Question for those previous Wish families with wheelchairs ....
Maddie has several different adaptive chairs/strollers, due to her varying needs on any given day. We have a Convaid Cruiser (for her "I'm feeling pretty good, but need some support so that I don't crash" days), a Snug Seat Stingray (large, adaptive stroller/wheelchair with all the supports she needs for her "can't stay awake or lift my head" days) and just got a second-hand Quickie Kidz manual chair that she is beginning to learn how to self-propel. Originally, I assumed that we'd bring the Convaid, since it folds easily and has moderate support for her. But it doesn't recline at all, and she'll have times that she really does need to rest. The Quickie manual chair is out, since it doesn't have enough support to account for her tired days. So then I'm left with with Stingray, which is super supportive, tilts, reclines, and has everything that she needs. It's a bit overkill for her "good days" but perfect for her "low battery days." But it's heavy and huge and cumbersome to handle. We would definitely need to gate check it. So, I guess my question is should we bring the Stingray chair, gate check it, and just deal with the heavy, cumboersome nature of it? Should we bring the Convaid, which is much easier to handle and would be fine for anytime that she doesn't need to fully recline? Or should we rent a regular, reclining, jogging type stroller, which would probably be ok (she's small enough for a regular stroller) but that we wouldn't have available at the airport if we need it and wouldn't have all the supportive features of her adaptive chairs? For those who gate-checked wheelchairs, did they get damaged? That's one of our big concerns, since this is the chair we'll have for the next few years.
Also, I know I shouldn't worry about what people think, but would it be odd to see a child who looks relatively normal and energetic on a "good day" using a chair that obviously has a lot of supports (laterals, harness, etc.)?
Firstly - don't give a hoot what ANYONE thinks..
I've been to WDW and DL 7 times since Kira was born.. She was 4 months old our first trip... Just a quick medical orientation - Kira has a brain tumor, epilepsy (intractible due to unreated cortical dysplasia) Completed 2 1/2 years of chemo when she was three - Crainiotomy (open brain surgery) when she was three when her Brainstem tumor was determined to be inoperable. Has had numerous hosptial stays in ICU for status seizures - some lasting weeks - Has at least one seizure a day to 100's depending on day - takes 4 seizure meds w/ moderate control - is in surgical review for possible removal of the dysplasia - She is also developmentally delayed, has some physical disabilities as well as some behaviour - That's just the short list...
That being said - Her needs change daily - sometimes she needs a wheelchair , sometimes not, sometimes she looks and appears totally typical and sometimes not... We have had varying issues at WDW w/wheelchairs and strollers so I will try to help you best I can ...
When she was an infant - this was not an issue...
When she was three - we used a regular stoller but got a 'stroller as a Wheelchair' tag for her - we also had an umbrella stroller for those 'good' days and getting around to short trips to downtown disney, dinner, the resort...
Our next trip we took our McClaren Special needs stroller chair - This was good but it did not allow for her to rest a it only had a slight recline. It was light and easy to use - and had no problems with Gate Checking it.. This was the easiest one to use - but at the same time - got a lot of questions from CM's as to whether or not it was a 'Wheel Chair' which got annoying
.
The next two trips we took an umbrella stroller for the quick trips around resort , dinner etc.. and her Safari Tilt in Space (my all time favorite chair) - however, the Safari is a pain in the butt to lug around did not fit easy in the trunk of rental cars - and we did not by the carrier case for it so it got banged up gate checking it - BUT having something that FULLY reclined was more valuable - Kira needed to rest , especially after seizures - which with any other chair would require us going back to a room or lounge .. having her able to sleep in the chair allowed us to stay and enjoy our time.. BUT it was a pain to manuveur through the crowds when reclined.. and it was very big to handle... If she was smaller I would have rented a Jogging Stroller which would be easier and give more shade and storage - plus you would not risk the airline issues or having to lug it all over.. I know MAW can help secure rentals ...
Our last is the Convaid Cruiser Meto - Which I have now and I love .. it's light, easy to use , and comfortable - but does not recline.. which I miss... she no longer fits her safari so we donated it and I am now looking at other options...
Kira has had good days and bad at WDW and DL and it was totally necessary to have options...
If I were to do it again -
I would bring the lightest , easiest chair you can .. McClaren type or Convaid ... Rent a Jogging Stroller (two seater if you can so you can put a pillow and some extra stoage ) With the MAW Gac and Stroller as a WC tag you should have no problems.. At the airport having a light stroller a blessing and a cheaper one incase of damage... We have used the accessible in airport transportaion (golf carts) for the bad days - used the light chairs for the good ones..
For our MAW trip ... We are going on the Disney Dream - then a few days a Universal (extention) .. was going t do Disney parks but our older kids want to go to Universal and it's better on my wallet...
I am taking her Metro Chair for the Cruise , airports and light travel. I am looking into renting a reclining chair or larger chair for the universal part of the trip ..
If your child is small enough a Wagon could work out well too...
HAve a great trip!!!
Nicole
woohoo for dates!!! We will be there the same time!!! Where are you guys staying? Also, we heard from our wish granters one time when they came over. Then we are going to a hockey game with them next weekend. But that was decided when they came over because Jacob is a big fan and their company just happen to have tickets. I have not heard from them since and that was last month. But I emailed asking for an update and he did not even say a word to me...just forwarded the email convo he had with the wish manager. 
momma31 Yay that DD is getting her wish 
. Other than that...nothing new. We haven't heard anything on our dates, which means we can't really make plans for the rest o our family yet. We haven't figured out how we'll get the money yet anyway. Lol
The weather better be nice, because I want to go to the beach, darnnit!!
AK looks amazing can't wait to hear more about your trip!
TENTH birthday! 
