Still trying to convince my mom to get an ECV

[pix13]

We leave for Disney World next week and my mom suffers from a legitimate disability that makes standing difficult. I also think the walking is going to be hard on her. Based on what I read here and posts on my previous thread, I believe that an ECV would be great for her. But she is still so resistant! In her mind it is a pride issue, which I don't think it should be, but I am sure this is a familiar stance from others.

I know if she tries to get a GAC and mentions she cannot stand for long periods of time Disney will tell her to get an ECV. What will happen if she refuses the ECV? Do they just say too bad, no GAC, or will they do something else? Maybe if she knows ahead of time they can;t help she will agree to the ECV.

 

[bdoyledimou]

my grandmother was the same way -- until she got there -- the walk from the Monorail to the gates of MK in the heat was enough to have her ask for one

 

[lanejudy]

We leave for Disney World next week and my mom suffers from a legitimate disability that makes standing difficult. I also think the walking is going to be hard on her. Based on what I read here and posts on my previous thread, I believe that an ECV would be great for her. But she is still so resistant! In her mind it is a pride issue, which I don't think it should be, but I am sure this is a familiar stance from others.

I know if she tries to get a GAC and mentions she cannot stand for long periods of time Disney will tell her to get an ECV. What will happen if she refuses the ECV? Do they just say too bad, no GAC, or will they do something else? Maybe if she knows ahead of time they can;t help she will agree to the ECV.

Hopefully she'll agree to the ECV because there really isn't really anything Disney can offer if she refuses to rent an ECV or wheelchair. A GAC is only good at rides/attractions, not getting around the parks which is where most of the walking occurs. Also, generally there aren't benches or seats in the queues where she could sit - the few places where there are, the CMs will not ask other guests to move if already seated. So for mobility problems and standing in line, Disney will recommend she rent an ECV or wheelchair and take it through the line. If she doesn't want to use it all day she is welcome to park it and do some walking.

 

[pix13]

my grandmother was the same way -- until she got there -- the walk from the Monorail to the gates of MK in the heat was enough to have her ask for one

I am thinking this might happen at some point too! But she can walk around ok in normal every day life. I just know first hand how much walking there really is at Disney.

Hopefully she'll agree to the ECV because there really isn't really anything Disney can offer if she refuses to rent an ECV or wheelchair. A GAC is only good at rides/attractions, not getting around the parks which is where most of the walking occurs. Also, generally there aren't benches or seats in the queues where she could sit - the few places where there are, the CMs will not ask other guests to move if already seated. So for mobility problems and standing in line, Disney will recommend she rent an ECV or wheelchair and take it through the line. If she doesn't want to use it all day she is welcome to park it and do some walking.

Thanks. This helps me understand and may encourage her to get a scooter.

 

[deegack]

Is there a zoo or some place local you can take her? Have her walk there all day or even just the morning and see how she does

 

[pix13]

Is there a zoo or some place local you can take her? Have her walk there all day or even just the morning and see how she does

Good idea. Thanks! I might try the aquarium here. It is a fairly long walk from the parking and then some decent walking inside.

 

[MegRose1107]

Having your mom get an ECV will make her time (and yours) MUCH more enjoyable! If this were my mom, I would tell her just to try it for one day to see how she likes. I would also make sure we went to one for the bigger parks like Epcot or DAK and point out how much walking there was It can't hurt to try! And if it's her pride getting in the way, just keep reminding her that how she feels is much more important then what anyone thinks and that you'll never see these people again!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Basically a person has a certain amount of energy available to them daily. If they relax during the day the amount of energy available will increase; when they sleep at night they recharge their system,

However, when in pain energy is used up much faster than in normal conditions. If you become exhausted, with by what you have done or, more importantly, what you have done while in pain your system will not recharge to the original energy level overnight and you are starting the next day with a lower amount of energy available.

You might pick a location at least a half mile from where she lives and ask her would she like to walk there. If she hesitates, then say "and back", and of she is still not sure then add "at least three times in a row".

Once around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is more than 1¼ miles; most people tend to average 8 - 12 miles per day at WDW.

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[rock_doctor]

Just order it. My mom was the same way. She would not rent one and in turn never left the room. So i bought her one. She might fight you at first, probably because she is afraid of slowing you down or running over somebody but she will get use to it. On average the standard guest walks 10-13miles when you go into the parks. You do not really realize how far you walk. Just order it, have it there, she will use it. If not then you use it and when she gets tired swap...

