I have MS and some serious hip problems and I've walked with a cane since I was 28 years old (I should have started using one earlier but you know...pride!). Even with the cane, I can't walk very far or stand for very long so I have had to use a wheelchair or
scooter on basically any vacation we've been on. From our experience: DO NOT GET A WHEELCHAIR! We've tried a wheelchair - once - and we will never go that route again. My husband is a pretty strong guy and I was petite when we used the wheelchair and my husband couldn't make it through the entire day pushing me. He was so sore the next day that he was in no shape to push me again. So now we go with the scooter.
When I was younger (oh, how I miss those days!) when we were in Disney, some people would see me on the scooter and then some would make a snide comment about how young I was so I must be "milking the system". It hurt, yes, but I knew I needed it and I figured I was never going to see those jerks again so they can go jump in a lake. I also knew my kids would not get to see much of Disney if I were walking it and I didn't want them to miss out so I sucked it up and used the scooter. Funny, when we've been on a vacation that was not Disney (gasp), no one has ever made a snide comment when I'm on a scooter. In fact, I've heard some people say how bad they feel that I was so young and needed a scooter.
Make sure your daughter is very careful on the lower seated rides. About 10 years ago, when I was in Disney without my hubby, I thought I was doing well and I pushed my boundaries. I was on Space Mountain and I could not get back up to a standing position and out of the ride. I felt like everyone was looking at me and judging me. The CM are not allowed to help in any way (liability). Thankfully there was a large man who came and picked me up out of the ride and got me to my feet. I don't know who he was but I would probably still be sitting in that darn rocket if it hadn't been for him! I was horribly embarrassed but when something like that happens, you can't help it.
It can be hard to accept the facts that we can't do things "like other people". So no matter what, your daughter is going to feel like EVERYONE is looking at her and judging her and yes, there will be some who judge her but they are doo-doo heads! Tell her to hold her head high and know that she deserves to be at Disney and if needing a scooter is the way for her to do Disney, so be it!
I love the idea of "dressing up" the scooter with lights, etc. I wish I would have done that before!
I wish your daughter a speedy recovery and I hope both of you have an AWESOME time!