Mobility suggestions

[tmfranlk]

Hi all. I'm hoping those of you with more experience might have some suggestions for me. My apologies if this gets wordy. I've been trying to figure out how this is going to work an thought maybe you all could help.

Next WDW trip : mid-March, spring break but to Easter, 8 park days

Traveling Me (37), DD11, DD3.5, DSis18, DSis Friend 17

Issues:
--3yo will need a stroller at least some
--11yo has foot issues with extensive waking
--I have plantar fasciitis that is not going away (so far, I'm still hoping!)
--this is a graduation trip for the older two and they are suppose to be getting to go off on their own for a good part of the time
--at least one day the older girls will be at universal while we stay at wdw

The big question- how am I going to handle the mobility needs for me and my DDs.

Our last trip to WDW the girls were 8 and 1. We used a double Maclaren so the older one could ride as needed. As it was though one long MVMCP night at the so she was almost unable to walk. I had to get a CM to let me guess the stroller as a wheelchair in the princess greet lie because I was afraid DD wouldn't make it out of the building after we got in.

During a 2 day DL trip in September we used a single Maclaren and older DD rode a few times but not much. By the end I the 2nd day she was pretty much done. She made it out of the park okay but from World of Color to the tram we stopped and rested at least five times. That was my first trip with plantar fasciitis and I was pretty much done by then too.

Before my pain started I was planning to rent a special needs stroller and let the girls take turns as they needed. Not the most ideal stroller for the little one but the best option for the bigger one. Also thought about renting a double but that's no ideal for the bigger one. The 3yo is the type who will walk a lot but will need some help. Dd11 would certainly help push DD3 but obviously there's no reciprocal there.

Now I'm not sure how to take care of all of us without having to take over the older girls' trip and turn them into stroller pushers. If I get an ECV, I can't push a stroller. If I push a stroller I'm not sure my foot can survive the week.

In the past we never used the GAC and with the stroller we could manage lines. Of course we also travelled and lighter crowd times than this too. I know DAS really doesn't apply here. We will use FP+ to our best benefit as well.

So any thoughts on if and how we can work this without having to change things up on the older girls? They will surely be with us part of most days, just not all of it. I'm really starting to worry about how we'll manage the week.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[tmfranlk]

One more thing...right now we will probably be driving down so will have a car. If we can get decent flights we will fly, though, and rely on Disney transport.

 

[powellrj]

This is what I would do, keep in mind, it may not work for you, but its an idea.

If you are not under a doctors care, do so now. Have him give you a prescription anti-inflammatory, get your feet wrapped and invest in inserts and really good fitted shoes. In four months that should at least help enough to get you through the trip.

rent the medical stroller for you DDs and have them switch off.

Don't try to depend on park transportation if you can help it. There is no way to know if you will get a seat and since you are alone for a few days, it would be easier to drive.

If you foot is feeling better, pushing the stroller may help you because you can transfer you weight to the stroller.

Good luck!

 

[clanmcculloch]

An 11 year old will NOT sit in something that looks like a stroller. She'll need a wheelchair. My 13yo wouldn't agree to anything that looked remotely like a stroller when she was 10 and from what I understand that's pretty typical of this age. a 16" stroller was a pretty good size for her back then. We used an 18" this past summer but would have been better with a 16". I'm planning for a 16" this February (she's 4'11", 105lb).

If you get a manual wheelchair, the 11yo does not have to use it all the time and probably would be better off NOT using it all the time. When she's not using it, there's no reason the 3yo can't sit in it. Even when the 11yo is in it the 3yo can probably sit in the 11yo's lap (I would never recommend this with something motorized but with a manual chair I don't see the harm and I don't believe that's breaking any rules; hopefully somebody will correct me if it does break a rule since I would never want to promote that).

I agree that talking with your doctor NOW about your feet and getting used to wrapping your feet and getting proper supports and shoes will be your best bet for yourself. Something else I've read is to freeze water bottles and roll your feet over them back at your resort in addition to the anti-inflamatories, wrapping, and proper shoes/supports.

Because of your own feet I would plan on shorter days so that you're not pushing yourself too hard. Also, scheduling attractions where you sit for a while in between walking will also help.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I have seen the transport chairs that collaps nicely and in that manner, they convert to rollator s. this would give you something to ease pressure as you walk too. I am not sure if both girls would fit.

