Recently in car accident & disabled

[oshun]

I was recently in a car accident (3 weeks ago) and broke my right femur bone. I was told this is an 8 to 12 week recovery. I have a rod and 3 pins in my leg and use a walker right now. I have to go back into surgery to have the pins removed after my bone heals.

We made plans months ago to go to WDW on April 29th. I know this will be close to the 12 week point so am hoping to be able to go. Do you think I will be able to ride all the rides? I really want to try the new ride Everest at AK.

Would it be best to rent an Electric Device rather than have my husband push me around all day in a wheelchair. We are staying at BCV and it is a long walk to the back entrance of Epcot with a bad leg. What are your feelings? Has anyone ever had this happen and go to WDW about 12 weeks later or should I postpone my trip because I expect to much and really want to go?

 

[SueM in MN]

We made plans months ago to go to WDW on April 29th. I know this will be close to the 12 week point so am hoping to be able to go. Do you think I will be able to ride all the rides? I really want to try the new ride Everest at AK.

That looks like a pretty rough roller coaster from the pictures and movies I have seen. WDW won't prevent you from riding anything, but you should talk to your doctor about whether or not that would be a good idea.
The rides with warnings have a little red triangle icon on the park maps, there are signs at the entrance and before boarding and they are listed in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities (you can pick up a copy at Guest Services in any of the parks or get the text of the guidebooks from a link in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board).
Another thing to think about is some of the rides have cars that are hard to get into because they are quite tight (Splash Mountain is an example) or because they require a big step down (Pirates is an example). I don't know if those will be difficult for you or not.

Would it be best to rent an Electric Device rather than have my husband push me around all day in a wheelchair. We are staying at BCV and it is a long walk to the back entrance of Epcot with a bad leg. What are your feelings? Has anyone ever had this happen and go to WDW about 12 weeks later or should I postpone my trip because I expect to much and really want to go?

You can often get a wheelchair lent to you from your WDW resort (but no guarantee). Whether you go with a wheelchair or an ECV, I'd suggest on e of the off-site places so you have it whenever you need it. BCV is a fairly long walk to either the back entrance of Epcot or the boat that takes you to Epcot with a bad leg.
An ECV would give you more independence than a wheelchair and you can be beside your husband, rather than in front of him. An ECV is more expensive, but there are a lot of pluses to it.
If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is an area that talks about wheelchairs and ECVs and where you can get them. You might want to check out the links to the offsite companies and look at the pictures of the ECVS so you can see how your leg would fit on them and whether that looks like it would be comfortable for riding around all day.

 

[ducklite]

Just wanted to give you the good news in all this--my DH broke his ankle and had to have it set with pins--the removal was easy and "relatively painless" according to him. I don't envy you, he also said the initial surgery was incredibly painful.

Good luck for a speedy recovery!

 

[bopper]

Check out this excellent thread for somebody who was in a similar situation.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=465756

 

[oshun]

Thanks for everyones response today. I saw my Physical Therapist today and she is hopeful that I will be able to go but might need a wheelchair to ECV. Thanks for your help.

 

[mamajoan]

Hi.. I was just going to chime in a bit...

. Some people with femur rods can have decreased range of motion in their knee and hip. This will make sitting on an EVC for extended periods of time uncomfortable. It will all depend on your ability to flex your hip and knee.. at least 90* degrees. Also getting in and out of some of the rides may pose a bit of difficulty.

I wish you the best of luck on your adventure. Going to WDW was the best part of my rehab!

 

[4GBLC]

Your story sounds a lot like mine. Only I was "disabled" before my fall. I have Muscular Dystrophy and fell out my door and spiral fractured my femur. I was put on non weight barring status for over 3 months. This shut down my walking and I am now in motorrized wheelchair.

Enough about all that depressing stuff. Honestly, the doors to my world have been opened being in the wheelchair. You will get better and eventually walk again. I say go to WDW, rent a scooter from an outside vendor. Do everything you want to do. If you want to ride EE DO IT!!! I went with a group of internet friends last Oct. I wanted so bad to ride ToT. They looked at me and said "LETS DO IT" THey helped me on and off the ride and I didn't feel rused by any Cm's. It was GREAT!!!!!!!

Have a great time and let us know how your trip was.

 

[shades]

I was recently in a car accident (3 weeks ago) and broke my right femur bone. I was told this is an 8 to 12 week recovery. I have a rod and 3 pins in my leg and use a walker right now. I have to go back into surgery to have the pins removed after my bone heals.

We made plans months ago to go to WDW on April 29th. I know this will be close to the 12 week point so am hoping to be able to go. Do you think I will be able to ride all the rides? I really want to try the new ride Everest at AK.

Would it be best to rent an Electric Device rather than have my husband push me around all day in a wheelchair. We are staying at BCV and it is a long walk to the back entrance of Epcot with a bad leg. What are your feelings? Has anyone ever had this happen and go to WDW about 12 weeks later or should I postpone my trip because I expect to much and really want to go?

Wow! Treating a broken femur sure has changed drastically over the years! My sister broke her femur back in/around 1973-ish and she was in the hospital, with a big "pin" in her knee in traction for 6 weeks. The pin held her knee up in the air. Then, she came home with a body cast that completely covered her from just below her chest and down to her toes on the broken leg and to the knee on the opposite leg. She was flat on her back or stomach for 6 weeks and using a bed-pan. She figured out how to sit up by putting all of her weight on the knee that was exposed and she could bend. Well, when she went back a few days later for x-rays, the docs decided she has screwed up what progress had been made and they put her in a bigger, heavier cast with strick instructions to not try and sit up. It was a longgg haul for her and recovery was horrendous. She was on crutches for months and months after the cast came off and had to go through physical therapy. In the end, the broken leg is now about 1 1/2-2" shorter. All of this because she fell off a horse onto a small (private airplane) wing that was on the ground below her.

