people with mobility problems. To get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs from here just click on the link in my signature.

 

[maxsmom]

You all have some great advice. This trip is celebrating our 10 yr aniv (married at Sunset Point @ Poly) so it wouldn't be the same at all if he was sitting in the room. He may just have to cave and get wheels if he's going to enjoy the parks at all. He may even have to get a scooter b/c he wouldn't have anyone to push him around after day 4 at the park b/c it will just be the 4 of us and we will also need a stroller for our 2 yr old. This could be an interesting trip and maybe more relaxing than we anticipated! Thanks again!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

We went when my, then teenage daughter was recovering from unexpected knee surgery. She was on crutches and we tried a wheelchair but quickly got frustrated by that. All the advice here is good, another suggestion is to go to the pool at your resort as often as possible and let the foot just dangle in the water. That helped my daugher out a lot. We would go into the parks for a couple of hours then she would just hang out in the pool for a while and her knee would feel better. Her knee didn't improve when we were away, but it didn't get any worse. As she said, she would rather be in WDW on crutches than not at WDW!

 

[KPeveler]

I second the idea of an ECV! It will still be very hot in 6 weeks, and his leg is going to swell up like a balloon if he does not keep it elevated (which is easy enough to do in an ecv or wheelchair)

Most lines are mainstreamed, so you will not skip lines or "take advantage" of anything. What he can do is drive the ECV to an area and then use the crutches to go on things if he wishes.

It is more than a mile just going in a circle around world showcase. It is a mile up and down hills from the bottom of the hill outside the Land Pavilion into Soarin and back out again. So he would walk nearly 2 miles in and out of Epcot and only make it on 1 ride!

I use a wheelchair everyday, and there is nothing "shameful" or "embarrassing" about it. It is a tool just like any other. I also need glasses to see.

How is he going to wait for parades and shows? The ECV will let him sit for those without pain.

This is an anniversary trip, and he should not allow stubborn pride to take him away from his family!

Check out the disabilities FAQs for more info, but I think an ECV would be perfect for him!

 

[KPeveler]

Also, do not be afraid to lay on the guilt that you do not know if you can handle the kids and the stroller and everything if he is going to spend half his time at the hotel in pain. This is your vacation too!

We all know how well men handle pain, so there is no reason for him to be in pain (which means a perfectly pleasant demeanor of course) when there is a way around it.

You are NEVER going to see the people in disney again, so who cares about image? Isn't taking care of family more important?

 

[Taja]

Gotta be stubborn to know stubborn! *LOL*

At least half of my WDW visits have been with foot and/or leg injuries. Did not rent an ECV, but should have on at least two or three occasions.

Some observations:

1. The usually easy walk from the tram or bus area to the park entrances is horrendously long when you are in pain. Even if you are not in pain when you begin the trek, you probably will be in pain before you reach the park entrance.

2. Stability and balance. People constantly bump into you throughout the park days. Not intentional--just a lot of people! Even without pain, just maintaining your balance becomes exhausting after a while.

3. Have your DH evaluate his abilities honestly and get a GAC when you arrive at your first park. For me, stairs--particularly without railings--are an issue. Two attractions that pose serious problems with the stairs are LMA! and Fantasmic! in DHS. The GAC was a lifesaver. The GAC validated my problem and the CMs allowed me to sit in the disabled section of those two attractions. Would not have been able to view them otherwise.

4. Keep in mind that your DH's ankle probably will be extremely tender--even at the six-week mark. And watch the two-year-old--they are excellent at walking on other people's feet! *LOL*

If your DH is sensible, you'll all have a wonderful holiday at WDW!

 

[ktlm]

You need to convince him to rent an ECV. Believe me, it will make your trip much easier, and it will not be that much of an inconvenience. My MIL broke her ankle badly several years ago. We went to WDW with her last year. She was not going to get an ECV/scooter, even though her ankle still gives her trouble. By the end of the first day, her ankle and the lower part of her leg had swelled up to the size of a watermelon- I've never seen anything like it. There was no way she was going to make it for the rest of the week spending much time in the parks at all. She and FIL called Walker Mobility and they delivered the ECV to WL. It stayed in the room, and FIL and MIL charged it at night.

The ECV was no problem at all in the parks, in fact it allowed her to keep up with the rest of us for the whole week without any problems. She had a great time. There are plenty of places to park it, and he can walk some when he feels like it. There are also several rides where you can take it to right up where you board, which is great if he is having a bad day.

It sounds like you may have to try to rent it in the parks each day since you are staying off property and not using WDW transportation? I don't know what other options you would have, but maybe someone on the disability board would. One thing you need to watch out for, is that if you are trying to rent in the parks, you need to get there early. When FIL/MIL were checking into it, they told them that to get them at the parks you have to get there before rope drop and rush to get in line and that it is not guaranteed that you will get one, as they often run out of them. You can't reserve, they only rent daily, and it is first come first serve. That means, there was a possibility, that MIL would have gotten to the park and been unable to get an ECV that day and could not have stayed with us for the day. That is the main reason they did the weekly rental.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

A broken ankle can take a long time to heal properly and some physical therapy. It may not be the same for a long time. Wheels and rest is probaby the only way he could do it. Good luck!

