Hurt Ankle - Do I get a wheelchair?

[Nemo32]

Perhaps this should be posted elsewhere, but I am not sure.

So, on Friday (yesterday) I fell (I am clumsy) down three stairs and sprained an ankle that has been sprained before. The last time I sprained it, it never healed fully - I know this because it still clicks today. At first, it seemed okay, but the more I walk on it, the more it hurts. I even took the necessary steps afterward - RICE - rest, ice, compression and elevate. However, it still hurts to put much weight on it.

AND my trip is Monday. Being that I have injured it before and it still hurts, even with it wrapped, iced and elevated, I was contemplating getting a wheelchair for when I am in the theme parks as to minimize discomfort and furthering long-term damage. We all know how demanding a day in the parks are. My intention would be to use it when getting around, like the long-distances between rides, but not to use it say when walking around at the resort or watching a parade (as those require minimal walking or effort).

However, I have a few concerns. 1) What will other guests think when they see me being wheeled around, but I can make a few steps to the bus stop? The point is to minimize my walking, as I can limp very slowly, so that it does not hurt and I can actually enjoy my stay 2) Will being in the wheelchair diminish my experience? 3) In September, would it be hard to rent a wheelchair, even getting there in the late morning?

As fellow Dis'ers, be honest and tell me your opinion. Thanks for any advice!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Perhaps this should be posted elsewhere, but I am not sure.

So, on Friday (yesterday) I fell (I am clumsy) down three stairs and sprained an ankle that has been sprained before. The last time I sprained it, it never healed fully - I know this because it still clicks today. At first, it seemed okay, but the more I walk on it, the more it hurts. I even took the necessary steps afterward - RICE - rest, ice, compression and elevate. However, it still hurts to put much weight on it.

AND my trip is Monday. Being that I have injured it before and it still hurts, even with it wrapped, iced and elevated, I was contemplating getting a wheelchair for when I am in the theme parks as to minimize discomfort and furthering long-term damage. We all know how demanding a day in the parks are. My intention would be to use it when getting around, like the long-distances between rides, but not to use it say when walking around at the resort or watching a parade (as those require minimal walking or effort).

However, I have a few concerns. 1) What will other guests think when they see me being wheeled around, but I can make a few steps to the bus stop? The point is to minimize my walking, as I can limp very slowly, so that it does not hurt and I can actually enjoy my stay 2) Will being in the wheelchair diminish my experience? 3) In September, would it be hard to rent a wheelchair, even getting there in the late morning?

As fellow Dis'ers, be honest and tell me your opinion. Thanks for any advice!

Short and simple: get the wheelchair. Don't walk on it. It's easy to rent the wheelchair.

 

[kerplop]

Get a wheelchair or an ECV. Take care of yourself, enjoy your trip, and don't give a mouse's behind what people think of you!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

If you need it ,you should use it. If you walk on it and are in pain all day, then how much fun on the trip will you have?
I wouldn't think anything if I saw your ankle wrapped and were in a wheelchair, but could walk a short distance. People should understand that you CAN walk, but you need to avoid putting pressure on it as much as possible.

Have a great time.

 

[tina.tina]

I broke my foot. I used the motorized scooters available at Walmart and the regular wheelchairs at the mall and grocery store. We had season passes to Dollywood that year and wanted to get the most of them so I used a wheelchair at Dollywood, too.

I had a C-section with my second child who was born 7 weeks early. We weren't ready for him and had to buy a carseat to bring him home a week later from the NICU- along with preemie clothes & diapers. I used a scooter at Walmart and wheelchair at ToysRus.

I had my tubes tied 6 weeks later and went Christmas shopping on the way home before picking DS up from my Mom's. I had to take advantage of having a babysitter because I hadn't been able to get out to shop for DD4 or DS and was going back to work the next week.

I wouldn't worry about anyone judging me. No one knows what your issues are. I saw a woman on a scooter who seemed very very sprightly when she hopped off her scooter and let her son back it on the bus but I don't know what her issues are and it's not my business. My Dad is just in his late 50's but has very serious back and hip problems. You wouldn't know that just by looking at him and he would need a scooter if he went to WDW.

 

[minnie mum]

As the PPs have said: get the wheelchair or ECV. You should have no problem with renting in the parks this time of year. And why on earth would you care about what some stranger thinks about you being in a chair?

Sure there are a few drawbacks to being in a chair, but it beats the heck out of being in constant pain. For the most part the attraction queues are mainstreamed, so you will use the same lines as everyone else. The exception is MK: because it was built before the current disabilities act many of the rides there have a separate entrance for wheelchairs or ECVs. Just get a guide for those with disabilities from Guest Relations, or ask the CM at the queue entrance for the location of these entrances. And be patient. Some rides can only handle a certain number of handicapped guests at a given time. So you may experience some waits longer than what you are used to when you are on your own 2 feet.

There are viewing areas for parades for those guests in wheelchairs. Handy, since you will be trying to see the parade from the height advantage of your average 4 year old. Which brings me to the biggest drawback of touring WDW in a w/c: you will spend your day at eye level with everyone elses butts. Talk about seeing WDW from a new angle!! But this is still a whole lot better than not seeing it at all.

