Pinched Sciatic Issues!!!

[fullplate]

Hi there,
I'm new to this board, but I'm hoping to find some answers here. We have had our June 4-11th Disney vacation planned for over a year now. Last fall (Oct. 2009), my back went "out". I've never had it happen before and figured that a few trips to the chiropractor would solve it. Ha! By the following week, my "top" speed was a hunched over shuffle/limp of sorts. Long story short, after multiple visits to doctors, chiropractors, MRI's, Xrays, and physical therapy, it is now April, and I'm still not even near 100%. I can't complain because it has gotten better, but I would say that I'm about 85% on a good day. I am able to teach, do minimal errands, make dinner and do laundry for my family finally, but am definitely NOT up to walking around a Disney park for even a quarter of a day, and I'm getting NERVOUS!

I've done some research and have found that Disney grants "Guest Assistance Cards" to those with nonapparent disabilities. I understand that it's not a "jump to the front of the line" pass...I've read about it on different websites and am thrilled that there's an option for me to sit and not stand in the lines.

Here's my question: I have a family of 5 and we are traveling with another family of 4. I don't want to use my card for my family and leave them in the dust. I mean, we planned this trip together! Has anyone ever heard of them "accepting" 9 people to wait in an alternative location or getting a fastpass or whatever they do to accomodate me? I am sad thinking that I won't be able to BE with them during our trip ..... make sense?
Any/all comments welcome.
Thanks!
MJ

 

[jmartinez1895]

You might need to rent a wheelchair to get around, There is A LOT of walking to do while there and I would hate for you to be in pain. As for the GAC is is good for you plus 5. Every rare now and there they may let a few more, but they seem to be tightening up on this. The best thing I can think of to help avaiod having to slip up would be to all get a fastpass at the same time and then you will all be in a group together. Most of the lines are wheelcahir accessible so if you are in a chair your group would be with you.

 

[scojos]

im sorry, i cant help we are a family of 5, but i would be interested in knowing how you get on at wdw, and esp if you decide to rent an ecv, as i am in an extremely similar situation.
i "knocked" my back when teaching about 18 months ago, i jumped back to avoid something and caught it on the surface, was ok for about 10 secs!!
i was amazed at how small a jolt could bring back a previous injury and have since struggled massively with anything out the ordinary, and sometimes with it!!
i am currently trying to walk 2-3 miles per day, which i appreciate is not massive amounts compared to wdw, but as we have an asd kid, we ll not be going comando anyway, you may consider some of the jerky rides should be avoided at all costs, and some of the gentler rides jerk alot, is this your first trip, you dont say, if so, something like HM "spins" rapidly and wont be good for your back
if you have an ecv, then you prob wont need the GAC, but they will/could put you in a quiet area (with seats?) and allow you to join the rest of your group when they get to the fotl, there fore you would not be split.
im bringing massive dose pain killers and ice packs, anything else doesnt matter, because ill be in disney

 

[KPeveler]

I am sure that Sue will be along shortly, but my understanding is that there is NOT a place to sit in most attraction waiting areas/queues. Disney's policy is that if you have trouble with stamina or mobility, then you should rent a wheelchair or ECV.

The GAC will generally not allow you bring in 9 people, and I HAVE seen that enforced.

If you rent a wheelchair or ECV, you will wait in almost every mainstream line, so it will be easy to spend time with them!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

The official policy for any mobvility and/or stamina situations is recommending the use or rental of a wheelchair or ECV. With a wheelchair or ECV you will normally not be given a GAC unless there is another non-mobility-related disability.

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

Officially if there is a special procedure with a GAC for a wheelchair or ECV it tends to be for the disabled person plus up to five members of the party. The actual enforcement of this depends a lot on the specific attraction as well as how crowded the park is and the adult/child makeup of the group. It is not possible to give a hard and fast answer.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment. Post #3 had a wide variety of information and links; it might be a good idea to look at the various park "Guidebook For Persons With Disabilities" for more detailed information.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[SueM in MN]

TO add to the answers already given, post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs). The CM issuing the card puts the number of people that can accompany the person with a disability on the card. In general, they will on give the card for up to 6 (5 plus the person with a disability) and usually will not exceed that without a very good reason. In our experience, the CMs at attractions do look at that number and will not allow more than the number written on the card.

