Advice needed

[goofymom23]

Looking for advice.....We have been planning our annual Disney trip for months and of course the unexpected has to happen. We have 3 kids, 10,8,5, and the youngest was jumping on a trampoline yesterday and broke his leg. He is in a cast but still wants to go to Disney in 10 days. The other kids also want to go. My question is has anyone been in this circumstance? We have seen kids with casts on in the Park quite often and seen many wheelchairs there. What does everyone think?

 

[katerkat]

Go! But get a wheelchair. 5 is way too young to be on crutches all day. I broke my ankle when I was 18 and we were supposed to go to Busch Gardens. My parents canceled because they were afraid it would be too hot and I couldn't hobble along all day. May should be good enough weather that he won't be overheated, but hobbling all day... A wheelchair will be helpful.

Oh, and... Is he in a regular cast? Or does/will he have a removable one? I started out in the regular, but when we went on vacation (a cruise instead) I was in a removable cast -- it looked like a giant ski boot. Because it was plastic, I could swim with it on and take it off to dry out (so long as I didn't move my leg). But that was after about 6 weeks when the bones had started to knit back together. Otherwise, swimming is not going to be fun -- big plastic bag if he really wants to swim. If it's a full leg cast, swimming may not be an option at all...

Oh, and, I would plan more time getting ready in the morning, as it does take longer to get cleaned up and such with a cast. But I'm sure you know that already.

 

[DancingBear]

Go! Use a wheelchair. He should easily be able to transfer from chair onto most rides. Get a copy of the disabled guide and/or visit the DISabilities board before you go to have an idea of the wheelchair protocol for the rides.

If you are staying on-site, ask for a wheelchair at your resort when you check in. They are first come, first served, but they are free and you can keep them for your entire trip.

 

[MKFan-PR]

Go! Yes, go! Like the previous posters said, you should get a wheelchair; touring the park in crutches would be too much for him. Your resort will provide wheelchairs and your should get one at the parks when you arrive. Disney is very accommodating to guests in wheelchairs, so you'll get lots of help, and he'll be treated like a king. Swimming is probably out of the question, but as long as you take it a little slower, he'll love it.

Be aware, though, that sometimes he'll miss being able to run around with his brothers/sisters, but if you help him enjoy all the activities he can do, he'll be fine.

 

[Tinks]

I don't have advice on whether or not you should go....it would be hard to go in general in that situation, but swimming may be an option. The casts these days allow you to swim, bathe, shower with no problem. My nephew broke his leg last summer and was able to swim in a full leg cast! Make sure you check with his orthopedic doctor first to be sure you have the right cast. and have fun!

 

[Piper]

Contact one of the off-site wc rental places for a child sized wc. It will be so much more comfortable for him.
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/
http://www.walkermobility.com/

Care and Walker are two of them--very reasonable and dependable. The wc will be waiting at your hotel when you arrive and picked up after you leave.

 

[katerkat]

Oh, and are you flying? If so, plan to get a wheelchair at the airport AND plan extra time. If you're changing planes, arrange to have a cart waiting to transport your family, unless you have plenty of time between flights.
I remember them being extremely paranoid about my cast at the airport security -- and this was before Sept. 11. I had to get out of the wheelchair and hobble through the metal detector without crutches, which was both difficult and painful. You can't touch the sides, no one can touch you, so you're basically lurching forward without, hopefully, falling over. I had to do it three times cuz I kept hitting the sides. Then they ran the handheld detector over my cast about 20 times.

 

[goofymom23]

Thanks everyone for your quick responses. Please keep them coming. I think we have decided to go ,so now helpful hints are much appreciated!