I hope you have a wonderful trip, er, vacation.

 

[caitlinsmom]

I feel your pain, I broke my ankle July 1st and am just out of a cast so I am limping pretty good still especially on ramps and stairs.

I'd get the wheelchair because you could irritate the injury more by doing that much walking on it. Ankles take forever to heal.

Hope you have a great trip

 

[jecskc]

Did you get an x-ray ??? I had what I thought was sprain and it turned out my peroneal tendon was torn - frayed like a rope. I had to have surgery and spent almost a year on crutches (before the tendon tear diagnosis and after the surgery to fix it). It was horrible. Definitely rent a wheelchair. They are there for just this reason. There is no rule that you have to be paralyzed to use it. I hope you heal up soon.

 

[POOHsie]

Get a mobility aid. It doesn't matter what strangers think. It's about a physical injury. You shouldn't be walking on a sprained ankle. Plenty of people use wheelchairs and ECVs, but can get up and walk some. A mobility aid is not a prison cell. The idea that someone in a wheelchair is chair-bound is without merit. That you thought that for yourself says you haven't thought much about disability. That's understandable if you've always been healthy. Now, you will learn about disability this trip. Mobility aids enable the disabled to participate in the world instead of being home-bound or sidelined. Disney is one of the best at accommodating the disabled. You should use a mobility device and not even consider any reason why not.

My $.02. Get an ECV. WDW property is a little less than twice the size of Manhattan. It's big, it's huge. You will be exhausted propelling your weight around in a manual wheelchair. If you have a backpack or souvenir bags, they get in the way, and that makes it even harder to pull yourself in a wheelchair. If someone pushes you, they will be exhausted pushing you around. It will not be a vacation for the person pushing you. Rent an ECV from an outside vendor for the most economical weekly cost. Outside ECVs are mostly smaller and faster than Disney's, also. They deliver and pickup directly from your hotel.

Read this sticky, "disABILITIES FAQs - temporary & permanent disabled, 1st trip, next trip, Wish trip," Post #2, bottom paragraphs, for great info on outside vendors.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

Good luck to you, and write us about how your trip went.

Lynn
Full-time ECV user

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

And I would suggest going over to Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs (in the disABILITIES Forum) which discusses mobility/stamina problems and gives rental information, both on and off site, for wheelchairs and/or ECVs. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by clicking on the link in my signature.

 

[jfulcer]

agree with everyone else with a caveat. If your family is not normally accustomed to pushing you around, you way wish to look into an ECV. Even one day at state fair for me in a wheel chair temporarily took a lot out of my family.

Check on the disabilities board - they should have some information on the vendors around the World that rent - and what the cost is.

ETA: Looks like Cheshire Figment and POOHsie are suggesting the same thing. GMTA.

 

[Nemo32]

Thanks for all of the advice! I am going to look more at the disabilities board.

I only seemed apprehensive about using a wheelchair for a sprain because sometimes people, in my own experience since I've had a lot of sprains, don't seem to understand that it can be long-term damaging if not treated properly.

I would have visited a doctor for an X-ray had it not been the weekend, but alas it is and I am not sure it warrants an emergency trip. My thinking is if something was broken, I'd know. But if it isn't better by when I get back on Wednesday, I will see a doctor this week.

I am staying at the Boardwalk and I believe there are ECV rentals there for $30 per day. So, that is something to look into.

Luckily, my sister, who is going with me, has traveled the World in a wheelchair before due to a broken foot (and that's where I heard stories about people giving her dirty looks for using it). At least she will have experience with getting around in one and will be able to understand that I need one. For her sake though, I may invest the extra money in an ECV. More and more I am thinking my trip will be better (even if my view is lower than normal ) if I at least use something to get from point A to point B.

Thank you again, everyone!

 

[roxysmum123]

However, I have a few concerns. 1) What will other guests think when they see me being wheeled around, but I can make a few steps to the bus stop? The point is to minimize my walking, as I can limp very slowly, so that it does not hurt and I can actually enjoy my stay 2) Will being in the wheelchair diminish my experience? 3) In September, would it be hard to rent a wheelchair, even getting there in the late morning?

Get the chair.
1. who cares what guests think? you'll never see them again and your health and wellbeing is more important than their judgemental opinion.
2. the chair won't diminish your experience, not being able to go to the parks at all after day one because you're in too much pain will.
3. to be safe, I might fork over the cash and rent an ECV for the week

 

[EastonCat]

I'd go ECV for sure.

If you need it, you need it. Aside from the chance of further damage, being in pain all day is going to hit your mood too. That is not going to be magical.

If you haven't and can get to a medical professional for an eval, please do. Getting good advice on a brace may help in general - even with an ECV you are going to be on your feet quite a bit.

People glared at me for having kids in strollers that they had to walk around - you can't reasonably make the right choice for your foot and family by worrying about what people are thinking.

