Some advice for wheelchair usage?

[dskib]

Hi all -

We're headed down in Oct, and we're bringing my 83 year old mother in law. She gets around okay and is in pretty good health, but she does have a little bit of a lung issue, so there's absolutely no way she could handle the walking in WDW.

Our plan is to rent her a wheelchair for the week. PLEASE don't suggest we get a scooter. She would be dangerous. We're not worried about doing the pushing. This is her vacation, and we're prepared for that

My question really pertains to the transportation - the buses and boats. She's not invalid, so she'll be able to get on and off the buses and boats. So what do the buses do? Would we have to lift the folded wheelchair and climb onto the bus? Or would the bus do its lowering thing so we could get it on? I'm just trying to work out the logistics before we go.

Also - I've heard that the hotels often have wheelchairs that we could use for the week. Is that true?

Thanks!
Deb

 

[SueM in MN]

I can only do a short reply because I am on a break from work.
1) Some people are just not s good 'match' for an ECV. It sounds like you have made that assessment based on what you know, so don't feel like you need to justify your decision. It is a very individual one.

2) There is more information about buses and boats in one of the posts of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is near the top of this board. You can also use the link in my signature to get there. Post one of the thread us an index to which post contains which information. You can certainly fold the wheelchair and carry it on with you if you want. It is easier to carry it on the back door though than trying to make your way thru the bus with it. She can remain seated in the wheelchair during bus tides if she wants, but would need the wheelchair fastened down to the bus floor.

3) The resorts may have wheelchairs to loan, but they are first come first serve and can't be reserved in advance. People have had varied experiences with them - some found there was no wheelchair or the one they were offered was not in good condition or did not fit. For those reasons, we highly recommend renting from one of the off site rentalnplaces listed innoost 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[dskib]

I can only do a short reply because I am on a break from work.
1) Some people are just not s good 'match' for an ECV. It sounds like you have made that assessment based on what you know, so don't feel like you need to justify your decision. It is a very individual one.

2) There is more information about buses and boats in one of the posts of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is near the top of this board. You can also use the link in my signature to get there. Post one of the thread us an index to which post contains which information. You can certainly fold the wheelchair and carry it on with you if you want. It is easier to carry it on the back door though than trying to make your way thru the bus with it. She can remain seated in the wheelchair during bus tides if she wants, but would need the wheelchair fastened down to the bus floor.

3) The resorts may have wheelchairs to loan, but they are first come first serve and can't be reserved in advance. People have had varied experiences with them - some found there was no wheelchair or the one they were offered was not in good condition or did not fit. For those reasons, we highly recommend renting from one of the off site rentalnplaces listed innoost 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Thanks so much! I'll check out the link!

Thanks,
Deb

 

[TXMemaw]

Just wanted to add a little about the wheelchairs at the resorts. I had knee surgery 6 weeks before our trip this past December. I thought I was doing fairly well and thought that if I just went slow, that walking would not be an issue. Unfortunately, I was unable to walk by our third day and so my DH went to the concierge at our resort (OKW) to check on getting a wheelchair. They did have one which they let us use for no cost (had to leave a cc deposit but they refunded that when he returned the chair). The chair had no pad and was not very comfortable. I only used it for our final day to go to DTD (which became claustrophic for me) and to go to DHS to see the Osborne lights. We did have a car which we drove to DHS and my DH told them that I had a wheelchair so they let us park in the area right behind the handicapped parking area. It was an okay experience for one day but definitely would not want to do it for an entire week so be sure to rent from an offsite company before you get there.

 

[bouncycat]

YES!!! Rent from an offsite company!!! They're cheaper, and usually more comfortable. I made my own pad for my manual wheelchair, and LOVE it. Another idea if you have room in your luggage is get a dining room table chair pad, with the ties. I need to put ties on mine!!

The busses, you can do either way. She can stay in the chair, and they strap you in good, or you can do like a stroller and fold it up if she feels like walking on the bus. They strap you in good, so I'd recommend that for her. The boats have ramps, and they just wheel you on. Make SURE you use the breaks CONSTANTLY!!! Monorails have ramps too, and everyone will direct you on where to go. CM's are really good at that!! So, wheel her around, and HAVE FUN!!!

