HELP.......Wheelchair question

[awdwnut]

Hello,

I hope some of you can help us out with a dilemma that just came up. Two days ago, my wife had an accident at work that injured her knee pretty bad. She is at the doctor right now having it looked at, but if it doesn't improve dramatically in the next eight days, she will have to use a wheel chair to get around for our trip next week. Currently she can walk short distances, but cannot say on her legs very long. I am totally ignorant on how wheelchairs work in the parks or in WDW in general. If need be, can we rent one for the whole time we are there and use in the parks as well as our resort (POP Century)? Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks,

awdwnut

 

[sodaseller]

You can rent one there or bring your own. WDW goes to great pains to make everything as accessible as possible. We were there this weekend with my mother and enjoyed all. The only thing that always worries me is the entrance to Small World - you are rolling down a steep slope and it was strain to hold on. At the same time, guests are walking towards you. If the WC had slipped, a lot of people would have gotten hurt pretty bad

 

[awdwnut]

Bump

 

[tkd lisa]

You could take a look over at the DISabilities board. They have lots of info on this.

 

[JudithM]

The disABILITIES board here on the DIS has lots of info about renint/using wheelchairs & ECVs (motorized scooters). If the doctor gives the ok for your trip, then your wife has different options.

In a wheelchair her legs will mostly be bent (ninety degrees at the knee) & someone will have to push her. If she uses an ECV, then she has control of where she goes & no one needs to push her. Plus she can stretch out her legs if need be.

Then you need to decide if you want to rent a wheelchair or ECV at each park or rent one from an off site medical supply company. Over on the disABILITIES board, Cheshire Figment has a list of suppliers & info. I used to rent an ECV at each WDW park for the first few trips (after I was diagnosed with my knee condition). However, if you like to park hop or go back to your room mid-day, then it is sometimes difficult to get an ECV later in the day. And if you want to go to another resort or Downtown Disney, then it helps to rent an ECV off site.

WDW is very accomodating to guests with disabilities. So is Sea World in my opinion - just in case you want to visit there.

Also, sometimes WDW resorts will let a guest use a wheelchair for the length of their stay.

 

[awdwnut]

Thank you all for the great information. The x-rays were inconclusive and the doctor is not sure if surgery will be needed. We will be going back for a follow up appointment in two days. Hopefully by then the swelling will be down, and they will be able to tell what is going on better. This just goes to show you how one can take their health / mobility for granted. Until today I have never even noticed that there was a disabilities board on DIS.

Thanks Again!

awdwnut

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by awdwnut
Thank you all for the great information. The x-rays were inconclusive and the doctor is not sure if surgery will be needed. We will be going back for a follow up appointment in two days. Hopefully by then the swelling will be down, and they will be able to tell what is going on better. This just goes to show you how one can take their health / mobility for granted. Until today I have never even noticed that there was a disabilities board on DIS.

Thanks Again!

awdwnut

Let's hope the next appointment gives you more hope. After I was diagnosed with a knee conditon a few years ago, I became much more aware of disabilities. Keep us posted & don't hesitate to stop over to the disABILITIES board.

 

[McCall]

I travel with my own scooter but rent one for my husband. we use Walkermobility.com they will deliver scooter or wheelchair to your resort and pick it up when you leave.
If she uses the ECV and still cannot walk or stand in line at all she will transfer at various rides to a wheelchair that will bring her the rest of the way to the ride or even allow here to stay in chair on the ride, [depending on the ride]
Getting on and off the busses and monorail and boats takes a little practice on the ECV but can be mastered fairly quickly. mostly practice backing up straight.