Sister's back giving her problems! We Leave in 11 days!

[Cmbar]

Last night while walking around for trick or treating, my sister can barely finish walking around the neighborhood. She is in pain in her back - I think it is siatica(?). Anyways, she asked me to find out about wheelchairs at Disney. I have no idea where to look. Can someone point me in the right direction. Are there different kinds and are they like renting strollers? We will be staying at WL, is the walk to the boat really long that she will need one at the hotel. I'd rather not do that, but need some advice on the ones in the parks.

Thanks for any information!

 

[cmm]

Take her to a chiropractor! I had this same problem and am in pretty good shape after going to the chiro. She can get some exercises, too, but must be sure to do them every day. Good luck. This pain is no fun, believe me.

 

[Kristina]

If you post this over on the Disabilities board I'm sure the kind folks there will be happy to help you with your questions. I know what it is to have a bad back and it really threatened to ruin our very first trip but somehow I was fine . Hopefully your sister will be alright too! If it's Sciatica I think stretching exercises are a good idea along with medications but I'd check with my doctor first.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[Donna]

I had this problem during a trip last month. I was "this" close to getting a wheelchair because the constant walking and/or standing in lines was a bit much. I was told to get your wheelchair at the hotel you're staying at, they have them there. They are free someone told me. At the parks, you have to pay. Back pain and disney definitely do NOT mix!

 

[MareSINY]

The walk from the boat dock to the WL isn't that long, it's about a 2 - 3 minute walk, 5 minute tops.

I have sciatic nerve problems, it tends to come and go, with 11 days before the trip she'll probably be feeling better before you leave. The first time I had problems with it I was getting ready to leave for Italy and was afraid I wouldn't be able to stand sitting on the plane that long, so I went to see my doc who gave me some pain killers. They worked wonders, so if your sis is really worried tell her to go see her doc and get something to help her get through the trip.

They rent wheelchairs and ECV's in each park. It is like renting the strollers.

Good luck!!

 

[Sandi]

Does your sister know what the problem is? About 5 years ago I was experiencing back pain and they did some X-rays and saw no problems. Sent me to PT which I did religiously. The PT recommended a back brace like delivery people use; that helped some for my WDW trip. The last day of our trip, I thought I was going to die. The pain was awful and the flight home was no fun. When I got home, I asked that they do an MRI and, sure enough, I had a couple of crushed disks. Had surgery after that and am all better.

 

[HayGan]

I would definitely have her see a chiropractor. I have had various back problems since a car accident in 1993 and chiropractors are the only ones who are ever able to help me!!!

 

[prestonsmomma]

I third the chiropractor recommendation. I'm seeing mine religiously right now trying to get rid of chronic back/neck problems before I go. Last week it was my lower back, now I have a seperated shoulder from babying my lower back and using my arms too much so hopefully by the time we leave in 37 days I should be all good and back to normal. Back pain is NO fun anywhere and I can't even begin to imagine it at Disney.

 

[Redbudlover]

I want to chime in on this too. I had a herniated disc almsot two years ago. The physician first gave me a steroid and exercises which helped but did not cure. Painkillers put me to sleep. My hot tub did wonders. The jets plus floating in the hot water to take the pressure off the disc was incredible. Please consider an ECV for the entire trip, though. I used one last year and it was wonderful just getting around the resort. The pain and the fatigue takes such a toll that any relief she can get will help and the ECV only cost $150 for the entire week - it was easy to use to get to the parks, get around the parks, go on rides, and get back to the resort. They bring it to your resort for you when you check in. It absolutely saved my trip. Good luck to your sister.

 

[Cmbar]

I want to chime in on this too. I had a herniated disc almsot two years ago. The physician first gave me a steroid and exercises which helped but did not cure. Painkillers put me to sleep. My hot tub did wonders. The jets plus floating in the hot water to take the pressure off the disc was incredible. Please consider an ECV for the entire trip, though. I used one last year and it was wonderful just getting around the resort. The pain and the fatigue takes such a toll that any relief she can get will help and the ECV only cost $150 for the entire week - it was easy to use to get to the parks, get around the parks, go on rides, and get back to the resort. They bring it to your resort for you when you check in. It absolutely saved my trip. Good luck to your sister.

Can you tell me how to get one of these? Is this an outside company or Disney?

 

[Redbudlover]

Can you tell me how to get one of these? Is this an outside company or Disney?

HI, Cymbar,

Of course! I have copied and pasted here a list that Cheshire Figment posted last year that I used when choosing a company. I used Randy's Mobility myself and they direct you to call them after you get off the plane on your way to your resort. They met me about 5 minutes after we checked in and showed both of us how to use it and answered all our questions. (I had lots of questions!) I was really nervous about using it to get on the buses and monorail, but it was more than manageable. BTW - I had the fastest scooter in the park! Here is the list:

Here are the companies which generally have been reported on most:

Walker Mobility:
888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/
407-856-2273, Toll Free U.S and Canada (800) 741-2282

Randy'S Mobility is in Kissimmee
http://randysmobility.com
407-892-4777

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html
800-747-0246

ScootAround
http://www.scootaround.com
Toll-free, US and Canada 888-441-7575

When I rented I used Walker almost excluseively, and when I moved to Orlando I purchased a used ECV from them at a good price.

As a rule, Randy is the least expensive, but they require you to be present both when the ECV is delivered and when it is piacked up; all the others will leave the ECV at Bell Services (or the office if a time share) prior to your arrival and pick it up there after your departure. Most are $30 per day cutting off at just under $200 for a week with a drop in the daily rate for longer than a week.

Just about al the rentals break into five components with the heaviest being just under 40 pounds. Normally a full-size, four-door sedan (Buick Century or larger) is necessary to fit the components without problems.

 

[bairdbeth]

I had the exact same problem before one of our trip to WDW. Both my Chiro and general physician said I could go as long as I get an ECV. My DD was only 7 and no way could she push me! I rented from Walker mobility and they were great. The ECV was waiting in the luggage area of Pop for mr an the CM gave me instructions. I did park the scooter most times and did the attractions in that area. The EVC made the trip very enjoyable. No pain! We could stay longer at the parks since I didn't have to walk long distance!

 

[goofie4goofy]

Another vote for visiting a chiropractor. My DH suffers from sciatica also. First the back pain has to be properly diagnosed. A chiropractor can do this. She may be in pain from walking, however depending on what is wrong with her back, NOT walking may make it worse. A chiropractor may be able to have her back to normal before your trip. If it is in fact sciatica, my DH chiropractor told him sitting in one spot, even for a short amount of time, will make the condition worse. The back needs to be stretched. You can also google "sciatica" to check symptoms, so you can learn if it may be that condition.

 

[crzyred]

alright Cmbar, i think you jinxed me!!! i woke up this morning and i couldn't move!! and of course i'll be leaving tomorrow, which left me with 1 day to figure this darn thing out. fortunately(well it's more unfortunate but whatever) i've been down this road before. i knocked some discs out of place in my lower back and the chiropractor did wonders!! i mean i could stand up straight, i couldn't walk, i couldn't even sit. then after just 2 days of the chiropractor i was just fine!! i called first thing this morning and got in and he gave me more excersises to do. also take ibuprofen(sorry if that's spelled wrong) for the pain, i also take vitamin D drops for inflamation too which helps a ton. hope everything works out ok, which i'm sure it will!!

Much Disney Love!