4 year old with broken leg. Need advice.

[DisneyGirlz]

Our 4 year old has a broken tibia after a sledding accident this past week. She's going to be in a cast from her thigh down for 6 weeks, and no weight on it. I'm pretty sure we can manage our trip just fine in March. My biggest concern is her stroller, there is no way her Macalren Quest will work with her leg extended, so I need something with some support under her leg. I'm thinking of renting a wheelchair for a couple months, but I'm not sure about the cost of this or whether our insurance would help pay. If our insurance doesn't, it may be better to find a stroller with more leg support, where she could recline some for naps.??? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[deva]

IMO this will be a very challenging vacation for you and probably a struggle and disappointment for DD. Are you sure she'll be able to ride? There are many rides where I think it would be tough to sit with a leg that can't be "tucked". What about swimming? Do you have other children? How tough will it be for her to watch them heading to the pool when she cannot? Maybe you could push back vaca until after the cast comes off.

 

[treehugnmama]

I have to agree about pushing back vacation if at all possible. I remember my cousin going on a family vacation with us back in the day and she was so dissapointed and grumpy due to the frustration. I guess it is like taking a kid to a candy store and telling them they can only look.

I don't know of a more appropriate stroller but I bet you someone on the disabilities boards could help.

good luck I hope you all enjoy your trip.

 

[seashoreCM]

Consider splitting up: you take DD and DH takes the other kids or you take the other kids and DH takes DD, if there is something lengthy like swimming that DD cannot partake of.

 

[squirrel]

Unless you are able to get a child's wheelchair, I think WDW strollers would work okay.

Is there anyway they can put on a waterproof cast? It would make it much easier for you to give her baths and wash her hair.

I would probably see about moving the trip dates till after the cast is off. I think it would be much easier for everyone.

 

[dzorn]

I would also talk with her doctor before you plan on taking your trip.

Denise in MI

 

[loveysbydesign]

If possible, I'd try and push the trip back and then "celebrate" by going on your trip!
Best of luck to you and I hope she recovers easily!

 

[aksunshine]

Isabelle had her femur broke when she was 4. It was a nightmare! She was supposed to use a walker so she wouldn't put weight on it, but she would still use it. I can't imagine WDW when she was like that. I would try to move it, but you do what you need to do.

 

[DisneyGirlz]

Thanks for all of the the advice. Unfortunately, changing our trip dates is not possible. The other girls have school up until June, and then my husband starts summer school. I had thought of the Disney strollers, too. That may be our best bet since the bottom is almost flat. She won't ride the fast rides anyway, and I think most of the fantasy land rides will be okay. She's only 41 inches tall, and most of the seats are deep enough to accomodate her legs straight out. I didn't know they made waterproof casts...hmmm

 

[ldrprn]

If it is just for Disney check into renting a stroller. The rental companies have special needs strollers. I'll bet they have something that you could use. If they are like the scooter rentals they will deliver it to your resort, and you will have it for the entire trip.

 

[Zookeeperof4]

Just an FYI...March can be pretty warm. your 4 year old might be complaining more of the itchness and dampness inside the cast that time of year. Its not 90's by any means but still warm.
I understand the not wanting to push it back but is there some way that you could take the kids out of school a few days later on?? Between April 11th-June 3rd is the Value season.....its actually cheaper then March so you may even save a few dollars if you were able to go after the cast came off. I understand the issue with school but I have a feeling that you will not fully enjoy your not so cheap Disney vacation trying accomodate the cast issues. Once the cast is the shorter style one there are so many more things that the child can do....also you may be elligible for a guest assistance card. I know your pain...my DD broke her ankle in three spots 7 weeks before our trip. (We left on Thanksgiving) We also had that thigh high cast and then got the shorter one. They both were off the week we went and she had a walking boot...but the boot proved to be to hot as well. The dr said as long as we used the stroller for her and she did not have any pain we could take it off in the parks. But she did have some times of pain. It wasnt always the most joyful time.....so I am just giving you my opinion based on our experience.

 

[Piper]

Please check out the FAQs on the DISAbilities thread. Also, please post over there as there are a lot of people who have experience with children in wheelchairs.

I would suggest renting a pediatric wheelchair from one of the off-site vendors listed in the FAQs on that board. I know from experience that the wrong size chair is very uncomfortable. There are a lot of rides that she could remain in the chair and others that she needs to transfer for.......that information is on the Disabilities FAQs.

You will go in the same lines as most people at most of the rides. They are "mainstreamed", but do be prepared to wait a little longer as you will be pulled out of line when you reach a certain point and sent to an area to wait for a specific vehicle. Only a certain number of mobility impaired people are allowed on a ride at a time because of safety reasons.

If you are staying on site, you can use the bus transportation. Wait at the designated spot where the driver can see the chair. You will be the first loaded but the last ones off the bus.

Be vigilant when pusing your DD, as people like to jump out in front of WCs and ECVs to "get ahead of them." They don't understand that they don't stop on a dime.

With all that, it is very "doable" to enjoy WDW in a WC and one of my favorite places to vacation!

 

[cruizie]

My dd broke her femur when she was 3 and was in a body cast. However, we did not attempt a Disney vacation during that time. Our biggest adventure was a trip from Houston to Galveston. We used a wagon instead of a wheelchair. I put some pillows in it and she would sleep in there occassionally. Are you driving to WDW? If so, the wagon might work and you could probably borrow or buy one inexpensively.

