Help. Talk me into renting a wheelchair for my 20 year old daughter.

[Garage Door Momma]

Recently, my 20 year old daughter is having circulatory / inflammation problems with her legs. She cannot stand or walk more than 30 minutes without her knees and feet turning deep red, burning and hurting. And once they begin to become inflamed they bother her for days. Looking at her you wouldn't guess she has any health problems. I really want to rent her a wheelchair for the parks but my husband says I'm being ridiculous that she'll just have to live with it. She can't weigh in because this is a surprise trip that she doesn't know about. My thinking is if she can't handle an hour long trip to Target there is no way she's going to be able to do Disney over 10 days! I assume she'll walk when she wants to and the wheelchair will be there for her when her legs begin to bother her. Also, we're going over Thanksgiving so it will be pretty crowded. Are wheelchairs allowed in any ride lines? We do expect her to stand in lines. Could we bring a small camp stool for her to sit on while waiting? Any advise would be appreciated. Thank You!

 

[SueM in MN]

Only time for a quick answer.
Wheelchairs can go in all attractions to the point of loading.
If she can't do an hour in Target, she will need a wheelchair or an ECV (power mobility scooter).

 

[lanejudy]

DEFINITELY get the wheelchair! Or if you think she'd prefer, an ECV (since she's over 18), though if she's not familiar with an ECV it will be quite crowded to be learning at that time. Either can be parked in the stroller parking if she doesn't wish to use it, but will be available whenever she needs. A w/c or ECV can be taken into all ride/attraction lines to provide a place to sit as well - a select few will require transfer from an ECV to a w/c if she chooses the ECV. The disABILITIES FAQ sticky has information about off-site rentals - that is probably better than onsite at the parks. She'll have it available to/from the parks, around the resort, DTD or anywhere else you might go.

What is your husband's concern about getting her a w/c? Is he truly aware of her limitations (like can't walk an hour at Target)? I think he'd be more upset if you end up spending the entire vacation in your resort room because she isn't able to walk.

A camp stool - or any type of chair/seat - will not be allowed in lines or anywhere at WDW. Disney's recommendation is to use a wheelchair or ECV as a place to sit in lines; an alternative is a "rollator" which is a walker with a seat, but it doens't sound like that would benefit your daughter.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[rewardsinlife]

Get a WC for her! I am 25, look perfectly healthy and strong to any person who sees me at first glance, yet I have a movement disorder( still un diagnosed) that affects my ability to walk " normally" and my stamina issues are low like your daughters. I can barely make it through a grocery trip without having to take a nap and rest for the rest of the day. 1st day she may be against it...but once she wakes up the second day in complete exhaustion she will be more than thrilled that you have it.

Since you are there for 10 days as well I recommend renting from outside company b/c $30 a day for Disney WC can get quite pricey! Have a great vacation!

 

[ttintagel]

Sounds to me like your husband is being a bit of a bonehead.

Although a manual wheelchair is less cumbersome and easier to maneuver through twisty-turny queues than an ECV, the disadvantage is that there are more slopes, hill, and ramps in the park than you notice when you're walking. Self-propelling in one is a Herculean task for anyone who's not used to doing it full-time or who doesn't have better-than-average upper body strength. I tried it for a day and my back and arms were worn out by bedtime. The ECV gives the user more independence.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Does your DD ever ride a scooter in Target or Wal*Mart? What does she think of them? It would be helpful if she could practice on one of them before you go. (She doesn't need to know why you're suggesting she use one at a store.) The rental scooters available off-site are much easier to maneuver, and would give her independence, as well as save you and your DH sore muscles from pushing a wheel chair.

Since Thanksgiving will be crowded, it's quite possible that WDW will run out of wheel chairs and/or ECV's, hopefully not right when you decide to get one. As a PP mentioned, renting off-site is cheaper. Plus you can keep the rental at your hotel so your DD won't have to do additional walking there.

If you can't convince your DH ahead of time, you can still write down the contact information of the wheel chair/ECV rental places and take the info with you because your DH will be doing a reality check, probably the first day you try to do the parks.

Good luck!

