How bad is it to go with leg braces?

[bouncycat]

My dr has recommended leg braces for my MD that I have, I got a 4 day trip in June, and am wondering what that is gonna do for me?? I'm concerned, but I'll make it thru, I always do!!

Have any of you guys toured the world in braces?

 

[chesterpdt186]

i did this with some heavy knee braces. i only had 35% reduction of movement. so walking was still possible, getting into and out of attractions was difficult.

1. if you can walk at a decent pace with the braces and they do not tire you out. guess 1 mile of straight walking with ease. you probably ok with walking maybe suggest a cain for extra stability.

2. ECV/ scooters could save you alot of wear and tear. most days you will walk 2-3 miles. this is a good alternative to help you keep up with your group.

3. other posters have to correct me on this one. Medical band/pass helps to indicate you need more time to get into outof rides. also can use wheelchair entrance.

4. Rest often. its going to be HOT! and the added stress of the braces will not help.

 

[SueM in MN]

i did this with some heavy knee braces. i only had 35% reduction of movement. so walking was still possible, getting into and out of attractions was difficult.

1. if you can walk at a decent pace with the braces and they do not tire you out. guess 1 mile of straight walking with ease. you probably ok with walking maybe suggest a cain for extra stability.

2. ECV/ scooters could save you alot of wear and tear. most days you will walk 2-3 miles. this is a good alternative to help you keep up with your group.

3. other posters have to correct me on this one. Medical band/pass helps to indicate you need more time to get into outof rides. also can use wheelchair entrance.

4. Rest often. its going to be HOT! and the added stress of the braces will not help.

if you are using an ECV or wheelchair, or if your braces will be visible, you don't need a Guest Assistance Card. Those are for letting CMs know about invisible conditions. There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards in post #6 of the disABILITIES GAQs thread. There is a link in my signature to that thread or you can find it near the top of this board. Most attractions do not have special wheelchair entrances and you will be in the regular lines. Some have a different boarding procedure for guests with mobility or other disabilities. Those procedures and boarding areas avoid things like stairs or board in areas where moving walkways can be slowed or stopped (except Peter Pan and Tomorrowland Transit Authority, which can't be stopped or slowed).
Post #2 of that thread has information about renting ECVs and wheelchairs.
Most people walk more that 3 miles per day -estimates range from 3 to 9 miles per day.

I would not advise just putting on new braces and going full tilt with them, even at home. If you want to take them off during the day, you can do that at First Aid at any park. They would probably even be able to store them for you while you ate taking a break from them.
Be sure to watch for bruises, red spots or signs of skin breakdown. Those things can happen anyway with braces, but can be more of a problem with heat and humidity.
Some people find a pair of long, very thin socks help with sweat. It all depends on your brace and how it fits.

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks for the help...I should get them either tomorrow or saturday, so I'll know a little more, and I'll have some breaking in time. It was a blow to my ego....even tho i knew it was coming. I hate being a burden, so if I can walk, I'm gonna walk. I guess I just won't be able to wear my nice pretty flip flops i bought!! They will be visible....so I guess I won't need a card. But we'll use the regular entrances to things as long as we can. Thanks again for all the help!!

 

[bouncycat]

Pictures of the braces.....got them a few weeks ago, and they're not that bad. They DO help, so I've been breaking them in, and last night DH painted them to Disnyfy them, and the way they turned out, is just completely awesome. Here's a couple of pics with me wearing them!!

I'm a huge Tigger fan, and with these painted like this, they don't look so gooberish. We leave tomorrow, so hopefully all will go well, and now I'll get the good stares, not the weird ones.

 

[peemagg]

Those are really cool!!!! I wish when I had mine I had thought to paint them.

 

[SueM in MN]

Now, those are some PRETTY COOL braces.


Hope you have a great trip.

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks ya'll!!!! I don't feel like such a dork in them, and they're soooo just, ME. They'l go good with all my tigger shirts!!!!

 

[KPeveler]

Now those look pretty cool! I am a big fan of turning mobility aids and braces cool! I figure if we have to have them, they should look awesome!

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks everyone. I got some really good comments on them, not the weird stares, and Tigger himself even signed one!!! It was awesome!!!! Glad we painted them, and they really helped me get around. Didn't need the GAC, or a ECV. I got around just fine, little slow, but fine!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks everyone. I got some really good comments on them, not the weird stares, and Tigger himself even signed one!!! It was awesome!!!! Glad we painted them, and they really helped me get around. Didn't need the GAC, or a ECV. I got around just fine, little slow, but fine!!!!