Wheelchair advice and diabetic "cooler"

[Momtomouselover]

My mom is recovering from a torn meniscus in both knees and although she can walk I'm concerned of the long distances with a Disney vacation. She wants to just try and "make it" but I wonder if she would be better off if we go ahead and rent a wheelchair for her. An ECV is out of thequestionbecause driving itwouldmake her to nervous. Is there a type of wheelchair that is best for pushing and for the parks? Can you still take boats, monorail? Can they fold to get on a bus? Alternatively we might just rent in the parks but what are the odds they will run out (going second-third week of June)? Any advice?

Oh, also she is diabetic and we need to carry a cooler of some sort for her insulin pen. Anyone have advice on something that is small and will work or can you store it somewhere cold kinda like a locker? Although I guess having it with us is best.

Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Is there a type of wheelchair that is best for pushing and for the parks?
. . . anything with oversize wheels

Can you still take boats, monorail?
. . . yes
. . . except the small launches require chairs to be folded to be loaded

Can they fold to get on a bus?
. . . yes

Alternatively we might just rent in the parks but what are the odds they will run out (going second-third week of June)? Any advice?
. . . works fine

Oh, also she is diabetic and we need to carry a cooler of some sort for her insulin pen. Anyone have advice on something that is small and will work or can you store it somewhere cold kinda like a locker?
. . . look for a "Frio" holder
. . . they are cloth that, when wet, keeps pens nicely cool
. . . come in both single-pen and dual-pen size

 

[katybugsmom]

It's been awhile, but when I was pregnant and had to use insulin to control my diabetes I had a smile case that came with an ice pack that kept my insulin cold all day! I could carry it in my bag or wear it like a fanny pack!

 

[katybugsmom]

http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/

 

[Momtomouselover]

The Frio cooler looks awesome! Thank you. I am going to talk withmy mom about it and size.

Has anyone ever had the wheelchairs at the parks be sold out? Are they easy to push? There are two if us that can take turns and we are both pretty fit.

 

[SueM in MN]

The Frio cooler looks awesome! Thank you. I am going to talk withmy mom about it and size.

Has anyone ever had the wheelchairs at the parks be sold out? Are they easy to push? There are two if us that can take turns and we are both pretty fit.

ECVs are often sold out, but wheelchairs are not usually an issue.

If you want to check into renting from one of the off-site places, you can find information on post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Follow the link in my signature or look near the top of this board.

The wheelchairs are not that difficult to push, especially if you have several people to push. You will become aware of hills you never noticed before

 

[bopper]

You could also have her try an ECV at a Walmart/Target/Costco and get her comfortable with the idea.
She might find out "hey, this isn't too bad" or "ohmygosh she should not be let loose"

 

[mackay_j]

The frios are great- We take them everywhere- my dd is just about to go off a surfing trip to the south of france and will be camping thus no power so has 2 frios - large for everything in tent and a small to take emergency stuff to the beach.

We always take them in case where we go has a power cut. We have even used it in the artic to stop the insulin from freezing.

Now to the wheelchair part- when are you going?- if it is in summer it will be hard work for the pusher in the heat. - I know my dd was ill and collapsed on our first visit and disney gave us a wheelchair to take her to the car. For speed my dh carried our youngest so I had to push and it wasn't fun - she was only 7. It was that issue (and memory of pushing her, in the heat, years ago)- that made in give in and hire the ECV - I was so scared to use it especially given that we were there at a peak time - and now - I have just bought my own one last week for our next and future trips. Go try one at a mall or supermarket- they are surprising easy to use.

 

[ttintagel]

Adding my voice to the chorus of Frio lovers.


Two things to consider about the wheelchair:

Renting in the park means you won't have it if there's a long walk to the bus stop/parking lot/resort, etc.

There are a lot more hills, ramps, and uneven surfaces in the parks than I realized; I'm not particularly heavy, but after one day using a manual wheelchair my whole group was exhausted and we called the rental company to exchange for an ECV. So, even if you do go with the manual, keep the other option in mind.

 

[amykathleen2005]

Love the Frio case! We just got back from our trip and used one of the small cases (it hold two pens). It stays cool for days.

Also it is much cheaper to rent ECV or wheelchairs offsite. There is alot of walking which is already exhausting. Pushing a wheelchair will be challenging.

 

[Momtomouselover]

Thanks guys! I'll talk with her about the ECV but I'm fairly certain she won't go for it. Regardless I don't think she can or will want to do long days in the heat. Hopefully we can work something out to at least cut down on the walking.