In most cases, using a Guest Assistance Card will not shorten the wait OR the distance you walk in in, so if you are concerned about walking or standing, you will need an ECV or wheelchair. As was mentioned, most attractions don’t have an easy way for anyone to wait and join their party at the front of the line.
There are also many attractions which do not have any place to sit unless you bring a seat along, in the form of a wheelchair or ECV. Some attractions have a limited number of attraction wheelchairs that they can lend you to use in line if you have a GAC that indicates you need a place to sit.
Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has a link to a past thread about places where you will need to wait which have no place to sit. There are quite a few; some may have ‘loaner’ wheelchairs, but not all.
For rides you may want to avoid, ou can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
The wording for the general warning is:
WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space - the Orange side has the warnings, but both the more tame (green side) and the more wild (orange side) are pretty turbulent
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain
• Goofy's Barnstormer (this doesn't have a triangle warning sign on the map, but does say that pregnant women should not ride, so it’s not completely tame)

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
• Dinosaur

 

[nanadeb]

I tried twice to do Disney with sciatica and no wheelchair or ECV. I just used my cane. It became a very painful and debilitating experience because the sciatic nerve gets inflamed with overuse in the case of sciatica, and when it gets inflamed, it swells. When it swells, it pinches more. Guess what happens? Worse sciatica!
Recovery time from aggravated sciatica can be prolonged and painful. On my last trip, I gave in and rented an ECV. It made all the difference in the world.
Do yourself and the people you are traveling with a big favor---rent an ECV. You will enjoy your trip so much more. The cast members at Disney World are so very helpful and you won't feel embarassed at all to be among the "riding wounded."

 

[DisneyFairytale]

I have a family of 5 and we are traveling with another family of 4. I don't want to use my card for my family and leave them in the dust. I mean, we planned this trip together! Has anyone ever heard of them "accepting" 9 people to wait in an alternative location or getting a fastpass or whatever they do to accomodate me? I am sad thinking that I won't be able to BE with them during our trip ..... make sense?
Any/all comments welcome.
Thanks!
MJ

Unfortunately I don't think there is an option. As I have posted in many other threads, I was born with hip dysplasia(I'm 25) and deal with sciatic pain very regularly. I will, without hesitation(because of the situation), rent a scooter or get a wheelchair. For you it's really the best option or you won't be able to function around the park or even enjoy your visit.

As for the large group of people, maybe take turns going along with you. I have had to do that a few times, and it always seems to work. If you go during a low season, having a large group with you, won't be an issue(and I mean very short-non existent crowds).

 

[KPeveler]

My hips dislocate freuently (as in several times a month), and I have had sciatica many many times - there is no way you should try to walk all day. it is FAR farther to walk between things than in queues. From the outside of the Land pavilion into Soarin and back out again is a MILE! even if you could sit and wait, there is no way to skip walking that distance...

Definitely think about a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[scojos]

My hips dislocate freuently (as in several times a month), and I have had sciatica many many times - there is no way you should try to walk all day. it is FAR farther to walk between things than in queues. From the outside of the Land pavilion into Soarin and back out again is a MILE! even if you could sit and wait, there is no way to skip walking that distance...

Definitely think about a wheelchair or ECV.

wow, a mile!!
you dont realise do you?? i guess i should consider renting an ecv then, cause there is no way im going to be able to walk miles and miles each day, even with a jacuzzi to relax the muscles in the afternoon.
off to research rentals

 

[KPeveler]

wow, a mile!!
you dont realise do you?? i guess i should consider renting an ecv then, cause there is no way im going to be able to walk miles and miles each day, even with a jacuzzi to relax the muscles in the afternoon.
off to research rentals

It is more than 1.25 miles around the world showcase basin, and that is without even going INTO the countries!

On average, people have reported walking between 3 and 9 miles a day

 

[scojos]

It is more than 1.25 miles around the world showcase basin, and that is without even going INTO the countries!

On average, people have reported walking between 3 and 9 miles a day

wow, we always do it in sections, due to having small kids, so you dont realise do you?
last time we did canada to boat then came back to FW then boat from there to mexico, although we probably walked more as we went to B&C too
yes, def think i might rent that ecv, for the "bigger" parks.
is it like a stroller, if you park hop you can trade it in at another park?
thanks
tracy

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask 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 traveling 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!