Damaged achilles tendon

[josey1964]

We sail on the Westerdam on the 2nd January.
I have damaged my achilles tendon and am wearing an orthopedic boot and using crutches for 4 to 6 weeks.
Should I inform HAL?

[Dayenu]

If you are flying, I would definitely order a wheelchair - you won't have to stand in line in the airport, and everybody with you will go into the fast lane. You can also pre-board.

I would call HAL and ask if they offer assistance.

[josey1964]

Thank-you for that.
I have not informed either of our airlines yet. (Virgin atlantic for that transatlantic part or Southwest from MCO to FLL).

[iceleven]

Often the first to board (airlines) most likely the last to get off. Just take that into consideration if your connecting flight is close time-wise. You will be at the mercy and schedule of the transport staff (those who will provide and push your wheelchair). By all means let both airlines know of your needs ahead of time.

[josey1964]

No connection time issues. We fly into MCO on 31st and to FLL on the 1st.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry to hear about your injury.

You shoudl rent a wheel chair for the cruise:

From HAL's website. These are their 2 approved vendors for delivery of the items onboard:

Special Needs at Sea
Phone:800-513-4515 (or locally at 954-585-0575)
Fax:800-513-4516
Email:info@specialneedsatsea.com
Website:www.specialneedsatsea.com

CareVacations/CruiseShipAssist
Phone:877-478-7827 (or locally at 780-986-6404)
Fax:800-648-1116
Email:csa@carevacations.com
Website:www.cruiseshipassist.com

[DaveOKC]

We had a last minute injury on a recent cruise and had to quickly arrange a wheelchair. We used Carevacations (arranged it right at the pier, but I would call ahead of time) and they did a great job. The HAL staff did a great job making things as easy as possible for us - they really know how to handle wheelchair bound people.

DaveOKC

[world~citizen]

We sail on the Westerdam on the 2nd January.
I have damaged my achilles tendon and am wearing an orthopedic boot and using crutches for 4 to 6 weeks.
Should I inform HAL?

Going through airport security should be fun. :eek:

[Micmac]

I rehabbed from ACL reconstruction on my cruise last year. It was an absolute breeze! I didn't order a wheelchair in advance because I knew I had enough time to walk slowly - but most of the time you can also get them at check in. Just allow a little extra time in case they want to xray the boot.

HAL let me use the assessible area for expedited check in and offered assistance onboard if necessary (wheelchair or just an extra hand). I am stubborn so I said no - but definitely possible.

In the Lido - someone was always there to help me carry my plate/drink (not to mention that there were some great passengers also willing to lend a helping hand when needed!) At dinner, the stewards were great to store them out of the way and then reappear with them just when needed. Also - for the lifeboat drill you will be allowed to use the elevator.

A minor thing to think about - the chairs by the pool are somehow a LOT lower when you only have one good leg to stand up on... I found I couldn't get up by myself being that low - had to wait for one of my crew to come find me! (ok - yes, I could have asked for help, but goes back to the stubborn part).

Have a great cruise and hope you mend quickly!

[Typhoon1]

What an unfortunate occurrence. I'm sure you'll be well taken care of by HAL and the airlines.

[Lexi731]

I flew for 8 weeks earlier this year in a boot with a torn calf muscle, make sure that you order the wheelchair in advance from the airline! (I fly just about every week for work) I kept thinking - Of all of the times I've almost been ran over by a courtsey transport or a wheelchair in the airport - when I needed it this year there were none to be found.....:rolleyes: (to stubborn to ask for a wheelchair ahead of time)

Also, they board those needing "extra time" first, but if you are not quick about it - the gate agent doesn't always see you and starts general boarding - so make sure you let them know you need extra time to board when you arrive at the gate. Lastly, since I am stubborn, I walked and had to hold the handrail in the jet bridge to make it to the airplane, there is quite a hill down to the plane which you don't realize when you've got good use of both legs/feet. A wheelchair would have been safer.

We went on the Masterdam right after I was free from the boot, and I just walked really slow and held onto the railings. If you are still in the boot either a crutch, cain or wheelchair would be handy for you - especially if the ship is rocking a lot.

Lexi

[KirkNC]

What bad timing, take care of it as that can be a tough injury.

[jlee621]

I ruptured my Achilles tendon on November 5. I had surgery to repair my Achilles on Nov 10. My sail date was November 17. While a pair of crutches are necessary equipment, my wife found a great contraption for me, the knee scooter. This enabled me to get around the cruise ship at speeds as quickly as most of those walking. I know for a fact that I could not have enjoyed nor seen quite as much as I did without my knee scooter.

As for the stateroom, I sailed on RCCL, but HAL's customer service should work similarly. I was initially declined twice on my request for a disabled accessible stateroom. But a third call found the ear of a sympathetic RCCL representative who was able to immediately locate one last vacant stateroom for me. This proved invaluable as the space in both the room and the lavatory were plentiful for my knee scooter. In combination, the scooter and RCCL's accommodation of my situation turned a sad situation into a manageable and enjoyable time for me and my family.

