It was suggested I post this over here.

[Mom21]

I am a stickler for rules and have never taken advantage of anything. A month ago my dd disconnected one of the ligaments that connects her ankle to her foot. She was in a cast for 2 weeks, and then they looked at it and put her back in for 2 more. Late Friday evening, they took it off and put her in an ankle brace and a one of the air walking boots. Dr said ok to go to Disney but minimize walking (um yeah right). She starts physical therapy as soon as I can call Monday when they open and schedule. It is for 3 times a week so I will also bring this up to PT.

She is almost as tall as me and weighs 125lbs at 14. I have some physical limitations and don't think I can push a wheelchair all day. She says just rent her one of those scooters Um. NOOOOOOOOOO!

So when we go up will they allow her to go to where you get on ride and let me stand in line? Are there benches where she can sit and wait on me to rest her leg and stay off it as much as possible? I've never really paid attention to the area to know if most of the rides have benches or not.

We leave on Friday for 5 or 6 days. We are going up for a competition, or I would postpone. She competes in trampoline and tumbling. No she will not be competing, but she has to show and "scratch" (basically forfeit) as it is a qualifier for Nationals in July. Don't have a clue as to the why's of the rules since I think it is stupid but it is necessary.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Disney's policy is that for mobility/stamina issues you should rent a wheelchair or ECV (scooter). There aren't places to wait with seating and no way for your daughter to join you in line later.

Since she's 14, it's unlikely that anyone will rent her an ECV even if you were willing, which leaves you with a wheelchair. I'm not sure how much she could push herself if you rented offsite and looked for a place with a lighter wheelchair than the Disney rentals (which are big and bulky and as an almost full-time wheelchair user, I can't push myself in a Disney rental very well), but that's one option, if the two of you could switch off at all with sometimes her self-propelling and sometimes you pusher her.

The only other option I can think of is can you bring someone with you who can help push her? If she's there for a competition will she have friends around who could help?

Also, I'd suggest using Fastpasses whenever possible (even with a wheelchair, you will not have faster waits and sometimes will even have longer ones) and planning on taking it slow.

 

[KPeveler]

There really is no way to have her wait elsewhere while you wait in line. You cannot see the load zone from outside the attractions, and most of the exits are either hidden or very close quarters.

There is no company in Orlando that will rent a scooter to her (most require her to be at least 16), so you don't have to worry about that.

Is there a way you could switch off with her using crutches sometimes and in the chair sometimes? That way you would not have to push all day.

Also, you can get a wheelchair rental that has elevating leg lifts, so she can keep that foot elevated.

It may not work to count on park benches having a place to sit that she can put her foot up. There is often a bit of a competition to get places to sit for any length of time.

There is no way to sit to wait for parades or fireworks unless you get to the area about 2 hours early, so a wheelchair may come in handy for that.

I wish I had a better idea, but with the way queues load in WDW, she is going to have to go the same distance no matter what (very few wrap back and forth, most are winding but travel a good distance)

 

[Mom21]

This is what I was afraid of. There will be no friends there. Just us two. The competition is not one at Disney. It is at a local gym. Everyone else is coming home to go to school. We homeschool so we are extending our trip in include Disney. I guess we will just take it easy. I am afraid she will refuse to stop or let me know if it is bothering her. I did just now tell her if it hurts to let me know and we will see how it goes with a wheelchair and me pushing.

 

[KPeveler]

When you rent a wheelchair, get one from off-site. The onsite ones are heavier and not adjustable. If she brings her crutches, she can switch off, which should help with endurance.

Also, if she walks between queues, she can sit in them. Most queues are smooth level surfaces (some have a few ramps) so that should make pushing easier. Make sure to alternate shows with rides, b/c that gives you all a chance to sit.

 

[PigletsPal2]

If you decide to rent a wheelchair, you might consider a "transport" chair. They're lighter and much easier to push and fold up easily to toss in the trunk of your car. My daughters pushed me (at more that 200 lbs!) very easily all through Epcot a few years ago.

Queen Colleen

 

[Mom21]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Looks like I will have to get a wheelchair. DD came home from her dad's today and said they went to the mall. She said her leg ached after only an hour and she would definitely need the chair. Also, where do you suggest I rent one? We will be there Friday. Also if I rent offsite to get the lighter chair, will have I have to take it on the tram? I think strollers are bad enough. I know most people with wheelchairs have a handicap sticker but we don't.

 

[stargazertechie]

When you get to the toll booths at the park, ask them if you can drop her off in medical parking. They'll usually direct you down the blue line toward the handicap lot, allow you to drop your daughter and the chair off, and then you can circle back and park in regular parking. Your daughter can either push herself or use the chair as a "walker" of sorts to limp up to the turnstiles and wait for you there.

I would also suggest a pair of work-duty gloves for her to wear. I was in a chair for 4 days of my last trip, and I have been a temporary full-time chair user the past two summers, so I've gotten pretty good and getting around in a manual wc. My FI would push me on the uphill portions, and then I would control myself downhill, and continue pushing for the next few minutes. Let gravity do some of the work.

 

[Kudrah]

It looks kind of dorky, but how about a knee walker?

They are meant for injuries like hers, and I saw a woman really zipping through DHS while we were there last week...

 

[I Love Pluto]

I second the knee walker. I used one several times. It was so easy to use, and I didn't feel like I was bothering anyone to "push me".

Good luck to you and your daughter. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.