One party member on crutches, what to do?

[ttintagel]

There is SO much walking at the parks, and much, much more of it than we normally realize is up hills and ramps, or over uneven flooring. When I went with a broken foot, I could use crutches around the resort and for short trips from, say, a restaurant table to the bathroom, but my experience tells me that even a fit young man is absolutely going to need a wheelchair for a WDW trip. After all, WDW is NOT like the real world, and our normal ideas of "fitness," "disability," and "stamina" just don't apply.

If he feels like walking for a while, he can park the wheelchair and then come back to it when he needs it. Or, someone in the party can push it around empty. He's not glued to it at all.

 

[KingofJapan]

What he should do is what I did. Call the physician who ordered him to use crutches. See if it's possible to use a walking boot instead. They stabilize the ankle and you are still able to walk at an easy pace. You can be fitted in one day for a walking boot. They are not cheap by any means but many times insurance will pick it up. Mine was like a Nike running show with an air sole and inflators which tighten the boot to the foot (think reebok pump).

 

[lroger01]

I used a Disney scooter one day at Epcot on my last trip. I wasn't "injured" I had just overdone the walking the previous 4 days and would have had to skip my Epcot day otherwise.

Things to keep in mind:

It will take an hour to get familiar with the controls.
You will make mistakes that first hour. There is only go or no-go. The Disney scooter I had, had a dial I could turn to limit the speed. I suggest using it for that first hour or so. Once you get a feel for the throttle, you'll be able to easily match the scooter's speed to that of your walking party.

Driving the scooter is very similar to driving a car.
Follow the same rules of the road where you can. Keep the scooter at the same speed as the people around you, and you'll fit right in with the flow. As with driving on the highway, you'll find the people "traffic" is also in groups. I found it easy on a Epcot Food & Wine evening to stay between groupings.

If you need to stop briefly, pull over behind something.
Walkers will need to go around a trash can, fountain, or flower box anyway so also going around you will be easy for them.

You will be spoiled!
I had no problem with rude people, or running into people, or dirty looks, or anything. I did see way more of Epcot than I normally do and throughly enjoyed my day. I may just need to save Epcot for the end of my next trip and maybe overdo it a little at the other parks...

 

[disnut8]

I assume, if he is so inclined, that we can park the ECV in front/near most of the attractions/rides/restaraunts and use his crutches in line or to sit and eat?

Yep. Park where the strollers are parked and you will be fine.

When my husband had to temporarily use a wheelchair, we made a sign for the back of the chair that basically told people why a seemingly perfectly "normal" person would be in a wheelchair and then be able to get out to do other things (like the bathroom). We used jokes about the situation. Your nephew could have fun with something like that. Like having an ankle drawing with the ankle saying "OUCH!" and then a doctor drawing saying, "NO WALKING LONG DISTANCES FOR AT LEAST A WEEK!" Ankle saying "But I'm going to Disney World!" Doctor saying "ECV Ankle Boy, ECV but you can take pity on the ECV and walk when you *think* you can". Than the ankle being all happy with pictures of Disney characters coming out of the heel.

 

[tweak89]

Well, he's not thrilled about having to use the ECV. He is going to check into a walking boot (something I used when I had a fractured fibula) but I know sprains are treated a little differently than fractures/breaks so I don't know how that will go. Plus, since we leave Sunday morning, I think it will be a crutches/EVC combo.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. Disney, and with the exception of Randy's Mobility, nobody will rent a power scooter (ECV/Electric Convenience Vehicle) to anyone under 18. And Randy's will only rent one to an older teen who normally uses one and they have do a test drive.

2. In addition, you might want to talk to the person who will be removing the cast. Have a line drawn on the cast where it will be cut for removal. Then bring along some "Sharpies" and have the characters autograph the cast, asking them to make sure their signature does not directly cross the line.

Once the cast is removed and fully dried out, you will then have a very unusual souvenir of the trip.

3. Go to the disABILITIES Form for much more information.

 

[ZoZo]

You might look into renting a "knee scooter" for him. For a foot or ankle injury, it's a great option to crutches. It's non-motorized. You rest your "bad" leg on the bench and push yourself with your good leg. I used one after two different foot surgeries, and loved it! So much easier than crutches, and if your nephew is reluctant to rent an ECV, he might not have the same objections to a knee scooter.

If he does rent one, have him rent one with pivoting BACK wheels in addition to pivoting front wheels. When the back wheels pivot, it's much easier to maneuver and urn around in tight spaces, like restroom stalls..

 

[tweak89]

Do any of the approved vendors rent/deliver these to resorts?

 

[pixiesprite]

Just to give a slightly different point of view... I spent a week in WDW last year on crutches and it was totally doable. I had injured a ligament in my ankle so was put in a walking boot but not allowed bear much weight, so basically using the crutches but able to lightly tip the front of the boot off the ground as I "walked". If your nephew can do that then it is so much different than full non-weightbearing hopping on crutches. I had to go non-weightbearing hopping with a different injury on the same foot a few weeks later and that was much harder - I don't think I could have managed WDW like that.

