Mom with severe back problems going to F&W Fest Party...

[girli565]

My mom has had two car accidents and as a result of the first accident she had several fractures and was in a full body brace for over 4 months. Thankfully she recovered well enough to walk again with some constant pain but she was functioning and thankful for what she had! Then 3 years later she got into another car accident that aggravated the previous injuries, made then even worse and then had to have 2 laminectomies which were unsucessfl and left her with permanent damage. Within the next year the scar tissue that developed was incredibly large and crippling and meant that she was just out of luck when it came to any other surgery improving her condition. Her surgeon would not touch her again and she was left barely walking.

She began seeing a pain management specialist who has gotten her walking again and has made her pain manageable. She was undergoing pain blocks as an outpatient procedure but had to stop that, then she underwent a nerve burning... I think it's called an RF something. That went badly so no more of those. So now she's at a point where it is just going to her pain management doctor because no one will even consider her for any surgery. Since her second surgery she has been deemed disabled.

So on to my question... my mom and I will be going to the Food and Wine Fest for my birthday in Oct. She is dying to go because ever since the accidents she has been unable to work and has taken on a love of cooking and food. We are planning on going to the Party for the Senses, which I've heard from many here on the DIS is notorious for having no seats. How would I go about discussing this with the CM's, or what should be my course of actions? My mom cannot stand for prolonged periods of time and needs a guaranteed seat. She can walk ok for a few hours at a time but just standing around is impossible for her.

Any ideas, suggestions or comments?

Thank you so much for listening to me, this is my first post on the disability board and I'm hoping to meet some wonderful people.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILTIES!

Based on the description I would suggest that she use either a wheelchair or an ECV. This way she will be seated all the time.

I noticed where you said she can walk for a few hours; with all the walking that is normal at WDW that is really your best choice.

Driving up from Miami, if she already has a wc or ECV you could probably bring it along on the car. Otherwise I would suggest renting at WDW or from an off-site vendor. If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The top item is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs.

 

[girli565]

Chesire Figment,

Thank you! I've been broaching the subject with her about a wheelchair or ECV's but she's adament about wanting to walk, she actually sometimes feels better when she walks, it's the standing still or stilling still for long periods of time that really effect her.

My mom has been suffering with this since I was in Middle School, about 11 years ago, and was 33 when it happened. Ever since then she has been stuck with a stigma (in her mind) about using wheelchairs or ECV's. I'm sure at some point when she's older she'll have no choice but for now she's "fighting until she has no fight left" (her words).
I think she's being hard-headed but she's still my mom so I have to listen to her wishes, lol, even though I'm almost 24 years old.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask your mother the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[girli565]

I know exactly what you're saying but shes adament about it. I think she'd rather suffer than get a wheelchair or ECV. I'm just going to give up on her, because she's really adament about it.

Thank you for your help!!