All the above advice is great. You're asking the right questions in the right places!

About the simulator, yes! I have to say it is probably the best tool you can get to learn on your own. You mentioned that you can't walk much... I fear if you are trying to fly a trainer out of the box with little experience, it will be landing (perhaps crashing) quite a distance away from you for the first few flights. The simulator (I use G2) will let you practice not only landing, but landing near you. You may also find the simulator nice for those days where you want to fly but the weather (or wife, or time of day, or car, or whatever) is not cooperative.

I think the simulator will really save you some (though probably not all) of the rebuild time as well.

No matter what path you go down, remember to keep it safe. Keep a first aid kit in the field box. Try not to fly alone, but if you do, have a cell phone handy in case of accident. AMA membership is a good idea for the insurance. Common sense is the biggest plus.

Welcome aboard! You're in for a great time.

Jon