Please help me

[disgram]

I had a minor stroke last September. I am doing fine now except for stairs and the fact that I get tired easily. I am going with my DS and family and my DD's two girls in August to WDW
. My son has decided that I need a WC or a scooter while we are there. I don't want either! I am just 60 yrs old and I don't feel that I need this. There are others that need it far worse than I do. I know that if I get tired, I can sit on the benches and re-charge and then continue on. Please help me to tell him in a nice way that I don't really need these things.

 

[Chuck S]

This probably isn't the reply you want, but.... Age truly has nothing to do with whether you need WC or scooter. Before you totally dismiss the idea of a WC or scooter, consider this:

Remember that there is a LOT of walking at WDW, it is over a mile just around World Showcase at EPCOT. It is certainly common to walk several miles per day. If you really don't want a WC or scooter, and are in generally good health, try a day without it. If you feel yourself getting exhausted, getting cranky, or generally not enjoying yourself because of fatigue you need a WC or scooter. WDW really is wonderful for those in WCs and scooters (ECVs).

If your family feels like you need it, ask them why, and really listen to them...they may be seeing things you are not. Having a WC or ECV may truly make the trip much more enjoyable for everyone. Don't let pride stand in the way of a truly wonderful trip.

 

[BillSears]

Simple, next weekend take a nice long hike with him. Walk 6 or so miles, prove to him that you don't need that ECV or wheelchair... Of course this assumes you really don't need one. If you can't just get up and walk 5-8 miles a day and stay on your feet all day long then maybe he's right.

My advice is to get an ECV and use it to travel between the rides. You can park it outside so you don't have to worry about maneuvering it in the lines. This way you and your family get the best of both worlds.

 

[dopeyprincesses]

sorry to hear that you had a stroke ((hugs)) I can see your son's concern that you tire easily...have you ever been to WDW? It tires most people out who haven't had to go through what you did. I would use it and you might even have a little one with you that could get a ride with grammy

edit- I just re-read your post that you are going in August....I would definitely get one in the August heat

but if you really don't want to then tell DS you'll try without it at first then you could always go get one if you feel the need - edit - I just read that they run out of rentals quickly each day.

have a great time at WDW!

 

[LauraAnn630]

You will play it by ear and do whats best for you.

My mom (59 yrs old/stoke) didnt want one either till she got there. The crowds are pushy, the kids were running around her, so excited. She was afraid she would fall. She also couldnt keep up with the family.

If you are planing to do a whole park, that is a whole lot of walking!!

Keep in mind its better to have a w/c and not need it.

I get exhausted after a few days. Even if we take a day off for rest.

I thought I would need a w/c for our last visit. I didnt rent one. Thinking back now, I might of been able to enjoy our trip more if I had got one. I wouldnt of been so wiped out for the last couple days of the trip and when we got home!!

We actually had to stay one more day for me to rest up to get home. My husband and the kids went swimming and I slept.

 

[mcco5543]

I have not met a single person that WISHES they were allowed to rent an ECV or Wheelchair to go around disney stroke/disability or not. (can anyone confirm this observation for this nice lady here?)


It's SO much walking and you can get more fun packed in since you are quicker with on wheels. Also, it would be a chance to help your grandchildren out if they get too tired walking, they can ride in your lap for a bit!

If you really are so upposed I say go with the one of previous posters ideas about trying Disney without the EVC or wheelchair and then you can always change your mind. It's a good compromise.

I am a permanent wheelchair user (I do not wallk at all) and I feel bad seeing everyone walk around endlessly when i'm crusing along on wheels!

 

[bopper]

Think about doing this for your son. I am sure he wants you to go with them and wants to spend time with you, but it will be more enjoyable for all if there isn't "You go ahead, I have to rest" or "I'll meet you back at the room because I am so tired" or "Let's all just sit here while Grandma rests" or "I overdid it yesterday so I have to spend all day in bed today".
With an ECV, you can keep up, not slow everybody down, and not get too tired! There are so many people on ECVs at WDW..you will be one of many.
Also, there are plenty of ECVs to go around, you aren't "taking one away" from anybody. Would you rather have your Grandkids see "Tired, Achy Grandma who walks" or "Rested Grandma who rides?"

Like others have said, WDW is ALOT OF WALKING. You could ask your Dr. for an exercise program to build up your strength..but the ECV can be a back up plan!

 

[Belle1997]

I have my own scooter. Most of the time I can walk short distances. But there is no where short in WDW. And the heat in August is just nasty. I understand you may not need one for the average daily life. BUt there is nothing average about Disney. It is huge. Miles and miles of walking, then standing in lines.

I think your family would have a better time if you used it at least to go between the rides. I know if it was my mom I would be worried about her health in the heat. And worrying about pushing her too far. A scooter gives you independence. You can keep up. Before I did the parks walking before I knew I had a problem, I was absolutely exhausted and would sit in the lines. I should have used the scooter earlier. I got so much more enjoyment out of the park last time we went. I was not in pain, and exhausted so I could truly enjoy Disney.

