How many people.....

[LindaR]

I have a question.

How many people who use a wheelchair or EVC at WDW have a h/c parking placard?

Did your doctor give you a hard time about the placard? Does he/she recommend that you use a wheelchair/EVC?

I was flabbergasted by my surgeon. I have had 2 spinal surgeries (had my spine fused/have screws in my spine/have nerve damage). I requested he sign the form for h/c placard JUST IN CASE I need it while at WDW. This is way more walking, standing than I am used to doing and my back/hip locks up after a while.

He refused to give me a temp h/c placard. He said that I shouldn't be going to WDW (but he wants me to walk, walk, walk every day at home) and he doesn't think I should "bypass the lines" just because of my back. I explained that I'm not bypassing the lines.

Heck, I know this is confusing. I am totally baffled. What do you think?

 

[SueM in MN]

I can't speak for the "how difficult is it" question because my DD totally uses a wheelchair for mobility, is permanently disabled and got her first parking card at 3 yrs old.
I wonder if your doctor doesn't understand what you are asking for. A handicapped parking permit will allow you to park in the handicapped parking area, nothing more. It won't allow you to bypass lines or get in rides any quicker. Using a wheelchair or ecv in line doesn't generally give you anything besides a place to sit while you wait in line. After waiting in line, it also gives access via the handicapped entrance for those rides that have nmoving walkways. If you are unsteady on your feet, or need extra time to board, you should be boarding there for your safety.
If you are staying at one of the WDW resorts, you might want to consider using the bus/other WDW transportation system. Most are well set up for use with a wheelchair or ecv.
The other thing that he may not understand is just how much walking you are likely to do at WDW. The distance around WS at Epcot is over 1 mile, and that's just a small portion of what you will walk each day.

 

[LindaR]

He DOES know how much walking there is. He takes his family every year and we have talked about it before.

He says that I shouldn't be going because I shouldn't be riding the rides (I tried to tell him that there is more to WDW than a few roller coasters). And that I am not in good enough condition to go there, but he won't give me a parking placard because I am NOT handicapped.

He contradicted himself on every issue. And greatly confused me in the process.

His attitude seemed to be that people with disabilities have no business going on vacation to amusement parks.

He ticked me off so badly that I have decided that he will NOT perform my next spinal surgery. I will travel 300 miles to the next closest ortho surgeon.

 

[SueM in MN]

I change my opinion based on new evidence. He is hopeless.
You can easily spend a whole day at any of the parks without going on any rides that would cause difficulty for someone with back problems.
Good luck with your new doctor.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would expect that you have a regular doctor to go to in addition to this surgeon. This doctor probably has known you for many years. and has the legal authority to sign the form from DMV. Why not ask instead of fighting the surgeon?

I guess maybe I was lucky. I did not have to get my from a surgeon. I asked my regular family doctor (internist) about signing a DMV form and his attitude was "what took you so long to ask?".

 

[Piper]

I use an ecv at WDW and also have a wc at home when I need it. I kind of had the opposite problem--my doctor tried to get me to get a h/c placard for about 2 years before I finally gave in and got it. (I accepted the prescription for the wc at the same time.) It took me a while to accept that I wasn't going to get "well" and actually admitting that I needed some help has been a liberating experience.

I agree with the suggestion to talk to your primary care physician. He or she should be able to help you--they should have a copy of all your records from the surgeon (mine does so he can coordinate what each of the specialists is doing and prescribing.)

Hope you get what you need and have a wonderful time at WDW.

 

[mamajoan]

I currently have Handicap license plates. I am able to ambulate for short distances. I use a powerchair for shopping etc due to injuries sustained in an accident. It took me a long time to give in to the fact that I needed these things. Many people stare at me as I park in a handi space.. then they see how much difficulty I have when I walk.. so somehow this justifies my parking space. They don't understand that many disabilities are unseen.. but definately worthy of a handicap permit.
The following is jmho.. but after working with lots and lots of docs I find that Orthopedic Docs are sometimes the hardest to work with on things like accessibility issues, handicap placards and permanent vs temporary necessities. There are many reasons that can be associated with their unwillingness to provide assistance with these things. But I don't think we really need to go there for this problem.

I agree with C Figment! Talk to your regular doc, explain your situation. Regular Doc MAY send you back to Ortho with your request but I doubt it. Request a TEMPORARY permit... he should go for that as it is limited in length of use
Best of luck!
Joan

 

[LindaR]

Thanks everyone! I will post an update on Tuesday.

I am going to the sports medicine doctor in town (the one who originally diagnosed my back and sent me to the surgeon).

I have a feeling that things will go alot smoother. His nurse called and said that if I just wanted him to sign the form for a h/c placard there was no reason to make an appt to see him. Just drop off the form and he would sign it. I told her that there were a few things I wanted to talk about, though I did not need a physical exam. Everything is in my records.

Thanks for the info and I will tell you what happens next week!