 

[Heluvsme]

This is a case of mama-knows-best!! Follow your instincts and get her a wheelchair or a scooter. This is a surprise trip--- what a shame, and a huge waste of time and money, if she couldn't enjoy herself!

 

[LisaBi]

I second what everyone else said.....sounds like she absolutely needs a chair. I would plan on one of you having to push...I don't see how someone unaccustomed to using a wheelchair could propel themselves that much. My son can move himself around but cannot wheel himself foe distances.

As to her overall ability to handle the walking...my son has general stamina issues plus an odd shaped foot that blisters - the whole bottom of his foot if he walks more than an hour or so). One time I was going to rent inside the park at Epcot. By the time we got to the park entrance,from the monorail stop, he was already done for the day. The distances are just huge.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Having been the "kid" in a similar situation, it sounds to me like your DH is having trouble coming to terms with the fact that your daughter has mobility limitations at the moment. I went through a lot of that with my father has I became less and less mobile. I'm 28 now and I bought my first wheelchair at 20. My father hated the fact that I had it. Anywhere we went that I thought I'd need it, he'd ask "do you really need the wheelchair?". I'm not a big fan of conflict so I spent a lot of time limping through museums or ending up not seeing anything because all I could do was sit. Since you're willing to stand up to your DH on this (my mother wasn't comfortable with the wheelchair either so I had no back-up), hold firm. These days my father has learned, but it took years and hearing it from medical professionals and a bit of family counseling. When I finally got a diagnosis (after 10+ years of trying), it also helped since he really couldn't try to will the problems away. I certainly hope your daughter doesn't have to wait as long as I did for answers, but these are all things that may be subconsciously going through your DH's head.

Does your daughter have any problems with sitting with her legs down (like in a normal chair) or is it just walking? If she's fine sitting, I'd suggest the ECV. She would definitely struggle self-propelling a rental wheelchair and the last thing she's going to want on a surprise trip is to be dependent on someone else to push her around all the time. I'd also urge you to let her choose when to use the ECV and when to walk (you can park an ECV in a section and walk around if you'd like). There are lines that are 1/4 mile long and there's no way to cut that distance down even if there's no wait time. If she can only stand 30 minutes before she starts having problems, she may be better off planning to bring the ECV into more lines than you're thinking because that means that those 30 minutes have to include the time walking from the scooter to the line, the time in line (even if it says 20 minutes, what's the plan if there's a delay?), and the time back to the ECV. As someone with chronic pain, I can tell you that the best way to control pain is to do your best to prevent it.

I look young for my age and have been to WDW plenty of times in a wheelchair (both manual and powerchair) and I've never gotten any looks or anything. If they're there, I certainly don't remember them. So if that's something your DH worries about, he shouldn't. There are plenty of younger people using ECVs or wheelchairs at WDW where there are non-obvious problems.

 

[gratefulfred]

Get an offsite recommended ECV she is 20 years old she will figure out how to drive it fast. She can park it in different places when she feels like walking. Pushing wheelchairs can be hard, Disney isn't flat. Doesn't matter weather other people recognize her condition or not.

 

[dja14]

We rented a wheelchair last time for my son with leg issues. The time before that we only went for one day and did not. He was about 7 and looked fine but by the end of the day he was in tears and crippled up. We ended up carrying the toddler and letting him cram in to the stroller. The next day he could barely walk at all! He did have something wrong so we rented something the next time. He had a love hate relationship with the wheelchair but the trip was so much better. We would just tell the cm's that he could transfer and he would hop up and run to the ride. We felt kind of silly but he ended up double casted a month after that trip so no way he could walk.

If he had been an adult I would have rented an ECV and these days I would rent offsite if I could to make sure we had it, I was always worried about having the wheelchair. Pushing was okay but he was a lightweight back then, even then some hills were a strong push. No way would I let any of my kids walk around in pain, diagnosis or not.

