What do you do with your cane while on a ride?

[metime]

I may or may not need my cane.

I can't use and ECV because I am the only adult going with one child so it won't really work for my situation.

What do I do with my cane on a ride like Rock-n-Roller coaster?

 

[copperbrick]

Hi! I do not have the answer, however if you talk to someone from the National Federation of the Blind, they will probably be able to help you.

My son-in-law is an NFB member (I am, too -- just joined, however I am not blind and still learning about so many things . . . don't have many answers at this point). Anyway, he does Disney without a hitch and loves every moment!

Please write to me personally through DIS if you need more assistance.

You're going to have a blast! Oh my gosh, Rock-n-Roller Coaster is the best. Just wait until you experience take-off. Whooo-hoooo!

NFB: http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Default.asp

Best wishes!

Copper

 

[Dissy]

Folding canes work well. Folded it up and either stuck it behind one of us or on the floor of the ride. We didn't do any roller coasters so I can't comment on that.

Note: my mom's cane was stolen from our table at the bakery in Norway so keep an eye on it. We bought a replacement (wooden, non-folding) cane for her in China for $5.00. That was a nice surpise.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I'd suggest a folding or telescopic cane, such as the hiking ones, as they are fairly quick to collapse and put back up again. In most rides, there is enough space to put a folded cane on the floor, and it should be safe there. However, for rides like Rock'n'Rollercoaster that are fairly rough (and in this case, go upside-down) you might want to leave it behind with a CM. Some of these rides will have net bags under the seats that may be large enough to store a folding cane in.

It might be good for you to read up on the Guest Assistance Card (GAC) in the FAQ thread. In your case, this card could allow you to board at exits, like wheelchair users do, after having gone through the line. This way you will be able to have to moving walkways slowed if necessary. Also, you will usually come back to the place where you loaded, so could as a CM to put your stick out of the way somewhere, for you to return to after the ride.

May I strongly recommend, as someone with joint and mobility issues myself, that you use the cane throughout your trip, right from the beginning. When I was still on my feet, rather than in my wheelchair, I thought I could do without my cane one day, and ended up in so much pain I had to rent a wheelchair for the rest of the trip. If your child is able to walk alongside you without wandering off, it might be worth considering an ECV, at least for those days when you'll have a lot of walking, like at AK and EPCOT World Showcase. Obviously, it is completely up to you, but it might just make it easier for you to relax and have fun, rather than having to deal with pain when you're on holiday.

Hope this helps, and have a great trip!

 

[videogal1]

Folding canes work well. Folded it up and either stuck it behind one of us or on the floor of the ride. We didn't do any roller coasters so I can't comment on that.

Note: my mom's cane was stolen from our table at the bakery in Norway so keep an eye on it. We bought a replacement (wooden, non-folding) cane for her in China for $5.00. That was a nice surpise.

My suggestion, as well, with the caution that because these folded canes have a surprising ability to spring into their full length at inopportune moments, if you decide to take this route, take a rubber band with you to hold it in its folded position. There's enough thrill on some of these rides without adding an unguided missle to the mix.

This happened to me as I was negotiating the narrow aisle on a crowded plane...nearly decapitated another passenger.

 

[videogal1]

I may or may not need my cane.

I can't use and ECV because I am the only adult going with one child so it won't really work for my situation.

What do I do with my cane on a ride like Rock-n-Roller coaster?

I have seen 2-seater scooters and power chairs available on line...You might contact one of the mobility device rental companies to see if they have such a device in their rental fleet. It would probably be too long or wide for shuttle buses but the monorail might handle it...

 

[Janice B]

The last time I went to Disney and used my cane, It all depended on the ride as well as the cast member. Some times I had to take my cane with me on the ride and hold onto it and other times the cast member would take it from and it was waiting for me at the end of the ride.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have seen 2-seater scooters and power chairs available on line...You might contact one of the mobility device rental companies to see if they have such a device in their rental fleet. It would probably be too long or wide for shuttle buses but the monorail might handle it...

