Lungs not so much legs need walker

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have far more trouble with my lungs than my legs and having lost a considerable amount of weight I do not want to sit down in a scooter, no offense to those who need one.

I have seen some folks in the park with fancy walkers and am thinking that might be just the bit of help that I need.

I am wondering how one gets them on and off the buses and such as I have enough trouble getting myself on and off and have a hubby with problems who walks off and leaves me without any help.

I could lean on the walker and have a ready made seat for those times when I just have to sit down.

Any input gratefully appreciated as I know nothing about them and am interested in what kind I should look for and if it would be of help to me on my upcoming trip.

Thank you all so very much for all your help.

Slightly Goofy

 

[disney david]

I have far more trouble with my lungs than my legs and having lost a considerable amount of weight I do not want to sit down in a scooter, no offense to those who need one.

I have seen some folks in the park with fancy walkers and am thinking that might be just the bit of help that I need.

I am wondering how one gets them on and off the buses and such as I have enough trouble getting myself on and off and have a hubby with problems who walks off and leaves me without any help.

I could lean on the walker and have a ready made seat for those times when I just have to sit down.

Any input gratefully appreciated as I know nothing about them and am interested in what kind I should look for and if it would be of help to me on my upcoming trip.

Thank you all so very much for all your help.

Slightly Goofy

they are no problem just wait by the back door the bus driver will handle it like a wheel chair being thatif it the new bus he will kneel the bus and bring out the ramp so it be easier to walk up. hhe/she will help you if you need and want to sit in a chair then they do the same when they get to the stop you want. if it the old bus they can use the wheel chair lift and lift you on the bus it not going to be any problem they are there to help. they will get people to move so you will always have a seat. when you see the bus pull up you could wave at the driver so they know that you need that bus and they will load you first and help you on and into a seat just in case your husband get on and forgets to help. it disney their alot of exciting things going on so dont be to tuff on him he proberly dosn't do that at home. have fun and dont worry disney there to help you if you need wheter it be on buses or not and if you need them to put the ramp out for the monrail just ask and make sure they radio the stop you need them because it a little step down so the ramp might help or just one less thing to worry about.

 

[emeraldmom]

It sounds like you are talking about a rollator walker. My father has multiple mobility issues, I won't give you the whole list, but they are not weight related. When we went to DC over spring break, he did not want to take his ECV. We got him a rollator walker. He loved it. His is very nice, has a small basket on the front. It's kinda hard to explain, but there is a cut-out in the seat part that is a handle. You simply lift that, and it folds, one handed. It's pretty light, and not too difficult to handle when folded. As a PP said, you could also have the driver assist you like they would a wheelchair or ECV. Whichever you are more comfortable with. My father was even able to fold it and hold it with him on escalators in the DC metro system. And trust me, he does NOT have wonderful balance.

He really liked it, and we were ALL over DC. If helped him when he needed it, and he seemed to find it easier than his cane. He also LOVED that he could sit down whenever and wherever he needed to. If you think it might be for you, get one and try. WDW is not a brief stroll though, so it's possible you could end up needing an ECV, depending on how much walking you do, and how long you are there.

 

[KPeveler]

i think a rollator is a good idea for you. I use one at home for my balance issues.

I suggest bringing phone numbers of off-site ECV rental companies, just in case. ECVs on site sell out and if you are having a particularly difficult time, it does not hut to be prepared! Hopefully everything will be great and you will not need it.

As PPs said, just tell the bus driver you cannot handle stairs and you will be fine! They are quite helpful.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Thank you all for so much useful information.

My husband will not get on the bus by himself. I have to help him, not physically, but he has a form of autism as well as being used to me doing everything for him for about 40 years.

Is the Rollator a brand name? I see the ones with storage under the seat which would be wonderful for me not to have to carry my purse, even a small one is hard on my breathing. It is much better in cooler months. When I get the food I am thinking I would be able to put the tray on the seat and make it easier for me. My husband goes and sits down at a table while I get the food and I use a cane which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for me to carry the food AND the drinks. I made him stand in line with me the last trip and he was not a happy camper.