Then, about 5 yrs later (1978ish) my brother broke his femur bone in football practice. Treatment had advanced to where he had surgery with all of the usual metal stuff put in to reset the bones and then had a cast from thigh to toe on the broken leg. He had to sit in a wheelchair for however long it took his leg to heal (can't remember). But, no body cast for him! He was lucky!

I tell ya, breaking a femur is pretty serious stuff and if it were me, I'd ask my doc and then take his advice to heart and stay off the rough rides if that is what he/she advises. I wouldn't want to risk screwing something up and having to go through surgery again

Good luck to ya and be careful

 

[TwitterMouse]

I would ask your doctor. My best friend recently broke his femur, fibula and tibia bones, and it's been really hard for him.
I would just worry that going on a ride that you maybe shouldn't might set back your recovery. So, your doctor cold give you good advice on whether or not you should.

 

[denanbob]

My DS8 broke his femur bone last September (we postponed our October trip to this May). He, too, has 2 steel rods implanted in his bone and will not be having them removed until June. You would never know though because he can run/jump/whatever just as good as before. What I'm wondering is will he set off the airline alarms when we go through security? If so, will they believe me that he's got those in his leg? Should I call his surgeon and ask for a note or something? LOL! And I'm sure this is probably a stupid question, but his "internal hardware" won't be affected or affect anything at Disney would it????????

 

[shades]

My DS8 broke his femur bone last September (we postponed our October trip to this May). He, too, has 2 steel rods implanted in his bone and will not be having them removed until June. You would never know though because he can run/jump/whatever just as good as before. What I'm wondering is will he set off the airline alarms when we go through security? If so, will they believe me that he's got those in his leg? Should I call his surgeon and ask for a note or something? LOL! And I'm sure this is probably a stupid question, but his "internal hardware" won't be affected or affect anything at Disney would it????????

If he sets off the metal detectors at the airport, just tell the screener he has the rods in his leg and they will most likely use a hand wand and screen him at that section beyond the walk-thru metal detector. Be sure to tell the screener if he has sensitive scars in that area so they will be extra careful.

As far as Disney - there are probably a gozillian people in the parks everyday with all kinds of internal/external hardware. I'm guessing you won't encounter any issues there

 

[denanbob]

If he sets off the metal detectors at the airport, just tell the screener he has the rods in his leg and they will most likely use a hand wand and screen him at that section beyond the walk-thru metal detector. Be sure to tell the screener if he has sensitive scars in that area so they will be extra careful.

As far as Disney - there are probably a gozillian people in the parks everyday with all kinds of internal/external hardware. I'm guessing you won't encounter any issues there

That's true........I guess they'll believe me when they scan over the area where I say the rods are and that's what sets off the beeper. Also, about the scars, do you mean incase they physically rub in that area? I thought they just ran the wand up and down close the body but not actually touching the body. I will make sure to tell them to stay away from his knee area then because one of his scars actually is pretty sensitive to touch. Thanks for the info!

 

[shades]

That's true........I guess they'll believe me when they scan over the area where I say the rods are and that's what sets off the beeper. Also, about the scars, do you mean incase they physically rub in that area? I thought they just ran the wand up and down close the body but not actually touching the body. I will make sure to tell them to stay away from his knee area then because one of his scars actually is pretty sensitive to touch. Thanks for the info!

Yes, they are supposed to run the wand close to the body without touching the body. However, I'd ask the screener to be extra careful at the specific area because of the sensitive scar tissue and to please avoid bumping it. Also, I have no idea if it is "legal" for screeners to "pat down" minors - but, it is for adults and they may wish to pat down his knee area or ask him to raise his pant leg to show them proof of the scar (surgery). I've experienced one random pat down and it was very gentle and non-offensive by a woman (I'm female). Second thought, it may be easier to get your son to raise his pant leg above his knee to show them the scar - then they wouldn't even need to scan - I would think.

 

[oshun]

Thanks for everyones thoughts and information. I am going to WDW My doctor said it will be fine for me to go and today I was able to walk around physical therapy with the therapist using a cane. I was so excited.

To 4GBLC - I am so sorry for your fall and break. My son who is 14 yrs old has Beckers Muscular Dystrophy and I can't imagine him breaking anything on top of having MD. He tires easily so I was thinking that maybe we can take turns on the wheelchair because he can walk and I may want to walk while he takes some rests. Either that or get him a wheelchair that my husband can push and I get a ECV - not sure if I can sit on one of those all day though.
I AM going to ride everything I feel up to riding. I feel great today just walking with a cane. Each week seems to be easier for me. Wish I could say the same for my son with MD. Best wishes to you.

I did pick up my card to take through security at airports. I'll just wear shorts so they can see my scar. I'm not vain and am just glad to still be here so anyone who wants to see my scar is welcome to see it - no rubbing though!! OUCH!

 

[Poohnatic]

oshun,

I don't know whether you've been on RnRC before. The ride on EE is much, much smoother and should be okay. It is the smoothest coaster I've ever been on.

Good luck with your recovery. Even if you're okay with the cane, you may want to still consider that power chair. A trip to WDW can fatigue even those who haven't broken a bone.

Suzanne