To the best of my knowledge, all ECVs available for rent in the Orlando area are intended for single-person use only. In fact, one condition of the contract to which you agree during the rental process is that you will not have any passengers on the ECV with you. Power wheelchairs are difficult to operate (the joystick is extremely sensitive) and afaik none of the companies will rent one to someone who doesn't already use one/have experience in their daily llives; plus, these are set to the user's specifications, and they also allow only one person.

 

[metime]

The scooters won't work for me at all. It is not an option I can use for more than an hour, if that.

I am actually in more pain sitting all day than I am standing or walking. My spine is fused in the best position for standing or walking, and it is fused all the way into my hips.

I get burnt out quicker while sitting because my top half is always "standing at attention". I have to have something like a desk or table to support my upper body weight using my elbows in order to sit for long periods.

I am still better off walking with a cane than using anything I have to sit in. Rides are fine because I am in and out in a minute or two. Granted getting in and out of some of the rides will be much trickier than the walking part, but most of the rides won't be too bad.

 

[Storm632]

This happened to me as I was negotiating the narrow aisle on a crowded plane...nearly decapitated another passenger.

I really had to laugh at this...I can just see it happening with my cane!

A foldable cane was the best thing for me. A lot of the foldable canes come with a velcro holder. I used the holder on my...gasp...fanny pack! It could sit on top of the pack during a ride. I did put it in the front pocket of Rock-n-Roller coaster, and it stayed put through every one of my rides. There are a few websites that offer many types of foldable cane. Mine has a palm grip which offers more hand support than a standard cane and is a little more comfortable.

I also second the thought of using a cane from the beginning. I was going to wait until I got tired, but decided to use it from the first minute in the park. I really think that I was able to do much more all day because of the extra support.

 

[metime]

I only use a cane if I happen to pull a muscle in my lower back or rear end which I seem to do at the most akward moments. It isn't a given that I'll even need the cane.

Using the cane from the start would do nothing to prevent the onset of pain.

I need to try to avoid doing back hand springs when I get out of bed that first day.... you never know it is WDW.

I may be that excited.

Avoiding too many stairs will save my knees. I am better off using the more stable railing than a cane when I do encounter stairs. I plan on avoiding stairs but I will wear my knee supports anyway because it is better.

I have been a number of times to WDW just not with my new back. I am pretty aware of what I can tolerate, I just never bothered to notice about canes and GAC because I didn't need them the last trip.

A forum like this is a life saver.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have seen 2-seater scooters and power chairs available on line...You might contact one of the mobility device rental companies to see if they have such a device in their rental fleet. It would probably be too long or wide for shuttle buses but the monorail might handle it...

I have seen those - they seem to be mostly used by people moving around in their neighborhoods.
They are not meant to go in public places like stores, theme parks.
They would not meet the definition of 'common wheelchair' that is in the ADA Guidelines (that is not wide than 32 inches and not longer than 48 inches). Those Guidelines are in to list the amount of space that needs to be provided for a wheelchair/ECV. Anything bigger than that does not need to be accommodated and could be refused entry.

To the best of my knowledge, all ECVs available for rent in the Orlando area are intended for single-person use only. In fact, one condition of the contract to which you agree during the rental process is that you will not have any passengers on the ECV with you. Power wheelchairs are difficult to operate (the joystick is extremely sensitive) and afaik none of the companies will rent one to someone who doesn't already use one/have experience in their daily llives; plus, these are set to the user's specifications, and they also allow only one person.

You are correct that none of the companies rent double ECVs or power wheelchairs.

 

[ckdsnynt]

The only ride where a CM took my cane and would not let me take it with me was the Tower of Terror, claiming it was a safety issue even though it would lay on the floor with my feet on it. They promised it would be waiting for me at the end of the ride. It wasn't and they could not find it! About a half hour later, they finally came up with it. In the mean time, several other people got off the ride holding their long, pointed, umbrellas. So, never again will I give up my cane. I will either take the cane or elect not to ride. You simply can't depend on the CM to keep up with your personal belongings. They have other things to do and too many people to watch over specific belongings.