 

[MSSANDRA]

WDW does not allow wagons...sorry.

I would also check the policy on cast on rides. I would assume it would be ok but better to be sure before the trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

My dd broke her femur when she was 3 and was in a body cast. However, we did not attempt a Disney vacation during that time. Our biggest adventure was a trip from Houston to Galveston. We used a wagon instead of a wheelchair. I put some pillows in it and she would sleep in there occassionally. Are you driving to WDW? If so, the wagon might work and you could probably borrow or buy one inexpensively.

Just to be aware - wagons or anything pulled behind are not allowed in WDW parks.
If you click on the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find post #2 includes rental information - Toward the end if that post there is information about renting special needs strollers. You may want to look at renting or bringing one from home because you could use it in the airport. Wheelchairs and special needs strollers can be gate checked - just like regular strollers- at no cost.
As for insurance paying for it, you would need a doctor's prescription and whether your insurance would pay or not depends on the individual policy.

There is information in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread about Guest Assistance Cards. If you have a stroller, you will need a GAC or sticker to use a stroller as a wheelchair. This would allow you to bring it into buildings and queues where strollers are not usually allowed and she could remain in it until you get to the boarding area. The CM will move it out of the way and it will be waiting for you when you get off.
You don't need a GAC to use a wheelchair in lines.
Most lines are mainstreamed, which means the regular line is totally or mostly accessible.
All shows have wheelchair seating areas where someone cam remain in a wheelchair during the show. Some rides have a wheelchair accessible ride car, but whether she would be able to fit on those in the wheelchair or specisl needs stroller will vary. For some - like Small World - it would probably work. For others - like Buzz Lightyear - it may not work if her leg is extended out in front of her b

 

[Deb & Bill]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/helpFAQ?id=HelpFAQThemeParkPage&bhcp=1

"Q. Are there any personal items I should not bring with me into the Theme Parks?

A. Items that you may not bring into the Theme Parks include, but are not limited to:

Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations), and any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller
Alcoholic beverages
Weapons of any kind
Folding chairs
Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
Pets (unless they are service animals)
In Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted.


Note: Guests are not permitted to pull items behind them. Any item that requires a Guest to pull it behind them, including a stroller, is not permitted into the Park."

 

[brergnat]

Move the trip. Take the others out of school if necessary. Your DD4 will have a miserable time.

I say that as a parent of a 4 and 5 year old. IF that happened to one of them, I would NEVER take them to a Disney park in that condition. They are too young to understand the situation fully and will just get upset at all the things they can't do. Not worth it.

And, I don't know what rides you think will accommodate a leg straight out, but I can't think of any. They are rather tight. I take my 4 year old (who is only 40.5" tall) to Disneyland practically every week. He can't straighten his legs on any rides...and he tries...just ends up kicking the seat or partition. The seats are not deep enough and there isn't enough space between seat backs on any rides I can think of.

 

[billwendy]

Whew - this is a toughie!!!

I went with my neice who was 2 at the time with a full leg cast. SHe was much shorter, and she was allowed to put weight on her leg. I would definately talk to the Dr about your planned trip. It could be that maybe they could go to a short leg cast by that time???? And yes, you could ask for a waterproof cast - some dr's like them, some do not. If you do get one, make sure you give it time to drain or use a blow dryer to make sure it gets dried inside after swimming or showers. You could also ask for a water tight cast cover ( they use these in the pool at the children's hospital I work at.

While a pediatric wheel chair is smaller in size, you would need extending legrests for your DH since her leg needs to be straight out. SPecial needs strollers are typically like a big umbrella stroller, and wouldnt give her that support under the leg, unless it was a Kid Kart or a Kimba - but I dont know if they rent those types of strollers ( they are more like wheelchairs with smaller wheels). Your best bet might be to do a disney rental stroller for in the parks and maybe just use a regular umbrella stroller for around the resort and to/from the bustop/car???? Just be VERY aware of that leg sticking out!!! It could catch on something or be bumped by someone very easily!

Good luck with it all, and it will work out!!!

 

[Perditamarie]

Move the trip. Take the others out of school if necessary. Your DD4 will have a miserable time.

I say that as a parent of a 4 and 5 year old. IF that happened to one of them, I would NEVER take them to a Disney park in that condition. They are too young to understand the situation fully and will just get upset at all the things they can't do. Not worth it.

And, I don't know what rides you think will accommodate a leg straight out, but I can't think of any. They are rather tight. I take my 4 year old (who is only 40.5" tall) to Disneyland practically every week. He can't straighten his legs on any rides...and he tries...just ends up kicking the seat or partition. The seats are not deep enough and there isn't enough space between seat backs on any rides I can think of.

I agree with this....it would be easier to take the older kids out of school than have the 4 yo find out there are limited things she can do, besides watch others have all the fun.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Check out wheelchair rental places. My cousin's dd2 wears braces from her upper thigh down. They rented a child sized wheelchair for our trip. The cost was minimal - something like $50 for a month and the rental company brought it to her house and picked it back up. It steared much better than a stroller as well - they hooked a backpack over the handles for storage. As for riding, the baby rode everything we did that didn't have a height restriction. I realize a 4 y/o is taller than a 2 y/o but I don't see it being a problem with her being able to ride. Here's a picure of all the kids on our trip including the wheelchair. The wheelchair did have leg extenders that went straight out but since she was so short, they were not needed.

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