<p>I have apparently torn my calf muscle and the orthopedist has me in a walking cast/boot. I’m thinking it’s going to be there for 2 weeks to a month, depending on how it heals. I am in the middle of trade show travel and panicking, as I have always been independent and mobile on these buying trips. </p>
<p>Specifically, I’m worried about my Chicago trip. This will be my 9th annual visit to the Windy City … and I used to live in the NW 'burbs, so I know my way around. I know that O’Hare is humungeous. I know that my hotel – where I always stay – is a 15 minute walk from the Convention Center. We’re in Rosemont – not downtown btw.</p>
<p>And I know that when I do this show I spend 2 of the three days walking the floor viewing product and hitting a few seminars. I had not planned to do a lot of seminar sitting this year. I also have breakfast meetings every morning with my association pals. </p>
<p>I am thinking of renting a scooter. It’s allowed on the show floor, but I need to rent one independently. I’m planning to call my hotel and see who they recommend. Has anyone used a scooter? How hard are they to learn to operate? Am I safe using it on the sidewalk? There are many crosswalks between the hotel and the convention center, but they are all ramped. </p>
<p>If I need assistance getting from the plane to the hotel shuttle – do I have options? Is there a charge in the airport for the wheelchair bellcap? What about those golf cart transporters? How do I request that assistance? </p>
<p>(Maybe I bag the free hotel shuttle and just get a $7 cab outside baggage claim – but the blasted boot is so big and bulky that I am not looking forward to a cab …)</p>
<p>Maybe there’ll be a rapid healing and I won’t need this info – but right now I am wondering how to pull this off!</p>
<p>I believe that you can request wheelchair assistance from your airline – and you probably should, not just at O’Hare (which is indeed huge) but also at the other airport. Save your limited walking capacity for when you need it.</p>
<p>I would take a cab from the hotel to the convention center and back, even if my employer would not pay for it. The same thing applies for trips to restaurants. Again, you need to save your limited walking capacity. Also, using a scooter or wheelchair outdoors takes considerable skill, which you have not had time to develop. Trying to use one to get back and forth from the hotel to the convention center might be more of an adventure than you would like to have. If you take cabs, it may be best not to share them. If you have the whole cab to yourself, you can sit sort-of-sideways, with the bad leg up on the seat, so that the bulky boot is not a problem. </p>
<p>If your meeting is at McCormick Place, you rent your scooter here [Scootaround</a> - Scooter and Wheelchair Rentals](<a href=“Mobility Scooter & Wheelchair Rental | Scootaround”>Mobility Scooter & Wheelchair Rental | Scootaround) But maybe you should first try out the scooters at your local supermarket or K-Mart to make sure that you can get on and off them and use them conveniently despite the heavy boot. I had a leg injury a few years ago, and the brace I had to wear was so bulky and forced my leg into such an inconvenient position that I could not use a scooter (although I could use a wheelchair). Also, I’m not sure that you can take the rental scooter out of the convention center – something worth asking.</p>
<p>Marian thank you. Exactly the advice I was looking for. Not sure whether I could/should motor around on the scooter on the sidewalk without practice. Never even occured to me that I could try out the scooter at the department stores … probably incredibly valuable advice!</p>
<p>The trade show is out in Rosemont … and I believe I can rent a scooter from the RES expo people by the day.</p>
<p>I wish I had an “employer” that would pay for any of this – but I am the business owner and it’s coming right out of my pocket. OTOH, I NEVER miss the Chicago show and I need to make it doable. </p>
<p>cnp55 - my best friend broke her hip and leg back in March. After rehab she and I took a trip to Costco, and she borrowed their scooter to make her way through the store. While some customers were seriously rude (giving her dirty looks and not getting out of the way when they saw her coming - really!), she ADORED the scooter, and at one point said, “I should ALWAYS have one of these!!” She literally got on it and within one minute was acclimated. She used them at the grocery stores too. I think you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I did some traveling a few weeks after I was able to walk after breaking my ankle. I asked for wheelchair assistance at the airports. It was great because they got me through security – the special short line. It was great. I tipped the gentlemen who helped me – I think $10 each way. It was worth every penny. </p>
<p>The best was a couple of months later when my husband and I were coming home from a business trip to Baltimore. We came home through Atlanta. I was maybe 4 months after being able to walk. I did okay, but I used a cane for support. Our flight had been delayed because of a snow storm. We missed our connection. While getting off the plane, one of the porters was walking by with an empty wheelchair. He offered a ride, and we accepted. He was able to go to the head of the line ( of at least 50 other travelers) and get our tickets changed to the next available flight home. And, he got us meal vouchers – we didn’t deserve them, but we got them because of him. We gave him $20.00, and really should have given him more. He was a life saver. </p>
<p>Don’t hesitate to ask for airport assistance. Traveling is hassle enough when you are injured. That is what they are there for. You will be tired from the traveling, so save your strength. Oh, they will help you get your bags, and take you to the cab stand. You’ll be spending more on tips this trip, but if the trip is important, then it is worth it.</p>
<p>Oh, try several different store’s scooters. I used them for awhile. Each type is a bit different. Not dreadfully different, but different enough that you will notice.</p>