 

[ILuvMulan]

I know how you feel with the wheelchair situation, but the wheelchairs at the resorts are highly uncomfortable if you can try to get one that has a cushion thats the way to go. I always get my mom and dad to bring my own chair when we go to WDW. (DS,13)

 

[brat]

Have fun and remember to switch off pushers/take breaks from pushing.

My own Mom is not a good match for ECV/scooters. The only way I would put her in one is with assistant controls and I would not use those at WDW.

Since she is used to walking around at home, sitting in a wheelchair for WDW might be more sitting than normal listen if she says her legs or bum are getting sore from riding.(dvts and pressure sores)

 

[bouncycat]

What I do also sometimes, when sitting gets to be too much, is I get out and push my empty chair. Yea, I get looks, but don't care. I can't sit all day either or I get stiff. That's another idea for her. DH hates it when I walk, cause I slow him down!! LOL But sometimes, I just need to walk, or get up and move!

 

[dskib]

These are great tips, thanks! I'll definitely get one offsite. Knowing that alone is a huge help!

Thanks again,
Deb

 

[Anna_Marie]

YES!!! Rent from an offsite company!!! They're cheaper, and usually more comfortable. I made my own pad for my manual wheelchair, and LOVE it. Another idea if you have room in your luggage is get a dining room table chair pad, with the ties. I need to put ties on mine!!

The busses, you can do either way. She can stay in the chair, and they strap you in good, or you can do like a stroller and fold it up if she feels like walking on the bus. They strap you in good, so I'd recommend that for her. The boats have ramps, and they just wheel you on. Make SURE you use the breaks CONSTANTLY!!! Monorails have ramps too, and everyone will direct you on where to go. CM's are really good at that!! So, wheel her around, and HAVE FUN!!!

I think thats what I will do with my wheelchair ( we are bringing one with us) - I will let DH fold it up and I will walk on the bus. Is it very bulky when folded? I would hate for people to get annoyed about that too. What we were going to do was, DH push me to the bus stop in my wheelchair, then I sit and wait while he returned it to the room. Then join up with me again at the bus stop, and as soon as we get to the parks, I sit down again and he goes and rents a wheelchair and comes and gets me, and do the same to leave. What a hassle! But I couldn't see any other way, because no way was I going to get onto the bus riding in the wheelchair. So its good to know they can be folded up. I have been worrying and worrying about this and what to do.

 

[Anna_Marie]

YES!!! Rent from an offsite company!!! They're cheaper, and usually more comfortable. I made my own pad for my manual wheelchair, and LOVE it. Another idea if you have room in your luggage is get a dining room table chair pad, with the ties. I need to put ties on mine!!

The busses, you can do either way. She can stay in the chair, and they strap you in good, or you can do like a stroller and fold it up if she feels like walking on the bus. They strap you in good, so I'd recommend that for her. The boats have ramps, and they just wheel you on. Make SURE you use the breaks CONSTANTLY!!! Monorails have ramps too, and everyone will direct you on where to go. CM's are really good at that!! So, wheel her around, and HAVE FUN!!!

I think that is what we will do with my wheelchair - we are renting one offsite. There was no way I was going to ride into the bus on it, so we planned that DH would push me down to the bus stop, I would sit and wait while he returned wheelchair to the room, then we get on the bus when he comes back. Same at parks, I sit and wait while he rents me one and comes and gets me. What a hassle. Can anyone tell me how bulky a wheelchair is when folded? I would hate for folks to get annoyed about that.

 

[bouncycat]

Anna-Marie, people fold up strollers on the bus that are big and bulky. My manual chair just folds inward, and it's easy to push. I've seen people on scooters that get out of the scooter on the bus, so it's up to you. Leaving yours in the room, then renting one at the park does seem like a hassle, and the park chairs are SOOOO uncomfortable. Don't stress about it too much, it'll work itself out! Enjoy your trip, that's all that matters, is you have a good time!

 

[peemagg]

Anna-Marie, people fold up strollers on the bus that are big and bulky. My manual chair just folds inward, and it's easy to push. I've seen people on scooters that get out of the scooter on the bus, so it's up to you. Leaving yours in the room, then renting one at the park does seem like a hassle, and the park chairs are SOOOO uncomfortable. Don't stress about it too much, it'll work itself out! Enjoy your trip, that's all that matters, is you have a good time!

It also seems like an unnecessary extra cost for what little trouble it really will be.