Question About Using Cane

[debbido71]

Hi everyone. We are leaving for Disney tomorrow night. Driving Down.

I suffer from Dystonia and some possible unknown neurological issues. Usually I look "normal" to everyone around me until I have walked for a few blocks.
Then my "problems" kick in and I have a terrible limp on my left side,& my arm curls up. The longer I walk, the more I look like a drunken sailor. I have never fallen down, yet. My neuro suggested that I use a cane to walk in Disney. Well, I am a 36 year old mommy of 3. 14, 9, and 6. Last time we went I pushed a stroller.


Here's my question..... We bought a telescoping walking stick at Sports Authority yesterday. Unfortunatly, it doesn't get small enough to fit in my backpack. Will I be able to hold it on the rides. Or can I leave it in the loading area and get it when I exit the ride? I'm not even sure if I want to bring it. I still am trying to get over the embarrasment of the whole thing.
Does anyone else have experience with this sort of thing? Any thoughts will be helpful. Thanks

 

[mom3sonstt]

I have a cane also, but it folds up small enough to fit in a back pack. That said - more often than not I would think you would be able to take the cane on the ride with you. I saw people hauling big old - suitcase size backpacks with them - so surely if they can do that, you can bring your cane.

 

[honugirl]

I would bring it and use it. Nothing would be worse than having a problem and end up having to leave early or worse. I understand the embarrassment of something like that. I used to be an elite athlete who's body has been transformed into a blob 'o fat by a tumor in my head, add to that dizziness and weakness. When I go in September, I'm going to have to use an ECV. That was a HUMONGOUS blow to my ego. But I have to look at it as what's best for me. Using an ECV will allow me to enjoy my vacation and do more than I could without it. Will the cane allow you to enjoy your vacation more? If so, by all means use it. By the way, I'm only 30 years old and never thought the day would come (before middle age at least) that I would need something like that.

I don't think they would let you hold it on the Rock n Roll rollercoaster since that goes upside down or mission space since that spins or ToT, but on the other rides I would bet that you could just hold it or put it down at your feet. But I'm sure there are people out there with more experience than I that will chime in soon.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[debbido71]

I have a cane also, but it folds up small enough to fit in a back pack. That said - more often than not I would think you would be able to take the cane on the ride with you. I saw people hauling big old - suitcase size backpacks with them - so surely if they can do that, you can bring your cane.

thanks for responding. Where did you get your cane? I have seen them through mail order catalogs. But not sure where to get one here in Southern NJ. The best we could do was the walking stick. My husband picked it up for me and he was hoping it got small enough, but no such luck.

 

[debbido71]

I don't think they would let you hold it on the Rock n Roll rollercoaster since that goes upside down or mission space since that spins or ToT,

Honugirl. That's okay. I'm not brave enough to ride those three anyway! I'm a "chicken" at heart! Thanks for responding. Sorry to hear of your troubles, too. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[honugirl]

You're welcome. Nothing wrong with being a chicken! I personally think chickens are really cool. I'm going to live it up on my vacation. Sometimes it's just hard to accept that your world has changed.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I ordered my cane off ebay. It folds into 4 sections so it is about a foot long collapsed - then you just wrap a rubberband around it. I stuffed it in my bag and stuck it in the pouches for your "stuff" - it went on RocknRoller Coaster with me.

 

[Chuck S]

We also purchased a folding cane through Amazon.com. Walgreens often stocks them, if you live near a Walgreens.

Even before we had the folding cane, Mom kept hers with her on most rides, simply laying it on the floor and putting her feet on top of it to keep it from sliding. The exception would be rides like Mission Space and Soarin', where we left the cane with the wheelchair.

 

[KPeveler]

I bought my cane at Sams Club, but you can get it at Walmart, too.

Mine is the Hugo folding cane (you can get it on amazon too) and it folds up very well!

also, i use a cane in daily life, but i would suggest looking into a wc or ecv for the trip... it was easy to leave my cane places when i got on rides, but it can be hard to do all day. your hand and wrist may get sore, so i would suggest at least looking into other options... as a cane user, i do fine in daily life, but i am a wc user in disney

 

[Disney_Villain]

Leaving the cane in the bottom of the ride vehicle works great, but try getting a zippered camera tripod case - they come with a carry strap that I put my leg through to secure it in the bottom of some more "turbulent" ride vehicles. I am sure your telescoping cane will fit in one.

