Wheelchair Rental - Inappropriate or Not ?

[Poohs Wishing Star]

Hi!

I cannot begin to thank you or express my appreciation for this particular topic or the efforts that all of you contribute to making our Disney trips easier or more enjoyable.

I have a question. I have a condition in my back and hips that causes the muscles to tear and/or spasm and "freeze" at the slightest provocation. Once this happens, I cannot walk without a great deal of pain, and sometimes, I just cannot put one foot in front of the other. There are times that I can walk for hours without needing to sit down and other times that I just need something to lean against for support.

My last trip to Walt Disney World, I rented a child's stroller at the park to provide this support (and also to hold my camera equipment and cane). This works pretty well for leaning on; however, it does nothing for the need to sit down immediately.

So, to my question - Is it considered inappropriate, bad etiquette, or offensive to those who are less mobile, to rent a wheelchair to push when I am able to walk and to sit down in when I need to? I do not want to appear that I want special treatment by just pushing a wheelchair around if I am not sitting in it. I just do not want to have to return to my hotel room earlier than necessary because of pain or a body that does not want to co-operate.

I had considered renting a rolling walker that has a seat and a basket; however, the Downtown Disney hotels (where I am staying) do not have wheelchair accessible buses. I would have to pre-arrange for a van ride. This seems to be more trouble and take more time than it might be worth.

Thank you for any help or answers that you provide.

 

[mhopset]

Welcome to the DIS!!!!!!!!

THis is my thinking on a situation like this.

Anything I mean anything that is going to make your vacation more enjoyable to where you will be in "0" pain I am all for.

If it means renting a wheelchair or scooter I say go for it!

I know my scooter has been a God send, and I am so independent in it. Although at times I do get tired of setting (my big butt goes numb) So once in a while I will get up and have to walk around a little bit.

Your vacation will be much more enjoyable for you and your family if you are not in pain.

T.

 

[travelitis]

This is yet another example of a hidden disability and illustrates how none of us can tell if someone is truly abusing the use of wheelchairs or any mobility device. You have a need for that chair. Don't risk walking to the point you're in pain. Get a scooter or chair and enjoy your trip. If you really want to walk part of the time, do so. If you don't want to deal with people giving you looks for pushing a chair, though, you're better off riding. I could probably walk a couple of hours my first day at Disney, but I can't do a whole day of it. I can't walk a couple of hours there day after day, either. You do what you need to do to stay as comfortable as possible.

 

[tammyh-oregon]

This is something I do all the time. The only difference is that I have my own wheelchair for those times. I have problems when standing not walking so I have to use the wheelchair for when I need to sit or I wouldn't last more than 2 hours in the parks.

You have to do what is best for you and not worry about what other people may or may not think.

I had a hard time at first worrying about what other people would think when they saw me hop out of the wheelchair and walk but then I realized that by using the wheelchair I felt better and was able to tour the parks all day and keep up with everybody rather than go back to the hotel (boring!). I have since learned to not worry about what others think and do what is best for me as that is what counts.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip and enjoy.

 

[SueM in MN]

First of all, welcome to disABILITIES.
The other writers already gave you some very good advice. I've got 4 things to add:
1) No matter what, there are some people who will judge you. I have overheard people say that my DD is "faking it" because they see her sitting on a bench, with her legs crossed and she's swinging her foot. Her wheelchair is parked next to her. If they want to judge her, I can't do anything about it, but I know things they don't know. I know that she didn't get on that bench herself and she didn't even cross her leg herself because she can't do those things without someone helping her. If some people want to make judgements about my DD without knowing anything about our situation, i can't do anything except feel sorry for them because they are shallow and judgemental (and I can say that without knowing anything else about them excpet for how they treat us. The only person who knows what your needs are is you.
2) There is very little special treatment at WDW for people using wheelchairs or ecvs. Ten years ago, it was differnt, but anyone who thinks someone would rent a wheelchair for special treatment hasn't traveled with anyone using a wheelchair. Sometimes, you even end up waiting longer. Like for a special car, or at Little Mermaid, when we got there for our fastpass time, there were already enough wheelchair parties to fill all the wheelchair spots, so we had to wait for the next show. Most guests would not be real happy to find they had to wait one show longer than their fastpass said, we just were happy that there is a spot for DD's wheelchair at all.
3) From what you described of your problem, you might want to look into getting a wheeled walker or a foldable wheelchair for your self. if would be a lot less expensive for your insurance to pay for an assistive device to keep you from falling than to pay for the results of you falling and hurting your self.
4) Most walkers are collapsible to a size that could be brought on the bus (not bigger than a folded stroller). If your resort provides a shuttle bus, I think that per the ADA, they would also need to provide transportation for a wheelchair.

 

[Mazzy]

Hi

I thought I would just post to say that my Mum using a walker with a seat, and it folds up as small as a stroller, so I don't see that that would be any problem on a bus at all.

You would probably find that a walker would be much lighter and easier to push than a wheelchair, the one my Mum uses has the same type of wheels as a stroller so is very easy to push. As I'm from the UK I don't know about walker in the US, but I wouldn't be surprised if you could hire one for your stay and have it delivered to your hotel ready and waiting.

Hope this helps.

 

[cupcake]

I didn't have anything to add to the excellent prior posts, just wanted to voice my support for you doing whatever will make your trip more fun and comfortable. Sure I felt a little odd when I would occassionally park my scooter and walk around a shop or whatever just so get the circulation going & stretch, but it was just a momentary thing and it passed. I know that w/o the scooter, I have at most two hours per day with rests, and that's just not good for WDW whatever people who see me may think, plus I would really regret it the next day. If a few people are going to think something stupid, so be it. I think much of the problem is the misperception that wcs get special treatment. The bellman at the Swan who got me my scooter even said "you're so lucky, you get to go to the front of the lines." Yeah, lucky, that's exactly right.

Oh, I forgot to mention, on the last day of our trip, I had a lot of swelling with some burst blood vessels in one foot (very attractive!) and couldn't wear my sandal. I.e., a visible problem. It is a SAD statement that a much higher percentage of people were helpful by holding open doors, etc.

All this is to say, you need to do what you need to do. Don't let real or perceived negativity from other people affect your vacation!!!

Cupcake

 

[travelitis]

Two years ago I was so sick and tired of people giving me dirty looks for riding in an ECV that I wrapped an ankle with an elasticized bandage. People were nicer to me, because they thought I had a visable reason for the ECV. This year, after having participated in these boards, I think they can kiss my grits!