a broken bone and disney

[czkmom]

My 17 year old fractured 2 bones in his pelvic region a few weeks ago snowboarding. By the time we are in disney it be in the 6th week of healing....but the orthopedic doctor last week said he wants him to use his crutches through that time frame...... he is not in any cast due to the area and inability to cast it.

How would you handle disney in this situation? I'm sure he'll be sitting with grandpa throughout the day but he wants to be tough and go the entire time (and he can do somethings that aren't jolting to the body)..... I can just imagine all the dirty looks we would get with a wheel chair or something and a 6 foot healthy looking teenage boy sitting it it...... but hey, I guess no one knows us and we'll never see them again...

 

[papamouse1]

My 17 year old fractured 2 bones in his pelvic region a few weeks ago snowboarding. By the time we are in disney it be in the 6th week of healing....but the orthopedic doctor last week said he wants him to use his crutches through that time frame...... he is not in any cast due to the area and inability to cast it.

How would you handle disney in this situation? I'm sure he'll be sitting with grandpa throughout the day but he wants to be tough and go the entire time (and he can do somethings that aren't jolting to the body)..... I can just imagine all the dirty looks we would get with a wheel chair or something and a 6 foot healthy looking teenage boy sitting it it...... but hey, I guess no one knows us and we'll never see them again...

It is your very expensive vacation... make it as memorable as you can for you and your son. I think the wheelchair is the best option to do that

 

[villain luvr]

I think a wheel chair would be best for. You want to make sure that he is comfortable for the vacation as well. If someone gives ou a side eye I would not worry about it.

 

[rainyday77]

Disney is a lot of walking...so a wheel chair for occasional use might be helpful. I wouldn't worry about others. Those that have been in similar situations understand that while a person looks fine, they may be at different stages of healing where a wheelchair is needed at times, but not others. When my mom had one for her broken ankle, which was mending and she was on crutches, we allowed my 3 year old to ride in it when she was walking. I felt embarassed as she was so small in the large chair, but no one knew us. Do whatever will make the trip the best it can be.

 

[Belle Ella]

The wheelchair will be invaluable for your family and your son to have an enjoyable vacation. Disneyland is a lot, a lot, of walking as PP mentioned. Don't worry about what other people think of your seemingly healthy son using a wheelchair. There are so many conditions, broken bones or not, that you can't judge based on looks alone and it's silly of someone to judge when they have no idea what someones actual health is. You and your son would know he needs the wheelchair. That's all that matters.

 

[papamouse1]

Honestly... I don't think anyone would even notice the wheelchair unless you have a party of 12 who cut in front of every line with you

(just a joke folks)

 

[ironpig70]

Get a wheel chair. He may tough it out on day 1 and may do 2 days on crutches but I would be hard pressed to say he would last 3 days. I have been on crutches and its not a fun time.

 

[ArchOwl]

I used a GAC during my summer visit (post surgery) and did most of Disneyland without a wheelchair. Needing to avoid stairs, I was directed to alternative entrances many times. No one, either CM or tourist, ever said anything remotely disrespectful or rude. Or perhaps I didn't notice them. Either way, it worked out great!

 

[vew-tori]

I agree. Use the wheelchair. My niece has one. She has Crohn's and excema all over her body. Her feet are so bad they bleed when she walks. To look at her she looks healthy but... Before she got her own wheelchair they went to WDW and she used one. I sometimes get looks when I pick her up from school. She gets out and helps me put it in the car. One of her teachers even gave her a hard time for having it. I know it is what she needs so I don't mind the looks. You do what is right for your son! I can't imagine trying to do Disney on crutches.

 

[skiingfast]

Maybe on the wheelchair. I'd consider an ECV to give him some indenpendence, and the ability to go on his own if you have to split up for a while. Also get a GAC card so the CM's can direct him where to go for attractions.


In particular reming hid to consider how the rides/shows are. I know someone who broke their pelvis. They could not comfortably sit long at all for a long while. So going on the railroad or small world could be a problem. Also why Pirates may seem like a gentle ride he may get shooting pain when it slams into the water at the bottom of drops. Mild to us could be major to him. Just play it by ear and let him decide what looks ok or not. Tell him to ask CM's about the attraction if he's concerned about how it may go.

Sorry he got injured before a trip, but we can't time when an accident is going to happen.

 

[Terri.M]

Definately get a wheelchair. 4 weeks before our first and only trip to WDW my 14yr old son tore all the ligiments in his knee and needed to be on cruches. He thought he could use them around the park but lasted 10 min before his arms got too sore.

Hope your trip goes well. We still had one of the best vacations ever!

 

[xipetotec]

My 17 year old fractured 2 bones in his pelvic region a few weeks ago snowboarding. By the time we are in disney it be in the 6th week of healing....but the orthopedic doctor last week said he wants him to use his crutches through that time frame...... he is not in any cast due to the area and inability to cast it.

How would you handle disney in this situation? I'm sure he'll be sitting with grandpa throughout the day but he wants to be tough and go the entire time (and he can do somethings that aren't jolting to the body)..... I can just imagine all the dirty looks we would get with a wheel chair or something and a 6 foot healthy looking teenage boy sitting it it...... but hey, I guess no one knows us and we'll never see them again...

Forget the dirty looks. Like the folks on the DIS Unplugged said, people don't know what your family is going through. Just because someone LOOKS healthy on an ECV or Wheelchair does not mean they ARE. We have almost the same issue coming up, except it's DW. She suffered a sephraciliac (sp? ) sprain and has been undergoing physiotherapy for a month now. She *CAN* walk... but for about 10-20 minutes at a time. There is NO WAY at the moment that she can walk all day and STAND in line. Unless she gets a whole lot better in the 3 weeks until our trip, we WILL be going with a wheelchair and we WON'T feel bad about it!

And most of all, you don't want to exacerbate his injury because you're afraid of what people will think. He is injured, it is completely justified that he be in a wheelchair.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

In particular remind him to consider how the rides/shows are. I know someone who broke their pelvis. They could not comfortably sit long at all for a long while.

I agree with this ~ while I've never broken my pelvis I think it'd be very uncomfortable to sit at all - wouldn't optimal healing and comfort be when one is lying flat or standing up??

Best of luck to you OP and your son ~ I hope you have a good time, what a sad thing to happen to your son.

 

[uncle duck]

check outside rentals for wheelchairs. It is less expensive than day to day rental at the park. (go to the disabilities forum for more info) ecv/scooters usually only rent to 18 and older. this way he'll have the use of one all the time where ever you go

 

[tlovesdis]

Don't let what anyone may say to you bother you at all! It's no one else's business to know why your son may need a wheelchair or ECV!

I have a horrible foot condition and can't walk all day long! I always rent an ECV and although on the outside I may look normal or like nothing is wrong, I can't do Disney any other way!

I would suggest renting an ECV from Deckert's. They will drop off and pick up at your hotel and this way he will have it to and from the hotel. The Disney rentals cannot be taken anywhere but the two parks.