a little help needed in planning a trip with a special kiddo

[arthropodtodd]

Greetings one and all! I am needing a little help as we start to think about our next trip in October/November 2015. On this trip we are going to traveling with some of our family friends who have a special kiddo. She is 5, small for her age, and has some issues, CP, due to stroking out at birth. She has weakness, movement, and control issues on her left side, and had come a long way due to some awesome therapy since she was a baby. Loud noises also freak her out, so noise dampening headphones are coming along for some rides and fireworks.

As we have never traveled with anyone with a disability, I am looking for some tips, suggestions, and just general things we might want to think about so this trip is a blast for her. I imagine she will be in her stroller for the trip and not a wheelchair, but she does get exhausted quickly. I think she will be okay with lines and for the most part will not need help getting on or off rides as she is still small enough for her parents to carry her.

Anyways any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[aaarcher86]

If she is going in her stroller I'd request a stroller as a wheelchair tag at guest relations. It will let the family take her stroller through the line so she can remain in it while waiting.

 

[lanejudy]

to the disABILITIES forum!

My number one suggestion, based on your post, is to get a stroller-as-wheelchair tag for her. This can be requested at Guest Relations. The stroller can go through the lines, allowing her to rest and conserve some energy, and parked during the ride. The stroller will also be allowed into shows. It will save her parents arms, as even an itty-bitty one gets heavy to be carried a lot.

I'd also recommend trying to stick to her normal daytime schedule -- waking, meals, naps, bedtime. That can be hard on vacation, but going all-out and changing up routine can be an overly exhausting change for her little body to make. Also plan downtime -- whether that is ADRs or snack/rest breaks in the park, or back to the resort for swimming or a nap.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

in her case as others have said the stroller as a wheelchair tag will be a lifesaver in the parks but not help with transportation. if using buses will still have to remove her and fold stroller. one of the clip on fans for the stroller esp if she naps in stroller. plenty of snacks in case you are in line when she needs something to eat. if planning to go back to resort for rests remember that you will have at least 20minutes of down time to keep her awake unless she goes back to sleep easily after that short of nap. we have never had luck getting back to resort and getting back to sleep. not like just eating and walking to their room at home, have to plan for travel time