 

[SingingMUA]

I got my folding cane from CVS. I think the brand name is "Carex"... but I'm not real sure. It fits nicely in my backpack (and I have one of those small-ish bags that are kind of flat, and you pull the straps to close the bag). I don't remember what the cost was though.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, CVS carries Carex canes. I don't even bother with a folding cane - I mean, I've got one but even adjusted to its shortest height it's too tall to use comfortably/properly. I just use a regular cane - and if it seems like a bad idea to try to hold it on the ride (even at/under my feet), I just hand it to a CM. They'll bring it back to you when you get to the unloading area. I've even just left crutches leaning against a post at the boarding area of BTMR, then rode twice.

 

[disneymarie]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007IQPZO

$130 free shipping
I bought this for my trip to allow my older daughter to use the EVC and I love it. I have herniations, nerve damage and knee surgeries. along with a right hip displacement. I end up limping and pain that I can not walk. THe cane is OK for stabity, but not fatigue wear and tear. With this rollator I can lean on it and ease the pressure on my back like when my dd was in a strioller. I also can sit on it in lines and rest where there are no seats. I put laundry on to go wash, my dd when she needed a lift, luggage in the airport.
Even the cooler had aplace to live.

I bought a jolly jumper stroller carry for drinks, camera and extras. $9.97

It was adjustable straps, fit the handles and wonderful. I did not feel like I was using a walker, but a mobility device that gave me relief when I needed to sit, carry my belongings, a drink, a ride to a youngster, and was classy looking. I am going to an amusement park tomorrow and will be using it.

I could never do with only a cane. But it does allow me relief from depending on renting an EVC on shorter trips.
Dianne

PS I saw this rollator online last year at Sams club, they also have the folding cane with a carry case for $14

 

[mgilmer]

Hi everyone. We are leaving for Disney tomorrow night. Driving Down.

I suffer from Dystonia and some possible unknown neurological issues. Usually I look "normal" to everyone around me until I have walked for a few blocks.
Then my "problems" kick in and I have a terrible limp on my left side,& my arm curls up. The longer I walk, the more I look like a drunken sailor. I have never fallen down, yet. My neuro suggested that I use a cane to walk in Disney. Well, I am a 36 year old mommy of 3. 14, 9, and 6. Last time we went I pushed a stroller.


Here's my question..... We bought a telescoping walking stick at Sports Authority yesterday. Unfortunatly, it doesn't get small enough to fit in my backpack. Will I be able to hold it on the rides. Or can I leave it in the loading area and get it when I exit the ride? I'm not even sure if I want to bring it. I still am trying to get over the embarrasment of the whole thing.
Does anyone else have experience with this sort of thing? Any thoughts will be helpful. Thanks

I know exactly where you are. I have a bad hip and used a telescoping walking stick at WDW in June. I had no problems using it and taking it on all the rides I went on (TOT, Pooh, Snow White, TTA, Small World, etc.). Please do not be embarrassed. Remember you are there to have fun. To heck with what anybody thinks. You will never see any of these people again, anyway. I was a little reluctant about my stick until this trip, and found it to be my best friend (other than my DW, of course). Have fun.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I'm afraid I haven't read all the replies here, so if I repeat something someone else has already said, I apologise. I use a telescopic cane in tandem with my wheelchair. On the gentler rides, I just put the stick on the floor, either folded down, or left at normal length. It is quicker if you can keep it at your normal length, as you don't have to adjust it before you get out, but that isn't possible on all rides. On some of the gentler ones with small cars, like Snow White, you can fold the stick down and stand it up leaning on the seat. For Peter Pan, you might want to hold onto it so you don't risk it falling off (it would be terribly embarrassing to take out half of Neverland by dropping your stick on it!).

If you're still feeling self-conscious about it, try decorating it up a bit. I've done this to my wheelchair, and always get very positive responses, especially at Disney. You can wrap ribbons around it, tie some pretty charms to the handle or whatever else takes your fancy. I've found it makes me feel less self-conscious, because you expect people to look at your stick / wheelchair then - it's too cool not to look at it!

Hope you guys have a great trip. Take it easy on yourself, and don't be embarrassed about using a cane; there is nothing wrong with accepting the help you need.