Has Anyone Done Coachella on Crutches/Wheelchair

[locachica73]

OK boys and girls, my sister decided to buy me a Coachella ticket for my birthday, the day after I found this out I fell and broke my leg in two places and ruptured a ligament. I am suppose to have surgery Thursday to get pins and a band, the doc says it is a 6 week recovery after surgery. With only 4 weeks of time from surgery to Coachella I am now trying to decide if I want to go anyway. If I do go I will probably rent a wheelchair and get temporary handicap pass. But I will probably alternate in between the wheelchair and crutches as I don't really want to have to ruin other peoples time by having to push me around.

Have any of you ever done Coachella on crutches or in a wheelchair? What was your experience like? Will I be miserable? Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

[djandrews25]

Jesus that sucks loca, I hope you still make it out.

[frozen pilgrim]

loca, it seems like coachella's pretty good about the wheelchair stuff, and you'll have an army of boardies at your disposal- don't miss coachella!!

[locachica73]

I am really leaning towards going. I am probably going to hold off on getting my ticket until closer to the day though, just to make sure the pain subsides a bit. But by then I should be feeling a lot better. And I have several people already offering up their muscles for pushing. Just think of the decorating possibilities. I may need to get Feather to PLUR it up a bit for me though.

[amyzzz]

ummmm EL wire on your chair would be sweet.

[chairmenmeow47]

whatever you do, i recommend not being there all day if you can avoid it. that sounds like you would get tired really fast. best of luck and glad you got a ticket!!!!!!!!!!!

[amyzzz]

She hasn't gotten a ticket yet....

[chairmenmeow47]

the first post says a ticket was bought for coachella.

[locachica73]

My sister told me that was my gift, but then I fell. She is holding off on buying it until I decide if I want to go or not. If I decide against it she told me she would take me on a vacation after I recover.

My problem was if I went I was planning on camping which I am guessing will not be all that easy to do in a cast. So I will have to rethink my lodging possibilities. I really want to go I just don't want it to ruin my time.

[menikmati]

You get a good view on those wheelchair platforms.

[sin213]

i know i've seen people on crutches and in wheelchairs. they also have those wheelchair risers in some places, so you could probably get decent viewing areas for the stages.

and i think its good advice to try and limit the time you are at the fest each day. camping would not be the way to go...

if you were only there from sundown each day, it would be totally doable.

and there will be plenty of us around to help you out.

[gaypalmsprings]

I say ask your doctor. Take care of yourself & get better soon!

[rage patton]

I talked to guy a who wheelchaired the whole weekend in 07 and said it was the best weekend of his life. I don't think a wheelchair would get in the way. A different experience maybe, but great all the same.

However... I would not advise camping with a broken leg.

[juloxx]

Ive seen it done. Dont know it was fun, but I have seen it.

[SFChrissy]

Between your chairn crutches n laying on the grass to elevat your leg...I think you'll be fine...you will definately be limited but accepting that fact and allowing your self to have the ability to enjoy your self is worth the adventure...

[M Sparks]

I already told you this but...would you be any less miserable at home by yourself?

[locachica73]

Exactly Chrissy. And I have been told I can have fun in most situations so how could I not have fun at Coachella, even in a less than perfect scenario? I am also thinking that during the day, hanging out in the beer tents and just enjoying the vibe/sun/people will be a good way to rest while waiting for the nightly adventures. This has been the one thing I have been looking forward to all year, and it has been a pretty rough year, the idea of letting some little broken leg get in my way just doesn't seem likely.

[locachica73]

I already told you this but...would you be any less miserable at home by yourself?

Actually I would be a shit ton more miserable because I would be sitting here thinking about all the fun I would be missing. So that does it, I am going!!!

[psycobetabuckdown]

Last year I went a few weeks after ACL surgery, I was limping on a brace and had one crutch. I couldn't figure out where to go to ask for handicap ramp access (I didn't really need it) and the security by the ramp didn't know where to point me, nor did the first aid tent. So make sure you get the access worked out before you go there or at least figure out what you're supposed to do.

[locachica73]

Last year I went a few weeks after ACL surgery, I was limping on a brace and had one crutch. I couldn't figure out where to go to ask for handicap ramp access (I didn't really need it) and the security by the ramp didn't know where to point me, nor did the first aid tent. So make sure you get the access worked out before you go there or at least figure out what you're supposed to do.

