pain with stopping-and-going

[runnergrl]

Hi all!
I was on this board a few years ago asking about suggestions for managing my dad's T1D while in Disney, you were all so helpful and the trip went as well as possible. So to those who helped: THANK YOU

Well I'm back with another question about my father. I don't live at home and hence don't see my parents all the time. I know dad had knee surgery a few years ago and had been having some leg pain since, but yesterday for mother's day we all went for a walk and I saw it in action. When I asked him about his leg pain he said that the constant constant stopping-and-going (I had my dog with us) really makes his leg hurt (to the point that he has to stop and sit on the ground for awhile) This made me wonder how he'd handle the lines during our Disney trip in a few months (he expressed concerns about this as well). We'd like to try it the ways we've always done Disney (stand in line, get a few fast passes, etc.) and see how he does, but if necessary is this something that could be accommodated?

I wouldn't mind having him wait elsewhere while I went through the line and meet me at the end, but at the same time, I can't imagine sitting alone is the kind of vacation he had in mind and some of the best conversations I've had with my dad has occurred while waiting for things.

I'm just worried that Disney's solution would be to get a wheelchair which I know dad wouldn't go for and most of all, isn't necessary. He walks all the time, it's not a mobility issue.

Thanks in advance.

 

[aaarcher86]

There's no way for your dad to wait outside the line and meet you at the end. The lines aren't set up for that.

As far as the DAS goes, mobility is more then just actively walking and this would be considered a mobility issue, IMO. Disney's answer for mobility issues is to rent an ECV or wheelchair which would allow him to remain seated and go through the main streamed lines.

 

[Gracie09]

There's no,way for your dad to wait outside the line and meet you at the end. The lines aren't set up for that.

As far as the DAS goes, mobility is more then just actively walking and this would be considered a mobility issue, IMO. Disney's answer for mobility issues is to rent an ECV or wheelchair which would allow him to remain seated and go through the main streamed lines.

Ditto this. I would opt for an ecv so he has his independence. Another option is a rollanator kind of a walker with a seat.

 

[Goddesstree]

There is no way to avoid the 'stop and go' at WDW. There will be stop and go at the bus stop, walking down Main Street USA, going through the turnstiles, etc. People stop in the middle of walkways, paths, hallways, etc. He'd need to figure out a strategy to deal with this if he refuses to use a mobility device. One way could be to have someone walk in front of him, and leave a small gap as a buffer. That way he could slow down a bit but keep moving.

 

[runnergrl]

Ditto this. I would opt for an ecv so he has his independence. Another option is a rollanator kind of a walker with a seat.

:::sigh::: I was afraid this would be your/Disney's answer. An ECV, is just not practical: for starters because it's simply not necessary and more so because I am 110% sure he wouldn't use it. Same for a roller-walker. He's 65, the only time he's ever used a walker was when he broke his hip a few years ago (clumsiness apparently runs in the family).

As bad as the some of the reviews of the DAS have been it would be perfect for our situation. Guess we'll just have to bring a lot of pain killers for dad, and an extra dose of patience for mom and I.

 

[Goddesstree]

The DAS really doesn't avoid stop and go. You still have to wait in a (FP+) queue, with up to 20 or so people in front of you. Boarding every attraction involves a lot of stop and go as well. There's a lot of walking involved - miles and miles each day.

 

[Michigan]

If anything the DAS creates a lot of going and stopping. First you go to the attraction to get a return time then you go sit and wait for your return time which is 10 minutes less then the standby line. Once your time is up you get in the fast pass + line which can be more then 30 mins of stop go in the line.

Trust me if he is in pain he will use a wheelchair.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Stop and go is impossible to avoid at WDW. Period. Even with the DAS he would have stop and go.

He needs to swallow his pride and use a mobility device if his knee is as bad as described. To not do so is selfish, as it will negatively impact you and your mother on the trip.

Disney really can't make exceptions and give a DAS to people who can use a mobility device. Let's face it, just about everyone would like to be able to get a return time and do something else while they wait. That is the whole premise for Fastpass after all. And some people have already been trying to use the DAS as an extra FP, getting more than one DAS for their party. Disney has already had to crack down on that. If they start making exceptions for mobility devices, the FP lines won't have the capacity to handle FP uses and those with a DAS.

