help: questions from a first-time wheelchair pusher

[disneyberry]

if my grandmother comes on our family trip this December, it will be the first time ever that i have pushed a wheelchair around.

background on my grandma:
she is not capable of pushing her own wheelchair. she doesn't use one regularly, and she does not have the strength at all in her arms anyway. she is in the early-mid stages of Alzheimer's, and has never driven before, nor does she know how to ride a bicycle, so an ECV is completely out of the picture.
she will only need the wheelchair when she is too tired to walk, so half the time the wheelchair will be "empty" (though probably loaded up with bags and stuff).

can any of you veteran wheelchair pushers please help with any tips you might have?

i am assuming this is going to be a very tiring thing.
in theory there are 3 other adults capable of taking turns with me to push the wheelchair, but i might end up being the one pushing it most of the time. i can't count on my brothers (college age) to not run off and have fun by themselves , and i don't want to burden my dad. (btw, i'm a petite woman, mid-20s, not in very good shape right now due to a knee injury, but with persistence and luck, i hope to be in great shape by December )

i think i've read before that buying a pair of gloves to wear while pushing can help prevent blisters?

also, has anyone ever gone to the gym to work out specifically to prepare for pushing a wheelchair around extensively?
just curious, what muscles do you think are used the most?
i'm starting a new exercise regimen, so i might as well prepare for the worst (that i have to push around the wheelchair all the time).

i don't want our family's touring to be hindered too much if i'm too tired to push my grandma's wheelchair around.

also, are there recommended pillows to make the chair more comfortable for my grandmother (she's a tiny old lady! less than 5' tall, and less than 90 lbs, pretty much child-sized)?

the other thing, when my grandma is sitting on a wheelchair, and if i'm pushing it and abruptly stop or something, is there any danger that she might fall forward out of the chair?!?
is there such a thing as seatbelts for a wheelchair (like on strollers) or is that not necessary?

also, has anyone ever put an umbrella on the chair or something to provide shade?
what about when it rains? is there anything special to protect the chair, and person sitting in the chair, from getting wet?

sorry for all the questions, i've just been so worried thinking about all this. my dear grandma has never been to WDW before, and i want to make this trip as comfortable for her as possible!
TIA for your help, everyone. (i'll probably have more questions later, too)

 

[tink2dw]

You will find that much of WDW is up hill!!

 

[BCV23]

Don't worry, you'll do fine!

Our DD is 17 and has been going since she was a baby. She is just about your GM size and has been for about 4 years. I'm not small but I'm also not in good shape and I have had no problem pushing her at WDW (although she's had a power chair the last two trips and we'll do that from now on but for her independence not because of the wheelchair).

MGM is very easy. MK is once you're there. The monorail ramps are fairly steep and long but I can do it without any real problems. The ferry is the easiest now that the lake is higher again and wheelchairs can board. If you take the monorail to Epcot be sure to use the elevator when you return. It's a little hidden so ask a CM as you go through the exit. There is a deceptively long and steep hill between England and France but the rest of Epcot is easy.

AK is the most tiring for me because it has uneven pavement to fit the theme. Very long distances, too.

Finding shade shouldn't be a real problem as long as you're aware of it. We have used a poncho with DD and sort of drape it over the chair, too. Works OK in a downpour.

Good for you to do this for your GM. I bet your brothers will come through too.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

is there such a thing as seatbelts for a wheelchair (like on strollers) or is that not necessary?

also, has anyone ever put an umbrella on the chair or something to provide shade?
what about when it rains? is there anything special to protect the chair, and person sitting in the chair, from getting wet? [/B]

I answer as a wheelchair user.

My powerchair has a simple seatbelt (which I never use). It has a simple velcro closure, which would be enough to stop someone falling out.

I don't have a sunshade, but I have seen small ones on strollers and I think I recall seeing them in a medical supplies catalogue. You could always buy a big hat from the Mexico pavillion at Epcot!

I have a special oversized fitted cape that fits over both me and my wheelchair and covers my legs. (your lap gets VERY wet when sitting in a chair). You could get one from a specialist supplier, but that would possibly be a bit pricey for a single trip. I suspect a mickey cape would fit over the chair if you cut a couple of holes in the back for the handles to poke through.

I think your best bet is to phone a couple of offsite wheelchair rental companies before you arrive and ask for their suggestions.

Andrew

 

[Earstou]

QUOTE]just curious, what muscles do you think are used the most? [/QUOTE]
Very limited experience here, but...about 2 weeks ago I spent a few days being pushed in a loaner chair by DH at WDW, a first for both of us. He ended up having very sore upper arms and shoulders.

 

[disneyberry]

thanks for the replies.

these tips will be very helpful. (i guess i'll work on strength training for my arms/shoulders, heh. it'd be great if i was in such good shape that pushing the wheelchair around will be a breeze. )

anyone have advice about special pillows or cushions to make the wheelchair more comfy for my grandma?

what about the gloves that i should wear to prevent blisters?
what type of gloves would work best? bicycling gloves maybe?