Two trips to WDW upcoming. Several health issues involved. Help!

[crazyforgoofy]

I'll be at WDW in July with 4 diabetics, three adults with Type II and a 7 year old with Type 1 and fairly recently diagnosed. Any suggestions, helpful hints, etc? Also one of those mentioned above recently had knee replacement surgery and will need an ECV. I've heard the ones in the parks go quickly but he's renting a car and won't be staying on property so don't know how he'd manage with an outside rental. And to top it all off I have another trip planned in June 2003 with three young teen girls, one with PKU.

I know we need refrigs in rooms and can handle that. What else should I know/do?

I've been to WDW several times but not with dear ones who have these health issues.

Thanks for your help

 

[Talking Hands]

Actually unless you are using humaqlog you won't need to wory about refrigeration for the insulin. The rooms are cool enough.

ECVs do run out quickly so your friend needs to either plan arriving early or rent from an outside company.

 

[teri]

Rental Wheelchairs and Scooters

The Walker Mobility site has a page with pictures and instructions for disassembling a scooter to put into a car.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Thanks Talking Hands and teri. Your advice is appreciated. I'm determined to make this the BEST trip for my dear ones. This is their family's first 'real' vacation and with two kids who have had health issues this year and several hospitalizations they deserve it.

Not sure which insulins Hannah will be on then, she's been switched a lot. Just know her Momma wants a fridge, partly because of the hypoglycemia that hits at night. The answer is usually cold juice from a box with a straw even if she's too groggy to sit up.

I will again suggest that Jerry rent a ECV outside the parks, not luck yet. If the rental car they get is a van and they rent a scooter that can be put into the van it can be left there and the other fellas can meet them at the parking lot (we're staying on property but he and his wife are not) and help get it out of the van, I think.

 

[Talking Hands]

They will most likely charge for the frig. What I do is keep a couple of baby food juices at my beside. Cold isn't an issue when you are hypo. It has pulled me out several times in a pinch. One jar seems to be about right for me. But if it doesn't come up fast enough then I will drink another after I test.

 

[LindaDVC]

i am heading back to WDW this weekend!
Our group includes two healthy 80++ years olds, an ADHD teen, a quadraplegic with service dog, and me a diabetic with an isulin pump!

The most important diabetic tip is test your blood often. The extra walking lowers my blood and I need alot less insulin typically (or to eat more ) !!

We stay on site and last time I didn't carry any cash. Once when blood was in the 40's couldn't get any snack food from a vendor with my room key/ charge! Had to find hubbie with the cash! So always have a few dollars with you!

I'd also recommend getting a chair off site -- should be cheaper and avoids the hassle of hoping they don't run out especially if you want to park hop during the day.

Have a great trip!
Linda

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by LindaDVC

I'd also recommend getting a chair off site -- should be cheaper and avoids the hassle of hoping they don't run out especially if you want to park hop during the day.

Linda, very well said!! EPCOT ran out of ECVs at both entrances about a halof hour after opening on Mother's Day. Last December the Studios had no ECVs available about 2 p.m. Plus there is no guarantee of getting an ECV if you park hop. I plan to rent off site next time.

 

[SueM in MN]

You got a lot of good advice already, but here's the "where to get an ecv off-site":
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

If you have any concerns about your companions' diets, the full service restaurants are good about special needs. You can also contact the executive chef's office, someone posted the phone number once: (407) 824-5967.

 

[Eeyore1954]

I can only "ditto" two pieces of advice. As a diabetic myself, I made sure to test more frequently while at Disney. I discovered the extra walking, etc. took a toll on my blood sugar a lot faster than normal. I didn't have any problem with security checking my testing bag -- just explained I was diabetic and showed them my lancets.

As for ECVs, you definitely have to get to the parks early. We didn't have trouble at EPCOT, as they seemed to have a lot. However, MGM, MK, and AK seem to have very limited supplies of ECVs (MGM especially). We hit MK on a Saturday -- also late in the morning -- two big mistakes. All ECVs were gone, so my DW had to use a wheelchair.

Hope you have a WONDERFULLY MAGICAL vacation!

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Thanks everyone. I've passed the testing advice on to everyone (had my hubby read it himself as he's the worst about frequent testing!)and have printed out the ecv info to send to Jerry.

We will have a MAGICAL TIME, thanks in part to you.