Shower chair?

[elmom]

We will be staying in the Contemporary in an accessible room atrium club level for 8 days in just under 2 weeks. My husband is a mid chest level paraplegic. The only adaptive equipment (that we don't bring) he needs is a shower chair *with* a back. Of course its been hit and miss over the years where ever we traveled, but he has always made due. But since its a longer trip, and it looks like renting a shower chair is possible, perhaps I should do it?

So I was wondering if anyone know the shower chair situation in the Contemporary? What are the companies who rent to WDW?

 

[powellrj]

If it were me, I would just plan on renting so you can get the kind that you want. We have been driving so I just bring my own, but most people can't do that.

 

[elmom]

Eek I just looked up renting the basic one my husband uses now. It costs only $10 lass to rent it for a week then it cost to buy it. Maybe we will just cross our fingers that it works out, if not, then rent it for a few days.

 

[GranJan]

I would definitely rent one if you can't bring your own. I chose to buy instead of rent. We got one that comes apart & it fits in a large suitcase. We can put other things in with it & still only have 2 pieces of luggage plus my walker. It only took one trip trying to "make do" & I was feeling like traveling just wasn't worth it. My husband convinced me not to give up, that we'd just make sure I had what I needed. After spending so much on a vacation, it's worth it to have the right equipment your husband needs rather than him having to struggle for 8 days. It not something I'd cross my fingers & hope for the best on.

 

[wilkeliza]

Either buy and start taking it with you on all vacations to make the price worth it or have a plan for Disney not to have what you need so know what number to call to get a rental. There is no way to guarentee there will be a shower chair with a back.

If it will work the accesible rooms usually have a fold down bench that is against the shower wall.

 

[elmom]

Either buy and start taking it with you on all vacations to make the price worth it or have a plan for Disney not to have what you need so know what number to call to get a rental. There is no way to guarentee there will be a shower chair with a back.

If it will work the accesible rooms usually have a fold down bench that is against the shower wall.

that will work unless there is a grab bar running behind the seat. He can still do it. But its like a mid evil torture device.

I can help him with any shower/bath. But of course he prefers to do it on his own, safely, every day like he does it at home. He is really against bring adaptive equipment. He likes to feel independent. He travels all over the globe for his career, so I get that. I just want him to be comfy...he loves his shower time.

 

[wilkeliza]

that will work unless there is a grab bar running behind the seat. He can still do it. But its like a mid evil torture device.

I can help him with any shower/bath. But of course he prefers to do it on his own, safely, every day like he does it at home. He is really against bring adaptive equipment. He likes to feel independent. He travels all over the globe for his career, so I get that. I just want him to be comfy...he loves his shower time.

I have only been in an adaptive room once and can't remember if the bar was behind the bench or to the side of it.

I get his need to be independent. I hope it works for you guys and you have an awesome trip.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I admit there are pieces of equipment of which I am not familiar.
2) When it comes to shower chairs, the only ones I have seen are three-legged-stools, without a back.
3) Ask when you get to the resort and see if they have something different or can bring up a plastic pool chair with back & arms.

 

[BillSears]

Hi, I'm a T6 complete para and I've stayed in many hotel rooms over the years. I've run into a lot of the same problems your husband has. Grab bar at my back pushing in and making me feel like I'm going to fall off the seat. Shower controls and shower head at the opposite side of the shower area so you can sit on the bench and reach them. Too small or unstable shower benches. Plus many more. But none of these have been at WDW. WDW roll-in shower rooms are pretty good for paraplegics. The shower bench is sturdy, large enough, and fairly easy to transfer in and out of.

From your description of the room I can't tell if you have requested a roll-in shower or just an accessible room. As a paraplegic I always get a roll-in shower room. A plain accessible room has a tub with grab bars and that's not enough for me.

This thread has lots of pictures of the roll-in shower rooms. Check it out and hopefully you'll see that the showers fit your husbands needs. From what you've said with his transfer abilities on rides he should be fine getting on and off of the shower bench.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wh...ible-room-locations-and-measurements.1180437/

One warning though, some of these shower benches are made of wood. I've had issues where the wood grain was rough and would scratch my bottom as I slide across the bench. I now place a towel on the seat bench so that I don't get scratched up. It took a bit before I realized what the problem was and one trip I had some bleeding open wounds from the seat bench.

 

[wilkeliza]

One warning though, some of these shower benches are made of wood. I've had issues where the wood grain was rough and would scratch my bottom as I slide across the bench. I now place a towel on the seat bench so that I don't get scratched up. It took a bit before I realized what the problem was and one trip I had some bleeding open wounds from the seat bench.

Ouch did you let Disney know so they can hopefully replace those seat benches? Who thought wood was a great idea since wood tends to splinter the more it gets wet.

 

[BillSears]

Ouch did you let Disney know so they can hopefully replace those seat benches? Who thought wood was a great idea since wood tends to splinter the more it gets wet.

Yea, I went down to the front desk twice during that trip and both times they said they would send someone to replace the rough pieces. They never replaced them. I sort of feel bad for taking a towel into the shower with me now since it's totally soaked afterward. But until they fix the problem they'll just have to deal with the soaked towel.

Here is a picture of the problem benches at Pop Century. You can see they are just painted slats of wood and over time they get rough.

 

[elmom]

Very helpful, thanks. I'm pretty sure I got a roll in shower. Fingers crossed. I'll go look

 

[elmom]

Yep a roll in shower. Those benches will work. I'll let him know the tip about the seat. That could be really dangerous with a person with a SCI. A splinter in the wrong place could lead to a pressure sore pretty quickly.