 

[Duckiedee]

Just wondering - how bad is the break? Is he able to put pressure on the foot - is he using crutches, walking cast/boot or both? There are so many types of breaks. Did he have surgery? Does he have plates? Will he be on painkillers that cloud his vision or judgement.

Make sure he gets out and about to the grocery store etc here at home... and if you dare - send him ALONE!!! That will give him a better heads up of how he can work it. You may want the ECV for his share of the usual storage too - he may not feel up to schleping a backpack. And not sure where you are from, but a note his cast may also get quite soft from the humidity.

Make sure to bring reusable icepacks for the fridge if you have one or large Ziplock bags for ice. Ice ON the cast is also helpful for reducing swelling.

If he will be in a boot and cast-free, and not to too much pain - the best solution for the swelling is filling a wastepaper can with ICE water and plunging your leg in up to your knee for 5 mins. Morning and Night and mid-day if in room for break. Be very careful with the foot for the next five mins - it gets so cold you cannot feel it. I'm sure he'll be in the mood to be automatically careful. REALLY helps the pain and swelling after the initial shock.

I second, he may think he can 'handle' the distance, but with crutches he also loses the use of his hands, so you will have three children. Every puddle is an accident waiting to happen, a stroller to the good ankle or one crutch a reason to wipe out, ramps and stairs are tricky, wet floors, pop spills, food on the ground, confetti etc... not much surface area on the bottom of a crutch.

Six-weeks in he may still feel pretty punky and have a large 'dangerzone' around his leg.

Any chance he has a buddy who could join you? It would make it more fun for him, extra hands for you (even if just helping your DH) and you would feel less stressed if there are things he cannot enjoy with your family. Men can always find some way to 'hang'.

If you have trip insurance though - I'd probably postpone six-months at least though. Or if he's not up to it, be ready to have a stand in - I know it will be hard on the kids to change. If he 'just' broke it - he may not really realize yet the implications of it. It took me a while... I was supposed to be able to put weight on mine in 6 weeks, ended up being 13 before I could and then it took about another 6 weeks before I could go crutchless IN the house... Mind you - mine was a bad break.

 

[Micca]

Good advice here. Sounds like you need another week at WDW so you can take it slow. There's coverage for that, right? Best wishes.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

He will be exactly at the 6 w/k mark the day before we arrive. However, that doesn't mean he'll be ready to tour Disney and do that much walking. We also are not early people and often arrive at the parks noon or later. We also don't use Disney transportation and drive to the parks. He is not wanting to get a scooter. I get that. He wouldn't need one the entire time also. He also realizes that he may not make it the whole day and have to go back early. Just looking for advise from others that have been in this position. We don't tour commando style, but we want him to make it through everything we do and not have to go back early. Thanks for your help!

Wheel chair and a Guest Assistance Card. Just a possible Idea.

 

[mitsybella]

a friend of mine who walk alot for her job rented a knee scooter when she broke her ankle, this site gives you a picture https://www.rentakneewalker.com/?KW=2&gclid=COyv69PExqICFUFM5QodlWoU6g

she did a rental week by week( not from this site but a local company where we live) and it really helped, it even folded to go in the car

 

[KPeveler]

Wheel chair and a Guest Assistance Card. Just a possible Idea.

Just to avoid confusion... (not that I disagree with you, but there is always a little confusion about the GAC)

The GAC will NOT allow anyone to skip lines. If a person cannot wait in a line for stamina or mobility reasons (such as having a broken foot), Disney suggests that the person rent a wheelchair or scooter. The GAC is meant to ensure equal access for people with invisible disabilities.

A previous poster had a good suggestion for a possible use for the GAC in this case - avoiding stairs. There are a few queues with stairs in them, and that can be very difficult to stand on with crutches or a walking boot. The GAC would not allow the person to skip the line, but the person and their party is instead directed around the stairs.

I definitely think an ECV would be best, because the heat and swelling from NOT having the leg up all day may actually do more damage! And who wants to spend their anniversary trip in a room alone while the family is out having fun. Does he really want to miss that moment when his DD sees a princess for the first time because he was too stubborn to get a silly seat with wheels (which is all the ECV is)???

Men are stubborn, and I understand this, but pride can only get you so far...

 

[java]

Go to guest services for the GAC - and when I had it with my boot cast they let us use the fast pass lines. This was about 3 years ago now and I don't know if that changed.
I used that perk when I was really feeling like I couldn't stand anymore.
I even had a CM take me out of one line and put me on a ride- with my family. Oh yes the people in line loved that one.

But I did pretty well in my air cast. I was walking all over the place. I did it slower. But really there is a lot of sitting in Disney too- We took the pace down a few notches and really had a nice trip. (kids loved the GAC and asked if I could break my foot again this year - nice)

 

[Pixie Princess]

I echo the ECV. On our first trip I took my MIL. She had broken both her ankles in a car accident 10 years prior to this trip. She still has ankle problems to this day, but more so in winter than any other time. She was okay for the first couple of days, but as the week went on, the ankle started swelling and it finally got to a point that she had hang out at the resort while I took the kids around and then she caught up with us later. While she didn't do it, she remarked several times about possibly renting an ECV because she was having so much trouble.

If your DH has an ice boot, bring it along if possible. My MIL was wishing she had hers to use at the end of the day.