Your husband will feel you wasted money when she has to sit and rest all the time and he will be sorry when she can't walk the rest of the week after the first day. He has just not come to grips with something being wrong. I would start encouraging her to use the evc's at the stores too. No one should walk around in pain, that is what they are for. If you rent one and she is having a good day she can park it and get out or one of you can drive it while she strollers a few minutes. It will be the best money you spend.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

After reading all the other posts and then rereading your original post yes I would go ahead and rent an ECV or wheelchair. When are you planning on telling her about the trip. On the way there, the night before leaving a week. The reason I am asking this is she may have a preference. When given the information, maybe on the way there you can call one of the rental agencies and give them her preference if she is agreeable. Lastley has she been to a doctor about this. If so maybe if your DH sees a report from a Dr. he may be more agreeable. Sometimes this is all it takes. Most health professionals will be more than happy to help with something like this. All it would take is a simple note or letter to help ease his mind on a matter. Remember that many of us or our family members deal with hidden disabilites on a day to day basis and it an ongoing battle to deal with it. Good luck and hope this trip is full of pixie dust.

 

[dburg30]

Personally I say get a wheelchair, dont get an ECV.. Granted the ECV give more freedom, but I still shudder when I see someone that's not really used to using one try to use it at a crowded area.. My elderly mother can walk short distances, but no way could even do 1/8 day walking at WDW.. So we get her a folding chair since she can get on and off the bus we just treat it like a stroller, fold and hold.. Same with certain attractions, she will just transfer most times.. But for sure get something... Other then that it just wont be as much fun for her. Have a great time, WDW is AWESOME when it comes to mobility devices!

 

[Checkers]

IMHO, I would recommend an ecv. Several years ago I had a broken ankle and the cast was taken off the week before our vacation. My doctor said I could go but only if I rented a scooter. Well, I am a senior citizen and was very apprehensive about being able to navigate, etc., but with the encouragement of people on the Disboards I went to Target and practiced. I had no trouble at all with the ecv. It worked out well and I always parked it, stood in line (with my cane). As others have stated I would be leary of pushing a wc or having someone who does not use one regularly using it. A 20 yr. old will have no problem with an ecv. Good luck with whatever you decide and have a great vacation.

 

[maroo]

I would recommend an ECV, too.

And a conversation with her Dad, too - it will be difficult enough for her to use it (it is a bit embarrassing when you are young but no longer a child - and I suppose when we are old, too!) - but it will be harder on her if she feels bad even with her family when she needs to use it.

She can basically just use it to get around the parks and the longer lines and walk into restaurants, shops, etc and probably be just fine, even with the crowds. It won't take her long at all to figure it out since she is so young!

I hope you guys have a wonderful time!!!

I recommend Apple Scooter - it is relatively cheap and they have great customer service! If she ends up not needing it, you can always return it to Apple or just leave it in the room one day and try without it.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Get an ECV for her. My mom ended up having ankle issues and we rented her a wheelchair for 1/2 a day at EPCOT. My husband (who is young, healthy and strong) was whooped by the end of the day from pushing her around.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

We just visited the world 3 wks ago and I had to get an ECV for the first time due to knee problems. I have never used one before - not even in a supermarket. I rented the 3 wheel elite (small / light) from Apple Scotter and it was SO EASY to use. Took me about 10 min at the hotel to get the hang of it and I was FINE. Where she's 20 I'm guessing she'll be fine too. I can walk short distances on average days and some days are better than others. There was one day I found a parking area and parked the ECV for about 2 hours and just walked around that part of the park. When my knee's had it, I went and got my ECV and moved onto the next area of the park. I did use it iin ride lines and it was a savior in the longer slow moving lines. If you are going during PEAK season and expect to be standing in line for long peridos of time you definitely need to get something for your daughter. While walking can cause problems, while she's walking she's circulating the fluid in her legs (although it sounds like not sufficiently). If she's standing for 30-60 minutes just shifting from foot to foot that fluid is NOT going to circulate and her swelling will be worse than an average day. Add the heat to that and it's a recipie for disaster (IMO).
Get the ECV. If she doesn't use it all day YOU can take a break and use it for a short while. It's better to be safe than sorry.
I found that people who had the 4 wheeled version didn't have as much "maneuverability" as th 3 wheeled model. A few people even commented on how it was amazing how my smaller ECV did the job of their bigger (aka CLUNKIER ONE) did.
If it were me and DH gave me THAT hard a time about it, I'd make him CARRY HER all through WDW as soon as she starts having problems.