Air Travel/Pediatric Wheelchair/Medical Bag

[HowdyHeidi]

Our WDW/DCL trip is in just about 2 weeks. I have been thinking and planning for months, but now I am packing.

I had originally planned to send a box ahead to the resort with all DS's liquid nutrition/feeding supplies etc and then just carrying a small medical bag on the plane with the feeding pump, a 2 day supply of formula and all the medications. But as I was loading the stuff in the box today it is really heavy and I am worried about the expense of sending it and potential damage to the box, and the worry of sending all that stuff that DS can't live without...

So, should I instead pack it in a carry on? I think it would probably fit. Is there a weight limit on medical bag carry ons? I know it is 50lb for a checked bag and it won't be that much... His regular carry on would be a diaper bag in addition to the medical bag...

We are 99% sure that we will be taking DS's new pediatric wheelchair with us on the plane. He will need to use it all the way until being seated on the plane. I bought a CARES restraint that he can be on in his seat and hopefully that will work (I read that you should bring a rubber drawer liner for him to sit on so he doesn't slide). I am a little worried about what will happen to the chair during the plane ride. I HOPE it can be stowed somewhere inside the plane and not get checked. It is hugely expensive and I don't know what we would do if it is damaged. Any advice on this issue? Would it be covered under our travel insurance?

I will have DH and another child with us for the trip, so I am feeling a bit overwhelmed managing everything...

Thanks for any advice!!!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Have you contacted your supplier for the feeding supplies. They can do the shipping directly to your Resort. I would still advise taking a couple of day's worth in the carry-on. But if you tell them the arrival date they should be able to coordinate the shipping date and the supplies will be there before you arrive. If this is done be sure to get tracking information from them.

 

[HowdyHeidi]

Have you contacted your supplier for the feeding supplies. They can do the shipping directly to your Resort. I would still advise taking a couple of day's worth in the carry-on. But if you tell them the arrival date they should be able to coordinate the shipping date and the supplies will be there before you arrive. If this is done be sure to get tracking information from them.

Actually, I just spoke with the supplier yesterday and even said about our vacation and they did not offer that service. hmmmm Having the tracking out of my hands would cause some anxiety for me but it may be worth asking... Is this something that most suppliers do?

 

[HowdyHeidi]

Okay, I just tried to fit it the supplies in a carry on suitcase and it doesn't fit.

 

[HowdyHeidi]

Actually, I just spoke with the supplier yesterday and even said about our vacation and they did not offer that service. hmmmm Having the tracking out of my hands would cause some anxiety for me but it may be worth asking... Is this something that most suppliers do?

Okay, I spoke with the supplier and they WILL NOT send a package for a vacation. So that option is officially OUT...

 

[jmartinez1895]

If push comes to shove you can pack a bag that has nothing but medical supplies ( the ones that you where going to ship) and then have it checked. They should not charge you for the bag because it is medical. I would hate to have to check it, but it may be your only option just be sure to have enogh supplies in your carry to last untill you could replace them should somehthing happen. We used to have to do this with my sons pediasure because we would travel with too much to be carried on.

 

[SueM in MN]

You could also try asking:

• - your supplier if there are any other companies in the Orlando area that the items you get from them. There may be another company in the same buying group, or if it is a national company, even in the same company.
• - if the supplier says no, ask them for some suggestions.
• - if you are working with a Dietician or Social Worker, they may have helped someone else to make a trip to WDW and be able to help you.
• - if nothing else, you could try looking the companies up on the internet and email them asking for some suggestions.

Most airplanes don’t have a closet or the closet they have may not be big enough to put most wheelchairs into the closet. So, your only option is likely to be gatechecking it.

We always gate check DD’s wheelchair and have done so for many years. The only damage we have ever had was a bent anti-tip bar. Our homeowners insurance would pay for damages, but in the situation of the bent anti-tip bar, the replacement cost was less than the deductable. So, check with your homeowners or rental insurance.

Before giving the wheelchair to the baggage people at the gate, we do remove everything that is not bolted on. So, I remove and bring on the plane with us:

• her seat cushion
• her seatback
• the armrests
• her headrest

She has ankle straps, which I velcro together and I also fasten her seatbelt and pull it tight (don’t want it to get caught in the wheels).
Her current wheelchair doesn’t have removable footrests, but when she had a wheelchair with ones that clipped on, I also removed those and carried them on. I have a nylon laundry bag that I stuff into my carryon and then pull out to put all the pieces in. That way, I won’t accidentally drop anything or leave it on the plane. I put the bag into the overhead storage bin on the plane.

 

[HowdyHeidi]

Thanks everyone. I think I am probably going to end up sending the box myself. I've looked up the shipping costs and the are doable, so I just need to convince myself that my packing efforts are going to be good enough. I spoke to the resort and they helped me with the logistics of getting it there and confirming it is there...

Does anyone else have a Kid Kart Xpress? We just got this for DS so we are just learning to use it. I can't figure out how to configure it when folded the safest and most compact way. They have a couple YouTube videos that help, but never show how to pack it after folding...