When I lean on a shopping cart I can walk miles and miles but the walkers I see have the handles. Are there any with a higher handle that goes across the whole way?

I could easily manage the new buses with the ramp but the old buses with the lift, do they have side rails to hold on to so I can keep my balance? I could probably carry the walker onto a new/low bus but often have problems getting off with the high steps on the old.

I have checked out the ones at WM but most places they are in boxes and you cannot really see or try out walkers and I do not want to waste money on something that is useless to me.

I could not take the metro system in Washington as that first step, often with huge windows looking way down, frightens the heck out of me. Been there, done that.

If you should see a not so very old woman with a walker telling a much older man what to do and how to do it that would be me.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Bete]

I don't think you will be able to take your walker onto too many rides, so, if you can't manage to get on and off the rides on your own accord you may want to skip them. This could be hard for your husband to understand. You can probably leave your walker where the scooters are parked in most cases if you do attempt some rides. You will need to remember to take your purse out of the storage seat every time you do a ride if there are valuables in it.

It may be a hassle, but everything you buy has a return policy (most are 30 days with receipt); so, even if a walker is not on display you can get one based on the picture on the box and hope it will be ok. If not, you return it. You may even want to visit a local nursing home and see and watch different people using their walkers there, if the staff will let you do this there.

As another posted stated be prepared for a scooter if you need one. Apple Scooters do weekly rentals for $150/week.

 

[Sadie22]

My mom's Rollator walker was paid for by her insurance -- probably Medicare paid for it just as it would for any durable medical equipment she requires. A special smaller size was obtained for her because she is so short. The basket under the seat was awkward for her to use so we removed that and she has a bag which hangs from the front (actually a small diaper bag with pockets and a zipper across the top; I just had to fix the strap so it would hang properly). Bags can be ordered with the walkers but I tried several handmade types before settling on this solution. Mom is not able to walk long distances and lives in a care facility but this can go and does go anywhere she goes, including into restroom handicapped stalls. The Rollator walker is foldable. I can lift and carry it fairly easily, unlike a wheelchair. It would be able to go anywhere a folded stroller could go and if I were you I would not hesitate to ask a cast member or nearby teenager or adult for assistance with it if needed. Many carry their cane on a walker for use in tighter spaces where the walker cannot go.

I have not yet seen a walker with handles other than bicycle-type handles but you could Google or contact a durable medical equipment supplier or physical therapy service and see what they might suggest. One with a shopping cart style handle might be able to be made for you.

I suggest visiting an assisted living facility or two if you would like to see other people using different types of walkers. If you call and ask for the marketing director he or she will likely give you any kind of tour you want and be able to discuss what the residents use to help them get around. More people at an assisted living facilty will still be ambulatory whereas in a nursing home a larger percentage of the residents are bedridden, need wheelchairs or Power chairs.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Sadie, after everyone suggested a Rollator I saw one on sale for about $70 at WM. I will check it when I get a chance. I visit many nursing homes and had never thought to look around at the walkers used there. That is a great suggestion. Thank you. I am not yet old enough for Medicare and do not really need a walker for anywhere other than DW and a lot of that in order to be able to take care of my husband. Wonder if HE would fit in the storage under the seat?

Hi ya Bete, neighbor! I have a tiny balance issue and need a hand when getting on or off those moving sidewalk things but am otherwise able to walk onto and off rides etc. just fine. Am thinking I would need a bicycle chain or some such to keep the walker from 'walking' away while I am riding though. I have never lost a purse in my entire life and have occasionally seen someone leave valuables in their scooter etc. and have stood guard and given a warning when they return. Disney inspires confidence, sometimes misplaced.

Boy, you summed it up right about my husband. He does not understand when he cannot go on a ride he wants and right then. Once I was not able to stand in line for the Backlot ride and it was not pretty. With a walker I could sit and then move forward. I can walk just not stand in one place for long, I get shorter and shorter when I do.

This has been an eventful day, not in a good way, and I am so glad to have a place to go where folks are so nice.

Thank you all so very much and I hope to meet you ALL in person on one of my trips.

Slightly Goofy