 

[kaligal]

1) What will other guests think when they see me being wheeled around, but I can make a few steps to the bus stop?

If they're anything like me, they won't be paying any attention to you or caring about what you're doing because they'll be busy doing their own thing.

I know there are DISers (and maybe others) who spend their vacation checking other people out and passing judgement on what they do or don't do. I think they're nuts and I don't want to know why you would care what nutty people think of you.

Will being in the wheelchair diminish my experience?

Of course.

3) In September, would it be hard to rent a wheelchair, even getting there in the late morning?

I don't know. When I went with someone in a chair, we got the ECV. We always got one, but we arrived early in the morning or in the late afternoon/evening.

Most lines are made for chairs now, so you go through the regular line.

Some lines you'll have a special and shorter wait.

Some lines you'll have a special and longer wait.

You will quickly find that it isn't just being in the chair that sucks (though, obviously, it will). The worst part is the people who won't let you in or won't let you pass or cut you off. Disney staff is usually good about it, but sometimes you run into someone who is rude to you because you are in a w/c.

Get to your parade spot early. There are only X amount of spots for people in chairs and then they're gone. So, if you can't stand to see the parade, you're out of luck.

 

[hill6]

Call up now and rent a scooter for your trip. Don't try to rent one just in the parks. It is a long walk from there to the bus stops. Plus there is no guarantee that they would be available. We used Scootaround for my mom a few years ago. 888-441-7575 There are a ton of companies and if that doesn't work out look at the disability board for any other companies that are recommended. Or call hotel directly and see if they can recommend a company


Side note: when we took DD on her first trip to Disney back in the early 90s I broke a toe when we were at Typhoon Lagoon. I hobbled around all week on it. By the time we got home I couldn't put my foot in my sneaker and my foot was swollen all the way to my ankle from the abuse I put it through. Rest your ankle. Don't rent a wheelchair as someone has to push you and that is not fun. Having pushed my mother to where scooter rental place was.

 

[KBoopaloo]

I had a very similar situation happen to me in 2005. I fell getting onto a bus after work about 10 days before my trip and severely sprained my ankle. By our trip, it was feeling a good deal better but still hurt at points.

I was determined not to use a wheelchair, mostly because I felt like it was getting better. Our first day was at Hollywood Studios which I thought was a good test for going without the wheelchair since it is small and I know my way around really well. I have photos of my foot from the resort that night. When we got back to our room, it had swollen up to the point it had been when I first injured it and was purple. Gross.

After that, we got a wheelchair every day. I found that I was able to navigate the resort (POR) without any assistance. I had called the week before the trip and requested a room close to the main building which they had accommodated. We just rented a chair at the gates to each park and that worked for me. I waited in all the regular lines out of the chair. We just parked it in the designated areas. We were there in September and lines were short so I was able to tolerate the lines on my feet okay.

It was a funny trip for us because I am ALWAYS the navigator! Handing control over to someone else pushing me in a wheelchair was a challenge for me!


In short, do what you have to do to enjoy your vacation. At first, I also worried about people seeing me getting out of the chair to get in line thinking that I was trying to scam some system but then I realized it didn't matter. I had to do what worked for me and for my foot.

 

[kurdav]

As someone who has also torn their Peroneal Tendon in a clumsy accident(fell over a tractor muffler--yes it was on the ground) I would suggest the ECV. I had surgery Nov 29, 2010 for my torn tendon. I will be going back Nov. 30th of this year and I will most likely be renting an ECV. I still have problems if I walk a lot(Disney), go down steps(some Disney steps), walk on a ramp(lots of ride exits) or walk on uneven ground(not too much at Disney). I really don't want to spend the money to rent one but I also want to enjoy my time while at Disney. I also have the walking cast which really helps so I may try a day without renting an ECV and go for a GAC.

 

[Capt Stitch]

It is your vacation if you need a wheel chair to get around then go for it.

We are going to have the same issue dd had a hip procedure done in August she is still on and worried by Oct she may not be back to fully functioning. If need be I will push her around in a wheel chair she will be in the similar situation as you only need a wheel chair for long distance walking but short distance (hotels, parades, buses, etc) she will be ok.

Not sure how old you are are but dd is 21 and is healthy (expect for the hip), not worried about what other people think, my concern is everyone is comfortable and having a good time.

Have a great time, feel better.

 

[SnugglyDuckling]

I agree with everyone else that you should not feel bad in any way for renting a wheelchair or EVC. But I do have a possible alternative if you remain unconvinced. After several sprained ankles, a fracture, a torn tendon, and two surgeries in my right foot, I get a lot of pain and some swelling when walking long distances. I use an AirCast in WDW. If you've never seen one, it's a gray plastic boot that extends up maybe four inches above the ankle, and there are plastic bags inside that can be inflated or deflated to add/decrease pressure on the joint and keep it from moving (I really hope that makes sense). It works great for me! However, DON'T DO THAT WITHOUT CHECKING WITH A DOCTOR FIRST. I am not one. And obviously our situations are little different, as you are actually injured right now. But it may be another option to consider