Worried about renting an ECV

[Amy5000]

I've really enjoyed this self-affirming ECV thread. When I told my mom she needed to rent a ECV for our vacation (both to Disney and the Shore) she was relieved that she didn't have to be the one to seek it out. She was able to enjoy her vacation so much more because of it. Yes, I have very judgmental people in my family who think my overweight mom needs to walk more and lose weight. You know what... exercise and losing weight would be good for her but these are vacations I'm planning, not her weight management and exercise program. To me, if we denied my mom the ECV we would be denying her a vacation. She would only be able to participate to a limited extent. Is she any less deserving of a vacation than the rest of us? Certainly not.

Now...on to my Dad who will be 85 on our next trip to Disney. I've asked him to rent an ECV. He hemmed and hawed and acted insulted. "You must think I'm too old! You think I'm out of shape!" Truthfully, my Dad is in great shape for 85 but Disney is a ridiculous amount of walking. I looked at him and told him that and then I suggested the real reason he didn't want to use a ECV was that he would be embarrassed. He smiled and nodded and admitted it. I'm not sure what we'll do, but I'll worry about it at the time. Just remember that judgmental people are not perfect. In fact, I think less of them if they can't muster some compassion.

Good luck on your trip. I hope you can remember that there are many great people in Disney world who would hope that you really enjoy your trip and not worry about the others.

Amy

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First of all, pick a place about a mile from where your father lives and ask him how difficult it would be to walk there. After a short pause, add "and back". The after he answers, say "four times in a row".

Then he will give you a look as only a parent can do to a child which implies "Are you out of your mind". Explain to him than most people tend to walk 8-12 miles per day at WDW. Once around the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon Promenade, is about 1½ miles. And that is without actually entering any of the pavilion areas.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I really do think that our parents want to be independent and a ECV implies that they are not. The truth is that walking of miles on concrete is hard.

My mom has for the first time agreed to come to Disney because she had to admit that she really can't walk far. It really is a blessing to have her come to Disney and she knows she will scoot around and be able to enjoy the parks.

I think we need to get her an air horn, she is a terrible driver in her truck and we worry about her accidentally hitting someone.

 

[goingroundthebend]

please ~Do not worry and sadly people will think when in manual chair your lazy to .

Let them think what they want chances are you never see any of them again failing that borrow my dd she is pretty good at dishing out cutting remarks when anyone stares at her brother

As for being pushed around im n ot looking forward to mix of ds self propelling and me pushing him around if i could rent a power chair or ecv trust me i would

 

[peemagg]

I just returned yesterday from a week at Disney and never once heard a remark or got a look of she is faking. If I did get some, I didn't even notice once.

I am also overweight, and just don't care what anyone else thinks. If they want to take my crutches and the bad feet, then they can pass judgement on me. If they don't want to take all the extras, then keep their opinions to themselves, because I don't care what they think.

 

[cove61]

My favorite: I tell them that "Nothing has been the same since the alien abduction!"

lol i love it think i might use that one.

I have MS and although at home i cope ok with my stick i decided that with the heat and distances involved i am goign to hire a scooter, yes i worry that peopel think i am a fraud but in the end of the day i want tot enjoy my holiday with my kids, if i had to walk i would end up in my hotel room by the afternoon and i would need so many days off to recover. so scooter it is. end of day people are rude no matter what you do scooter or no scooter so just enjoy your holiday

 

[I Love Pluto]

Don't let the stares or opinions of others dictate what YOU need. Only YOU know what you need. No one else has the authority to judge you.

I needed an ECV 2 years ago. I did not use one. I was going to show everyone that I could use my walker instead.

After a few days, I burst out crying right in the middle of MK. Then I did the same at Epcot. Why? I was in such pain that I couldn't stand it any longer.

Don't torture yourself. Rent the ECV. You'll have a better vacation.

 

[sweetb]

I too was worried about getting angry stares from people because of my need to use a ECV. I have end stage renal disease and am waiting for a kidney transplant. You would never know that though from LOOKING at me. It's an invisible illness like many others.

I'm young and I have two kids and I knew I could never walk around Disney. I have a handicapped parking sign for a reason. Having an ECV enabled me to actually go on a vacation with my children. It was amazing. I was able to be at the parks all day and keep up with my family. I did get some stares, but not as much as I expected. I had a few "come backs" all ready for anyone who dare to say anything to me, but no one said a word.

I'm hoping to take my kids again this May as well and I will be renting another ECV to get me around. It was a bit scary getting on and off the monorail but you get used to it.

The only thing that bothered me is that I would try to keep a safe space between me and the folks in front of me and people would then jump into that space and risk being hit. If I had hit anyone, I'm sure they would have blamed me as well. People really don't care that you are in an ECV. They will jump in front of you to get on a line or push through a crowd. Very rude.

