12 year old with SEVERE Osgood-Schlatters

[KPeveler]

Bolding is mine....
That is clearly a matter of opinion. I develope adhesive capsulitis in my shoulder and don't have the strength, nor should I use my shoulder to the extent to 'wheel' myself arould the park in a wheelchair (at the advice of the Dr's). If you are not used to using a wheelchair on a regular basis, it is very tiring to your upper body!! So I disagree, and say you lose a TREMENDOUS amount of independence.

Not necessarily - If the boy walked between rides and, therefore, was allowed to run up to a character and walk next to a sibling to talk, etc, but had a wheelchair when they were standing in lines, where they are moving slowly and he had no place to choose to go anyway, he could sit down there and rest his knees. He could also have that chair ready and waiting while they are waiting for parades, fireworks, and night times shows, where he also is not moving from place to place. This ability to sit at such times can allow him greatly increased stamina and freedom from pain (and therefore more independence) at times when he can use it!

I, too, cannot push a wheelchair all day (I have an ultra light weight, so not heavy) due to shoulder problems, so I push with my feet as often as my hands. I just had to find a chair that worked for me. And before I was unable to do so, I pushed my chair as often as I sat in it, and I found that the decrease in pain and increase in stamina was liberating. I went from housebound to Disneyland 2-3 times a week.

But I agree that if the mobility device is not fitted to the situation and the person carefully, then it can make the situation worse.

 

[bopper]

So then as I previously stated...they would be losing a tremendous amount of independence in a wheelchair vs ecv. If they are responsible enough (and only the parent can decide...and when mine were at age 12, they stayed home alone!!) they may very well want to go off and do something on their own. In my case, there are a few rides that my kids want to do that I simply can't. So they would 'need' that indepedence. Each family's needs/dynamics are different. But it is not unreasonable for a responsible well behaved 12yo to separate from their family in WDW under the right circumstances.

I think many families stay together at WDW so using a wheel chair would not reduce his independence...you would go together and then maybe he would not use the wheelchair in the line. Or maybe he would stay in the wheelchair and the parent would wheel him up to the ride but then the parent would skip the ride.

 

[KPeveler]

I think many families stay together at WDW so using a wheel chair would not reduce his independence...you would go together and then maybe he would not use the wheelchair in the line. Or maybe he would stay in the wheelchair and the parent would wheel him up to the ride but then the parent would skip the ride.

Really a child renting a wheelchair for park use should not plan on being able to push himself at all. Given the shape of the chair, he may not even be able to reach the wheels. What I was thinking of was more having a moving seat so he could sit when they are in places where he could not wander around anyway - like in lines.

Even an adult cannot push themselves more than a few feet usually.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Not necessarily - If the boy walked between rides and, therefore, was allowed to run up to a character and walk next to a sibling to talk, etc, but had a wheelchair when they were standing in lines, where they are moving slowly and he had no place to choose to go anyway, he could sit down there and rest his knees. He could also have that chair ready and waiting while they are waiting for parades, fireworks, and night times shows, where he also is not moving from place to place. This ability to sit at such times can allow him greatly increased stamina and freedom from pain (and therefore more independence) at times when he can use it!

I, too, cannot push a wheelchair all day (I have an ultra light weight, so not heavy) due to shoulder problems, so I push with my feet as often as my hands. I just had to find a chair that worked for me. And before I was unable to do so, I pushed my chair as often as I sat in it, and I found that the decrease in pain and increase in stamina was liberating. I went from housebound to Disneyland 2-3 times a week.

But I agree that if the mobility device is not fitted to the situation and the person carefully, then it can make the situation worse.

bolding is mine....
I Agree 100%!!
But I would also have to be careful about trying to use my feet as much as you did since I have a knee issue. It could potentially cause more issues with my knee and it's bad enough as is.
So that is why I agree so strongly with your statement that the mobility device needs to be fitted to the situation and person carefully or it could make the situation worse. That is an excellent statement!