The other option is renting a double jogger from off site if dd 11 is small enough, or let her know a medical stroller or wheel chair are the only options. Is she able to use braces, shoe inserts or beging physical therapy to help with endurance.

In the years to come she will be going on school trips, mall shopping and more Disney trips so working on her feet now would be the best help for the future.

 

[tmfranlk]

Thanks Ladygoldenhair. I'll look into that. So far she doesn't have any braces or things, but they may at some point. We've been doing exercises over the years and she's definitely improved. We used to be done after a 4 hour zoo day. In Sept she was able to go 2 full, long days at Disneyland before hitting that point. Plus the next day she was good and probably would have made part of a park day if we'd needed. It's just the full 8 park days in a row I'm concerned about.

DD11 is good with the special needs stroller. We've talked about needing to find the best option for all of us and even before there was concern about my foot she suggested that the special needs version would be the best for both her and her sister. She's outweighed the off site rentals for a couple of years and I think is just way too long for the in park rentals. She's actually more worried about me right now I think because she knows how to care for her own problems, but not mine.

I guess we'll both keep exercising our feet and hope for the best. If it comes to midweek and we need more help, we'll just engage the older girls to stick with us and be the stroller pushers.

Thanks again!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I have plantar fasciitis that is not going away (so far, I'm still hoping!) . . .

OFF TOPIC:
1) I had the same problem about eleven years ago.
2) No one seemed to be able to help.
3) Symptoms:
. . . fine when sitting or resting
. . . very painful for first steps after sitting or getting out of rides
. . . most of the pain went away after walking about 50-100 steps
4) Finally, I found a good foot doctor.
. . . in a single visit, he cured the problem
. . . he injected two steroid shots into the heel area
. . . after 2-3 days, there was NO pain
. . . pain nor symptoms have returned

NOTE: Don't know if your doctors have tried this, but worth a shot - no
pin intended.

 

[mumto2]

I have plantar fasciitis, a DD15 with mobility issues and a DS who is now 8, so while I don't have the t-shirt, I have "been there, done that"

We now have a portable wheelchair for DD (Convaid) that folds nicely in the trunk. At your DD's age, we were still using a special needs Maclaren and got the sticker at WDW to use as a wheelchair (trust me, many well-meaning CMs will try to make you park it otherwise).

We did overhear comments from guests from time to time who thought it necessary to voice an opinion on an 11yo in a stroller, but our DD is fairly immune to it (although once in mousegears to an exceptionally rude woman, DD told her that she was glad that her stroke only weakened her legs, that it must be awful to have a stroke take away her ability to filter rude comments I had a word with her about disrespecting adults, but secretly I was proud of her). Your DD's positive attitude will go a long way with this.

We encourage our DD to walk when she can, so she and DS (when he was younger) would swap out. At the end of any late night, I will admit to letting him sit on her lap, but that makes the weight you have to push that much heavier.

Does your DD qualify for a handicap parking permit? If so, get one for this trip. Eve the walk to the tram may be more that you all can handle. Personally, we use our permit and park at all the parks except MK, where we generally use park transportation to get right to the gate.

As for your own foot, what does your doctor say? Everyone is different, but I have found relief from a chiropractor who uses ultrasound. My own primary care doc recommended we give it a try and it helps. But my kids also know that sometime, mommy just has to take it easy, so our trips are never commando, and we find lots of magic that other miss.

Have a great trip!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

An 11 year old will NOT sit in something that looks like a stroller......

I'm not so sure about this. Have you ever read some of the stroller threads on the Family board (regarding older kids with no disabilities riding in strollers)?

 

[Bete]

I really feel the secret to your success will be the older ones helping out. I know that's not totally fun for them, but maybe, you can give them some free time each day to be on their own and then join up with you, as well. I think this needs to be discussed with them ahead of time. You don't want conflict during the vacation. Another suggestion is to alternate your activities with rides, parades, shows, fireworks, and eating. Don't just do ride after ride. Take a break with a show and then a ride. You get the idea. Do a break in your day and go back to the resort for a mid day rest. You may need to skip a day and rest at the resort completely. Get in pool activities and such. I'm not sure about your circumstances, but can you get a friend or relative to come along and help? Even if you have to pay part of their way to make it work. Consider a financial arrangement with the older ones; somehow, pushing strollers don't seem as bad if there is a payoff. There are caregiving services that you can pay for out of Orlando that will help you. It is expensive like $20/hour and you have to pay mileage and the park ticket costs for that person to help. As the other posters mentioned make sure to get all the help you can from your doctor before the trip. If you are still concerned I would cut back on the trip and go for fewer days.

