Places to sit for husband with arthritis

[tractorchick]

This will be our family's first trip to Disney and my husband has a nasty form of arthritis that requires him to be able to sit in a comfortable chair in order to give the inflamed joints a rest. Are there any places like this in Disney World such as at the medical stations? He just needs a recliner sometimes if he gets to crippled. Also, are there many benches around for frequent breaks? His knees and spine really bother him if he doesn't take a break. Thanks for any info!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

There aren't any recliners, soft chairs, etc. There are benches, and there are 'seating' chairs in/outside the counter service restaurants. He can go to First Aid in any park and lie down.
Honestly, he should consider renting an ECV.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

The normal response from Guest Services for people with stamina and/or mobility problems is the suggestion they rent a wheelchair or ECV.

I would suggest you start off by clicking 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. Post #2 may be most useful to you.

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

Basically a person has a certain amount of energy available to them daily. If they relax during the day the amount of energy available will increase; when they sleep at night they recharge their system,

However, when in pain energy is used up much faster than in normal conditions. If you become exhausted, with by what you have done or, more importantly, what you have done while in pain your system will not recharge to the original energy level overnight and you are starting the next day with a lower amount of energy available.

You might pick a location at least a half mile from where you live and ask him would he like to walk there. If he hesitates, then say "and back", and of he is still not sure then add "at least three times in a row".

Once around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is more than 1¼ miles; most people tend to average 8 - 12 miles per day at WDW.

Please ask him 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!

 

[sharadoc]

Hi. Looks like you'll be going at a good time for crowds so if he refuses to get an ECV, then you should be able to find plenty of benches to stop on a regular basis. I have rheumatoid arthritis and got to the point in January where I couldn't move my legs at all, and I would have to sit on a bench for a good 10-15 minutes. I never had a problem finding one.

But it sounds like he would really benefit from using an ECV. I'm seriously considering one for August for at least AK and Epcot. Just remind him that it will make the trip better overall for your family if they are not constantly stopping to wait for him. My family never complained but I know I made them slow down a lot more than they would have without me!

Good luck and have a great and magical trip!

 

[tractorchick]

I appreciate all of your information so much! I could not have found a better group to help us plan our trip! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!