Questions about my Disablity

[Suellen]

We always tour very lightly. We spend a lot of time there so never, ever rush. Afternoons at the pool are a must for everyone.

I really, really don't want to transport a scooter on the bus and I know the car (we borrow my dad's) isn't equipped for it. Renting it offsite "may" save money.... but if I only need it a couple days then renting for the week offsite will cost more.

Commando isn't even in our vocabulary when talking Disney!!

 

[bedogged]

We always tour very lightly. We spend a lot of time there so never, ever rush. Afternoons at the pool are a must for everyone.

I really, really don't want to transport a scooter on the bus and I know the car (we borrow my dad's) isn't equipped for it. Renting it offsite "may" save money.... but if I only need it a couple days then renting for the week offsite will cost more.

Commando isn't even in our vocabulary when talking Disney!!

Sounds like you may be letting the scooter bashing people affect your judgement. Don't be afraid of the bus! Do yourself a favor and rent a small (go go) scooter off property. Apple rents these. They are simple to use and maneuver easily on to the buses or if you choose, break down into five pieces that fit into any car trunk. The whole scooter only weighs about 117 pounds so the pieces are easy to handle and quickly assemble. The Disney rental scooters are old clunky dinosaurs that are slow and very hard to maneuver. They are also expensive.

 

[Escape2Disney]

Nice to "meet" you! One of the hidden disabilities that people (even family) don't quite understand. I mean they have empathy for me and understand the pain.... but really I don't think they can honestly understand the total body impact.

I'm seriously considering the scooter for this trip... thinking maybe a couple days in the parks at first. See how it goes.

Nice to "meet" you too! I'm sorry you have this awful thing - it certainly can be an energy/fun killer, can't it?

Something to think about....

Do you want to spend your limited energy getting from one place to another or would you rather spend that energy enjoying the destinations? I'd suggest renting the scooter for the entire trip. When you feel like walking, park it and walk for a while. It will be a much more relaxing trip.

As for other people - it is none of their business <hugs>

 

[Mama Who]

Okay.... let's see. We go to Disney lots and lots of times a year. I have no interest in a ECV or a W/C.

I have a somewhat rare form or arthritis that manifests in many different symptoms. Here is a link: http://www.spondylitis.org/about/complications.aspx

We are planning a trip in March/April. All good. Everyone is excited and happy ~ especially me.

Problem is.... I've been really suffering with fatigue, back pain and trouble breathing. Not trouble breathing like something is wrong with my lungs ~ but severe pain in my rib cage.

I really don't feel the need for a wheelchair or ECV because as long as I can sit and rest briefly I can usually let the waves of pain go by. Unfortunately sometimes this can take up to 30 minutes. Fact is ... being in a w/c or on an ECV likely wouldn't help all that much.

Other than lots of breaks any suggestions on how to make the trip enjoyable for everyone? I'm afraid my frequent breaks may burden everyone.


TIA!

Okay... you don't want to use a mobility device and you also don't want to need frequent breaks and you suffer from fatigue and breathing problems.

I'm a little at a loss as to what to suggest. Maybe a touring plan that spaces shows in between periods of walking? That way people are entertained while you rest?

Other than letting the group go on without you sometimes, I'm just not sure what sort of plan there is if you won't use the products meant to deal with this issue. A wheelchair sounds like a better idea than an ECV, because someone could push if you're in too much pain to drive safely.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

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.

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 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!