wheelchair in summer crowds?

[MeLaNie9]

Hi - DS13 broke his foot last week at his big Cooperstown baseball tournament and we leave for WDW in 9 days! He has a pneumatic boot but has to be non weight bearing until after we return (is on crutches). We are planning to rent a wheelchair so that we have it at the resort (staying at Poly Studio on DVC points - thank goodness these rooms have the walk in shower with bench) but this will be a new experience for us (can't wait for the sweaty mess I'll be pushing him around in WDW in Aug).
My questions are:
1) The doctor said to keep his foot elevated as much as possible so we are considering the elevated foot rest for the wheelchair, but are worried that could lead to more people bumping into him with it sticking out like that, esp in large crowds. Any thoughts on the elevated rest vs. the regular?
2) We don't have FP for any shows so if we try to do Fantasmic or ROL, will be in the regular line - will we be able to find wheelchair spots for him? Will CMs help us? Are there just the wheelchair spots or can we sit with him? There is no way he can crutch all the way to the seating for these!
3) He will have to use the crutches for transferring - will CMs move the crutches and wheelchair if rides let off at a different spot than they start from (like SM or 7DMT)?
4) Any other tips or info that might help us out?
Thanks so much!

 

[gap2368]

1. If you can find one that you have more up and down keep it up when in lines and down when not in lines, and then in lines give a little more room between him and the guest in front of you. If you can not find one that you can change the it from up and down I would do down as I would be worried about people bumping into him ( others might have a different option )

2 there are a few spots or he can just move to a close set ( like one or two rows up or downing sit on the end)

3 yes the CM will move his crutches when on a ride where he cannot take them

4 you can use first Aid if he needs to rest or have his foot up.

Disney is one of the best places to be with a Disability even if it is just a one trip thing.


Have fun do not try to do as much as you would have if he got hurt it is ok to take a break, and go slower some times theses are the best kinds of trip.

 

[Staren]

At least until next year my wheelchair experience in WDW is a bit out of date, but if anything it looks like the crowd situation has gotten worse since then. Like @gap2368 said, if you can find a rental wheelchair that has an easily movable foot rest, I'd go with that. If not, I'd get one that does not have the elevated foot rest. People running into wheelchairs at Disney is pretty much a given unfortunately. I'd hate to see your sons foot get bumped around when it can be avoided. I'd probably elevate it when eating or resting, but use a regular wheelchair unless his doctor has said that the foot needs to be elevated more often then not for a while.

 

[cobright]

Hi - DS13 broke his foot last week at his big Cooperstown baseball tournament and we leave for WDW in 9 days! [...]
3) He will have to use the crutches for transferring - will CMs move the crutches and wheelchair if rides let off at a different spot than they start from (like SM or 7DMT)?
4) Any other tips or info that might help us out?
Thanks so much!

3- CMs will have the wheelchair or crutches waiting when he gets off.
4- Somethings to consider:

• Go with forearm crutches instead of the traditional armpit crutches (axillary crutches). Downside is that they take a little more skill to use and the trip is in less than a week. But ... they would just be used for transferring so getting good enough to get buy with them is definitely doable. Benefits abound. They are far less cumbersome to carry around. Far more agile and less apt to be kicked out or tripped over in the crowds. In the long run, more comfortable.
• Get advice from his doctor (of course) about how much he can push himself, being sure to explain that this will be at a Disney World vacation. I ask for soft and hard limits, meaning the points defining that gray area where continued activity stops being a good idea and begins to represent real risk.
• Your kiddo's pain management plan is up to the Dr. of course, but considering this will be a vacation and he might be more active than in otherwise circumstance, the Dr. may agree that having a little stronger pharmaceutical to use when needed may be a good idea. Whatever the direction in this regard, do not tolerate your son to play the stoic. Says no no no all day but pays for it that night and all the next day.
• Spend more time eating or catching the shows.

Mostly, do what you must to enjoy the trip.

 

[mamabunny]

I would certainly make sure that you do all you can to follow any medical advice given, and above all, I would defer to the doctors suggestion that he keep the leg elevated - there's a reason that he has suggested that.

Yes, it will be tougher to keep people from bumping into it, but if you have at least one - preferably two - family members who can walk alongside the chair just in front of his foot, you could help "protect" it that way.

For you, a couple of tips:

- First of all, be sure to keep both yourself and your son hydrated. You will be surprised at how much water you will need, pushing a chair in the summertime. Pack some clean, 100% cotton bandanas in a ziplock bag, and bring them to the parks - you can use them to mop up sweat, dip them in ice water to cool off, tie your hair up... there's a ton of uses for them!
- Take along an inexpensive pair of bike or golf gloves - that way if you start to develop blisters from the handles (the black plastic handles are the worst, but even the foam covered handles can cause problems for some people) you will have protection for your hands.
- Remember that First Aid has a station in every Park. You can get ice packs, Tylenol and a place for your son to prop up his leg for a while if needed.
- Take along a colorful length of ribbon, or bandana to tie on the wheelchair - it will help it stand out in a sea of identical rentals.
- Consider renting a gel cushion for the seat of the wheelchair just for his comfort. Also take along a towel from the Resort to cover the seat while the chair is parked, so the black vinyl seat doesn't get so hot that he gets burned just sitting back down.
- Last but not least, if you have others in your party, be sure to take turns pushing your son, and give your arms/hands/shoulders a break.

Good luck!

 

[cobright]

• I just had a thought about keeping people from bumping into that extended leg. Tie a balloon to his foot. Well, to the footrest on the chair anyway. Set the string just long enough that it won't obstruct his vision, so the balloon is floating about the head-height of a walking adult. Think about it. Nobody wants to stand near one of those balloons when they are at eye-level. I like this idea enough to suggest mounting the balloon to a rigid flag whip, something you can bring in case the winds make a balloon on a string unwieldy.
• Very supple fingerless leather gloves like you get at a hardware store or Harbor Freight will make pushing the cart more manageable without being too warm.
• If you think a power chair is more appropriate, I can give you the name of a used ECV dealer just outside Celebration, Fl. I know a guy that will sell you a used ECV then buy it back when you're done with it. So far, this is the only option I have found for getting an ECV or power chair for a minor. The net cost ends up being a little more than an off-site manual chair rental but actually less than an off-site ECV rental. Less service though, like you have to go get it and then take it back. With two Uber rides and an hour or so hassle each, picking up/buying it - returning it/selling it, it's not a plan I would recommend except for cases where a minor needs a power-chair/ecv. But, my guy gives me old machines to part out sometimes so I figure I would throw the idea out for you.
• Using a suspension sling for that leg instead of a legrest might have some advantages. It's like a hammock for the leg, fixed to a boom that attaches to the wheelchair armrest. They are much cooler than a padded rest. Also, the way the boom is usually attached, unmounting the boom is simpler and faster than fidgeting with the leg rest to lower it.

Hope some of that helps.