I think many families stay together at WDW so using a wheel chair would not reduce his independence...you would go together and then maybe he would not use the wheelchair in the line. Or maybe he would stay in the wheelchair and the parent would wheel him up to the ride but then the parent would skip the ride.

Well the operative word here is 'many' and not all. And I can choose to continue to disagree with the fact that I do feel that it would reduce his independence. It is my opinion to which I am entitled, just as you are entitled to yours that is does not. Disney is one of the places that I did allow my kids freedom. I would not go and stand in line with them to then skip the ride. Personally, I think that is ridiculous. But my kids were responsible and well behaved and knew the rules. Again, my opinion, my option. Doesn't make my way the only right way...just makes it the right way 'for us'. That's the beauty of it, everyone gets to decide how it works best for their family. And I feel like if it were me and my family, it would reduce my child's independence significantly.

 

[KPeveler]

bolding is mine....
I Agree 100%!!
But I would also have to be careful about trying to use my feet as much as you did since I have a knee issue. It could potentially cause more issues with my knee and it's bad enough as is.
So that is why I agree so strongly with your statement that the mobility device needs to be fitted to the situation and person carefully or it could make the situation worse. That is an excellent statement!



Well the operative word here is 'many' and not all. And I can choose to continue to disagree with the fact that I do feel that it would reduce his independence. It is my opinion to which I am entitled, just as you are entitled to yours that is does not. Disney is one of the places that I did allow my kids freedom. I would not go and stand in line with them to then skip the ride. Personally, I think that is ridiculous. But my kids were responsible and well behaved and knew the rules. Again, my opinion, my option. Doesn't make my way the only right way...just makes it the right way 'for us'. That's the beauty of it, everyone gets to decide how it works best for their family. And I feel like if it were me and my family, it would reduce my child's independence significantly.

In answer to your first part - I, too, needed to be careful as I have knee, ankle, foot, and toe issues. You see, I have problems with every single joint in my body - I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: Hypermobility Type, and my manifestation is fairly severe. I just hate that I cannot take my powerchair in my car, so I am stuck with the bus, and due to my hand, elbow, and shoulder problems, I cannot drive a scooter. So I use an ultra-light weight manual wheelchair that is literally made for me, and I balance the use of my limbs.

In answer to your second, I fail to see how my scenario could inhibit his independence, as I suggested he walk as much as he wants, runs to his favorite rides, and does whatever he feels like. I suggested that if he is in pain (and while he may be fine Day 1, by the end of the trip he may be in a lot of pain), he can sit if he feels like it. That is, if he feels that his independence is being inhibited by pain, he can sit down. And while in line with his family, he is not going anywhere without them anyway - he is going to be standing next to them the length of the line. So he can sit in that situation, then get up at the end of the line to go pick his favorite color Dumbo or sit with his father and not his brother or whatever. I am in no way suggesting we tie a child to a chair and tell him he is stuck in it. But as you likely know, pain can be very inhibiting, and he may find this a welcome option away from the pain.

 

[Lees3rwe]

Wow! I was wondering how that post number jumped up so high!

Again, thanks for all of the input. We are thinking that we will be waiting for a trip (maybe around Christmas time).
He has started on a new anti-inflammatory and physical therapy 3 times a week, so hopefully, we will see an improvement.

We are going to enjoy a "stay-cation" in June with lots of pool time, some good movies and maybe a day trip or overnight to the beach.

He just really doesn't think he could handle the parks and would rather go another time.

I really do thank you for your time and comments!

 

[Denine]

Wow! I was wondering how that post number jumped up so high!

Again, thanks for all of the input. We are thinking that we will be waiting for a trip (maybe around Christmas time).
He has started on a new anti-inflammatory and physical therapy 3 times a week, so hopefully, we will see an improvement.

We are going to enjoy a "stay-cation" in June with lots of pool time, some good movies and maybe a day trip or overnight to the beach.

He just really doesn't think he could handle the parks and would rather go another time.

I really do thank you for your time and comments!

Enjoy your staycation and hopefully his knees will cooperate by Christmas!