Advice please re child in wheelchair

[magicgirl]

Please help a panicking Grandmother. We are going to WDW for the last 2 weeks in September. My GS aged 4 has his leg in plaster after breaking it in 2 places 7 weeks ago. We are taking his fold up wheelchair with us. He has only being using it for short periods with no problems. We know that being in the parks are going to throw up a range of problems with being in a wheelchair. Please can we have advice on what unexpected things we will have to deal with and what to do. Any advice would be welcome. None of us have had any experience of wheelchair use.

 

[disney david]

Please help a panicking Grandmother. We are going to WDW for the last 2 weeks in September. My GS aged 4 has his leg in plaster after breaking it in 2 places 7 weeks ago. We are taking his fold up wheelchair with us. He has only being using it for short periods with no problems. We know that being in the parks are going to throw up a range of problems with being in a wheelchair. Please can we have advice on what unexpected things we will have to deal with and what to do. Any advice would be welcome. None of us have had any experience of wheelchair use.

No sure if you have a car or taking the bus but here are some options for that.

First he stays in and be tied down and enjoy a safe and fun ride. Second you use the back ramp then he transfers to a seat and you fold the chair and put it in front of you. And enjoy a safe and fun ride both options are up to you their no problem staying in the chair and being tied down or transferring to a seat.

The problem is if the bus is full and they don't have seats it might be better to stay in it because the driver will make people move out of those seats. Plus it the law so don't worry about that if it full mean standing room only an slot of people the driver for your son safety will call for another bus so you don't have to wait to long. They can also call for one if he wants to transfer to a seat and their isn't one. Then the driver only required by law to ask someone to give up their seat he can't make them.

Sorry if your using a cat and this dose jot help but please know that Disney is one of the best in dealing with people with disabilities and guest in wheelchairs. So you all should not have any problems at all and if so Disney will take care of it. They want you to enjoy your selves and have fun.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

In addition, you might want to talk to the person who will be removing the cast. Have a line drawn on the cast where it will be cut for removal. Then bring along some "Sharpies" and have the characters autograph the cast, asking them to make sure their signature does not directly cross the line.

Once the cast is removed and fully dried out, you will then have a very unusual souvenir of the trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

All attractions are wheelchair accessible with the following exceptions:
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse ( full of steep stairs)
Tomorrowland Transit Authority (steep moving ramp to get up and down from the 2nd floor station)
Peter Pan (moving walkway can't be stopped or slowed and there is a limited time to be able to get into and out of the ride car)

Most line are Mainstream, which mean that the regular line is wheelchair accessible. There will be a symbol on the park maps and t the attraction entrance sign that tells whether someone is able to stay in the wheelchair for the entire attraction (all shows have wheelchair spots) or whether they need to transfer into the ride car.
Guests don't need anything to use a wheelchair in lines/attractions. If there is something about the line that makes it not accessible, the CMs can see the wheelchair and will route the guest in the correct direction.

I'm not use what types of issues you are expecting, but really WDW is very accessible and they are very experienced with guests using wheelchairs.

If you haven't checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is quite. Bit of helpful information there. Posts 18-22 are about transfers to ride cars and talk bout steps on and off ride cars and tight ride cars.

 

[magicgirl]

Thank you for your help so far. I think I am worried about the actually coping with my GS in the chair. We know we will need some kind of cover for his cast if it rains and are hoping a poncho will go over him and his chair. He has only spent short periods in the chair and I am wondering if a pillow will be enough for him to sit on. These are the sort of things I am concerned about.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You might want to try something like a Therm-A-Rest self inflating seat cushion.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

something that I have found useful is a bath size towel to put over the back of chair and grandsons back. also is he able to bend at the knee? if not that could be a problem if using the buses.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm going to pop in with a question...you mention using his fold-up wheelchair that it seems he doesn't typically use. Is this a standard wheelchair that you have acquired for him since his leg break? Or does he have other reasons for having a wheelchair? I ask because if it's a standard adult sized chair, and not a pediatric chair sized for him, then he really might be more comfortable in a stroller. Most jogging-style strollers have the legs out front rather than dangling below like in an umbrella stroller. At 4 yrs old, he's probably rather small for a standard wheelchair and spending all day in it could get mighty uncomfortable even with a pillow. If the family no longer has a stroller, you can rent one. You would need to get a stroller-as-wheelchair tag and GAC at guest services to be allowed to use the stroller in line (regular wheelchairs are more obvious and don't require a GAC).

As for getting wet, I think a large poncho should cover his leg fine. What does his Dr. recommend regarding rainy days? If it's a very wet day, maybe a trash bag tied on his leg which might allow him more movement (though likely hot!).

As others have indicated, WDW is terrific at handling special needs of all kinds. I'm sure he'll be fine and you'll have a wonderful vacation!

 

[magicgirl]

I'm going to pop in with a question...you mention using his fold-up wheelchair that it seems he doesn't typically use. Is this a standard wheelchair that you have acquired for him since his leg break? Or does he have other reasons for having a wheelchair? I ask because if it's a standard adult sized chair, and not a pediatric chair sized for him, then he really might be more comfortable in a stroller. Most jogging-style strollers have the legs out front rather than dangling below like in an umbrella stroller. At 4 yrs old, he's probably rather small for a standard wheelchair and spending all day in it could get mighty uncomfortable even with a pillow. If the family no longer has a stroller, you can rent one. You would need to get a stroller-as-wheelchair tag and GAC at guest services to be allowed to use the stroller in line (regular wheelchairs are more obvious and don't require a GAC).

As for getting wet, I think a large poncho should cover his leg fine. What does his Dr. recommend regarding rainy days? If it's a very wet day, maybe a trash bag tied on his leg which might allow him more movement (though likely hot!).

As others have indicated, WDW is terrific at handling special needs of all kinds. I'm sure he'll be fine and you'll have a wonderful vacation!

Thank you for your advice. He wasn't in a wheelchair prior to breaking his leg and the wheelchair we have is a childs one. I have told my son to read this thread as well. We are all going to make sure that both my grandsons have a lovely time.

 

[akcire]

Since you said a second child will be going.....


Come up with an activity the child with the cast can do instead of swimming. It is hot in Sept. he will want to go swimming if everyone else is swimming. An uncomfortable 4 year old is not the greatest for reasoning. Have a plan in place in advance unless he has a "swimming" cast.

 

[SueM in MN]

They do make fiberglass casts that have a waterproof liner and would allow him to swim. (Some fiberglass ones do not have a waterproof liner, so would still need to be protected fom getting wet).
It's not an option for every break, but if they will be replacing the cast before he goes to WDW, it would be worth asking about a waterproof fiberglass one.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/cast_faq.html

 

[magicgirl]

He is having another cast on before we leave so I will suggest a waterproof one. Luckily we are 4 adults with 2 children so we can make sure that everyone gets to do what they want to do.