Need Advice and Quick

[gymstx]

Our entire extended family leaves for Florida in two weeks. Unfortunately a member of our family just injured his knee (possibly torn meniscus) and can barely walk. He may have to have surgery but is hoping it can be put off until after the trip. Now for our dilema, if he still goes with to Universal and Sea World, what are the chances that we can get him a wheelchair? A motorized wheelchair would be even better, but we would take what we could get. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

 

[Colinsmom]

Why not rent a wheelchair for the entire trip? Then you don't have to worry about availability at any of the parks or at the hotel. The DISabilities board has info on renting scooters or wheelchairs for the week.

 

[minnie1928]

I've used Walker mobility to rent a scooter for my dad...they were great!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I agree, rent it for your entire trip. If he does have a torn maniscus, he probably got advise to stay off his feet. I wouldn't risk it getting worse. We used Randy's mobility and as a PP mentioned, there is a ton of help for this type of thing on the disability board.

 

[gymstx]

Thank you all for your help! I've started researching renting a scooter for the whole trip. I knew someone would have the answer!

 

[SueM in MN]

Why not rent a wheelchair for the entire trip? Then you don't have to worry about availability at any of the parks or at the hotel. The DISabilities board has info on renting scooters or wheelchairs for the week.

You can follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. In post #2, you will find a lot of information about renting wheelchairs and ECVs.

In most cases, you can't actually rent a power wheelchair unless you already are experienced with driving one. ECVs are steered with a bike-like yoke and the speed is controlled separately with a throttle. Power wheelchairs have a joystick that controls both the speed and direction. That makes them a bit trickier to drive and more practice is needed.
I mention it because some people in the past have not realized there was a difference and called some of the places to ask for a power wheelchair. They were told there were none for rent or that they could not rent one without experience. So, they rented a regular wheelchair. They didn't realize until they came back that what they really wanted was an ECV.

 

[QVCshopper]

As someone who had ACL and meniscus surgery 18 months ago, he needs to get a knee brace with metal hinges. I walked around for 6+ months with my very injured knee. I had no ACL left and both my meniscus were torn very badly after someone hit my knee head on in a volleyball game. It was very painful and incredibly unsupportive for quite a long time, but I had to wait to get the knee surgery until my broken elbow (which I broke due to falling on said bad knee) healed.

I even did a week in Disney with the brace--not possible without one. When I stepped into the pool without the brace, I nearly feel over--it was like I didn't have a knee. I did restrict how much I walked that trip, but taking the train at MK, boats at Epcot, etc.

He may need his knee drained (he could have fluid in there--I had enough to fill one of those tiny bathroom cups) and motrin will probably be needed for swelling and pain.

It's a long, painful process. But you come out OK in the end. PM me if you need specifics. I didn't need a wheelchair until after my surgery, and then I quickly moved to crutches. I am 32, BTW.

 

[peterandlisa]

We went a few years ago with my Mom who had terminal cancer. our original thought was to rent a chair daily at the parks - but the walk from bus to park would have been impossible for her! We contacted a comapany out of yellow pages who delivered a chair to our hotel and picked it up when we were done - it was like $5 a day I think .... and service was phenominal.

Another Upside ..... A wheelchair is better than a fast pass!! First on for almost every ride! Front row at almost every show! Considering she was ill .... this was a great unexpected plus!!

 

[pyrxtc]

well good luck. After a fall on a snowy mountain in a storm, I felt the pain for over 2 yrs and I didn't tear thru anything, I just twisted a bunch of stuff and dislocated my knee cap. Physical therapy didn't help much and whatever was so painful just couldn't be pinpointed. I couldn't even squat and get back up on my own.

My DS knocked me down while painfully roller skating, all on my other knee, I heard a pop and was soo bad in tears I didn;'t think I'd move, thought I'd have to be carried off. But I got up and haven't had pain in my knee since.

Now to the OP, have them make sure they need the surgery. I was told many times that the recovery time wiht or wihtout the surgery is the same. Rent the ECV or even just try for a wheelchair daily. We had to push my Aunt in one for a few days at Disney, bad knee too, and it wasn't bad. I think that the ECV would have been a little dangerous since they are harder to control than people think. Good Luck and get a 2nd opinion about the surgery.

 

[disneymarie]

I agree, rent it for your entire trip. If he does have a torn maniscus, he probably got advise to stay off his feet. I wouldn't risk it getting worse. We used Randy's mobility and as a PP mentioned, there is a ton of help for this type of thing on the disability board.

Do a search for Randy's mobility coupon, there is $10 off a week. I also used scooterama,

The other thing is if the Dr can order a DonJoy brace it will theoretically take the weight off, After my torn minicus surgery I had a trip to Disney, but had a lot of oster arthritis in bone on bone pain. That device did help for the trip,

Also Advil liquid gel caps
Hope he feels better

 

[nowellsl]

Our entire extended family leaves for Florida in two weeks. Unfortunately a member of our family just injured his knee (possibly torn meniscus) and can barely walk. He may have to have surgery but is hoping it can be put off until after the trip. Now for our dilema, if he still goes with to Universal and Sea World, what are the chances that we can get him a wheelchair? A motorized wheelchair would be even better, but we would take what we could get. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

Sorry I can't help, but is that your dog in the picture? It's beautiful!