Is there a medical fast pass thing?

[KPeveler]

I'm sorry but this is wrong. You are disabled!

Just as everybody who wears glasses for vision correction is disabled. You just don't think of it that way. Those of us who are regulars on this board try to not think of ourselves as disabled but just having special needs to be as everyone else.

But the normal (and official) suggestion from Guest Services for a mobility or stamina situation is the suggestion to rent a wheelchair or ECV. If you go to Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQ you will see lots of information about wheelchairs and ECVs, including Disney's fees and recommended off-site locations.

I hate to disagree Cheshire, but some of us regulars on the board are fine with thinking of ourselves as disabled. I am not differently abled (i have no special skill related to my health) and while i have special needs, that is not how I think of myself. I think it is fine to think of oneself as disabled. It is all about the terminology one is comfortable with. For instance, i am fine with disabled, but hate the terms special needs and differently abled, when applied to me. Others can use whatever terms they are comfortable with.

And I am not ever "as everyone else," but that has little to do with my disability!

Anyway, to the OP - I would definitely bring the number of an ECV company, just in case!

 

[brekin67]

I hope you find a solution that works for you and your family.

 

[Bete]

each carry a back pack, not you. Between them, whatever you need should fit fine in kiddy backpacks.

If you are going to use a stroller I would hope your 10 year old would push it, not you or your friends might be able to help on the days they meet up with you. If you do a stroller, you can always fit a back pack on them. Also, maybe the 8 year old would share stroller duty with the other one. Give them an extra incentive for helping you, if need be.

On the days you are with others I would absolutely get a scooter. You can rent them in the parks day by day; it's a little costlier that way, but doable. They're available in the same place as stroller rentals in the park. There should be enough adult supervision that way to watch your kids and you can have it a little easier. You should be able to do a longer day that way and kids will appreciate that aspect of it.

Also, personally if I was in the same condition I would get some good advice from my doctor as to what I should avoid at Disney World in regards to rides. He's the doctor and I'm sure there can be all kinds of post surgery complications from any kind of back surgery.

 

[gary4jenn]

I'm sorry but this is wrong. You are disabled!

Just as everybody who wears glasses for vision correction is disabled. You just don't think of it that way. Those of us who are regulars on this board try to not think of ourselves as disabled but just having special needs to be as everyone else.

But the normal (and official) suggestion from Guest Services for a mobility or stamina situation is the suggestion to rent a wheelchair or ECV. If you go to Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQ you will see lots of information about wheelchairs and ECVs, including Disney's fees and recommended off-site locations.

Ok- I am not sure how to read this- are you mad at me for what I wrote? I was just saying that I would never think that my back issue is anywhere close to what others have to deal with everyday. I was just looking for some input as to whether or not I had some options as I am one of those go, go, go women and I was wanting to keep up my usual pace if possible.

My middle daughter is a type 1 diabetic (diagnosed at age 6) and she has to battle that disease everyday so it really puts things in perspective.

I was merely stating that I am no one special and my question was not meant to upset anyone or offend anyone and I certainly didn't want to have such a dumb question end up a board for those with much bigger concerns and thoughts. I'm just a girl with a bum back and having a hard time with it's limitaions. So I am sorry for offending anyone because that was truly not my intent.

Thanks for all your help. If you have a preferred sccoter rental business that you like please PM me- thanks

 

[KPeveler]

Ok- I am not sure how to read this- are you mad at me for what I wrote? I was just saying that I would never think that my back issue is anywhere close to what others have to deal with everyday. I was just looking for some input as to whether or not I had some options as I am one of those go, go, go women and I was wanting to keep up my usual pace if possible.

My middle daughter is a type 1 diabetic (diagnosed at age 6) and she has to battle that disease everyday so it really puts things in perspective.

I was merely stating that I am no one special and my question was not meant to upset anyone or offend anyone and I certainly didn't want to have such a dumb question end up a board for those with much bigger concerns and thoughts. I'm just a girl with a bum back and having a hard time with it's limitaions. So I am sorry for offending anyone because that was truly not my intent.

Thanks for all your help. If you have a preferred sccoter rental business that you like please PM me- thanks

I don't think you offended people... at least you didn't offend me! btw, it is okay to use the term "disabled' in a forum titled disABILITIES

Just because your injury is less severe than some other people's injuries or diseases does not mean it does not affect you, and it does not mean that it is unimportant. Do not feel bad about asking for help when you need it! My disability is progressive, but i have been here bugging people for answers for quite a while, even when it was just something which would affect me in disney with all the walking!

