Scooter?

[cdsulhoff]

Ok, So my mom has cancer she just got done with Chemo and having 3 surgeries on her leg. When you have melanoma and they cut the mass out, well let's say her one leg has a crater in it and she has a hard time walking long distant! Not only that but she gets out of breathe easily I believe mostly cause she just got done her chemo! She claims by the time we go to WDW in Sept it will be better but I told her she needs to rent a scooter or a wheelchair! Well, we have gone back and forth about this issue! The main thing is that she's embarrassed to and don't want to face the fact that she is going to need one! Here's my question if she fights me on this which she will and we get to back of the park and she complains of her leg hurting or having a hard time breathing and can't walk will there be any wheelchairs or scooters left during the afternoon or late morning or will she needing to get one right away!? This is the one thing that's scaring me about the trip I want her to go and she wants to go! She's been in the hospital for the past 2 1/2 years fighting this and still is fighting! Praying that when she goes back for her pet scan that they tell her its gone!
I just don't know what to do! She's is having a hard time with just getting a handicap tag for her car! She don't want to be classified as handicap! I guess this is a hard process for someone who went her whole life as a healthy person who was fit and active! How can I help her with this?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask her 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!

 

[cdsulhoff]

Please ask her 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!

I hear you, and trust me I've told her alot of what you have suggested! one min she is fine with it then the nest shes like IDK and then saying that she will be able to walk around! Maybe I will test her at DTD with sime walking the first day and see how she is feeling after we are done! maybe after we do some walking around DTD we both can get an idea of hows shes going to do! Cause usallay She gets really bad pains in her leg after 30mins! But that is because she just had her 3rd surgey! So hopefully by Sept she will be ok! maybe Im jumping the gun! IDK! I guess time will tell!

AND $50 for a scooter a day WOW!

 

[D1sneyNana]

The week of Christmas. my family was at Disney World, me on a scooter. I have a bad foot and wear a walking boot. I rented a scooter for 10 days so as to be able to keep up with the family. Before we went. I stressed out about everything to do with that darn scooter but knew it was the only way I could go and have the "Magic". Mom. please do your family a favor and rent a scooter! I have never been treated as nice and wonderful. The cast members were amazing, so kind and helpful. The bus drivers were so nice and patient, always smiling. You don't have to stay on the scooter all the time. I would park the scooter to do many things. Nobody bothered the scooter and nothing was ever taken out of the basket or back-pack. My children made it so fun for me by decorating it with Rudolph antlers and red nose on the basket. They also put LED lights around the basket making so people would see it and get out of the way. It made for many comments and smiles. We went to all 4parks and to Downtown Disney. I am planning another trip in the near future and again will have to rent a scooter.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

One thing you can do is pick a place about a mile from your mother's house. Ask her how she would like to walk there. If she is hesitant to answer, then say "and back". Once she does answer, say "four times in a row".,

She will give you a look that only a mother can give to her child of "are you completely nuts?" Mention that most people do 8-12 miles per day at WDW, and that once around the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is almost 1½ miles, and that is without going into any of the pavilions.

And also renting an ECV from off-site will give a better ECV and pricing from $150-$200 per week, not the $50 per day Disney charges. And it would be available within the Resort.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with Cheshire Figment.
In fact, I was just ready to post the ‘pick a place a mile away’ ideas, but he beat me to it. That idea usually does the trick.

 

[MdMommy]

I have cancer and receive chemo every other week. A side effect of the chemo is fatigue and peripheral neuropathy in my feet. I am only 47 years old and get around fine for my day-to-day activities. I certainly don't feel disabled. But, I knew when my daughters and I went to Disney last summer I would have problems with that much walking. So, I rented a scooter from an off-site company for the full time we were there. Best decision I could have made. I was able to keep up with 2 teenagers and not slow them down. I didn't exhaust myself on vacation. I parked the scooter and walked onto rides and into shops and restaurants. But, it really helped me getting around the parks. I have no regrets about renting the scooter, but I am sure I would have regretted it if I hadn't rented one.

