Wheelchair Question

[Princess Aurora45]

I wasnt quite sure if I should post this question, mainly coz I dont want flamed so pretty please with a cherry on top dont flame me.

Well last yr after being really sick I developed chronic fatigue syndrome, I was eventually diganosied with CFS in jan by my neurologist. Most people dont understand what CFS really means, and just think im lazy or stay up too late. Well I dont stay up late, I can get 10hr sleep a night, or stay in bed for a few days and still feel totally drained of all energy. I get so tired that if Im up by 7 I need a nap by 12. It is truely a horrible thing to have, not just from being totally drained but also the pain (joint and muscle) that goes with it. I had it when I was last at WDW in september (but didnt know I had it as I was still getting over my illness), and I spent a lot of my time in bed, if I did manage a whole park in a day then the next I couldnt get out of bed.

Anyway it was suggested to me that I should use a wheelchair. Does one need a drs note to use one? If I did use one, I would NEVER use it to get to the front of a line. I would simple use to help get around the parks (esp Epcot) so that I could managed to do more things and enjoy my holiday more.

Does anyone suffer from CFS and have any tips (dont worry I have plenty of rest time planned into my holiday), is this use of a wheelchair exceptable? I really dont want to get accussed of being someone who just uses it to skip lines.

 

[LilyWDW]

I see no reason why anyone would flame you for using a wheelchair due to CFS. What you have been diagnosed with is a documented disability, though it is still one that is not well known to many people. I am very sorry to hear that you are someone who suffers from it...

From what I understand, you would not need a doctor's note to use a wheelchair. If you feel you would need one in order to get around and enjoy the trip, then do what you have to do. Yes, you may get some looks due to your young age and the fact that CFS is not a instantly visible problem. Ignore them best as you can, that is all the advice I can give you.

Hopefully someone with firsthand CFS knowledge in the parks can give you more information. Good luck and health to you, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Princess welcome to disABILTIES!

First of all you will not get flamed here, as just about all the posters have problems and we recognize that every person is different.

You might want to look at the "disABILTIES! FAQ". If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The third item down is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information.

In addition, please ask yourself 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 travelling 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!

Unless people who will be with you are used to pushing a wheelchair, I would suggest renting an ECV from an off-site supplier. Some of the resorts have very long corridors. Driving an ECV is very easy, all it takes is pushing on a lever with your thumb and steering as if it were a bicycle.

And you do not need anything from your doctor.

 

[BillSears]

Hey I use a wheelchair full time and I wouldn't give you any hassle about using one at WDW. I would suggest getting an ECV if you can. It would be alot easier on you and those pushing since you probably wouldn't have the stamina to push yourself around.

Also once you have the wheelchair/ECV you'll find out that it only effects a very few lines. For the rest of them you'll go through the regular or fastpass lines(you'll need a fastpass) just like everyone else.

Have a great trip. Oh and from the Dad of a 22 year old Daddy's Girl who saw your signature.

 

[zumbergc]

Ok, I'm not sure how far back the archives go here at the disboards. There was a thread on invisible illnesses, diseases a while back. Maybe 3 months, although it could be longer. Maybe do a search and you can find more suggestions.

I have muscle problems, doc suspect fibromyalgia(sp?). I have knots in most of my muscles, and can't be on my feet walking the whole day. What I can do at disney is rent a scooter (ecv) (I suggest offsite rental).
I can walk some, but not the whole day. I've been doing training to work on my muscles and strength. On my last trip I was able to scooter, and then walk when I was able. Note: walking at the end of the day after wishes, fantasmic, or epcot's show, isn't advisable for me. Lots of people pushing and shoving, so for me its danger. A wrong accidental shove would mean a lot more damage to me than regular folks. Walk when the crowd level is low. Maybe when your at the resort at night, walk then, or first thing in the morning? That is if your not exhausted. Ride in the scooter for 30 min, an hour, 2 hours, whatever you need to stay rested. Then park it. We park in the stroller parking areas (of course take out the key). Then do whats in that area. Sometimes i can make it longer than others times. If your moving around area, just have someone else in the party drive the scooter.

I can't go well down hills, knee issues. So if we are walking (motoring) back to the swan / dolphin from epcot, mgm. I walk up the hills, my hubby rides down the hills. I'm sure people think I'm a scammer, but when we first went to disney. Back then most of my problems were in the ankles. So, I would be in so much pain at the end of the first day. Icing them down at night. But the next morning they would be still hurting up a storm. I have to admit, when your in pain, you can have an unhappy edge to you. So, for me, being in less pain makes my disney experience much happier.

Plus, I'm sure you won't have a problem convincing another member of your party to take a load off their feet, so you can stretch your legs, and walk a bit. My hubby never complains when I need to walk a bit and his legs get a break to ride the scooter.

If you are able to walk. I would caution you not to sit for whole week straight. You don't want to loose any muscle mass, strength you have. So, if you are able, pain free, to walk some. Take the walking breaks to keep the leg strength up.

Have a good trip.
Connie

Connie

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's the thread you were thinking of.

Also, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread for more information (especially places to rent wheelchairs/ECVs).
Also, just agreeing with the others that in most cases, wheelchair/ECV users do not get to the front of any lines. There are a few attractions that are not accessible any other way, so getting moved up in line is not a 'per', it's the only way it is accessible.

 

[Princess Aurora45]

Thank you for all your comments, it made me feel a whole lot better about using a wheelchair or ECV. I know I will probably get a lot of funny looks, coz lets face it I dont look ill most of the time (hey just look at my photo in my sig), but Im British so stiff upper lip and all.

BillSears - thank you for your hugs, losing my daddy was very very hard.