Scooters & Handicap Parking

[toastnjam]

We are renting a scooter for my mother who cannot sit, stand or walk for long periods of time. However, she is not officially disabled enough to qualify for a Maryland handicap tag.

My understanding is if we rent a scooter and park in the parking lots (regular stalls) we cannot get on the parking lot transport system.

However, we also cannot park in the handicap spots.

Has anyone come across this problem? I am open to suggestions.

 

[Bete]

You can do a drop off that should be close enough and you won't have to do the transport system.

Your car driver will have to walk or take the transport system.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Basically there are two options.

One would be to go to a drop-off zone for the Park, drop her off with the ECV and go around to park, which can be convoluted. And then you would have to come around again to pick her back up.

The other would be to tell one of the parking attendants that you have a person with a disability but no hang tag. There are special spaces at the start of each row. She could then drive the ECV along the walking area while you either take the tram and meet her or walk along with her.

 

[Bete]

I am confused about your post. If your mom can't sit, stand, or walk for longer periods how will she handle going to the park to begin with? With a scooter you sit, but you don't have to walk or stand. You may be sitting for a long period of time. It takes time to get through the park and the ride and show lines. This could lead to more than an hour at time for whatever. There's sitting time in the car, too.

How does she handle everyday life? Does she lay around a lot? It may be good for you to know there are first aid centers in each park where she can be on a cot for a while. At least it might save you from going back and forth to the resort.

 

[toastnjam]

She has lower disk problems in her back so she is in constant pain and is always "readjusting" .. So she is either sitting and needs to stand or standing and needs to sit. Additionally, due to kidney issues and "side effects" of medications, and health in general, walking long distances is a problem.

I'm not sure how many days she will be able to go with us but she has always loved Disney and this will probably be our last "family" trip due to her age, health and my son going into the Marines. We want her to be as happy and comfortable as possible.

 

[Bete]

She has lower disk problems in her back so she is in constant pain and is always "readjusting" .. So she is either sitting and needs to stand or standing and needs to sit. Additionally, due to kidney issues and "side effects" of medications, and health in general, walking long distances is a problem.

I'm not sure how many days she will be able to go with us but she has always loved Disney and this will probably be our last "family" trip due to her age, health and my son going into the Marines. We want her to be as happy and comfortable as possible.

I have a cousin who gets shots for this kind of pain. Would this work for your mom? It's expensive and insurance coverage can be nasty about the treatment, but it may help. Also, what about a special air cushion that contours to the back when sitting? It relieves some of the pressure and helps my cousin.

I'm sure you've been through all kinds of treatments for your mom, but you never know what might help.

God Bless you for trying and I hope you get through it all.

 

[toastnjam]

She's had the shots and they have helped tremendously so she is not in pain constantly. She just can't do anything for a long period of time. She's only 5'3" and was a nurse lifting patients in nursing homes and psych wards for 45 years. She is 71 (birthday while we are at Disney) and the health problems are adding up. I think even if she didn't have back spasms it would be too much walking/standing if she didn't have break inbetween.

I've rented the ECV. Another person in our party can drive it when she feels the need to walk/move around.

I'm purchasing the "ecv holder" thing that attaches to the back of my SUV from Amazon since I can't find anywhere to rent it ($80). Still trying to find a used one.

Ironically, even with my mom's breathing problems, kidney problems (leads to severe pain in her feet), and back problems, her doctor REFUSES to issue a handicap tag for her because she is not 100% committed to a wheelchair. HOwever, my 23 year old daughter qualifies for a tag (but won't take it) for a hip injury suffered in the Army and she moves around 100% better than her grandmother. GRRRR

 

[Sadie22]

There is a form to be filled out and signed by a physician which the patient then submitts to the motor vehicle administration to get a handicapped placard for use in her own or anyone's car in which she is traveling. It is not just for wheelchair-bound persons. My mother's cardiologist filled out her form. The numbers did not carry over, but below are the reasons for which your mother could get a placard. Show them to her doctor or get one of her specialists to fill out the form.

Conditions for Special Parking Placards or Registration Plates

Has lung disease to such an extent that forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or arterial oxygen tension (pO2) is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
Has cardiovascular disease limitations classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to the standards set by the American Heart Association.
Is unable to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
Is unable to walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, or other assistance device.
Requires a wheelchair for mobility.
Has lost an arm, hand, foot, or leg. See Note (D) “Certification Under Maryland Law.”
Has lost the use of an arm, hand, foot, or leg.
Has a permanent disability that adversely impacts the ambulatory ability of the applicant and which is so severe that the person would endure a hardship or be subject to a risk or injury if the privileges accorded a person from whom a vehicle is specially registered were denied.
Has a permanent impairment of both eyes so that: 1) The central vision acuity is 20/200 or less in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or 2) There is a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye. See Note (C) “Certification Under Maryland Law”.
Temporary Placard (red)
Disability is not permanent but would substantially impair the person’s mobility or limit or impair the person’s ability to walk for at least three weeks, and is so severe that the person would endure a hardship or be subject to risk of injury if the Temporary Placard were denied.

 

[Pooh2]

If your mom's family physician refuses to fill out the form, call the orthopedic surgeon where she got her spinal shots. They do have temporay handicapp placards as well. It does not make sense that she is being refused with her issues. Orthopedic offices frequently will issue temp placards. Explain to them about your upcoming trip.

 

[toastnjam]

thank you. that never occurred to me. Next phone call.