 

[aaarcher86]

Stop and go is impossible to avoid at WDW. Period. Even with the DAS he would have stop and go. He needs to swallow his pride and use a mobility device if his knee is as bad as described. To not do so is selfish, as it will negatively impact you and your mother on the trip. Disney really can't make exceptions and give a DAS to people who can use a mobility device. Let's face it, just about everyone would like to be able to get a return time and do something else while they wait. That is the whole premise for Fastpass after all. And some people have already been trying to use the DAS as an extra FP, getting more than one DAS for their party. Disney has already had to crack down on that. If they start making exceptions for mobility devices, the FP lines won't have the capacity to handle FP uses and those with a DAS.

Agree with this. They don't want to issue DAS for people that can have their needs met with a mobility device (whether they want one or not). The more they issue, the more congested the FP lines will get.

If sitting solves the problem he can have a permanent seat in a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Agree with this. They don't want to issue DAS for people that can have their needs met with a mobility device (whether they want one or not). The more they issue, the more congested the FP lines will get. If sitting solves the problem he can have a permanent seat in a wheelchair or ECV.

Even if he doesn't need a permanent seat, there is no rule that says if you bring in a mobility device you must use it at all times. You can stand up and stretch or walk whenever you need to. Several people say they can't use a mobility device because they can't sit all day. Even in lines you can stand up periodically. I've seen people pushing an empty wheelchair in lines.

 

[aaarcher86]

Even if he doesn't need a permanent seat, there is no rule that says if you bring in a mobility device you must use it at all times. You can stand up and stretch or walk whenever you need to. Several people say they can't use a mobility device because they can't sit all day. Even in lines you can stand up periodically. I've seen people pushing an empty wheelchair in lines.

No. I know. But it gives them permanent access to a seat as they need it.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

No. I know. But it gives them permanent access to a seat as they need it.

Totally agree. Just clarifying for other potential readers. ;-)

 

[bopper]

You may need to convince him to use some sort of device so YOU have a good vacation. I am sure he won't do it for himself.

Perhaps this would be helpful:


Here are top 5 Reasons that people think they shouldn't get one when they should.

I can't drive one. Go to your local Costco/Walmart/Target or other large store. They probably have an electric cart type thing that you could use while shopping. Try it out. I bet you can drive it.

People might think I don't really need it because I can walk. Are these people going to share the pain with you at the end of the day? Do you care what they think? Save your walking energy between rides and use it for lines or getting on the rides. Enjoy your family and your vacation.

It will slow my family down. No, actually it will speed your family up. No more rests because grandpa is tired. No more going back to the hotel because grandpa/whoever is in pain. No more cranky grampy because he tried to walk miles and miles in Disney instead of renting an ECV. You are completely mobile on your own (nobody pushing you in a wheelchair). What's the slow down here?

It's expensive. Um, how much are you spending on this vacation? Don't you want to enjoy it? If money is that tight, take a day off of your trip and spend that money on the ECV so you can enjoy it!

I don't want my kids/family to think I am disabled. You are either temporarily or permanently disabled in some way if you are even asking about this issue...once again, why not make it a better vacation by saving yourself from pain? Nobody is saying you have to confine yourself to a wheelchair permanently or you should not stop trying to get better. If somebody told you to go walk 4 miles, you would think they are crazy. But you are paying for the privilege when you go to Disney to do just that...why not use an ECV to make your family's vacation better?

 

[piperdown]

You may need to convince him to use some sort of device so YOU have a good vacation. I am sure he won't do it for himself.

Perhaps this would be helpful:


Here are top 5 Reasons that people think they shouldn't get one when they should.

I can't drive one. Go to your local Costco/Walmart/Target or other large store. They probably have an electric cart type thing that you could use while shopping. Try it out. I bet you can drive it.

People might think I don't really need it because I can walk. Are these people going to share the pain with you at the end of the day? Do you care what they think? Save your walking energy between rides and use it for lines or getting on the rides. Enjoy your family and your vacation.

