Tips for someone with a new partial leg prosthesis?

[olive]

We have planned a summer Disney trip including my parents. My father is just learning to walk with a lower leg prosthesis. There is a good chance he will rely partly (or heavily, depending how things go and how he feels) on an ECV - he used one on our last trip after helpful advice from folks here - but is there any particular advice for how the trip may be different with his prosthesis? I am thinking about rides more than stamina, since he can rely on the ECV if he can't get around on just the prosthesis. What about swimming? I seem to recall a chair at least at BLT to lower folks into the pool, unless my mind is playing tricks on me. Do all resorts have these? We will be staying together at the Yacht Club this time, and have never been there before. My parent have already requested an accessible room. I'm sure there is plenty I'm not thinking of and appreciate any suggestions. It has been a long road and the trip is something positive for us to look forward to; I just want to make sure he is prepared. Thanks in advance!

 

[Mommee]

I am going to do my best to at least help until someone with experience comes along.

It does have a lift at the main pool according to touring plans:
"Yacht Club's Stormalong Bay Pool has a chair-lift device that can lower guests in wheelchairs into the shallow end of the pool. Check with any lifeguard for assistance on using the lift."

Is your dad working with a physical therapist? Perhaps when he's farther along the PT can work with him on maneuvering situations he would encounter-like getting in and out of a ride vehicle- and figuring out the best way for him to do that. They can line up some chairs and put up a little barrier to step over that would help simulate the situation.

 

[MrsMeow]

Well, my experience with amputees is a little different, since it's my son (and there is probably quite an age gap between him and your father, ha!), but I'll answer what I can.

The ECV will likely be relied on pretty heavily for stamina. My son had only had his feet (he's BBKA) since January when we went earlier this month. Even though he is really lucky and has a great fit with his prostheses, we had him ride in a stroller between all rides, instead of walking. That made it easier for him to stand in line - and there were still lines that were trouble spots for him. Disney is VERY amputee-friendly, and I can't think of any rides off the top of my head that would have major restrictions. Certainly by next summer, your dad will also know what he feels comfortable doing.

I can't answer any pool questions, because we stayed at Give Kids the World. Good luck!

 

[lanejudy]

I believe all resorts have some form of accessibility feature -- be that a chair lift or another option. I will see if I can find some posts about it.

There are no directly stated safety requirements at WDW parks regarding prostheses, meaning he is allowed to ride all rides. He will want to use his judgement on any given attraction, but other posters have reported no problems with rides.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[lanejudy]

Here's a post about the pools. Note this was in response to someone asking about monorail resorts, but all resorts have similar accessibility offered:

If you want to be at one of the Magic Kingdom resorts, the Contemporary is a popular choice because you can easily walk over to Magic Kingdom.

If are concerned about the monorail access from the Polynesian, you always have the option of walking to the Ticket and Transportation Center where you could pick up a ferry boat to Magic Kingdom.
That may not be the best option, since the ferry boat is used by guests parking in the MK parking lot. But at least it is another option if the monorail is not running as often as you need it to be.
You also have the option of taking the resort monorail or the Ticket and Transportation monorail, since you can walk from TTC back to your room (unlike the other resorts on the monorail route).

Besides the zero entry pool, all resort pools and hot tubs now have lifts like the one shown in this picture.

Many of the pools also have access steps like shown in this picture.

You park a wheelchair or scooter next to the top strap, transfer over and then bump down step by step into the water.
So you don't have to be staying at a resort with a zero entry pool in order for your husband to be able to get into the pool.

 

[olive]

I am just revisiting this thread after some changed circumstances, and our trip is MUCH closer now. After some more procedures my dad is now more recently a bilateral below knee amputee, so Mrs. Meow, your comments are especially helpful! It sounds like there aren't likely to be ride limitations and he is working with a PT. I think he will decide whether to ride something based on his comfort level. He hates any sort of extra attention so if he is worried that a prosthesis is going to drop off (maybe Soarin') or that he would need a ride slowed, he may skip that attraction. Of course the ECV brings a certain amount of attention, but he has used one before and many more people have them in Disney than at home so he should feel more comfortable if anything, I would think. Any special hot weather considerations that we might not think of? Or any special travel thoughts for the airport/plane?

Thank you all so much. This is overwhelming! But still something positive to look forward to.

 

[SueM in MN]

All resort pools and whirlpools have lifts - even the quite pools. The pools also have something called an 'access tier', that I call bump steps.
I'll post pictures in a few minutes.
Stormalong Bay, the feature pool for Yaght and Beach Club is sometimes mentioned as a 'zero entry' pool, meaning it has a gradual sloped area for entry. Only a small kids portion if that pool is actually zero entry, so the main pool is not really able to be entered that way and he will need to use the lift.

Posts 18 -20 on page 1 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread and posts 21 and 22 on page has information about attraction access.
Here's a link to page 1 - it's also pinned near the top of this board.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

Post 28 of that thread has information about actually getting into ride cars; the type of transfer and the relative difficulty.
The advice to work with his PT is very good advice. He may find transferring in one direction is easier than the other, which could make some attractions more difficult than others. Getting in is usually easier than getting out. When getting in, gravity is working for you. When getting out, you are usually working against gravity.
Have him take his time and watch for a while if he needs to so he can plan how best to proceed.

If he is concerned about his prosthetic coming off on Soarin' , some people remove it and leave it with the parked ECV or wheelchair.

Another suggestion I have seen is to bring extra stump socks. He may find he sweats a lot more. If he needs to remove, readjust or rearrange anything, First Aid in every park has private rooms with cots and chairs.

 

[olive]

This is very helpful additional information. Thanks so much, Sue!