 

[cobright]

I have a strategy I would like you to consider.

It starts with an axiom: Time spent on a WDW vacation is not and should not be treated like normal life.

What this means is that your vacation is an exception to the normal rules by which you govern your behavior (and that of your family). Maybe you are thinking something like, "of course, he's just stating the obvious."

But for your normal routine, you manage your and your daughters' mobility issues with assistive devices and a regimen of exercise and endurance training. Now you have 8 days in WDW coming up and you want pointers on what kinds of assistive devices and endurance strategies will work best.

Step 1: start with yourself. you are the foundation of this vacation. Explain the situation to your doctor. You MUST be pain free during this trip so that you can support your family with their particular issues. For this trip you need a narcotic pain reliever. Take a few days well in advance to titrate an appropriate dose so that you aren't stoned. And practice doing the things you will be doing while on the meds. You want zero surprises.

Step 2: discuss a similar strategy with your 11yo's pediatrician.

Step 3: when it comes to assitive devices, over-prepared is better than under-prepared. BUT... Look at the costs involved. How much is it going to cost to put wheels under your 11 yr old? Maybe the calculus favors doing without the wheels but adding a day to the trip and making it a pool day or a go see a movie day.

Step 4: Establish lines of communication to WDW early. Like right now. Saying on site? Make phone-friends with the resort manager. That's the person you want calling the park management on your behalf. Think outside the box on this one. Don't call the numbers set up to handle what you need. those people sort every call they get according to a script they read.

Find someone who has time to actually listen to you and discretion to do something on your behalf. Head waiter or Restaurant managers where you have a reservation are great for this. Call ahead in the morning and ask for them by name if possible. These people have the inside phone-book and can make stuff happen. Call the transportation office on the auspice of discussing a mobility issue, then ask what they have done in the past to help people like you out. Give someone an opportunity to provide you with a great customer experience and often they just can't resist.

Point is, you want people on the inside advocating for you.

Step 5: after all of that you may also need to shift from seeking to get your family to as much vacation fun as possible to seeking how to get the most vacation fun out of what your family is capable of doing. Can be minor things like scheduling a couple big shows and 2 sit down meals a day so you are off your feet more. Book a tour to get yourselves out of the hustle. Budget for cabs, they make everything better.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Allison]

OP-Good luck but I have to disagree with the poster suggesting starting narcotics for you and your 11 year old or making phone calls to try and be "phone friends" with someone at Disney to get them to give you something.

 

[mumto2]

OP-Good luck but I have to disagree with the poster suggesting starting narcotics for you and your 11 year old or making phone calls to try and be "phone friends" with someone at Disney to get them to give you something.

If you are staying on-site, I would definitely call to make the reservation (instead of online), but I have always found that dealing with the reservations agent and explaining my DD's needs (and using commonly understood diagnosis terms, if appropriate) meant that we got a room and location that worked for us (close to the food court, or the pool, etc.). Since the request is documented as a medical need, it will take priority.

Other phone calls won't help, and may serve to confuse things even more.

 

[Allison]

If you are staying on-site, I would definitely call to make the reservation (instead of online), but I have always found that dealing with the reservations agent and explaining my DD's needs (and using commonly understood diagnosis terms, if appropriate) meant that we got a room and location that worked for us (close to the food court, or the pool, etc.). Since the request is documented as a medical need, it will take priority.

Other phone calls won't help, and may serve to confuse things even more.

I agree with this. Being close to bus service and the food court is probably a good idea.

 

[tmfranlk]

Thanks again everyone! I truly appreciate all the input, most especially those who have been through similar situations before. I'd just recently heard from a friend about shots working for her and I'll be talking to my doctor about that possibility. I'll also talk to my travel agent about room location. We'll definitely be working our way toward being physically ready for the trip as best we can then will go with whatever option seems most necessary at the time. It feels nice to have so many ideas to fall back on once we know closer to the trip what might be needed. Luckily, my girls and I are experienced in working around our unique situations (feet, travelling alone, age/height differences, etc) and I know we can all work together to make it a great trip for all of us.

Thanks again!