5 year old with fractured ankle. ?'s

[5 for WDW]

Hi everyone! First time posting here.

I posted on the families thread a few days ago about stroller suggestions for our daughter. She fractured her ankle two weeks ago. She had the cast removed yesterday but, she is now in a Bledsoe Cam Walker (boot/brace that goes from her toe to her knee) until the end of August. We leave for WDW on August 15th.
She is allowed to walk minimially with strict restrictions. No stairs, no ramps and no prolonged standing or distances. So basically, she is partial weight bearing down from the full weight bearing she was for the past two weeks.
We are going to call on Monday about renting from Orlando Stroller rentals. Probably the larger one for medical needs since she is quite tall. But, we also have a friend that will lend us her stroller that my daughter does fit in. Either way, she will be in the stroller most of the time. Am I correct in assuming I should probably get the stroller marked for wheelchair use? I think I should after reading the FAQ's. Someone please correct if if I am wrong in that.
Also, does her injury constitute using the wheelchair line (folding the stroller once onboard) for the Disney buses? There is no way she will be able to stand on a full bus and at almost 50 pounds I cannot hold her. That was not something I considered until the Ortho mentioned no prolonged standing or stairs. Any thoughts on that would be greatly appreciated!
Any tips at all from anyone would be greatly appreciated. This is the first time in 17 trips that we are dealing with any kind of injury. We want to make this trip as enjoyable as we can for her. She is already upset to know she has to use a stroller. I know the boot is going to be beyond hot in August as well.
Thanks so much!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Am I correct in assuming I should probably get the stroller marked for wheelchair use?

Yes, you will need to do this if you expect to use the stroller in the lines. It should be noted, though, that GACs are for only attraction use - not dining, not buses, not anything else outside the parks. However, having the stroller-as-wheelchair tag apparent on the stroller should help. There's no reasonable reason why you can't use the back entrance to the bus (ignore anybody making comments); pretty much everyone on an ECV, and some wheelchair users, transfer to seats once on the bus.

 

[5 for WDW]

Yes, you will need to do this if you expect to use the stroller in the lines. It should be noted, though, that GACs are for only attraction use - not dining, not buses, not anything else outside the parks. However, having the stroller-as-wheelchair tag apparent on the stroller should help. There's no reasonable reason why you can't use the back entrance to the bus (ignore anybody making comments); pretty much everyone on an ECV, and some wheelchair users, transfer to seats once on the bus.

Thanks for your help! I am not concerned about dining, etc. Since she is able to walk for short distances or be carried we have no problem getting her into restaurants, etc.
We are definitely going to need the stroller on lines that are long. If it is a short wait we can hold her or have her walk slowly.
Thanks for the info on the buses as well. I am prepared to hear the comments and I am really not too concerned. There is always someone that has to say something, I am sure. Of course, if it is obvious we are going to get a seat we will not be using the back entrance.

Thanks again!

 

[kaytieeldr]

You're welcome. Ordinarily I don't use bandwidth just to be polite but I realized I didn't finish my thought! I meant to continue "...pretty much everyone on an ECV, and some wheelchair users, transfer to seats once on the bus - so it just makes sense that you (well, she) use that entrance as well, then transfer to seats".

 

[SueM in MN]

Am I correct in assuming I should probably get the stroller marked for wheelchair use? I think I should after reading the FAQ's. Someone please correct if if I am wrong in that.

Yes, if you missed the part of the FAQs about strollers as wheelchairs, it is in post #6 about Guest Assistance Cards.
Sometimes Guest Relations will give a GAC card along with the 'stroller as wheelchair' sticker/tag and other times they will just give the sticker/tag.
Whichever they give you, it will allow you to use the stroller in line and buildings the same as a wheelchair.

Also, does her injury constitute using the wheelchair line (folding the stroller once onboard) for the Disney buses? There is no way she will be able to stand on a full bus and at almost 50 pounds I cannot hold her. That was not something I considered until the Ortho mentioned no prolonged standing or stairs. Any thoughts on that would be greatly appreciated!

I think that it will be pretty obvious to the driver that you need to use the stroller up until the time she gets into the bus.

Also, if she needs to lie down and rest for a while with the soft cast off, you can use First Aid in any park.

 

[peemagg]

Watch out for her leg to swell in that heat and humidity. I know mine did and it was a year after foot surgery. That would make a big difference in how her boot fits. My swelling got worse as the day went on. If you can get a stroller that would allow her to put her foot straight out with support, I think she would be much more comfortable, those boots get to be heavy.

 

[KPeveler]

if the stroller is not made for bus travel, she should NOT stay in the stroller on the bus. there are some made for bus travel, and some that are not. the ones that are not, are VERY dangerous and the bus driver may not let her stay in the stroller on the bus. just to let you know!

 

[SueM in MN]

if the stroller is not made for bus travel, she should NOT stay in the stroller on the bus. there are some made for bus travel, and some that are not. the ones that are not, are VERY dangerous and the bus driver may not let her stay in the stroller on the bus. just to let you know!

Keep in mind that some drivers may let you keep her in the stroller while riding in the bus, but that is not a safe thing to do. She should transfer out once she is actually on the bus (which you mentioned you were planning on).

 

[5 for WDW]

Thanks so much, everyone! I really appreciate the help.

The stroller will be folded on the bus. I would not be comfortable, even if it was allowed, letting her stay in it.

I never thought about her getting a rest at First Aid. Great tip!

Thanks again!

 

[SueM in MN]

First Aid is great.
There is one in each park, marked clearly on the park map.
First Aid is cool, quiet and dim. If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there should be some pictures of a typical First Aid room.