 

[Dissy]

We never gave up the cane either.
Folded it up before a CM could ever see it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

On the other hand, I've never had a (big) problem getting my cane/crutch back. Once in a while there won't be a CM nearby, in which case I'll just ask another Guest for help . At - oh, boy, I'm drawing a complete blank! - the attraction next to Splash Mountain, I've leaned a crutch up against a support post right next to the car I board... and it's been there two rides later!

 

[Chuck S]

On the other hand, I've never had a (big) problem getting my cane/crutch back. Once in a while there won't be a CM nearby, in which case I'll just ask another Guest for help . At - oh, boy, I'm drawing a complete blank! - the attraction next to Splash Mountain, I've leaned a crutch up against a support post right next to the car I board... and it's been there two rides later!

You're likely thinking of Big Thunder. They've added a gated holding area for incmig W/C guests on one of the platforms, so they may now also have a specific storage are for canes.

Mom uses a standard W/C and a folding cane, but she has in thpast used a standard cane. Most rides were were able to take it onboard and stow it under our feet. For Mission Space, or a coaster, they have us leave a standard cane with the wheelchair, the folding cane goes into its pouch and into the ride cargo net.

We've had a couple of different brands of folding canes. The one she prefers is the Hugo we found on Amazon, because it has a wrist strap on the handle.

 

[mgilmer]

The only ride where a CM took my cane and would not let me take it with me was the Tower of Terror, claiming it was a safety issue even though it would lay on the floor with my feet on it. They promised it would be waiting for me at the end of the ride. It wasn't and they could not find it! About a half hour later, they finally came up with it. In the mean time, several other people got off the ride holding their long, pointed, umbrellas. So, never again will I give up my cane. I will either take the cane or elect not to ride. You simply can't depend on the CM to keep up with your personal belongings. They have other things to do and too many people to watch over specific belongings.

The last time we went (last summer), I took my cane onto TofT with me and nary a cast member said anything. I just buckled it inside my safety belt to keep it from becoming a flying hazard.

 

[videogal1]

To the best of my knowledge, all ECVs available for rent in the Orlando area are intended for single-person use only. In fact, one condition of the contract to which you agree during the rental process is that you will not have any passengers on the ECV with you. This applies to SINGLE-RIDER scooters, yes indeedy. The contract states that you will not have a passenger on a single-rider ECV, which is NOT what I posted about. As there have been many people requesting a solution to the need for a double rider mobility device and, as such devices do, in fact, exist on the market, it does not seem unreasonable that a demand for rental supplies of such mobility devices could grow to serve this need, regardless of what you, personally may currently believe to the best of your personal knowledge..

Power wheelchairs are difficult to operate (the joystick is extremely sensitive) and afaik none of the companies will rent one to someone who doesn't already use one/have experience in their daily llives; plus, these are set to the user's specifications, and they also allow only one person.

Double rider power chairs obviously accommodate more than one person, which is what I am talking about in my post. Whether or not a rental company may wish to handle these joystick-operated devices is certainly up to them but the fact that these devices exist in a 2-person form certainly opens up the possibility that those of us who do use a joystick-operated power chair, like myself, and who could really use a double chair in an upcoming trip, as I could, could actually find it to be the perfect solution to a problem regardless of how we may obtain them. They do rent double strollers for double kids now, don't they?

 

[catm]

I've been using a cane at Disney World for the last 4 years. some rides you can take it right on and others the cast member will hold it at the exit for you. They simply take it as you are boarding and the cast member who is monitoring the unloading will have it waiting for you. No need for a folding one. I use a regular cane. I have also bought a couple of real nice ones at Animal Kingdom. Hand carved.