Also it is cheaper if you rent them outside the park, and you are not guaranteed a scooter when you need one. They go very fast.

Hope you consider this option

 

[Mkrop]

Please reconsider. I think an scooter would work out better for you. The one tip I keep reading here is to walk before you go to build your stamina, so my question to you is can you do that and not hurt yourself healthwise.

I know you want to have a blast with your family and the one thing I would worry about is you getting tired qucikly. This is why people rent strollers for the younger kids. They tire easily and when they do they can hop in for a ride. Also if the family wants to get from one side of the park to another for some reason quickly.(like to ride a Fastpass or resrevations etc) do you want to hold them up?

It is a lot of walking and it exhausts even the most fit of people! I think you would enjoy it much better then if you were tired. Try it and see if you find that it is cumbersome then return it or try walking and get one later although if they do get rented out fast you may be safer trying and then bagging the idea.

Have a great time no matter what!

 

[arminnie]

I had a minor stroke last September.

.....
I am just 60 yrs old and I don't feel that I need this. There are others that need it far worse than I do.

I am 60 years old, have not had a stroke, have no joint problems, etc. and guess what I NEEDED the ECV that I rented last fall. Sure there are people that "need it far worse than I do", but that's irrelevant.

WDW is a whole different ballgame than day to day life. I have no problem walking, shopping, etc. I don't use an ECV at the grocery store. But I cannot walk 6-8 miles on a daily basis. I might be able to do it one day, but then I would spend 2-3 days recuperating.

You will be doing your family and yourself a HUGE favor if you get the ECV. Please don't make your family members or yourself suffer because of some kind of false pride.

I recommend getting one from outside as you will have it available all of the time. Sometimes they run out in the parks, but there are more than enough available at outside rental places. Don't feel like you are depriving anyone else of one - there are plenty in Orlando.

 

[Dis1978]

The heat in August can be quite overwhelming even for healthy people. In fact, we tend not to go in August now because the heat and humidity just made everything much harder to do.
My father also didn't want to rent a ECV. He can walk but can't walk miles a day. He was so glad that he had the ECV and he had a great time. I tried using it and it was so easy.
Also my previously completely healthy pre teen became ill last year and suddenly couldn't walk. We weren't allowed an ECV for him and had to use a manual wheelchair. He would have just loved to whizz around on a ECV. He had a brilliant time though. The main thing is that disney is such good fun even if you have to have a little bit of help getting around.
I am sure you will have a wonderful vacation.

 

[KPeveler]

Disgram: If you really can walk that much and enjoy yourself, then by all means do what you can!

However, it is not just the ability to walk that much (in very hot weather remember) but whether or not you enjoy yourself. I am only 22 but i have chronic debilitating health problems that make me tire very very easily. i could walk enough to get around disney, but I would not enjoy myself.

I would suggest doing what someone else said. Pick someplace 2 miles from your house and walk there and back, only stopping to rest for a few minutes at a time (because you are not going to want to sit and watch other people have fun at disney). if you can do it, then i completely agree with your view point.

however, if you realize you are not going to enjoy yourself there, especially after several days, then i say use a chair or ECV so you can have fun!

i think your son is worried that the walking, lines, and heat will be too much stress and you could fall ill again. its your decision, but make sure that you will have fun and so will every one else in your party. after all, its DISNEY!

 

[Accentuate+]

maybe a bit of a compromise?

Rent an ECV from offsite. Tell him you'll use it on the condition that if you get to the park and hate it and hate sitting and want to walk that he take over driving the scooter and leave you free to walk (for the rest of the day or for a specified time). Both of you'll have a pretty good idea after one day in the park (and the associated aches and pains the next morning) of how much you do or do not need the ECV and can plan the rest of your vacation from there.

When you rent in the park you have to sign that you are the only one that will drive it and you may have to for the offsite ones, I'm not sure. I'm no outlaw (never even owned a refillable mug) but if I were in your shoes I wouldn't feel bad about breaking this rule a bit to figure things out but I can see where some might disagree.

 

[SueM in MN]

When you rent in the park you have to sign that you are the only one that will drive it and you may have to for the offsite ones, I'm not sure.

I know for the off-site rental place that we used (Randy's), we could have more than one driver. One specific person was designated on the contract as the 'responsible person' and we also had to agree that no one under 18 years old would drive it.
I know there have been posters who rented an ECV from the parks, who told the rental CMs they would be sharing it. I don't know if they had to sign anything extra. But, I do know that they let the CMs know what they were doing and it was OK.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask yourself 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 travelling 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!

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, it would be a chance to help your grandchildren out if they get too tired walking, they can ride in your lap for a bit!

I just want to point out that if you have a wheelchair and you want to hold a grandchild on your lap, while someone else pushes, that is safe.
It is not safe to have a rider with you on an ECV though; in fact, the when you sign the rental contracts when renting one from the parks and off-site rental places, you agree that only one person will ride on the ECV (no passengers). That is for safety reasons; an ECV might seem slow, but they travel at up to 4.5 miles per hour. If a child fell off while it was going or inadvertently bumped the driver's arm, someone could get hurt.