It will slow my family down. No, actually it will speed your family up. No more rests because grandpa is tired. No more going back to the hotel because grandpa/whoever is in pain. No more cranky grampy because he tried to walk miles and miles in Disney instead of renting an ECV. You are completely mobile on your own (nobody pushing you in a wheelchair). What's the slow down here?

It's expensive. Um, how much are you spending on this vacation? Don't you want to enjoy it? If money is that tight, take a day off of your trip and spend that money on the ECV so you can enjoy it!

I don't want my kids/family to think I am disabled. You are either temporarily or permanently disabled in some way if you are even asking about this issue...once again, why not make it a better vacation by saving yourself from pain? Nobody is saying you have to confine yourself to a wheelchair permanently or you should not stop trying to get better. If somebody told you to go walk 4 miles, you would think they are crazy. But you are paying for the privilege when you go to Disney to do just that...why not use an ECV to make your family's vacation better?

I have a knee that likes to cause problems at the most inconvenient times and I completely relate to the problem with starting and stopping.

During our last trip I lost 2 days of touring because of it, until I swallowed my pride and rented the ECV. I sucked it up because of the disappointment on DD's face when I said "it's okay, go on without me." DD and DH wanted me experiencing our vacation with them! So I decided that my family was more important than what some strangers thought or said.

This upcoming trip, I've already reserved an EVC. I may not need it everyday, but it will be there when I do. I'll ignore the ugly looks and comments because I know who is more important....my family.

 

[ttintagel]

My mother loves her rollator. Benefits:

• It takes enough weight off her bad knees that they're less likely to get inflamed in the first place.
• It evenly distributes that weight over her whole upper body, so her hands, arms, and shoulders don't get tired like they would with a cane or crutches.
• The wheels mean she doesn't have to keep lifting her arms.
• When sudden, unexpected pain flares up - instant seat, no matter where she is.
• When she's been walking along OK, but suddenly has to stand still - instant seat, no matter where she is.
• If she's sitting down, but has to move over or forward a few inches, she doesn't have to get completely up; the wheels let her scoot a short distance while seated.
• It doesn't take up as much floor space as a wheelchair, and folds up easily to fit in the trunk of the car.
• It has a nice, big basket under the seat for carrying odds and ends.

Personally, I think he and the family would get more out of the trip if he tried an ECV, but the rollator can be a decent compromise if he won't budge.

 

[Coonhound]

Since it is a mobility issue, disneys response to you will be to rent a wheelchair or scooter. I know you say it's not a mobility issue because he can walk just fine, but because of the need to not stop and start etc that is actually a mobility issue.

I don't see a downside to getting a chair because really he can only use it when he needs it and can walk the rest of the time. Yeah you'd have to push the chair around when it's empty because he is walking, but, you can always toss your bag on the chair and not have to carry that. When he does have pain he will be able to catch a ride and won't slow the group down.

This really would be the best option because as others have said the entire theme park is all stop and go. Not just for rides, but everything- waiting on the bus, getting food, etc. May as well give him access to a seat whenever he does need one.

 

[Nola Girl]

Your dad sounds like my husband! My husband herniated three discs in his back the week before our last trip and was going to just limp from bench to bench in the parks. I asked on these boards for advice and against his wishes rented him a scooter. IT WAS THE BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT!
Of course the first day he refused to ride and my son rode it to the MK because I knew we were going to need it! After about two minutes of walking DH said "well, just show me how to use it..." Thank goodness we had it. You don't need a DAS! At every ride you can either queue up on the scooter and transfer or you are sent to an alternate entrance which sometimes allows you to skip the line, sometimes it takes a few minutes longer it depends on the attraction. We were given accessible seating at all shows and offered it at parades. We were pretty much treated like royalty! My husband was embarrassed and constantly apologized to everyone for helping him. He just turned 50 and is completely healthy looking. It was only when he would try to get up and walk for a few minutes that you could see him begin to limp and wince in pain. I am certain there were some guests and CMs who thought he did not need the scooter but too bad. We knew the truth. The man could have never done it. He would still be laid out on Main Street waiting for the pain to ease up over a month later.
Get the help for Dad! He will thank you later!