Wheelchair problems on vacation?

[Camster0307]

I travel to WDW every year with my 2 DD - one who is in a manual wheelchair. She has a severe scoliosis so her seating system is custom made to fit her. My worst nightmare would be if something happened to her wheelchair either during our flight or while we were down there.

Has anyone ever had to deal with this problem? What did you do. We wouldn't be able to go ANYWHERE without her wheelchair!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There are a lot of both full service durable equipment companies as well as quite a few mobility equipment companies. They will all do repairs if needed. Also, if there is an unusualy circumstance they will probably be able to do something very quickly.

 

[Caltitan]

We just returned from a week-long DW trip with DD age 6 who has a custom manual wheel chair to accomodate her full-body CP. The chair is actually only a few weeks old as she outgrew her previous one, so we were a little nervous about having something happen to it on the trip (took 5 months for all the parts to arrive and it be put together). We had little trouble gate-checking her chair with the airline. The only issue was we checked the gate check tag and they had written the incorrect flight # on it, so be sure to check that the flight # and destination are correct on it. They had actually wrote the previous flight # of the plane when it arrived at the terminal so the cargo crew may have thought that it should not be loaded onto the plane but sent instead to baggage claim.

Sounds like you have traveled with her a few times so perhaps you also know about telling the flight attendant at the plane door that you are gate checking a child's wheelchair and need it brought up when you deboard. Also be sure there are no straps hanging down off the chair as we left her lap belt dangling and there must have been water on the floor of the cargo area of the plane that got it soaked with water. I also carry a few tools for chair adjustments in case something becomes misaligned during a trip (check the TSA web site on what is allowed to be carried on the plane). Some people take a photo of their chair along with them in case it does become lost. Somewehere on the DIS boards there is a list of medical equipment rental companies in the Orlando area. I had printed it out and taken it on our trip but have already threw it away.

All-in-all, we had no real issues with someone mishandling or misplacing her chair either in route to DW or at the theme parks. Hope this helps.

 

[Camster0307]

Thanks for the info. I usually take off all her seat belts and put them in my carry-on, so have had no problems there. Is there anyone who could direct me to the link with the wheelchair companies in Orlando?
Much appreciated!

 

[Caltitan]

It is post #2 in the Disabilities FAQ sticky. Sorry, my post count is too low to include a link.

 

[Camster0307]

It is post #2 in the Disabilities FAQ sticky. Sorry, my post count is too low to include a link.

Duh - if it had teeth, it would have bit me! Sorry for not looking there first and much thanks for taking the time to point me in the right direction!

 

[Vijoge]

My ECV broke down while we were there and Randy's Mobility came to our room and fixed it. They were great!

 

[Camster0307]

My ECV broke down while we were there and Randy's Mobility came to our room and fixed it. They were great!

Thanks for your input. I'll keep them in mind (hopefully I won't NEED them!)

 

[madenon]

It's got to be one of the worst nightmares of everybody using a wc. I know it is one of mine! I have a tendency to travel alone, which means I'll be in even more of a jam if something does happen. I've flown 4 continents with a wc, very happily. My trip to WDW was, well..... a bit different to what I'm used to. On the way in (worst thing, if anything ever does have to happen, I'ld rather have it happen on the way back than in) my powerchair got damaged.

It was damaged in such a way a major ajustment to the chair was ruined and using it would mean running the risk of injuring myself to the point of permanent paralyse. So I didn't use it, allthough it is that same part that reduces my pain by a lot. Needless to say; my WDW-trip was influenced by this. Extra downside; this specific part isn't available on wc's in the US, so no way of getting it fixed then and there. I would just have to manage, period. Luckily the chair could still drive around fine, I would 'just' be in a lot more pain.

If ever anything should happen to a wc -which hopefully nobody of us will ever (again) run into!-, WDW is one of the best places to be when it hits you. As soon as the CM's at CBR found out about this, they started to work their charm. The airline was a pain and refused to take any responsibility those first days (didn't get anything assured untill the day of me leaving again) and the CM's couldn't bear seeing me left to pick up the pieces.

They tried everything. They offered me one of their ECV's, free of charge, during the trip. greatfully declined explaining that even with the thing broken, this chair offers me things I need an ECV can't offer. Then they offered me to call around, never mind who or where, to get me a rental powerchair. Again I declined, it was a great idea but again those darned other stuff I need on a chair that isn't available on a rental. They then called around for me to find out where I could get a rental batterycharger -yep; also ruined during the trip-. They went and picked it up for me, brought it to the room, called me twice afterwards check if it was the right one, they picked up the bill for it! and they really kept trying all week. Both the CM's and manager kept asking if I was fine and if there was anything they could do. You could really notice the whole thing touched a nerve with them and they acted from the kindness of their harts. Turned out some of them took the story home for days, the poor things.

