Thanks and a couple more wheelchair ?

[Coloradomom]

First thanks to everyone's input on accessability options for our upcoming trip(I suffered a bad ankle injury in January).
We've decided to do a wheelchair (DH does not mind pushing and we've been to DW enough to know how much walking we will do). We've decided to rent offsite as we suspect one of the times that will be hardest on me is walking from the buses to the park and vice versa. So, questions:

1. I am able to walk so we will use the chair to get to different areas, park it and then do the attractions on foot. If I rent offsite, what happens if someone would steal (or inadvertently take) my chair? Am I liable for the cost?

2. We want to be able to just fold the chair up and take it on the buses as I can walk. Could this be a problem? I cannot see why as some of those double strollers I see folded on buses are even larger.

I appreciate any input.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to bring a lock with you that has a long hasp. Just attach the lock to the outside of the wheel or even lock the wheel to the body. This will not prevent a CM from relocating the chair, just as strollers are relocated, but it will make it very difficult for someone to use it. Just do not lock it to anything that is fixed.

You can take a folded wc on a bus; however it may be a problem in keeping it secure when the bus is moving.

 

[Earstou]

When I used a wheelchair in 2003, I took a bike lock and used it part of the first day, until I got tired of locking it! After that I just left it unlocked.
My DH would fold the wheelchair and carry it on the buses. He was a lot safer than the man with the huge unfolded stroller who hit me walking past me on the bus!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Do be aware that wheelchairs are a fair bit heavier than strollers. We've held a folded wheelchair on the bus numerous times and you do need to keep a good tight grip on it, just in case the bus stops suddenly. Also, I ought to warn you that some bus drivers will want to strap the chair down for safety reasons. You are not required to sit in it though, when it's strapped down. I've not had this happen to me yet, but have heard others who've had this happen.

Though it is perfectly fine to carry the chair onto the bus, I'd recommend you reconsider. Chairs can be fairly heavy and bulky and I would worry about your husband's back. All it would take is one wrong twist and he could be out of action for the whole trip. There is nothing wrong with using the lift and then transferring to a seat; I do this when I'm at the World.

Anyway, have a great trip!

 

[mmcguire]

We just got back from a trip to WDW with my Mom. She purchased an inexpensive "transfer" travel wheelchair online for about $150. It was extremely lightweight, comfortable, and folded very easily. I don't know about rental chairs, but the one we had was very simple to fold and carry. She stayed in the chair on the monorails, but on the bus, she found it easier to walk onto the bus and we'd just fold the chair and carry it on.

 

[Coloradomom]

Thanks everyone for your good advice. DH is acutely aware of how heavy wheelchairs are as I was in one for most of the winter and spring, and he was the one needing to lift it into the back of our Freestyle.

We are now thinking seriously of just buying a lightweight one as mmcguire mentioned. We had not thought about that, but we foresee me needing it for future trips, maybe not as much but we'll be heading back in March as well. So we will be looking into that....and a lock, too. (great idea!)

Thanks for helping us make this last trip for DD before she heads to college as magical as it can be!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If you do look into buying, you might want to try EBay and other internet sites. It's not always somewhere that people consider straight away for mobility aids, but I know a couple of people who've got some really good deals buying second-hand online.

Good luck!

 

[kimbac3]

I got mine at 1-800-Wheelchair. It was about $100 and it's nice. It's comfortable and fairly light weight. My Dh pushes me too. Ya gotta love a DH who does that!!

Kimba

 

[Coloradomom]

Thanks for all the great ideas. We will be purchasing a travel chair, and have found a couple that seem to work for us via Amazon. Hopefully someday I will not need it, and if that happens, we will happily donate it to a nursing home or care facility.

And I agree, kimbac3, we are so luck to husband who will "push us around!"

I very much appreciate everyone's help.