But just in case he is similar to how I was here are my thoughts on WDW with crutches (while in a boot that you can tip off the ground LOL - quite specific situation but you may find it helpful)...

I really didn't want a wheelchair or ECV, I love strolling around WDW so wanted to be up and about walking at my own pace and because I was staying solo I didn't want to be dealing with an ECV on my own on the buses (probably a bit silly but that was how I felt!). My pace with the crutches and lightly-boot-tipping walk was pretty much a regular/quick walking pace. I will say that I was on European elbow crutches which meant no underarm strain - you just need some very strong arms and good padding for your hands. If your nephew could get his hands on elbow crutches he might find them nice to use.

I stayed onsite on my own but met up with family at different times during the week. It was very busy in WDW but I found the crutches to be no trouble in the crowds (again elbow crutches as slightly different - they tend to be used quite straight and not sticking out at the sides). Yes, they were a little tiring by the end of the day, but we were happily doing 12 hours days so everyone was tired by then

If you are going to Universal he will be treated like a king! A lot of their queues have stairs in them so we were directed to different queues by the staff. Very helpful. That was without any disability card though I think they may have one at guest services there - we didn't think to ask.

While WDW was fun on crutches, airports were not. So if you are flying call your airline and they will arrange a wheelchair for both airports - it makes it much quicker and easier. I could take the crutches onboard but mostly handled bathroom trips etc by putting on the walking boot and tipping along holding onto seats

Meals-wise, the times I was eating solo I asked if a cast member could drop my food down to my table at counter service places and they were very obliging.

I found the Florida heat caused my ankle to swell but the heat and humidity also helped my hands/arms to cope with the extra walking very well (dunno why, the heat just soaked away any aches!). Get your nephew to put the foot up whenever he sits down even if he is in an ECV, to help with swelling

So yes, I would say it is very doable (and very enjoyable) to do WDW on crutches if the conditions are right, depending on the specifics of the injury, strength etc.

Whatever you do, have a splendid trip and take lots of photos - it's not everyday one ends up in WDW on crutches!!!

 

[disnut8]

Do any of the approved vendors rent/deliver these to resorts?

Most if not all. Twice we rented wheelchairs and both times had them delivered to the resorts. Once we were staying offsite and no problems. Once staying onsite and no problems. And both times (especially the first one offsite), we didn't give very much notice.

 

[soar2014]

Allears dot net has some kind of deal with Buena Vista scooters. I've used them twice and love them. You get 10 percent off if you say you read about them on the AE website. I do not have an injury but rather a chronic plantar fasciitis problem. I am healthy otherwise and I absolutely love having an ECV. Some young people are too self-conscious to enjoy the freedom they give you. BV brings the scooter to your resort then picks it up when you are done. The scooters really are not an issue when you are at WDW, the busses and most all transport is designed for the disabled public.

 

[tweak89]

Well, he was cleared for a walking boot, which we picked up this morning. He walks without discomfort in the boot, so we will be going with a crutches/boot combo. We will be testing it out our first day at Magic Kingdom. If it gets to be too much we'll get a knee walker or scooter.

 

[KingofJapan]

Well, he was cleared for a walking boot, which we picked up this morning. He walks without discomfort in the boot, so we will be going with a crutches/boot combo. We will be testing it out our first day at Magic Kingdom. If it gets to be too much we'll get a knee walker or scooter.

Good for him to stay off a scooter. Walking boot much better option. Honestly I tried a scooter one day when I messed my ankle up. Hated it. Allowed me to switch to a boot. Much better. I had a buddy airbrush some flames on mine.

 

[seashoreCM]

Are you sure that a walking boot is suitable for miles and miles of walking such as at Walt Disney World?

I was suspecting that a wheelchair would still be needed after a short distance even if pain did not set in.

 

[KingofJapan]

Are you sure that a walking boot is suitable for miles and miles of walking such as at Walt Disney World?

I was suspecting that a wheelchair would still be needed after a short distance even if pain did not set in.

He's a young guy who I am sure does not want to be pushed around in a wheelchair. Those walking boots are quite comfortable.

 

[tweak89]

Are you sure that a walking boot is suitable for miles and miles of walking such as at Walt Disney World?

I was suspecting that a wheelchair would still be needed after a short distance even if pain did not set in.

We are currently headed to Downtown Disney after a day at the Magic Kingdom. Walking boot worked out great. His only complaint was getting his foot a little wet on Splash Mountain.

I was ready to reserve a scooter again if he had any problems.

 

[KingofJapan]

We are currently headed to Downtown Disney after a day at the Magic Kingdom. Walking boot worked out great. His only complaint was getting his foot a little wet on Splash Mountain.

I was ready to reserve a scooter again if he had any problems.

I knows it's stupid looking but have him just get a large bag from one of the stores. Tie it around the boot the next time he suspects it may get wet.

 

[tweak89]

I knows it's stupid looking but have him just get a large bag from one of the stores. Tie it around the boot the next time he suspects it may get wet.

Funny you mention it. We are in Epcot today and it's been raining all day. We tried to get him to use a bag on his foot, by he's way to cool for that, haha. On the plus side, he's doing great with the boot!