 

[bouncycat]

I do feel bad for your mom!! I too have the melanoma crater on my back, but didn't need Chemo. I do however have another disability that has me confined to a wheelchair part of the time. I know what your mom is going thru, I didn't want to deal with being handicapped, I'm only 37!! Well, my dr and dad MADE me get the handicapped parking permit, and let me tell you, it's been a LIFE SAVER!!! Since I got it, my hip has started to become shot basically, and I have been having a hard time walking long distances. I do have leg braces also. So please!! Tell your mom to just DO IT! She will be happy, and so will everyone else. In September, you shouldn't have any problems getting a w/c or scooter from disney, but their prices are outrageous!! Her best bet is to rent one from an offsite company, I've heard of lots being recommended on this board. Tell her not to worry about dirty looks, I get them all the time, and I just don't care. I feel good, and don't hurt too bad, and that's all that counts!!

 

[Bete]

I'm sure we all know someone who has recovered from cancer treatments and many will tell you that the fatigue factor goes on for months and even sometime years. Now, this does depend on the treatments you get. My mom went through 28 treatments for skin cancer and she wasn't the least bit fatigue from it. Her treatments did not involve chemo.

Scootering is the way to go. You can practice at home on the free ones available at places like WalMart, grocery stores, and Target. Scootering will be the fastest way to go around the parks and the best on everyone concerned. Depending on the weight of your mom and your own condition pushing a wheelchair for the first time may not be easy. I do it for my mom who goes 115 pounds and I have a travel wheelchair (lighter one) and I'm not in the best shape and I do manage 8 to 10 hours a day at the parks with her. I do alternate rides with rests like seeing a parade, show, or eating and that really helps me.

Scooters can be rented and delivered to many resorts. There are travel scooters that can fit into car trunks, too. There are places as low as $25 to $30/day for one. Wheelchairs are cheaper to rent than scooters; unless, you get some special wheelchair or power chair. You can rent from outside sources once you are there and it's pretty good service getting it the same day (if you are early enough with calling) or the next day. Make sure you take a few choices of outside scooter rental companies with you of their phone numbers; so, you are prepared that way.

If you get stuck somewhere at the park with your mom not being able to get any further by walking you will need to get to the front of the park (except Epcot which has another rental place by the the International Gateway near WS before you hit France) to rent a scooter or wheelchair. There may be a few more choices for renting wheelchairs throughout the park. I would say you are pretty safe getting a wheelchair at any time. I would let your mom rest while you get a scooter or wheelchair for her. At the parks, Disney scooters are more available in the early morning and perhaps after parades. You can be placed on a waiting list for one. It will not be cheaper to rent one for a partial day.

If you are staying at a Disney resort the hardest part of renting an outside sourced scooter is that you have to bring it on and off the buses (if you are not using a car) and that may need your help to park it for your mom on the bus. You are responsible for charging the battery everyday, too. It's not hard to do charging, but it's another factor. If you forget you could run out of power at the park.

There's been a rise in users of rollating walkers at Disney. These walkers have seats; so, you can sit in them when you are tired. You can buy one and it can be taken free of charge on flights; since, it's medical equipment. You can take it with you on some rides, but not all rides. You can park it and get it after the ride.

As others have suggested, you may need to practice at home to see how well your mom can walk as you get closer to September. A good test could be going to a zoo for a day or a museum. The zoo will have scooters to rent if you want to try that out there before your trip.

Using the scooter will be the fastest way to see the park. If your mom wants to walk then be patient with her if she gets tired and can't go too fast especailly as the day wears on.

It's a precious time at Disney with our loved ones; so, enjoy the time together; however, you do it.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

My Dad gave us the same fight..........well we rented a wheelchair anyway and took it with us to the 1st park...Epcot....(we had 3 Sons and a SIL able to push).....he did his *I am still in charge argument anf ranted and raved*, and we just walked with the wheelchair and he walked......until about THE LAND...then he gave in.....

Your Mom may react the same way!

I hope it works out for you and have a great trip!

AKK

 

[bouncycat]

My Dad gave us the same fight..........well we rented a wheelchair anyway and took it with us to the 1st park...Epcot....(we had 3 Sons and a SIL able to push).....he did his *I am still in charge argument anf ranted and raved*, and we just walked with the wheelchair and he walked......until about THE LAND...then he gave in.....

Your Mom may react the same way!

I hope it works out for you and have a great trip!

AKK

I need to remember this one for my dad the next time we take him someplace!!!!! He's a stubborn old fart too....and always refuses. Since I have one now, he can always use mine, but he would NOT want to take it away from me whatsoever!! So yea, force would be good!! LOL Why is it the older we get, the more stubborn we get??