Recommend a SN stroller for me

[Stellapedia]

It's time to buy my oldest an actual SN stroller, he's too big for our Phil and Ted any longer (sad, because I love being able to have them both in the same stroller). I might just get him a Baby Jogger City Elite, but I'm looking at other options as well. His pediatrician requested an auth for insurance to cover it, but even if they do agree to cover it, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that. I'd almost rather buy it outright, as long as it's not horribly expensive (like, under $800 I'm fine buying).
Child is 5 years old, ~50 pounds, very tall. Still needs a recline for napping, and either needs a canopy or be able to add one. I can fit him in a BJ (but nothing else), but if that's only going to fit him a year or two, I'd rather get him something bigger off the bat.
I'm sure his insurance will pick it up (if I can get myself okay with that), so I could say price is no object, but I still don't want to waste money (regardless of whose money it is) on something we don't need. I want the smallest, lightest, easiest to use/fold stroller that will suit his needs. From what I can find online, something like the Convaid Cruiser, Special Tomato EIO, or Baby Jogger Liberty.
His pediatrician told me I should probably consider a wheelchair, but I can't go there yet. I'm not willing to wrap my head around my kid in a wheelchair (he can walk, just has little stamina and is in intense pain after more than 20 minutes or so). I know a stroller is serving the same purpose, but it's still something I can't really deal with.

 

[SueM in MN]

A very good place to look and compare is AdaptiveMall.
They have a lot of information and you can easily compare the features of a lot of different ones.

I don’t know what your child’s disability or capabilities are, but a couple of things to think about with a wheelchair:
1) If he is capable of propelling a wheelchair, using a wheelchair would give him more independence (although, if he needs it to recline, those wheelchairs are heavier and more difficult to self propel).

2) In my experience, some people look differently at an older child in a special needs stroller than one in a wheelchair. The child in a wheelchair may be seen by some people as more capable.

As for the part about insurance paying for it, special needs strollers are very expensive and, depending on your insurance, you may still be paying a fair amount of money. If you pay for it outright, you do have more choice. With insurance, the insurance company is going to have more choice of what you get.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I purchased the advance mobility Liberty stroller for DS last year. I think it holds up to 100 lbs.

I like it because it fold up very easy and is much like our old Maclaren. It was expensive but well worth it. I also bought the travel bag, cooler and air pump.

 

[brat]

In our family we get the kids into wheelchairs as soon as we can rather than strollers. It is easier for us that way.

I agree with going to the adaptive mall.Since I do not know your DSs needs I do not know which is best.Have you thought of renting one simular to the one you want to see if you like it and your DS is comfortable in it.

We love our Permobil powerchairs, the K450 mx is a great kid friendly chair.

 

[SueM in MN]

In our family we get the kids into wheelchairs as soon as we can rather than strollers. It is easier for us that way.

I agree with going to the adaptive mall.Since I do not know your DSs needs I do not know which is best.Have you thought of renting one simular to the one you want to see if you like it and your DS is comfortable in it.

We love our Permobil powerchairs, the K450 mx is a great kid friendly chair.

When my DD was outgrowing her stroller at about 30 months, it was recommended to us to get a special needs stroller for her (it was not that long ago, but regular strollers were much smaller in those days - my children were not that big, but didn’t fit in the stroller past 3).

I fought for a wheelchair instead and was glad I did (even the therapists who recommended the special needs stroller later said it was the best decision). Having a wheelchair allowed DD the ability to start to propel it herself and it put her up at a higher level and more straight than a stroller did.

 

[goingroundthebend]

we had the Convaid Cruiser when ds was younger .But i found was dealing with people that thought he was just a lazy toddler ( not helped as he is small)

For him the wheelchair has been easier as is more visable and people do understand better a need

Though now need to work on getting people to understand he has no speech and is not a rude little boy and that yes sometime hes going to cry and yell becuase he cant say what he is feeling

 

[brat]

we had the Convaid Cruiser when ds was younger .But i found was dealing with people that thought he was just a lazy toddler ( not helped as he is small)

For him the wheelchair has been easier as is more visable and people do understand better a need

Though now need to work on getting people to understand he has no speech and is not a rude little boy and that yes sometime hes going to cry and yell becuase he cant say what he is feeling

Going, does your sweet little guy have a com. device? If not approved for one yet a record your voice toy can be a crutch.(Record "Hi I'm ____ and whatever you wish to add")If you can find them after a holiday cheap in something he likes, recording other things he might want to ask for can be fun for some non-verbal kids to use.We had T-shirts for DD(7) before she started talking at 5 that said I NOT rude, I'm differently abled.Most just think she is shy now.

 

[alliestallie]

We have the Special Tomato EIO and love it, paid 449 for it OOP from AdaptiveMall. We also have a more traditional wheelchair....a TriPod, I think it is, from Freedom Designs. They each have their place in our daily lives.

I'm about to buy a ST Jogger too. And I love the EIO so much, I've considered buying a second one of those as well.

Can never have too many sets of wheels.