Med supplies in The World

[Ronomonroe]

Hi all - we'll be going down to OKW the first week in December with my son who has CP and is quite involved. We have our own wheelchair but he takes tube feedings through a g-tube and we're wondering if anyone has any experience with medical suppliers in the area. He uses ultracal and I don't know if it's available down there. Do they deliver onsite? Are they close by should we need some additional meds etc.? We're also a little concerned with taking the chair on the plane. I have'nt talked to the airline yet. It does not fold up, and I remember on a previous trip to DW watching a "flight attendant" bouncing his old wheelchair down the stairs as I watched helplessly from behind a window. Any info or ideas would be appreciated!

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES. We are DVC members at OKW and hope you enjoy our "home resort:.
My DD also has CP. but we don't need any extra supplies at WDW.
Some options you might want to consider would be:
-ask your current supplier if they have previously worked with any medical companies in the Orlando area. Their supplier of ultracal would be able to find out who they supply ultracal to in that area.
-I know some people ship supplies down to themselves at their hotel.
-These companies are full service medical equipment suppliers and should provide the same type of care you are used to at home:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

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

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

The wheelchair is always a concern, but we have been lucky and had only one piece of damage in lots of trips with DD's wheelchair; a bent antitipper. My DD's does fold up, but you need to take it apart to do it, so we don't usually take it apart. Before the trip, we usually recheck all screws and bots to make sure they are tight. We also carry along a tool kit and extra bolts/screws in case things loosen up on the trip. We pack the tool kit in the checked bags. Other people have had good luck with asking for help from their WDW resort maintenance department.
Before getting on the plane, I usually remove the seat and bring that on the plane. If I'm feeling really energetic, I also take off her swing away footrests (since they seem to be a tempting, but not good, place for people to try to lift the chair). I fasten any belts that are left on the wheelchair to keep them from getting caught. I have seen a wheelchair once that came off the plane with the seatbelt wound around the axel - not a pretty site.

 

[Ronomonroe]

Thanks for the tips and links. We had thought of shipping a case of ultracal down to the hotel. Looking at some of the other posts I see that a party is restricted to five people plus the individual in the chair - we are a total of seven so it should be interesting. Wish us luck!

 

[SueM in MN]

The first week in December isn't really "high season" as far as being busy (at least that's what I've read). We have been there during "unbusy times" as well as at Easter time. They tend to bend the rules more when it's not busy, so you might not have a problem with 7 in your party. Sometimes, the number is limited because the boarding area is small and there just isn't room for that many people, especially if you have to wait a while for an accessible car if he's not getting out of his wheelchair. For some shows, they limit the party because the seating area for people with wheelchairs isn't that large. If they can keep you together, they will probably not split you up, especially if you are a party of 2 parents and 5 kids.