Because of them, my trip was saved. Without them, eventually I would have found that batterycharger but would have had a hell of a time getting it. (turned out the companies didn't want to rent only the charger without the chair, but gave in to disney) They even helped me out trying to sort things out with the airline. The airline gave me the run around, and 'you'll need to come to the airport to file a complaint madam, we need to see for ourselves'. Nice, if you're at WDW with no transportation and solo. No prob, the CM's called DME, worked their charm and got it OKed that I could ride DME back and forth to the airport to get things sorted out. Yes, the whole thing put a downer on the trip. But on the same time, all that magic and people truly feeling for me on a human level and not just 'we want to provide service as a company'. It truly was a great trip and I enjoyed myself big time.

Flying back? Hmm, let me put it this way; at DTW I found out they managed to break some parts of my manual chair that are very very hard to break (and I know, I keep trying ). By then I also found out what the probable cause is; the way they load the planes, which leaves wc's at the mercy of faith. You don't even want to know how nerve-racking the last flight DTW-AMS was.

And you know what? I'll never fly that airline again because of the way they totally not helped me and the way they load their planes. I'm more nervous about something happening again, which'll have to get less over time. But as you can see from my signature, it hasn't stopped me from flying. I'll just have to fly another airline and keep reminding myself that with a 'standard way of flying' it is very unlickely I'll ever run into such a bad trip ever ever again. The FA's on my next flight will be poor things, they'll be hearing me both when boarding and when landing about the chair safety, as will the GA's and anyone I'll run into in between. But you know what? Most do care and that will make all of the difference. For instance; I've been mailing some airlines with some questions for my upcoming trip. One of those is wanting information on how they load the chair and it's rather specific. Not a every day question, nor a easy one. I didn't really expect an answer other than "it differs from flight to flight, but rest ashure yadieya.....". OK, it took one airline 5 days, but I got an e-mail back saying "sorry for not going into much details, but you can call your local dutch rep at this number" and then going on to list ALL types of planes they flight and the different configurations they are loaded in. Ofcourse, none of this is a garantee, but I really appreciate them trying and understanding. It took that person 5 days to get that info pulled up, but she did it.


Prepare yourself to know the basics in case something should happen. Know how to contact your own dealer, they'll know or put something in place to get you sorted out where ever you are if something does happen. If anything happens caused by the airline, you can run into them wanting to use the company they've got a contract with. For instance, NWA works with Florida Mobility. Prepare within the realistic lines and then try and relax. If something does happen, there's nothing you could have done to prevent it (let's be honest; you'll protect the chair in every way you know and can). You did everything you can, and than that's it. You'll have to deal with it than and there, but in absolutely most of the times nothing will happen. Prepare and let it be. Enjoy the trip and the enthousiastic faces of those 2 girls that can't wait to be at WDW. If something does happen, it's early enough to worry.


And ofcourse; allways bring some duct-tape, elastic bands and an extra set of tires or a fixingset. That'll take care of the most likely problems you could run into.

 

[shermomof5]

We just returned from a 17 day trip. We took my 12 year old son's Custom Power Chair. We had no problems gate checking it. We flew Frontier from Calgary Canada - Denver - Orlando. Frontier's staff was amazing as far as transfers etc. There was an older man - full quad with medical equipment attached that they took extreme care and patience to transfer.
However, when we arrived in Denver, our chair had been flipped over on its side and broken the arm with the electric controls. Customer Service was there to help us immediately. They took us to their Service Centre, gave us tools(I have a handy hubby) and helped us to repair it. They called ahead to a WC vendor in Orlando(I do not have the name) to make sure that in the event the repairs would not work, that we would have a rental chair if required and do any final repairs. They offered to pay everything and were extrememly helpful. We removed the controller arm for the rest of our flights.

 

[kimsuenew]

We just returned from a 17 day trip. We took my 12 year old son's Custom Power Chair. We had no problems gate checking it. We flew Frontier from Calgary Canada - Denver - Orlando. Frontier's staff was amazing as far as transfers etc. There was an older man - full quad with medical equipment attached that they took extreme care and patience to transfer.
However, when we arrived in Denver, our chair had been flipped over on its side and broken the arm with the electric controls. Customer Service was there to help us immediately. They took us to their Service Centre, gave us tools(I have a handy hubby) and helped us to repair it. They called ahead to a WC vendor in Orlando(I do not have the name) to make sure that in the event the repairs would not work, that we would have a rental chair if required and do any final repairs. They offered to pay everything and were extrememly helpful. We removed the controller arm for the rest of our flights.

I am so sorry that happend to your sons w/c. I am glad that they were quick to assist and that your husband was able to repair. All customer service should be ran like this!

 

[Camster0307]

I always used to carry an allen wrench(spelling?) because that what fit every nut and bolt on my daughter's chair - but I didn't think you could take those on the plane anymore. do they make exceptions for wheelchairs?

madenon - thanks for telling your story. I've heard that the CMs go above and beyond when it comes to needing help with a wheelchair. It's nice to hear from someone who's actually experienced it.

 

[madenon]

Camster, you can bring any tool that is needed for the chair. You should have seen what I brought (my powerchair uses a very long tool to get the seatlift down again if it mallfunctions). You can take it in either the checked or carry on luggage. I never leave anything to do with my health and/or chair in the checked luggage, myself.

