Husband now partially immobile for our vacation

[monicainindy]

So my DH managed to fall down our steps yesterday and tore his patella. Had surgery this morning and will be in a combination of crutches/wheelchair for our spring break trip in 4 weeks.

Should we consider canceling this? I know we can rent the mobile wheelchairs at the parks, just wonder what the odds are of getting one.

Anyone with experience in this area, would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks

 

[twinklebug]

So sorry to hear about his injury - rehabilitation of the joints takes quite some time, so no doubt he'll need a scooter if visiting the parks (or if your room is at the end of a long hallway). If it were me though, I wouldn't cancel the trip, but would make it an easier-going trip than usual. Make sure he gets an exercise regimen from the PT to do while on the trip.

There are companies that will allow you to rent a scooter of better quality than the park scooters for the duration of your stay. They seem to have worked out with Bell services the dropoff/pickup procedure so there's minimal work on your end. I cannot recall the names of any of these companies though & hope others can chime in.

Don't let him be embarrassed about using one, particularly when it comes to those complaining about scooter load time and buses. He has a full legitimate need for one and we will all have our day

 

[bumbershoot]

Scooter-time! There are several Disney-approved outside rental companies; there's a list on the Disabilities forum.

My husband had a cascade of injuries before our recent trip and he absolutely refused to get a scooter, and I don't feel it was a good decision. He's a bigger guy and was embarrassed to think that others would think he's in it because he's bigger. He just couldn't look beyond that, to see that everything would have been a lot easier, and EVERYONE would have had more fun, if he'd been on wheels instead of either dealing with a cane or just not doing things.

So I really recommend the scooter!

 

[lodge]

Go! Get his mind off of it a bit and help the time pass. I would CHOOSE to vacation at Disney if I needed some time to heal (works for physical and mental healing)!

My spouse two years ago: -three months of healing (wish we had enough points to cover that amount of time at Disney... not yet).

 

[Simba's Mom]

Go! Get his mind off of it a bit and help the time pass. I would CHOOSE to vacation at Disney if I needed some time to heal (works for physical and mental healing)!

My spouse two years ago: -three months of healing (wish we had enough points to cover that amount of time at Disney... not yet).

Totally agree with this. What better place to heal! Get a scooter if you can convince DH to go for it. Either way, spend less time running around the parks and even more sitting on your balcony or around the pool with a dink and a good book-if he won't get a scooter, spend even more at the pool!

 

[disneynutz]

It's up to your husband and if he feels up to it.

Bill

 

[Illini Al]

Unless he is in pain at that time (or needs meds to control the pain), I say go! I've taken a couple trips immediately after injuries, and I've regretted them due to the pain I was in. If he's not in pain, the trip will take his mind off of his temporary handicap (at least for a few days...)

 

[jekjones1558]

Apple Scooter is on the approved list. They will deliver to your resort and pick it up. It is a LOT cheaper to rent a week from them than to get a scooter at the parks or resorts. Good luck!

 

[monicainindy]

Thanks everyone! He is pretty set on going and even asked me if I had made any head way on checking our options as soon as he came out of surgery today. We won't have to do **everything** on this trip. Him and our son are going back in October, and we are all going back after Christmas.

I have a scooter reserved with Apple, super reasonable price! It will be waiting for us at BLT. Here's my next question... we have a reservation on the Magical Express.. should I cancel that and just grab a cab to minimize the in-transit time? If I do that, will DVC still transfer our bags to BLT. One other thing (I guess I had multiple questions)... I have not been to MCO in ages, what is the best way for him to move from the gate to the transportation center? Just secure a wheelchair through the airline? He will have crutches but it will probably be easier if he is wheeled in.

 

[Dean]

2.5 years ago my wife had a trimalleolar fracture of her ankle. Basically broke both leg bones at the ankle to the point where they were free floating and a complete high ankle sprain as well (tore all ligaments holding the 2 bones together). She was 13 weeks non weight bearing. We went on vacation to Marco island a week after it happened and had to get a HC unit. Actually had the waterproof cover delivered to the resort at Marco Island because the Ortho didn't have the right size in stock. Once she finally got here cast off, I think the very first time she was able to get into a tub was the OKW whirlpool tub, she sure seemed to enjoy that bath. Well fast forward to 2.5 week ago when she fell and turned one kneecap into 3 requiring surgical repair. She can't bend it all for 6 weeks and will have the long knee brace on for around 12 weeks total.

I agree with the scooter. All resorts have wheelchairs for checkout on a first come basis if you need that though. It's good he's determined to not let this ruin everything, we all hope he does well with the trip and rehab.

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks everyone! He is pretty set on going and even asked me if I had made any head way on checking our options as soon as he came out of surgery today. We won't have to do **everything** on this trip. Him and our son are going back in October, and we are all going back after Christmas.

