Temporary disability - no clue what's available

[punkin]

My DH has a temporary issue with his knee (ripped quad tendon and surgery). He thought he would be able to do Disney when we booked our trip, but he is finding he has trouble walking even short distances, let alone Disney. I am not even sure what is available for him when we go. Can someone help me out?

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Step one is getting him some wheels. You could rent him a wheelchair, but that would require some BIG work from either him (wheeling himself) and/or you (pushing him). Just think about how much distance you normally walk at the parks than about combining that with the chair and not being used to that type of exercise. Yeiks. So, an option that'll be a lot more comfortable for both; renting him an ECV.

Look at it one step at a time. Can he walk the distances from the busstop and/or parking to the park? Can he get around the resort walking? No? Rent ofsite, definately! If the answer is yes, you could rent in the parks but they are more expensive and the availability could run out.

He might want to practice somewhat, which can be done at your local Walmart etc. by trying out one of the ecv's they've got. No one ECV is totally the same, but the basics are. Biggest things to 'get used to'; turning radius, fact that the ECV will not stop as soon as he let's go of the throttle but will keep rolling for a few more seconds, being on the look out for people around you dashing in front.

With this, he should be fine. Disney policy for stamina problems is to advice guest (rightfully so) to rent a mobility aid. With such an aid, you are all set. Your need is obvious to the CM's, so no need to get other stuff in order like for instance a GAC. On the parkmaps they now include accessibility info. Most rides have mainsteam waitlines, meaning he can enter them like he would as if he were walking. Rides that aren't using a mainstream waitline will be indicated on the map, including info on how to enter the ride. If anything is unclear; just ask the CM working the ride and they'll help you out.

You might also want to read the sticky's on this part of the board. Sue has put a treasure of info in there, any kind of info you might be looking for. Ride accessibility, pics of that, room info, pics of that, transportation info incl. pics, it goes on and on.

 

[punkin]

Thank you. He can walk so doesn't need one at the resort, but the amount of walking needed at Disney will be too painful. He also has trouble with stairs. I guess ECV is the best choice for the parks. We are only planning a couple of days so it won't be so bad, but I am a little concerned because we have not done this before.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Thank you. He can walk so doesn't need one at the resort, but the amount of walking needed at Disney will be too painful. He also has trouble with stairs. I guess ECV is the best choice for the parks. We are only planning a couple of days so it won't be so bad, but I am a little concerned because we have not done this before.

I can imagine you being concerned as it is new. That's normal. But really, with a mobility aid there isn't really anything to 'sweat'. WDW is great about these things. It'll be different, for sure! But it wont be even near as bad as him having to stay back at the resort or being killed by the pain.

Best thing you could do, you are doing now; doing research. With all of the info in the sticky's you are all set to go.

With the ECV, the stairs will no longer be an issue at the parks. Lines that do have stairs in them, will have an alternate entrance of will divert you while in line so he doesn't have to do the stairs. For the resorts; you might want them to add a note on the reservation that you'll need ground floor due to medical needs for those resorts that do not have an elevator in every building. While this still is a request, they are very good in taking care of it.

How about the shower? Is he fine with the tub/shower combo most of the resorts offer? If not, you can ask mousekeeping for a showerbench. Basically a bench you put over the tub so he can sit down, not having to step over the tub side.

 

[punkin]

We are staying off-site so I am only concerned about the parks. He has come a long way from his surgery and can do most normal activities (dress, shower) now. Thank you for you suggestions.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

You're welcome and have fun!

 

[SueM in MN]

Nothing to add -
since you mentioned you are staying on site

- if you plan to rent an ECV from an off-site, check on the availability of accessible transportation
- if you are not renting an ECV from off-site, check anyway on how often the transportation shuttles run; sometimes they are limited numbers or only a few a day
- if you plan to drive and are renting an ECV from off-site, make sure to explain to the ECV rental company that you need one that comes apart for transport
- if you plan to rent an ECV in the parks, they can sometimes run out by 10:30 or so; not a problem if you plan to arrive at the time the park opens

 

[punkin]

Nothing to add -
since you mentioned you are staying on site

- if you plan to rent an ECV from an off-site, check on the availability of accessible transportation
- if you are not renting an ECV from off-site, check anyway on how often the transportation shuttles run; sometimes they are limited numbers or only a few a day
- if you plan to drive and are renting an ECV from off-site, make sure to explain to the ECV rental company that you need one that comes apart for transport
- if you plan to rent an ECV in the parks, they can sometimes run out by 10:30 or so; not a problem if you plan to arrive at the time the park opens

What happens if we hop? Do more become available in the afternoon as people leave or will he be stuck walking in a second park?

 

[KPeveler]

What happens if we hop? Do more become available in the afternoon as people leave or will he be stuck walking in a second park?

There is no guarantee that one will be available - he may well be stuck walking or waiting in another park. I bring my own powerchair, so I have no first hand experience, but during busy times, I would not count on getting an ECV in the second park.

Also so you know, a park ECV is a lot bigger, heavier, harder to maneuver, and more expensive than an off-site rental.

 

[punkin]

OK, I'll look into renting. He is really embarrassed to be doing this, but he really needs to either do it or stay at the resort the entire vacation (maybe he'd like that )

 

[KPeveler]

Don't worry about embarrassment...