 

[4Joyces]

We leave for Disney World next week and my mom suffers from a legitimate disability that makes standing difficult. I also think the walking is going to be hard on her. Based on what I read here and posts on my previous thread, I believe that an ECV would be great for her. But she is still so resistant! In her mind it is a pride issue, which I don't think it should be, but I am sure this is a familiar stance from others.

I know if she tries to get a GAC and mentions she cannot stand for long periods of time Disney will tell her to get an ECV. What will happen if she refuses the ECV? Do they just say too bad, no GAC, or will they do something else? Maybe if she knows ahead of time they can;t help she will agree to the ECV.

My dad had polio and used a wheelchair and that "pride" thing has always bugged me. If you need help, use the help. Do you think you're better than the people who use wheelchairs/ECVs? Is it better to be miserable and in pain (and be a pain in the butt to those around you!) or to just use the assistance? My dad could walk with a brace on his leg, and before he started using his chair, going places with a lot of walking was such a hassle. We'd walk 10 minutes, rest for 5, all day. And he'd be in pain the whole time. Once he sat in the wheelchair, he could go all day, usually outlasting those of us that were walking! When he got older and his shoulders/back started to hurt from pushing the wheelchair around all day, he switched to an electric cart. He said he'd rather live his life than sit around wishing he could do more, if only he didn't hurt so bad.

 

[peemagg]

Maybe put it to her this way. I look at those things as tools, with these tools I can get out and do more with my family and friends that I could never do without them. If you put it to her in this type of way maybe she will relent and allow you to get one for her.

 

[bopper]

Another tactic to use is not to say how the ECV will help her, but how it will help you...

"Mom, I know you don't need one for every day, but we are hoping this trip will be special and one of the reasons it is special is because you are coming with us. We want you to have fun and not have to sit out because you are in pain. With the EVC you can keep up with the kids and you can see the look on their faces when they see all the new sights. We will (be ordering one for the whole trip/get one each day at the park.) I know you want to keep up with the kids as they run from ride to ride."

 

[pix13]

My dad told me today that my mom is considering using a scooter! It is a step in the right direction, right? I am taking it as a good sign. I am thinking maybe she just uses it for the longer distances, parks it somewhere in each land, and then walk around until we move onto another land. Thanks for the input friends!

On a related note, do you know which rides would she not be able to be in an ECV to wait in line? I want to build some of those into my plan early in the day maybe while she has more stamina and the lines are shorter. ETA: Nevermind! I finally found this info in the sticky.

 

[WaDiWo]

We leave for Disney World next week and my mom suffers from a legitimate disability that makes standing difficult. I also think the walking is going to be hard on her. Based on what I read here and posts on my previous thread, I believe that an ECV would be great for her. But she is still so resistant! In her mind it is a pride issue, which I don't think it should be, but I am sure this is a familiar stance from others.

i know how your mom feels. i had been resisting getting an ECV for months, because of pride, thinking, 'i can do it, i can walk around disney on crutches just fine.' 'an ecv is too much hassle, and it's annoying...' well our trip is days away, and these boards convinced me to reserve and ECV!

i'm still apprehensive about it, and i might be self-conscious about it...but i want myself and my family to enjoy the parks. what will slow us down more-- my injury or the ECV? my injury. what will be more of a hassle--my injury or the ECV? my injury.

i'll let you know how it goes.

 

[WaDiWo]

I'm here at WDW now and believe me I was the most resistant to getting an ECV. Well, I was convinced to get one, and I'm so glad I did. Today is Day 1 on an ECV for me here in the parks, and I have more energy than the rest of my family!

 

[pix13]

I'm here at WDW now and believe me I was the most resistant to getting an ECV. Well, I was convinced to get one, and I'm so glad I did. Today is Day 1 on an ECV for me here in the parks, and I have more energy than the rest of my family!

That is so great! Thanks so much for your input. Have a great time!

 

[GrammyJudy]

I went in 2005 with my DD and DGS(4) and they had to keep waiting for me and I even had to stay at hotel one day due to pain. When we went in 2007 I rented in the parks and that was much better but still had pain walking to the parks from the buses. In 2009, 2011 and 2012 I rented all week from Apple and had so much more fun and could keep going with the rest of the family. Tell it is for the family that she should use it

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to a great thread by Ray Sharpton, who really avoided using an ECV for a long time. After finally deciding to do it, he really had a great time nd decide to write his experience up to help other people.

In case you lose track of this thread, there is a link to Ray's thread in post 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.