But for me, having one was a life saver!

 

[Amy5000]

First of all, pick a place about a mile from where your father lives and ask him how difficult it would be to walk there. After a short pause, add "and back". The after he answers, say "four times in a row".

Then he will give you a look as only a parent can do to a child which implies "Are you out of your mind". Explain to him than most people tend to walk 8-12 miles per day at WDW. Once around the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon Promenade, is about 1½ miles. And that is without actually entering any of the pavilion areas.

Chesire. I love your suggestion but unfortunately, my Dad would just say "ok". It might take him all day and night but he does have an incredible perseverance. He'd be like the turtle in "The turtle and the Hare". I admire his ability to make in about the journey, but it's can be challenging keeping two kids at that speed. (And I do suspect that if he could let go he'd be more comfortable and enjoy time with us more on an ECV). Truthfully, that's one reason I'm unsure as to how hard to push for him to use and ECV. I don't want to be the insensitive daughter who forces him to an ECV for my convenience. I'll probably wait until closer to the date to see how it goes. We are going off season so if I need an ECV at the last minute I don't think it will be a problem.

It's great to hear from those of you who were able to have wonderful vacations due to the ECV (sweetb) and also from those who finally realized it wasn't a vacation w/o an ECV (pluto).

Amy
Amy

 

[babemoocow]

.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I'm back from the World and I did rent an ECV for Epcot and it really made a world (no pun intended) of difference. For the other 4 days I hooofed it around, but that one afternoon and EMH evening hours I did rent one. Didn't practice first, but it wasn't very crowded so I had no problem with space. Didn't run into anyone, and reversing was much easier than I anticipated. I was a bit cold since it was January and at night.
I found the ECV a bit sluggish, but adequate for my needs that night.
I am having gastic bypass in June, so things will be a lot different for my next trip in September.
Thanks for all the advice!

 

[ToddyLu]

We rented a scooter for my FIL during our trip in 2004. He had cancer and it was a grand gathering for he and my MIL and their children and families. It was very important since we knew it would probably be our last trip with him (and it was, but a perfect trip too). My MIL was determined to use a WC (wheelchair). I took several weeks reminding her that there were slight elevations around the World and that every one pushing and sharing the responsibility would wear every one out--not to mention the blisters on our hands. **** But most importantly I told her that he needed his independence from us for a few minutes at a time *** that was the cincher for her--giving him as much freedom as possible. He wasn't excited about it but it was waiting at the resort and he loved it after the first day. That ECV allowed my husband to spend a magical week with his Dad in WDW. Not a one of us looks back on that trip with any regret. Pop was able to do exactly what he wanted.

As a funny aside. My DH and BIL are big, big burly guys...BIL is 6"1 at 280# and DH is a bit shorter at 5'7" and about 250# at the time. Neither one of them smile very much and both wore sunglasses the entire trip. I swear they were never more than 4 feet from their Daddy on his scooter. They were his secret servicemen for the week....FIL codename: NEMO. BIL would ride with them on the bus and call ahead to my DH to meet them at the gate and would say " Nemo has left the reef, I repeat, Nemo has left the reef". In other words Pop is getting of the bus and I need you to meet me. Just this past year my MIL gave my Sweet DH a picture of he and his brother escorting their Dad down Hollywood Blvd at DHS on that trip. It was and is such a special memory.

FIL did bump the Royal Doulton China on the table at the store England....but that is another story for a different thread.

 

[Floydian]

Are you traveling with other people? If so, then you can get some extra walking in by just letting them drive it for a while. I know that with my Arthritis, I actually HAVE to get out and walk some to work the joints, or it hurts as much as if I had no scooter at all. So I've never used one when alone at WDW, because I never get a break from it.

Edit: Oh wow, you're back already! Hope you had a great trip, and nevermind!

 

[Kudrah]

Are you traveling with other people? If so, then you can get some extra walking in by just letting them drive it for a while. I know that with my Arthritis, I actually HAVE to get out and walk some to work the joints, or it hurts as much as if I had no scooter at all. So I've never used one when alone at WDW, because I never get a break from it.

Edit: Oh wow, you're back already! Hope you had a great trip, and nevermind!

I know you're back already, but I did just want to agree with this. My DH has Spinal Stenosis and walking/standing for long distances is really hard on him, BUT he also has to get out and walk a while or he really pays the price in the long run. So that would be my time to rest my own sore dogs, lol. I am actually a better scooter driver than he is as I was incapacitated for an entire summer with a torn plantar fascia and used one pretty much everywhere I went on a daily basis for over 6 months... So I drove his scooter around WDW a few times a day to let him get out and walk.