If you check the TSA-website, you'll see they specifically tell you tools for aids like wheelchairs are ok. There even OK overhere when we go through screening and it's more rigid overhere than in the US. (scardypants in our gouvernment are too afraid of 'upsetting' the US, so try to be that annoying little kid you remember from school that went way above and beyond trying to please the teacher) I've been in different countries that have very strict rules, some even before 9/11. Never have I ever run into any problems for bringing my tools (now travelling with 2 chairs that use different tools, I take about 9 different tools), allthough some other passengers might look like 'who is she planning on hitting?'.

And let's be honest; they don't make a big deal about taking a batterycharger in your carry-on. Those can be very heavy, heavy enough to crush a scull if you had bad intentions. Or what to think about some wheelchair-parts? Compared to those some tools are 'harmless'.


The CM's really are great. Purely logical thinking I know it's a very smart business strategy to take care of these things. It'll cost them some times and sometimes some money, but it's nothing compared to the good mouth-to-mouth advertising it'll get them. But on an emotional level; they've got me suckered right in there! I know there were 3 cm's out there that cared more than just 'corperate'. You bet you that when I get back in december 2008, I'll have a look out to see if they still are around. There not just 'any other CM' to this softy anymore.

 

[tinkandpan]

If you are using a manual chair with the ability to fold- please ask the flight attendants if they can fold it and store it in one of the closets for you. They usually can make that accomodation and you risk less damage than putting it down below (unless of course they attempt to SHOVE it in)

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are using a manual chair with the ability to fold- please ask the flight attendants if they can fold it and store it in one of the closets for you. They usually can make that accomodation and you risk less damage than putting it down below (unless of course they attempt to SHOVE it in)

In our experience, many of the planes do not have a closet. Newer ones are supposed to have a closet that one wheelchair can fit into, but older planes are not required to have any. Many of the older planes don't have a closet at all, or if they do, it is a closet for hanging jackets in and most wheelchairs won't fit. Since only one wheelchair will fit in the closet of the planes that do have one, request it as soon as possible so that someone else doesn't beat you to it.
Also in our experience, the flight attendants will not usually help with folding or stowing a wheelchair. They are often 'protective' of 'their' closet and want to save it for their first class passengers. The gate agent is usually most helpful; knows the law that allows you to use the closet for a wheelchair and will usually be supportive of you.

Here's a link to a recent thread with some information about travel with a wheelchair. The original article that was talked about has some problems, but information people posted was good.

For the OP, we've been traveling for many years with our DD's wheelchair and have the same concerns. She doesn't have a custom molded seat, but does have a Jay seat and back with gel in both. If they were to get punctured during the trip, we would have an unusable wheelchair because without the gel, her skin won't be protected. Also, because of her size, she would need a wheelchair that can't be rented - her seat is 14 inches wide by 18 inches deep. If anything happens to her wheelchair, we could not rent another one to put her seat on. So, we are in the same boat as you.

If you can remove the seating system and carry it on the plane with you, that would be the safest. It does have to fit in either a closet (if there is one) or in the overhead bins. If you remove it and there are fastening parts left on the wheelchair that you are worried about, you could cover them with bubble wrap and duct tape. Just make sure you take enough for both ways and that you will be able to get it off when you get to your destination.

Another suggestion would be to contact the company that made the seat for you to ask if they have any advice for travel. Many of the molded seats I have seen are pretty indistructable, but some have added pieces like abduction bolsters added on. Those parts might be more of an issue. Again, wrapping the whole thing in bubble wrap might do the trick.

In case you need repairs, I'd suggest taking along the number for one of the full service companies listed in the FAQs thread. The ones that just rent ECVs may be helpful in ECV repair, but your wheelchair is a bit more 'exotic' than they would deal with.
As was already mentioned, you can bring tools with you to do repairs yourself. I would suggest carrying the tools on with you - we had a set stolen out of our checked luggage once. You do have the right to carry tools on with you. I don't have time right now to find where it says that, but it is on the www.tsa.gov site. I suggest finding that and printing out a copy to bring with you in case the tsa people give you any problems.
If you don't have tools and could do the repairs yourself it you had some, maintenance or a place that rents out bikes at your resort can help you out.

 

[swimlib]

my sister is in a wheelchair and my family has gone down to disney several times. If there is problem with getting the wheelchair or it is broken, my favorite thing my parents did was to say they would remain on the plane until she could be safely transported in her wheelchair. The airlines treat the chair better then. One trick is to take and accesories off the chair before flying, i.e. take footrests,headrests, laterals, anything that could come off the chair onto the plane with you. We always bring a backpack and put all the wheelchair stuff in it right before we get on the plane. This will help limit the amount of things that can break.

Once at Disney, CMs will do everything they can to assist you with a chair. When we were there about 10 years ago, they brought in another Cm to fix a broken brake (which had broken on the flight). They have also fixed my father's cane (same trip, this time tripped over by a CM and snapped). Overall Disney will do everything they can to help if something has happened to the chair.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is how my DD's manual wheelchair looks when we leave it at the gate.
Everything else is removed and I carry it on the plane. I bring a laundry bag to drop everything in as I remove it. That way, nothing is going to be left sitting on the gateway because I thought I grabbed it.