I have a scooter reserved with Apple, super reasonable price! It will be waiting for us at BLT. Here's my next question... we have a reservation on the Magical Express.. should I cancel that and just grab a cab to minimize the in-transit time? If I do that, will DVC still transfer our bags to BLT. One other thing (I guess I had multiple questions)... I have not been to MCO in ages, what is the best way for him to move from the gate to the transportation center? Just secure a wheelchair through the airline? He will have crutches but it will probably be easier if he is wheeled in.

While in-flight the attendants should make sure that there are enough chairs available for all those that need them when deplaning. Aside from paying for a transport vehicle ride, I'd say that's the best way to go. (However, upon returning to MCO I'm unsure where you'd pick a chair up from)

I was going to suggest you just grab a limo service from MCO to the resort, but your question about bags raises an excellent point. To make it easiest on you it's probably best if ME takes care of the bags, and in order to do that you must ride ME bus (it's a security thing as I understand).

 

[monicainindy]

Just booked a car service... now to get that wheel chair squared away and we should be good to go!

 

[toniosmom]

As long as your DH can climb up and down the stairs to the bus, I'd go with the ME. You won't have to worry about your luggage, which will seem quite cumbersome with him in a wheelchair. The airport will have wheelchairs pushed by an airport employee for you (so prepare to tip) and will take him directly from the plane to the ME bus. Note: tell the airline when you board that your DH will need a wheelchair when he gets off the plane and they will make sure one is waiting for him. This is what we do for my mom -- she can't walk more than a few steps, so we get the wheelchair from the plane to ME and then the scooter is waiting for us at the resort.

 

[acourtwdw]

Call the airline ahead of time. Don't wait until you are at the gate. I had back surgery 3 weeks before we left for WDW/DCL. I was using a wheel chair, a walker and wearing a leg brace. They will be better equipped to help you if they have advanced notice. Delta even changed our seats to bulk head to give me extra room.

ME was not an issue since we rented a car but I know they have kneeling buses so that your husband should be able to walk right on.

You may also want to call DVC and request an HA room, in case he needs the support rails in the bathroom and extra space for the scooter.

When you are at the park, make sure that you talk to the cast member at the entrance to the attractions. Some of them have special entrances for folks with mobility issues.

When touring the parks especially at night scooters/wheelchairs are hard to see. Glow sticks and anything that lights up is a life saver. If I had a dollar for every person that banged into my chair, I could pay off my DVC.

If you go to the disabilities board, you can get more information there.

 

[NikP]

When touring the parks especially at night scooters/wheelchairs are hard to see. Glow sticks and anything that lights up is a life saver. If I had a dollar for every person that banged into my chair, I could pay off my DVC.

If you go to the disabilities board, you can get more information there.

Wonderful advise. I never thought of the issues you might encounter at night.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks everyone! He is pretty set on going and even asked me if I had made any head way on checking our options as soon as he came out of surgery today. We won't have to do **everything** on this trip. Him and our son are going back in October, and we are all going back after Christmas.

I have a scooter reserved with Apple, super reasonable price! It will be waiting for us at BLT. Here's my next question... we have a reservation on the Magical Express.. should I cancel that and just grab a cab to minimize the in-transit time? If I do that, will DVC still transfer our bags to BLT. One other thing (I guess I had multiple questions)... I have not been to MCO in ages, what is the best way for him to move from the gate to the transportation center? Just secure a wheelchair through the airline? He will have crutches but it will probably be easier if he is wheeled in.

We spent a week at Disney approx 1 week after DH had a meniscus transplant. Just reserve a wheelchair with the airline and they'll have one at the gate when you land at MCO. But I will add that in the past MCO hasn't exactly been the best at providing this service. One time when traveling with my mother they only had one pusher for 4 wheelchairs. We opted to just push ourselves instead of waiting.

When you are checking in at the airport let them know at the check in counter that you need wheelchair assistance to the gate and they will call for one to take you thru security and to the gate. Just allow a little extra time.

 

[Queenie122]

I've had multiple injuries and as my doctor has said, "Better to be miserable in Disney World than at home!" lol

All you have to do at the airport is call your airline ahead of time, they will make sure you have the wheelchair reserved for you both ways and usually they have an attendant to push you.

I have rented from Apple, they are amazing to work with and have great prices! I have at times been embarrassed to be in the scooter (I'm 38) but in the end, it's about making the most of YOUR trip.

I would suggest practicing driving the scooter around your resort before attempting to drive it up the ramp onto the buses. My Mom tipped over making the turn too tight and she was mortified! And some of the queues can be quite narrow so being familiar with the scooter is a plus.

Some of the rides you can take the scooter right on and some you have to be able to transfer. If you stop at City Hall in MK, they can give you the brochure that shows what you will have to do at each ride AND where the handicap accessible lines are. Actually, each member services area at each park has the same. It can be helpful because some of the entrances are fastpass lines, some are standard queue and some are crazy, like all the way around the back and through some hidden door. It can be difficult to spot the handicap sign that shows the way. The brochures are invaluable.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your trip!