Is my husband disabled

[lynr]

My husband has just gotten out of the hospital after 90 days. He had necrotizing pancreatitis that got infected and required surgery. He is still recouperating and has 3 drains. My question is can he get a GAC badge? He will be using a wheel chair since he is still very weak and can't stand or walk for any lenght of time, so the doctor said a wheel chair is a must. I am still debating renting one from an outside company or just getting one at the Poly. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Probably in all reality it is too soon for him to go. But we have changed our reservations so many times due to this illness, and we really need a vacation. It was supposed to be a second honeymoon, so we are going without the kids and we will do things at his pace, it might not be a whirlwind vacation but I thank god that he is still here to go with me.

 

[teri]

Yes, the Guest Assistance Card *may* be appropriate for your husband.

You can click on the link in my signature, and you wil find a link to the GAC information. If he is planning to stay in a wheelchair full time and not just use it for distances between attractions, then you might not need a GAC. On the other hand, if he plans to get up and walk around inside attractions, it might come in handy. Read about i t in the FAQ, and see what you think is most appropriate for you.

I would recommend that you consider renting an ECV instead of a wheelchair.. it might give him more mobility and independence, and it just might be more comfortable -- I have done the wheelchair after abdominal surgery thing, and it was uncomfortably bumpy-- those things have no springs. The ECV seat might be a nicer ride for him, and less work for you, too.

The resorts have wheelchairs available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and a refundable deposit of $250 is sometimes required. Many people have nice things to say about the outside rental companies.. the choice is yours. If you want an ECV for the length of stay, you will need to rent from an outside company.

I hope that your trip is wonderful, healing, and fun.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would agree with Teri and STRONGLY feel you should rent an ECV rather than rely on a wheelchair. As you say he is weak, and driving a wheel chair takes a lot of energy. Also, you may not be aware of it, but there are lots of hills which would make your pushing the wheelchair difficult (especially if you are not used to it). As long as you are staying on property, you won't have to worry about loading/unloading into a car. Although I usually have a rental car, I have often used the monorails and ferry's with the ECV, and have been on tours where they made sure the group bus had a lift. Most of their buses do have lifts.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would definately suggest renting either a wheelchair or an ecv from an outside company. As teri mentioned, the wheelchairs available from the resorts are first come, first served. It's likely you will be able to get one, but you really need one, so I would not take the chance of not getting one. The other thing to keep in mind is that you get what they have, so if they have a narrow one and you need an extra wide, yyou get what's there.
It is tiring to push a wheelchair. My DD is about 80 pounds and she has a light weight wheelchair that weighs about 35 pounds. We get tired pushing her. The heavy duty adult wheelchairs that you can get at the parks or the resorts weigh about 50 pounds empty. Once you get an average adult into it, you will tire out a lot faster than you think. Also, the monorail station at the Polynesian is on a level that you can get to by elevator, but once you get to the TTC or MK, there is a steep ramp to down/up to get on or off the monorail. unless they have added one recently, there is not an elevator there.
Here are the places that DIS posters have reported renting from:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

 

[nancycels]

I really think they need to add an elevator! that ramp is a killer! even with an ecv!!
I also recommend you get an ECV. I know how tired my husband got pushing me around the first
year we went and he wasn't used to it! It will really enhance your vacation to rent an ecv.

 

[lynr]

Thanks for everyone's opinion. I took your advice and rented an EVC from Randy's

Only 5 more days I can't wait.

 

[chris1gill]

SueM, I just have to agree with you about that ramp, OMG it is the worst!!! My poor DH has pushed me up it a couple of times & I know it was a KILLER... Now that I'm bringing my Jazzy, I BET I'll have to back down it because it is THAT steep!!!

 

[Talking Hands]

No you won't need to back it down. The Jazzy handles the ramp just fine. At least my 1103 does and it is the smallest of the Jazzys.