Touring advice for lumbar spine issues

[bdink921]

We are getting closer to our August trip to WDW and it is so hard to be excited about the trip due to worrying about DH. He has chronic disc related lumber back pain for the past 2 years. Sometimes the pain is so disabling that I have to help him get out of bed, put shoes on, etc. It is becoming more and more apparent that a fusion is in his near future. We seriously considered cancelling the trip but DH insisted as we are traveling with other family members and he does not want to let them down. He has issues with prolonged standing or sitting. Some days are okay but others are just plain bad. Any tips/advice for getting the most out of our visit? Cool places to rest in the parks, rides to avoid, any advice is appreciated. I wish he would rent an ECV, but he refuses....big sigh....it has been a very rough couple of years. TIA

 

[micminnieapolis]

I have the same problem and had a problem on our last trip to WDW. I was able to use the resort wheelchair for the last couple of days but I really hated being pushed. For our trip at Christmas, I am planning on renting an ecv. I don't like the idea but just the walk from the bus to the park entrance could wear me out. I figure that if I use it for that, I'll be able to park it periodically or let somebody else in our family use it while in the park. I would rather do that than have to stay away from the parks. I don't like the idea of trying to maneuver through the holiday crowds and causing problems for others but I want to enjoy the holiday magic and not be pushed. I'm also getting some injections before then and I will have some heavy-duty meds. The ecv wins out over taking the meds or being pushed! Maybe somebody else in your group would share it with your husband????? Good luck!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We are getting closer to our August trip to WDW and it is so hard to be excited about the trip due to worrying about DH. He has chronic disc related lumber back pain for the past 2 years. Sometimes the pain is so disabling that I have to help him get out of bed, put shoes on, etc. It is becoming more and more apparent that a fusion is in his near future. We seriously considered cancelling the trip but DH insisted as we are traveling with other family members and he does not want to let them down. He has issues with prolonged standing or sitting. Some days are okay but others are just plain bad. Any tips/advice for getting the most out of our visit? Cool places to rest in the parks, rides to avoid, any advice is appreciated. I wish he would rent an ECV, but he refuses....big sigh....it has been a very rough couple of years. TIA

I also have issues like that-degenerative disc disease, lower back. Be very careful if you go on Kilimanjaro Safari-insist on one of the first couple of rows. The further back you sit (and even sitting is an issue sometimes, I know)-if you go over a bump, it's exponentially worse than sitting near the front. And I won't do Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

 

[bdink921]

Thanks for the replies . We knew going in that this would be much different than our previous trips. I will keep working on him regarding the ECV but he is pretty stubborn! We'll just have to take things day by day.

 

[lanejudy]

... He has issues with prolonged standing or sitting. ...
I wish he would rent an ECV, but he refuses....big sigh....it has been a very rough couple of years. TIA

I suppose since he refuses an ECV that he also wouldn't consider a wheelchair? He could push it when needing to walk or sit when the walking becomes too much, then push again when the sitting is too much. Or a rollator, which is essentially a walker with a seat? But it might be hard to convince to give it a try -- maybe since wheelchair rentals are relatively inexpensive you could convince him to "try it for an hour" or something. Since you are going with others, appeal to his desire to not impact their vacation.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!