How do I change his mind?

[Shel]

The past 3 visits to the parks I have used a manual wheelchair, pushed by DH. I'd really love to rent a ECV this time, but have yet to convince him it's a good idea. It would be nice to tour the parks with him beside me instead of behind me.

He did say I could get one but I'd be 100% responsible for charging it, and putting it on/off buses. I've seen how difficult they are to park on a bus & it makes me nervous.

Any words of wisdom?

 

[bidnow5]

First go to a big store that has them those are more difficult to drive try it out. Go to an area with no one around and try backing up and parking . It really isn't that hard plus some bus drivers help. It's so much better using a scooter

 

[Smile&Nod]

I used one a couple of times due to bad knees - renting offsite is great because you have the scooter to get to and from the parks - rather than renting one in the park.

That being said, I stay at BC and it is much easier to get into Epcot and HS with the scooter - getting on the buses takes some finesse, but you will very quickly get the hang of the scooter - can you parallel park a car? If so, same concept - they put you on the bus first and have you back into the space - worse case you can just get off and manhandle it into the space - and the drivers will help generally if you ask. Just take your time and don't worry about trying to hurry. Having a scooter is much nicer on the person you are with - they don't have to push and can walk beside you!

 

[Gracie09]

Arrange to meet with the ecv delivery person. Yes it's less convenient than having one of the companies that drop it off, but they will show you the basics (speed control, backing up etc). Charging can be done at night. Take your time getting I. And off the buses.

 

[JillyBean1899]

Arrange to meet with the ecv delivery person. Yes it's less convenient than having one of the companies that drop it off, but they will show you the basics (speed control, backing up etc). Charging can be done at night. Take your time getting I. And off the buses.

I second this idea. Don't let the delivery person leave until you understand everything about it, and make sure you have a number you can call if you run into any problems/questions after they leave. There are no stupid questions, only people too stupid to ask them.

 

[POOHsie]

It's easy to charge an ECV. Get it charged overnight in your room. Might suggest you bring a power strip bc outlets are sometimes hard to reach from your ECV connection. As others say, you'll catch on to bus parking quickly. Maybe the second time you do it. The new buses that tilt down to create a ramp are much easier to get on than the old buses that had lifts you had to back onto.

On a personal note, as a full-time ECV user, I'll say that you don't accomplish much putting your DH alongside your ECV, compared to being behind you pushing a WC. With you in your WC, your DH has to focus on what's ahead. And he is standing while you are sitting, making it difficult to converse. In your ECV, you have to watch what's ahead and it's hard to concentrate on looking ahead while trying to casually converse (role reversal, but no net-improvement). Also, with you in an ECV, DH is still standing while you are sitting. It's my one frustration with being disabled but there isn't any practical answer no matter which mobility device you choose.

 

[ttintagel]

Great ideas above for practicing and for working with the ECV rental rep.

I've never encountered a WDW bus driver, boat pilot, or Monorail assistant who wasn't willing to help or at least talk me though the process of getting up or down a ramp and onto/off of a vehicle safely. And you'll find that you pick it up very quickly and probably won't need the help after a couple of days.

As far as walking next to each other and being able to talk - I guess some of that depends on your height difference and his ability to adjust his pace to yours on the fly. On my last trip, I spent most of my time walking next to someone using an ECV, and the height and the pace worked out so that I could walk with my right arm draped across the back of her seat most of the time. My head was just a bit higher than hers.

(I have excellent hearing but terrible night vision and almost no peripheral vision on one side, but she has amazing peripheral vision, hearing not as good as mine, but a strong, clear voice. We jokingly called her,"my seeing-eye wheels.")