Advice needed

[Calcium]

Hi there,
Would be great if someone could advise me on the best way of enjoying the park with my family of five.
The issue is that 10 days ago my daughter was hit be a car. And had to spend 3 days in hospital. Although the psychical scars are healing, and all the swelling and bruising on the brain have almost gone, her muscles in her legs get tiered if she stands for long periods. She is able to walk, but we haven't walked for long periods. At the moment she walks slowly (compared to before the accident ) with a limp, and sits when she feels tired.
I never thought we would be in thus situation we had everything planned fir a full on trip. We arrive in Disney World on Sunday after a 9hour flight from the uk
Many thanks
Penny

 

[aaarcher86]

Hi there, Would be great if someone could advise me on the best way of enjoying the park with my family of five. The issue is that 10 days ago my daughter was hit be a car. And had to spend 3 days in hospital. Although the psychical scars are healing, and all the swelling and bruising on the brain have almost gone, her muscles in her legs get tiered if she stands for long periods. She is able to walk, but we haven't walked for long periods. At the moment she walks slowly (compared to before the accident ) with a limp, and sits when she feels tired. I never thought we would be in thus situation we had everything planned fir a full on trip. We arrive in Disney World on Sunday after a 9hour flight from the uk Many thanks Penny

First of all, I'm so sorry! I hope your daughter recovers swiftly and can get her mind off of everything while she's a WDW.

For mobility issues Disney will recommend a wheelchair, and honestly, I think that will be the best option for her. She can rest whenever she need to or be in it all day and give her muscles a break. Disney is roughly 6 miles if walking each day. Lines are accessible so you guys can go through lines as you would any other time.

 

[kathie859]

How old/large is your DD? I'd think she'd need a stroller or a wheelchair. WDW is spread out and can be exhausting to those who are in the best of shape. She may not need it for the entire trip but as a Mom, I'd feel better to have her take it easy until she's back to her old self.

Good luck!

 

[wilkeliza]

Hi there,
Would be great if someone could advise me on the best way of enjoying the park with my family of five.
The issue is that 10 days ago my daughter was hit be a car. And had to spend 3 days in hospital. Although the psychical scars are healing, and all the swelling and bruising on the brain have almost gone, her muscles in her legs get tiered if she stands for long periods. She is able to walk, but we haven't walked for long periods. At the moment she walks slowly (compared to before the accident ) with a limp, and sits when she feels tired.
I never thought we would be in thus situation we had everything planned fir a full on trip. We arrive in Disney World on Sunday after a 9hour flight from the uk
Many thanks
Penny

My biggest suggestion is to research hospitals around WDW and determine if your insurance covers any of them. I know you probably don't want to plan for the worst but since you mention brain swelling and bruising an emergency plan would be smart.

As others have pointed out a wheelchair (or if little a stroller) would give you options. She can use it to stable herself if she wants to walk but also has a spot to sit if need be. If she is a teenager you might want to rent a smaller wheelchair so she feels more comfortable.

If she is over 18 an ECV may also be an option. That way no one would have to push the wheelchair however she may be less likely to get up and walk with the ECV.

 

[Calcium]

Thank you for your replies, we have checked our insurance and they are going to cover her. We have been told to worry if she has constant headaches. We was lucky that it was small pentical bruising/bleeding on the brain.
My DD is only 8. Last time we visited she was only 2. This time it's her sisters 10th birthday so we are trying to be as normal as before the accident.
Would she need to get a GAC if we are in a stroller.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thank you for your replies, we have checked our insurance and they are going to cover her. We have been told to worry if she has constant headaches. We was lucky that it was small pentical bruising/bleeding on the brain.
My DD is only 8. Last time we visited she was only 2. This time it's her sisters 10th birthday so we are trying to be as normal as before the accident.
Would she need to get a GAC if we are in a stroller.

No need for the DAS (replacement of GAC) if she is in a stroller. You will need to get a stroller as wheelchair tag and that will be it.

 

[anonymousegirl]

As your DD is only 8, I recommend renting a pediatric wheelchair from an off site company if you decide to go with a wheelchair instead of a stroller/pushchair. These wheelchairs are smaller and she will be more comfortable in one of these instead of an adult wheelchair.

Whichever you decide, good luck!

 

[lanejudy]

... Would she need to get a GAC if we are in a stroller.

The old GAC program has now changed to the DAS. For mobility needs, she will not need the DAS. More info on that is in the sticky above titled "WDW Disability Access Service Card..."

You will need to stop by Guest Relations to get a Stroller-as-Wheelchair tag -- it looks a lot like a luggage tag that hangs around the stroller handles (or other part of frame). This will allow you to bring the stroller into queues so she can sit and save her energy. She is welcome to walk whenever she feels up to it.
So sorry this happened at all, and especially right before your vacation! I'm glad it sounds like she is on the mend and will be OK.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[greenpea89]

We were in a similar situation with one of our daughters about five years ago. We didn't know about the GAC (now the DAS) at the time so didn't use it but we did use a stroller for her. It worked very well and she had a great time. Fast pass, (now Fastpass+) was our friend. We also only went to the parks early in the day and left each day before noon or earlier when our daughter started to feel tired, headachy, or overwhelmed. The sensory overload really got to her and we had to watch for it.

I know you didn't ask in your OP but something I didn't think about when her doctors approved the trip was to ask which rides were okay for her to ride. I assumed that when they said this was our "new normal" and it was fine for her to go that they were approving all the rides. I only mentioned it at her last appointment before we left and they actually had a list of rides that she wasn't approved to ride (basically anything jerky, fast, bumpy, or with 3D effects). I'm sure you've already asked about specific rides and this may not apply to your daughter. I just thought I would mention it because I didn't think about it until the last minute and I was so glad that I asked.

I hope you and your family have a great trip and your daughter fully recovers quickly!