Severe COPD, Supplemental O2, & ECV

[Hopefully]

Hi Disers.
I am seeking advice. I have COPD that has now progressed to moderate to severe disease. I use supplemental oxygen (O2) when I sleep and when I fly and on an as needed basis when mobile during the day.
After a weekend trip to visit my grandchildren I have come to realize/start to accept, the fact that I can not walk very long distances any more and not uphill at all.
So I am facing the decision to rent an ECV for our October F & W trip. I think I need to, but like so many have expressed here before me, I am hesitant. If I am not gasping for breath, I look healthy. I don't use the O2 much during a normal day. I don't know if I was using an ECV if I would need the O2 then either.
So I am looking for advice and others experiences who might have faced similar challenges. One, around using an ECV during the very crowded F & W days and evenings and Two around using a Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) in the parks.
I believe for attractions I would be able to park and walk through a normal line (as long as it isn't uphill). I believe I won't be able to walk up the hill from the International Gateway to the UK or I don't think I can walk up the ramp to the monorails.
If I take the POC it can be worn as a backpack or carried as a shoulder bag. Would I be able to take it on the various rides with me? It is about the size of a small backpack.
I guess I don't even know what else to ask at this point.
Which company do you folks recommend to rent an ECV from. I would want a basket and a cup holder, Is that possible?
What else should I be thinking about?
Thanks in Advance

 

[ttintagel]

I remember on the trip where I broke my foot, being surprised at how many ride entrances and queues were actually fairly steep ramps that I hadn't noticed before. That was the impetus for switching from a manual wheelchair to an ECV for me.

 

[anonymousegirl]

You will definitely need to take the ECV into the Land pavilion as that is very uphill.

You will be able to take the O2 backpack on rides but you need to put it at your feet and not wear it. Even though you say you probably won't need it if you are using the ECV, please, please, still take the O2. Without it, a surprise attack could prove fatal.

As for the crowds, your ECV will have a headlight. Take it slow as you maneuver through the crowd. Those walkways are quite wide, so I think you will be fine.

Many models have a basket (I don't know about a cup holder)

 

[The Hunchback]

I would strongly suggest you rent an ECV. It will make the trip easier for your and your family. My Scooter from Walker Mobility has had a cup hold the last two years. Suggest you check with them,

 

[Ishy]

Renting can be pretty costly. Why not just bring your own?
don't worry about using it, you are on vacation and you are entitled to enjoy yourself. if you spend the half your vacation unable to do things because you didn't use one, or even worse, end up in the emergency room...

We travel with a POC - battery life is always our concern.
When I added up the cost of renting - we sough out purchasing a low end medical scooter. I got one for 599 (that was the total cost including taxes and shipping) - what is great is you let the airline know you have it, and a POC and you ride it right up to the gate. they put it below like they do the car seats and the strollers. When the plane lands, it is right at the door waiting for you.

I think Disney rental is up to 40 a day now? and that is Park use only.

the basket is great for holding the POC too.

 

[Hopefully]

Renting can be pretty costly. Why not just bring your own?
don't worry about using it, you are on vacation and you are entitled to enjoy yourself. if you spend the half your vacation unable to do things because you didn't use one, or even worse, end up in the emergency room...

We travel with a POC - battery life is always our concern.
When I added up the cost of renting - we sough out purchasing a low end medical scooter. I got one for 599 (that was the total cost including taxes and shipping) - what is great is you let the airline know you have it, and a POC and you ride it right up to the gate. they put it below like they do the car seats and the strollers. When the plane lands, it is right at the door waiting for you.

I think Disney rental is up to 40 a day now? and that is Park use only.

the basket is great for holding the POC too.

Thanks for the replies.
I am not sure what you are referring to when saying bring my own. I don't have an ECV and would need to rent that.
I am bringing my own Portable Oxygen Concentrator, I will need it on the plane, at least.
Any other experience you can share?

 

[powellrj]

Thanks for the replies.
I am not sure what you are referring to when saying bring my own. I don't have an ECV and would need to rent that.
I am bringing my own Portable Oxygen Concentrator, I will need it on the plane, at least.
Any other experience you can share?

I think the poster was suggesting you buy a ECV and was saying you can get a low end one for $599. That is what I did too, but I know its not something that most people would want to do.

I would suggest that you rent from an off-site vendor. There is a list at the top of the page, plus there are lots and lots of threads about different vendors to rent from.

 

[Bete]

To me there is nothing normal about walking at least 6 miles a day at the Disney parks. Of course, this isn't constant walking, but the average guest does that amount of walking per day. Trekking through an airport is grueling, too. In and out of the parks is a task, too.

If you go on rides with long waits you will have standing time to think about if you don't use the ECV through the ride queues.

Soarin' has a very long trek to the ride with ramps. Some rides have stairs.

My mom had COPD and used an inhaler. Maybe, you can ask your doctor for an inhaler for the trip.

If you have a condition that will not get better than it may be better to buy a scooter. If you are on Medicare you may be able to get one with your benefits. Scooters are allowed as extra luggage for no fee on the airlines.

If you are going to rent one there are many outside renters to choose from. The approved vendors are allowed to leave the scooter at Disney will call (usually buy luggage) and you pick it up and drop it off there.

Scooters should be chosen based on weight including yourself, the oxygen, and whatever else you carry with you. The prices of scooters are based on this, as well. The lightweight portable scooters run about $25 to $30/day depending on your length of stay. The more heavy duty ones will be higher priced.

 

[Hopefully]

To me there is nothing normal about walking at least 6 miles a day at the Disney parks. Of course, this isn't constant walking, but the average guest does that amount of walking per day. Trekking through an airport is grueling, too. In and out of the parks is a task, too.

If you go on rides with long waits you will have standing time to think about if you don't use the ECV through the ride queues.

Soarin' has a very long trek to the ride with ramps. Some rides have stairs.

My mom had COPD and used an inhaler. Maybe, you can ask your doctor for an inhaler for the trip.

If you have a condition that will not get better than it may be better to buy a scooter. If you are on Medicare you may be able to get one with your benefits. Scooters are allowed as extra luggage for no fee on the airlines.

If you are going to rent one there are many outside renters to choose from. The approved vendors are allowed to leave the scooter at Disney will call (usually buy luggage) and you pick it up and drop it off there.

Scooters should be chosen based on weight including yourself, the oxygen, and whatever else you carry with you. The prices of scooters are based on this, as well. The lightweight portable scooters run about $25 to $30/day depending on your length of stay. The more heavy duty ones will be higher priced.

Thanks Bete, Over the course of the day I currently use 4 different inhalers.
At home I am not yet in need of a scooter. I can manage my ADL's without it yet.

 

[nire2012]

I also have advanced COPD and have rented scooters my last couple of trips. Benefits will include being able to keep pace with your family and enhance your stamina. I have used 2 different companies utilizing prom codes confident sites and both were reasonable, delivered and picked up from the hotel (both on-site Disney and off-site)