Hello all,
My husband has degenerative disk disease and has had many failed back procedures. He is very nervous about our upcoming trip. He is not in constant pain, but needs to be able to sit down frequently. He is really against the idea of a wheelchair or EVC. He feels he is not in pain enough to validate renting one. Has anyone ever purchased a portable small hiking type chair or something similar. Also, if needed, are there any places in the park where he could lay flat on his back? Thanks
Hi - to you and your hubby both!
First of all, I have (among my many other medical issues) a whopping case of DDD. So, I'm going to speak directly to your husband, if that's OK.
HubbyDude. Rent the
ECV. Here's why:
- First of all, pain is NOT the only reason to rent an ECV. Mobility issues in general (fatigue, inability to walk X distance, inability to stand for x amount of time) are just SOME of the reasons to rent the ECV.
- Think of the ECV as a TOOL to accomplish a job. The job - or the task at hand - is to (A) make sure that your beautiful bride has a *lovely* time at WDW. She deserves it. I know, because I am also a beautiful bride of more than 30 years
AND (B) don't come home from your lovely vacation with your lovely wife, only to need a vacation to recover from your vacation.
Using an ECV is no different than using a pair of eyeglasses to see better, or a hearing aid to improve your hearing. Ever use a calculator? You used a tool to accomplish a job. The ECV is no different. It does not mean you have copped out, or given up - it means that you are using it to keep up with your wife, and you are making sure that you don't slow her down at the same time. You may actually find that you are the one at the end of the day who is still ready to go on, and have an adult beverage, or go listen to music at Disney Springs, while your wife is ready to take a nap!
Utilizing a TOOL available to you to maximize your vacation at Disney World is *smart*. The small additional cost financially will be far offset by the wonderful memories you gain from being able to be fully present with your wife, without fear of needing to stop and sit to rest, or without ending each day exhausted and potentially in pain.
We visit WDW an average of twice a year. There are fewer and fewer benches every time we return; last April/May our daughter wound up more than once sitting on the ground when we couldn't find a place for her to sit when she wanted to take a break. And while it's true that you will be able to go to First Aid and lay down for a while to rest your back, how often do you plan to do that per day?
Seriously. Rent the ECV. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks about you - after all, your chance of seeing anyone at WDW anywhere else? You have a better chance of winning the Lotto and getting struck by lightning on the same day. Rent the ECV. Avoid the pain, the fatigue, and the exhaustion. Rent the ECV.
If you have any questions, just have your lovely wife ask - we'll all be glad to help out.
Enjoy your trip. Rent the ECV, and have a great time!