Here is something I have learned in a lifetime of chronic illness: no one wants to win the "who is worse" game, so we try not to play it around here. No one here is going to judge you because your need affects your daily life in a different way than theirs does.

About ECV companies - read the FAQs and there are a couple companies there which people use and have had good luck with - Randy's and Walker's.

You may want to think about a scooter for AK and Epcot. I know that walking on hills is difficult for me when my back/hips are bothering me, and both of those resorts have lots of hills.

You may also want to see if a cane helps with your pain or endurance.

If you need to lay down, try the First Aid stations - air conditioned and quiet!!

For rides like small world or GMR, think about putting a cushion on the seat - those seats are HARD and really hurt my back! It wont work for rides with lapbar (you need to be on the seat for safety reasons), but it may help save your back (and tush!) on longer rides like ellen's energy adventure.

hope you have a great trip!

 

[gary4jenn]

would never have thought if that. I could throw it in the stroller.

Thanks for understanding what I said.

I know it is hard to interpret what people mean when they are just written words. I am temporarily disabled so I will just take all your good advice and take it with me. I know we will have fun and I still have 2 more months to work on my strength and I hope that gets me closer so I won't have to worry about it so much. Just like to know all my choices.

Thanks so much!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I am not mad at you.

It is just that too many people think there is a "standard" for a disability. I have had people say to me "you don't seem disabled" or words to that effect. I love it when someone wearing glasses implies that I do not need my ECV. I tell them that they can have my ECV if I can take their glasses; they tend to get very defensive and finally realize what is meant.

In another post you mention that it is a "temporary disability"; it is still a disability.

I will strongly agree with KPeveler that we do not try to say "I'm more disabled than you". But my attitude is that only a person with excellent uncorrected vision and hearing and does not need any medicines or mobility assistance is not disabled. Yes, you did not start the thread in this Forum, but as Sue said, amny similar threads end up here.

Almost all of us who are active in this forum either have disabilities of our own or are caregivers for people with disabilities (or both). We find (this is a generality and is not directed to you personally) that many people who have a disability will try to "tough it out", especially when on vaction, and can so ruin their vacation due to pain and being unable to do things, but if they had accepted the (mild/temporary) disability as such and take steps to allow for the disability they would have a much better time.

And in regards to your other question, if you go to Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs (click on the link in my signature) you will find a listing of several locations where people on this board have rented wheelchairs and/or ECVs with good prices and good service.

 

[gary4jenn]

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your perspective. I truly meant no harm. I think I know what you mean when people say dumb things. I still get comments about my daughter's diabetes and how if she had avoided sugar she wouldn't have gotten it. Some people just don't get it and we just need to kindly inform them so they know the reality of such situations.

I think we can probably close this thread now. I have got my ideas in hand and hope you all have a great week~
Jenn

 

[SueM in MN]

I am going to close this thread since the OP requested it be closed and since it has strayed from the question.

I will add that the name of this board was intentially meant to be a play on the word disabilities. The idea was that it would be a place where DIS posters of various abilities would have the opportunity to get information that would allow them to have the ability to make a trip to a Disney park. (so the poster who thought that was correct)

This board is meant to help people with temporary and permanent disabilities and to dispell rumors and falsehoods. For example, when I started on the DIS Boards, when someone asked how they were going to get around WDW with a broken leg, the answer given was usually a variation of "oh, you are so lucky you broke your leg. I've never used a wheelchair, but .....… You won't have to wait for anything and you will get front of the line treatment for everything."
Having already been to WDW for more than 10 years with someone using a wheelchair at that point, I knew that was not true.
There were also situations where people were cancelling trips to Disney because of a temporary need for a wheelchair or ECV.
There were also lots of people planning to leave their family member with a disability home because they thought there was nothing for them or they would get no accommodation for their needs.

Because the Theme Parks Board has so many visitors, a question there may be on page 4 by the end of the day. Also, as some people have found, because many people have misconceptins about the services provided for people with disabilities, a simple question about how to get a wheelchair can develop into an arguement about wheelchairs and busses or a suggestion that people should 'disapline' their child with autism and all their problems would be solved . This is a 'safer' place moat of the rime for people to ask questions about accommodations.

So, those are some of the reasons this board was created.