I am now five weeks post-op, and still non-weight bearing, but making my way towards a full recovery. Most of the folks onboard were very aware of me and my scooter and I became rather well known by the end of our sailing. Good Luck to you! This sucks but I'm sure glad that I got some healing time on a ship rather than stuck in bed at home.

[dobiemom]

I ruptured my Achilles tendon on November 5. I had surgery to repair my Achilles on Nov 10. My sail date was November 17. While a pair of crutches are necessary equipment, my wife found a great contraption for me, the knee scooter. This enabled me to get around the cruise ship at speeds as quickly as most of those walking. I know for a fact that I could not have enjoyed nor seen quite as much as I did without my knee scooter.
I saw a passenger using one on my last cruise. I first saw him in port and did not notice the injury, but later I saw him in the Lido. He sat a couple tables from us and I could see that the foot that was on the scooter was in a velcroed "sandal" (with the toe cut out). Great idea if you need it.

[Zyzygy]

I have on different occasions ruptured both my quadriceps tendons. During nine weeks of recuperation from each, I was required to wear a straight long-leg brace and not put any weight on the affected leg.

If flying transatlantic, I would assure having a seat with enough legroom to accommodate any brace I was required to wear.

My understanding is that an accessible cabin would afford a larger shower and possibly a fold-down shower bench. I would call HAL and check on the availability of an accessible cabin with a shower chair/bench. It would be all too easy to fall in even gentle seas.

The last thing anyone would want with a severe tendon injury is to reinjure it.

I hope all goes well.

[Richie2pies]

Anyone know what the price is to rent a scooter for a 7-day cruise?

[jlee621]

Anyone know what the price is to rent a scooter for a 7-day cruise?

my knee scooter is not motorized, but 100% powered by me, and i am renting it from a durable medical equipment store for $40/week. Motorized scooters i'm sure will be MUCH more than that.

[josey1964]

Thank-you everyone.
I am lucky that the tendon has not torn, so I can weight bear with crutches. The boot is for damage limitation so my foot stays at a right angle, as the tendon is up like a duck egg. I wont need a wheelchair on board just at the airport.

[josey1964]

Just to let you know I have spoken with HAL today and they have made a note on my reservation and will arrange a chair of embarkation. Will call the airlines this weekend.

[dpump]

Depending where you are sitting, see if you can have a seat where you can stick your foot into the aisle (don't trip anyone!) and/or see if you can get a bulkhead seat. I was on a flight and a guy had injured his leg/foot and was in a cast and crutches and seats, etc were swapped to accomidate him. Thought it was a nice gesture and sure made life easier for him.

[Nancyquilts]

Going through airport security should be fun. :eek:
If you go through in a wheelchair, you won't have quite as long a wait and will have help with your carryons, shoes, etc.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Going through airport security should be fun. :eek:

Here in Pittsburgh if you are in a wheel chair -- you are required to go through the pat down section which takes much longer.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry to hear about your injury.

You shoudl rent a wheel chair for the cruise:

From HAL's website. These are their 2 approved vendors for delivery of the items onboard:

Special Needs at Sea
Phone:800-513-4515 (or locally at 954-585-0575)
Fax:800-513-4516
Email:info@specialneedsatsea.com
Website:www.specialneedsatsea.com (http://www.specialneedsatsea.com)

CareVacations/CruiseShipAssist
Phone:877-478-7827 (or locally at 780-986-6404)
Fax:800-648-1116
Email:csa@carevacations.com
Website:www.cruiseshipassist.com (http://www.cruiseshipassist.com)


Note -- I had gotten the above information from another thread recently.

When I called CareTravel -- their toll free number is no longer in use -- at least it wasn't this morning.

[josey1964]

I can manage on my crutches. Just need a wheelchair for airport assistance.
I have spoken to Virgin Atlantic and its no problem for them, and will request a bulkhead seat for me. Southwest have no issues and will give me priority boarding. HAL have sent me a form to complete for assistance required, so that has now been sent back. I have informed my insurance.
So all in all, I think I am ready for this holiday. Roll on 11 days until we fly.

Thank-you everyone.

[gelo7]

Hope that you heal quickly.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I can manage on my crutches. Just need a wheelchair for airport assistance.
I have spoken to Virgin Atlantic and its no problem for them, and will request a bulkhead seat for me. Southwest have no issues and will give me priority boarding. HAL have sent me a form to complete for assistance required, so that has now been sent back. I have informed my insurance.
So all in all, I think I am ready for this holiday. Roll on 11 days until we fly.

Thank-you everyone.

Great -- glad you have gotten all the little details taken care of.

Have a great cruise.