AFO's?

[Twice_as_Nice]

My little guy is getting AFO's next week and I am wondering how people have dealt with them while in the parks, also what was it like flying with them and issues going through security?

He already tires easily so we will be bringing a stroller for sure, I am wondering about the heat and how to keep his feet cool with them they go up his calf. Do you HAVE to wear high socks with them for them to be comfortable?

Any advice?

 

[Valista]

We drive so I have not flown with AFO's. I would imagine that as long as you take them off and send them through security with his shoes that you will not have any problems.

He will need to have socks that go as high as the AFOs otherwise they will rub. When you first get the AFO's the PT will have you build up your child's tolerance for them over a few weeks. You start with an hour a day and go from there. In my experience, my daughter wore new balance walking shoes that we had to take the insole out of in order for the AFO to sit properly inside the shoe. We started off with one pair of shoes that was a half size larger for her AFO's and one pair for her to wear without the AFOs. You might have him wear the AFO's in the morning when it is cooler and then switch to another pair of shoes without the AFO's in the afternoon. I would talk to your PT about your concern's.

 

[Valista]

You might call the airlines and they might be able to give you assistance in the airport. My mother was disabled and she always arranged with Delta to have someone help her move through the airport.

 

[redberyl]

I didnt have my daughter wear hers in the airport, she primarily needs them for support while walking. Since she rode in the stroller for most of the airport, they werent really neccessary. socks absolutely must be at least as high as the dafo or you will be dealing with painful skin break down

 

[nikkislaght]

my son had his brace on his arm while going through airport security,, he didnt set anything off but they still scanned him.. on the way there... on the return trip he went straight through... he wears an arm sock.. and it still rubs. so he might be uncomfortable until used to them and as stated above he will need to build up to wearing them for longer periods of time.. make sure you go to City Hall and ask for a stroller as a wheelchair pass..
Have a great tip

 

[PatMcDuck]

We had no issues with the AFOs. My son wore them for several years, until we had his ankles fused.

 

[Mommee]

Children do not need to remove their shoes when flying anymore, but I'm not sure what they'd do with the AFO's. I put my hand braces in my carry-on and leave my foot braces in my shoes when I put them in a bin so I don't have to worry about them.

MCO has a separate line for those who need more time or extra assistance. Our large airport does, too, but our small one does not. On the other hand, it wasn't busy so we don't feel rushed at all.

I would have your son not wear the AFO's when he's riding in the stroller so his feet get a break from the heat. An extra pair of socks and some powder in your park bag will be inavaluable if there's any chafing issues from sweating... We also always bring mole skin and some small scissors (to the resort, not into the parks) so we can pad any hot spots that might show up. A band aid until we are back to the room works.

 

[Twice_as_Nice]

Thank you so much for the valuable advice everyone it's been VERY helpful. I am looking for socks, with it being summer they are harder to find but I think I found some that will work.

We are travelling with Make A Wish do you think that might make going through security with the AFO's easier maybe?

 

[redberyl]

Going through maw didnt help us at all in the airport. We even got bumped from our flight. Security procedures will be the same, but really its no big deal. We went through with dafos, oxygen, suction machine, backpack of formula, backpavk of meds, inhalors and other medical supplies, no problem. They were very nice about it

 

[dismom57]

My adult son has AFOs but when in airport and WDW we used his wheelchair. They are very hot to wear, so we did not use them at the parks etc when standing was minimal. They do require knee socks under them to prevent skin breakdown. At the airports we indicate that he cannot walk through independently, and cannot take off shoes without hardship. It is okay but just leads to extra screening.

 

[DG24]

My sister wore afo's for years, my mom always used three or four pair of socks a day with her. She would start out with a pair, change them if they got wet on splash mountain, then when we took a nap she changed them again after, and then again after dinner when we went on something else. She always said be safe than sorry, so buy cotton, absorbable socks, with lots of power, I can't remember the name, but there is a power that has an absorbency component in it, over in the athlet foot section that works the best. My sister never had a problem going thru security but then again security was not the same back then. She wore the AFO,s for 12 years, and an arm one and never once had broken down skin. It was very hard to find knee socks, Sears was one of the only ones that sold cotton knee socks, and yes it makes a difference if they are cotton or not.mi believe her shoes were mainly stride rites but from a speciality shop, who would sell to different sizes, since the brace foot was a size bigger than her other foot, and a shoe repair shop use to work on them, since with the brace on she was lop sided and one shoe had to be blunt up and the other shoe had to be stretched out. I am happy to say, with no surgeries, and many years of therapy she walks fine now.