He won't be getting any "special treatment." You will wait in almost every normal line. There are a few lines he cannot take the ECV in, where he can either walk or transfer to a manual wheelchair. But most of the time, you will be doing just what everyone else is.

In shows, he can often park the ECV and sit in a regular seat, so he won't have to worry about taking up a wheelchair spot for someone who cannot travel. Ask the CMs at each ride entrance where you are supposed to go. There is always someone there to be helpful!

I have walked in Disney all the time, and then I got sick, went to braces and a cane, and then to a manual chair, and then to a powerchair. And I enjoyed disney on every trip!

The first aid center in each park also has ice available, so he can ice it down in the parks. If you put a backpack under his leg on the ECV, then he can also elevate his leg.

hope this trip goes well!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask him 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!

 

[punkin]

The first aid center in each park also has ice available, so he can ice it down in the parks. If you put a backpack under his leg on the ECV, then he can also elevate his leg.

That is very good to know. He's lying in bed right now icing his knee because he walked four city blocks to and from a restaurant today. Ice really helps him (as do mega doses of motrin).

Please ask him 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!

I'll show him this.

 

[Disnut49117]

Does your husband have a temporary handicap parking permit? If not and you are going to be driving, get one. All areas of WDW have HC parking that is closer to what you want to do and at the parks they normally have curtisey wheelchairs that you can push into the park where you can rent an ECV. I take my mother (to old to walk all day) to the park all the time and push her in a wheelchair (senior stroller), you will have no problem.

 

[KPeveler]

Does your husband have a temporary handicap parking permit? If not and you are going to be driving, get one. All areas of WDW have HC parking that is closer to what you want to do and at the parks they normally have curtisey wheelchairs that you can push into the park where you can rent an ECV. I take my mother (to old to walk all day) to the park all the time and push her in a wheelchair (senior stroller), you will have no problem.

"Senior Stroller"

It really is ok just to call it a wheelchair. Lots of us here use a wheelchair and we are neither seniors nor is it our "stroller."

 

[SueM in MN]

"Senior Stroller"

It really is ok just to call it a wheelchair. Lots of us here use a wheelchair and we are neither seniors nor is it our "stroller."

I agree. My DD is only 24 and has used a wheelchair her whole life. Her wheelchair is her legs to her.

My FIL died in 2006, but the last 3 years of his life he agreed to use an ECV (only in the parks). He should have used one for the last 10 years if his life because of his bad hips and knees. After the first time he used one, he said it was the first night in 10 years when he was not in extreme pain during an evening after going to a park. One of the reasons he did not want to use one was that he felt they were for 'old people' so using the words "senior stroller" is not going to be a good way to convince anyone to use either a wheelchair or an ECV.

Also, even though the handicapped parking areas have 'shuttle wheelchairs' to use from handicapped parking to the park. ECV/wheelchair rental area, there is no guarantee they will actually have any available when you arrive.

If you don't have a wheelchair or ECV with you, WDW recommends you use the regular lot and the tram system that services those lots if you are able to step up onto the tram.

There is more information about this in the disABILITIES FAQs thread in the post about parking.

 

[punkin]

DH's physical therapist told him to "man up" and walk at Disney. I told him, he needed to talk to his surgeon if he was going to be that stupid. If he's exhausted after a few city blocks, how is he going to make a day of Disney commando.

Never mind, I am just venting.

 

[KPeveler]

DH's physical therapist told him to "man up" and walk at Disney. I told him, he needed to talk to his surgeon if he was going to be that stupid. If he's exhausted after a few city blocks, how is he going to make a day of Disney commando.

Never mind, I am just venting.

Physical therapists have a very different view of reality than the rest of us. Mine told me not to use my wheelchair, but to walk as much as I can (which then was about 3 minutes at a time) until I fell over. So I was apparently supposed to walk across campus until I fell down, at which point i was supposed to lay on hte ground til I could get up again.

btw, I have a spinal defect which means if I fall and hit my head, it could SEVER MY SPINAL CORD!!!

This makes no sense!! So I am supposed to "push through" until I injure myself constantly??? Obviously I did not go back to her!

I say get the darned ECV, a couple days is not going to put him behind on his rehab or anything.

My mother, my father, and I were all told to "man up" by different physical therapists, and ALL of us now have PERMANENT damage!

You and your DH do what you need to!

 

[punkin]

Physical therapists have a very different view of reality than the rest of us. Mine told me not to use my wheelchair, but to walk as much as I can (which then was about 3 minutes at a time) until I fell over. So I was apparently supposed to walk across campus until I fell down, at which point i was supposed to lay on hte ground til I could get up again.

btw, I have a spinal defect which means if I fall and hit my head, it could SEVER MY SPINAL CORD!!!

Wow! Just Wow!

 

[KPeveler]

Wow! Just Wow!

I am not saying that your DH's PT is bad or wrong. But you know your body best, as your DH knows his. Only he can tell the difference between "sore and tired" and "pain or damage"

You walk between 4 and 9 miles a day at disney, and "man up" will only get you through so much!

He can drive to a ride or section of a park, and then walk through stores and restaurants. He can park outside shows and use a regular seat in a show. He wont be "taking anything" from people who cannot transfer from their chair, and he will not be in pain in hte happiest place on earth!