Thank you, I will make sure to have it worked out in advance.

[canexplain]

My view. I will try and make it short. I broke my foot one time and went to a single day outside venue and saw the Stones. I was on crutches and while it was a pain in the butt, it didn't keep me from doing most anything I wanted to do. Flash forward 15 years. I have PAD and that just means I don't get enough O2 and my legs will go to sleep if I walk say more then 200 yards (2 football fields for the sports people). So every once in a while I just had to stop for 5 minutes. Though different you would just do like me and take it easier then you would normally do. I camped at Coachella prior to car camping of course and a number of people helped me drag gear in and out of the campsite. It made them feel good so it was win win. My luv, Tygerlady can't walk very far at all . Prior to last year we just walked slow but last year we used a wheel chair. Pros and cons: You have to get it into and out of your vehicle. Check your tire pressure because the first day at Wakarusa I didn't and it was hell. Tires pumped up and we were racing .... I don't know the setup for AD at Coachella (I didn't have an ADA sticker then) but sometimes you can get really close to a stage and or you are higher up than the crowd so you get a good view. Sure you can't crowd surf or dance a lot but you always have a chair to take it easy. It can always be you and one other person also so your friends will WANT to help you ... biggest yea is the parking/camping. At Wakarusa we were 20 feet from the front gate, at the Roo we were about 50 ft. It is soooooooooooo nice. It makes for a great place for your friends to stop and get ready before they actually go into the venue. There's more I guess but this is getting long .........

[psycobetabuckdown]

........ and you didn't break it up into paragraphs, making it even longer

[Geno_g]

I've helped a dude on crutches during rage in 07, I had to push people from the mosh pit as it broke and I was on the edge, people will look out for you...

[locachica73]

Thank you Ron, that is helpful. I now need to figure out how to get a temp ADA sticker. Is it just through DMV?

[canexplain]

........ and you didn't break it up into paragraphs, making it even longer

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[TomAz]

Audra - my 2 cents.

I think you can do this but I think you are wise to wait to buy the ticket. Recovering from surgery is hard, your body is working so hard to heal that you will be tired a lot. in that respect then the wheelchair sounds like a much better option than crutches. with the wheelchair you need to be sure you have a dedicated posse willing to hang with you at all times to help you get around. If you've got a good team helping you out you will probably have a blast.

[canexplain]

Thank you Ron, that is helpful. I now need to figure out how to get a temp ADA sticker. Is it just through DMV?

You might go on line and find your state and see what the dmv says there. Here in Colorado, it is where you get your plates not your license. Here it is the county which is actually where I work but I don't work for that department. You do need a form from a doctor. It should be good for at least 90 days. Since I knew I wasn't going there this year, I didn't check out a bunch about Coachella. FAQ of course and maybe Dani might answer if you can't find out everything. Anyway, check on line, doc form, county office (here anyway) and it is a bit like one of those golden tickets from Wonka. I hate when people abuse them, but you are not so take advantage of the situation. There should be no charge. At your work or wherever also make a copy of the placard, both sides, and carry it in your purse or bag when you are in the venue. Or don't go and go on vacation ...............

[locachica73]

Audra - my 2 cents.

I think you can do this but I think you are wise to wait to buy the ticket. Recovering from surgery is hard, your body is working so hard to heal that you will be tired a lot. in that respect then the wheelchair sounds like a much better option than crutches. with the wheelchair you need to be sure you have a dedicated posse willing to hang with you at all times to help you get around. If you've got a good team helping you out you will probably have a blast.

Thanks Tom, I have confirmed with several friends that they would help, and I know my sister won't leave me hanging. I wouldn't even consider it otherwise, I have this fear of getting stuck in a pothole and not having anyone to push me out. I suck at this crutches thing, I can barely make it back and forth to the restroom. Probably because I haven't had to use them much yet, I assume I will eventually get better at it once I am off bed rest. So if I can't get a wheelchair or a walking cast then I won't do it at all. So fingers are crossed.

[marooko]

No seriously. Get a scooter.

[locachica73]

Do they rent the scooters? I don't need it for more than a weekend.