Please help me decide

[kdkbrebel]

Ok here is the back story. I was diagnosed with MS last May. I have had optic neuritis, bal issues, foot drop wear an AFO brace now, weakness in one leg, some numbness fatigue etc. We are going to WDW in July for our 4th trip first time since the MS. In the past we have always gone commando, we realize that is a thing of the past but we still want to do alot. I have been walking 4 days a week to build up my stamina for the trip. I have only gotten up to about 1 and 1/2 miles with a fall or two and I can barely function the next day. I have been debating between renting a scooter. My concerns with that are navigating the crowds and getting it on and off bus timely. and of course what people will think as I don't look sick. I have also been considering a rollator/transport chair to help with bal and to be able to sit down when tired etc, family can push if needed but I don't like that idea either, it would be easier to fold it up and get it on the bus. Thoughts, opinions, experiences and ideas are all welcome. Thank you

 

[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!

 

[kdkbrebel]

Thank you

 

[minkydog]

Absolutely, get the ECV! If you are struggling at the 1 mile mark, you will never make it through even *1* park. Don't worry about what other people think? Really? Do you spend a lot of time being upset at other people because they are using some kind of mobility device? I bet you have too much work on your hands to even care! Sure, someone might look at you, but so what? They looked. Moving on...

We have used ECVs twice, once for me when I had just gotten a cast off my ankle following a fracture and once for DH when he had just gotten out of the hospital with a cardiac issue. Both times neither of us looked disabled. DH was very resistant to using the ECV, but I flat out put my foot down: without the ECV I knew we would be in for a difficult time. DH didin't have much stamina at all and he didn't think about how his little rest stops affected the rest of us. I'll never forget my husband riding up Main Street on his ECV. When he got as far as the statue of Walt & Micky, he turned to me and said, "Thank you for making me use this thing. I could never have managed that walk without stopping to rest." We went on to have a lovely low key visit.

If for no other reason, consider your family. If you are having to stop for rest every 20 min, nobody is going to enjoy that. Don't make it miserable for everyone else.

 

[kdkbrebel]

Thank you very much that makes me feel alot better.

 

[mnrhannah07]

My father has MS and I can't imagine going on vacation or into a crowded place without a ECV..It makes everything and everybody more relaxed and not so concerned with how he is doing since he gets very fatigued as well...He used to fight against it but now he know's its totally for the best ((for everyone lol))

 

[asoko]

I have MS. I was diagnose 9 months before we were going to Disney. my only wish was to be able to go through the park with my family as I had in the past. I thought I could train for it. My lesions are in the back of my brain, where balance is and the fatigue is relentless. needless to say I very quickly realized there was no way I was going to make it by myself. I wouldn't have any kind of vacation if i didn't get the scooter. Driving them is easy. I rented from all star scooters. I practiced at home at Sams Club. The only time it was crazy was when we were at EPCOT the day before Food and wine. It was wall to wall people in Mexico. You just have to have patience in a crowd. and don't be worried about what people think. Getting on the bus and parking was easier than I thought. Practice parallel parking in it, thats all it is. Just don't forget to check to make sure the charger is plugged in fully when charging overnight.