Walking stick / seat? Mobility issues

[beauncoltsmum]

I have found various walking sticks that can be used as a seat as well.

I was wondering if they would be able to be used or not in the theme parks?

I know that they do not allow people to take in folding seats but I was unsure as to whether they would allow the walking stick seats as they are a mobility aid.

I have Fibromyalgia & Hypermobility Syndrome & although I can walk slowly & painfully I thought that one of these would help me to wait in line. I find it very difficult to stand in one place for more than a minute as when I try to move again my hip gives out.

I am still undecided as to whether or not I will need an ecv. A wheelchair is not an option as my 7yr old also has HMS & cannot walk that far without his legs giving out therefore we would need to get a large pushchair for him & our 4yr old.

I love disney & really enjoyed walking around there when we last went (007) Since the last trip I am much much worse. I get completely exhausted just from a trip to the supermarket & can hardly make it round the store.

The thought of being in an ECV just stresses me out loads! I just get the feeling that other people will be looking at me like why is she in that, theres nothing wrong with her! I know it may be a silly irrational thought but I am 33yrs old & look fine (well maybe not fine, a little rough around the edges & oh so tired)

Also I'm not exactly confident in my ecv driving skills & wouldnt want to be guilty of running over some poor kid!

So any advice would be greatfully received

Thanks
x

 

[jbird327]

I went with a friend in 2005 who used a walking stick. He was in the early stages of ALS, but was still able to walk around. As he got tired, he just used the seat, we had no issues with it.
It sounds like you would need an ECV if your stamina is limited. It would be a good idea as you could keep a decent pace as well as maintain your strength. Take advantage of what WDW has to offer you and don't be concerned about other's thoughts.
On my last trip in Jan 09, my mom needed to use a chair and refused to get an ECV for just the reasons you mentioned. It eventually caused stress within the family as it was tough pushing her around for a week and everyone was trying to avoid her. Had she gotten an ECV, it would have been much easier on everyone.
Also, you shouldn't need to wait standing in line. You can wait in the chair until the rest of your party makes it through. You can even take the ecv on some rides.

 

[beauncoltsmum]

Thanks for your reply.

It really seems like the ECV is the best way to go doesnt it!


I've just got to get over myself & think rationally dont I.

Goodness knows how I will ever manage getting it onto the buses!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask 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!

 

[KPeveler]

to the OP - I also have fibro-like problems and EDS... I would definitely get an ECV! I always use a wheelchair in disney.

the problem with the seat/canes is that you are constantly moving in most lines, not standing in one place...

I would definitely say get an ECV. EDS/HMS is not something to mess with. What happens if you get injured (sublux something) halfway into the park? The cane wont do you much good if you are broken!

Remember that there is a difference between surviving and enjoying it!

PM or IM me if you want to chat about EDS and disney

 

[beauncoltsmum]

Thanks guys!

Your comments are very valid & have made me think twice about my attitude.

I especially like the one about subluxing on the way into the park

Thats just what would happen to me I bet

Happen twice this evening alone

I think that the ecv is definitely the way to go but I might get hubbie to load it on and off the buses!!

 

[KPeveler]

Thanks guys!

Your comments are very valid & have made me think twice about my attitude.

I especially like the one about subluxing on the way into the park

Thats just what would happen to me I bet

Happen twice this evening alone

I think that the ecv is definitely the way to go but I might get hubbie to load it on and off the buses!!

If you need to get up and stretch (which i know you will need to do) I suggest walking in stores and restaurants, where you can go outside to sit down on your ECV at any time. ALWAYS take it in line when you can. you will have to leave it for HM and TTA, and occassionally you need to use a manual chair rather than an ECV (RnR and ToT come to mind), but usually you can keep the ECV. KEEP IT whenever possible. It is a 1/4 mile INTO and OUT OF Soarin!

You should look into getting a Stroller as Wheelchair tag for your son's stroller. Otherwise he will have to walk in every line. With hypermobility for him too, he will likely need a place to sit. With the stroller as wheelchair rag, he can stay in the stroller in line. You can leave the stroller outside shows and such if you want, then keep the stroller for the really long distances.

 

[KPeveler]

Oh! One more thing - make sure you can actually drive the scooter.

My fingers hyperexend badly, and sublux and dislocate easily. I cant drive most scooters because they are thumb driven, and my thumbs go backways by more than 90 degrees. So, make sure you can actually safely and comfortably drive the scooter, so you do not find out once you get there that you are stuck!

Rent a scooter off-site (OKW is huge and you will need it to get around the resort), and they are much easier to drive (better turning radius)... You should be fine!

 

[beauncoltsmum]

Thanks so much your advice is much appreciated.

Your are a star!!

 

[cm8]

hi ! I am not sure what a walking stick is so please forgive me. Is that like a cane? I only ask because when we visited WDW, I used my rollator and had no problems what so ever, I was even loaded up on bus like I was w/c that was the last night we went to disney, I was hypoxic and had trouble breathing, so I needed to leave asap!! I actually had a lot of people asking me where I got it, and that they loved how easy it looked to manage. I also felt better since it allowed me to still walk around and use the seat when waiting in lines when I got tired!! hope that helps

 

[mgilmer]

hi ! I am not sure what a walking stick is so please forgive me. Is that like a cane? I only ask because when we visited WDW, I used my rollator and had no problems what so ever, I was even loaded up on bus like I was w/c that was the last night we went to disney, I was hypoxic and had trouble breathing, so I needed to leave asap!! I actually had a lot of people asking me where I got it, and that they loved how easy it looked to manage. I also felt better since it allowed me to still walk around and use the seat when waiting in lines when I got tired!! hope that helps

http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Seat-Min-Black-Folding-Walking/dp/B000PUGEE6

 

[cm8]

http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Seat-Min-Black-Folding-Walking/dp/B000PUGEE6

Thank's!!!!! I had no IDEA!!! LOL, that looks pretty handy!!

 

[tinkerfan1]

I certainly understand your concerns. I have mobility issues as well. I was DETERMINED on our last trip that I would simply use a cane. I even asked posters what they recommended. Well, let's just say that I listened but did not really take all the advice. I took my cane and a wheelchair but I was scared to death of an ECV. I have a hard enough time driving a car!! LOL!! Some people who know me personally would not laugh at that. We were there nine days. I have a wonderful family. My DH and DSs spent most of those days pushing me in a park rented wheelchair due to my stubbornness. We had a fabulous time but I just couldn't do it. My mind and my legs don't always agree with each other. So, if you can learn how to use and ECV and that is an option, go for it!! And, I agree with others, who cares what anybody else thinks! I certainly don't look like I'm disabled, either, until you see me try to walk after I've been doing it in Disney World for a little bit. My doctors, health insurance, and medical bills beg to differ. You are going to have a wonderful time. The CMs are so accomodating. Even with just my cane, they were always very thoughtful. Enjoy!

 

[chaoslobster]

Hi! I agree with the crowd -- as somebody with an "invisible" disability, too. I'm 28 years old, and was diagnosed with severe RA as a pre-teen. I had double hip replacements by the time I was 20, and a new shoulder a few years later.

I take a trip to Disney World once a year, every year. I've been going since 2003. I'm almost always traveling alone, so I'm pretty used to managing by myself. In the past I've always rented ECVs at Disney, though this year I'll be bringing my own (I've had a personal ECV of my own for a few years, but I never knew I could fly with it until some kind people on the DIS showed me the light!) And I'll tell you what I've said to others again and again here -- if you're worried that people will shoot you the Glare of Death for using an ECV when you don't appear physically at death's door, there's a very easy solution. Bring along a wrappable soft cloth bandage (an Ace) and wrap it around one of your knees, even if the knee isn't really the source of your difficulty walking or standing. Presto! You have an instant visible and obvious reason as to why you're on the ECV.

Personally, I happen to think that it's nobody's business why I need my scooter, and I've been ignoring the Glare of Death for so many years I'm pretty immune to it. And as Cheshire always says, do you really care what any of these idiots think? Are you ever going to see any of them again? Heck no! I do however understand that it's not always easy to keep your head up and repeat to yourself that you don't care if anybody is death-glaring you. It can be an extra stress that you certainly don't need during what should be a happy and fun vacation. So I offer the Ace bandage solution. It's not a "cheat" or a "fraud" in the slightest -- you have a perfectly acceptable reason to be using that ECV. You know it, your family knows it. All the bandage around your knee does is let the rest of the world know it, which in turn allows you to enjoy your time at Disney without the constant stressful worrying that people are staring at you thinking "she looks healthy!"

Incidentally... I notice you mentioned standing aside and making your husband load the ECV into the buses. It's not necessary. Assuming you mean the Disney transportation buses, there's no need to disassemble the ECV and load it piece by piece. All the buses are accessible to scooters and wheelchairs; they've either equipped with lifts, or they can "kneel" and fold out a ramp to allow you to drive the ECV right onto the bus. You still sit in a regular seat on the bus; it's just that you aren't required to get off the ECV while still down on the sidewalk, wrestle off the seat and remove the battery and fold down the tiller and load it beneath the bus, board the bus yourself, then repeat the whole scenario in reverse after you arrive at your destination. What a major hassle that would be! All you need to do is let the driver know that you wish to board, then drive the ECV right up the ramp\lift and into the interior of the bus. Then you take your ignition key out and sit in a seat, and the driver will secure the ECV with straps, which takes all of 30 seconds; they're used to doing it. No dismantling or loading necessary!

Jenni
(formerly chaospearl)