Any Parents With Disabilities?

[lovesLilo]

Hi I'm just wondering if there are any parents with disabilities out there?
I was just thinking it would be great to connect with others in similar situations.

 

[ammag]

I am!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

my mom is-with a milder manifestation of Muscular Dystrophy than my sister and I.

 

[carrie6466]

I have a few things going on, unfortunately.

 

[Buckimion]

Empty-nester, but DD used to fight with DW to push my wheelchair.

 

[lovesLilo]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one out there. Thus far, I've thankfully been able to independently care for my son. However, I'm anxious because I know there will come a day in which my disability limits how much I can care for him due to him getting bigger, more mobile etc. Any tips for dealing with that challenge of parenting?

 

[ammag]

hi again...Ive looked online for resources/ message boards for disabled parents, havent ever found one, do you know of any? I am 35, i have aa DD5 and DS11m. I have ME/CFS/CFIDS...lol too many names. chronic fatigue syndrome I guess is the recognized but least descriptive name. also fibromyalgia and some arthritis. Ive been a hot mess of flares and low NK cells lately so everything is hard/...am starting to worry about our WDW trip in october. is anyone nervous about handling a trip? any tips? I am able to care for the kids about 75% of the time now so I shouldnt need wheelchair etc. we will see. Ive worked SO hard for this trip and it means so much to me that if I couldnt enjoy it or the kids couldnt do thigns because of me I will lose it

One good thing about growing up with a disabled parent? Your kid learns to play on thier own and be more imaginative. DD knows fi I am doing really badly she and i can watch a movie, or she can play while I rest...coming up with inventive things to do on the couch/bed or on her own. legos, anything to build or create as well as little animal and people figurines are great for this. art too! kids also learn to be more empathetic

 

[lovesLilo]

Hi, I am 24 and use a manual wheelchair due to a TBI in my early teens. Unfortunately I haven't found any forums, or really much of any support out there for parents with disabilities, online or in person. That's why I posted here.
I'm sorry you're stressing over your upcoming trip. DFi and I will also be going to WDW in October. It is my first-ever trip to WDW and his first as an adult. I'm a bit nervous but mostly excited. I hope going once for an adult only trip will be helpful for strategizing in a few years when DS (6 months) will be old enough to enjoy WDW. Thank you to everyone for the replies and support.

 

[teachtlb]

Hi! I am a single mother to my DD who is 5. I am in a wheelchair and will be taking her to Disney in August. We are both so excited since it will be her first trip and my first trip in 15 years. The best part about Disney is that they are so accommodating to all types of disabilities. So many rides at different amusement parks are just not okay with a wheelchair but Disney is so the opposite. If you have any questions about your disability and Disney, let me know and I can try to find out the answer when I am there.

 

[maroo]

Hi! I am a single mother to my DD who is 5. I am in a wheelchair and will be taking her to Disney in August. We are both so excited since it will be her first trip and my first trip in 15 years. The best part about Disney is that they are so accommodating to all types of disabilities. So many rides at different amusement parks are just not okay with a wheelchair but Disney is so the opposite. If you have any questions about your disability and Disney, let me know and I can try to find out the answer when I am there.

I just wanted to say welcome to the DIS!

I hope you guys have a great time on your trip!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I am! Though looking at me you cant see them. So some ppl think I am making it up but it isnt fun let me tell you.Its good that there are more ppl that may not have the same thing I have but know how I feel

 

[littlemamma]

I personally do not have a disability, but my DH is vision and hearing impaired due to Usher's syndrome. The hearing isn't quite as much of an issue, but the vision is difficult because he has little vision at night or in the dark, and has lost his peripheral vision...making it almost tunnel like to some degree. The two time I've been to WDW with him have definitely been new learning experiences for me.

 

[BillSears]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one out there. Thus far, I've thankfully been able to independently care for my son. However, I'm anxious because I know there will come a day in which my disability limits how much I can care for him due to him getting bigger, more mobile etc. Any tips for dealing with that challenge of parenting?

Learn how to give them "The Look". I realize it depends on the child but my daughter never ran from me. We played around but when it was time to be serious we didn't have any arguments.

As a wheelchair user I found overalls to be a lot of help. I could reach over and grab the back of the overalls with one hand and lift my DD right up into my lap. It's great for crawling babies.

 

[lovesLilo]

Learn how to give them "The Look". I realize it depends on the child but my daughter never ran from me. We played around but when it was time to be serious we didn't have any arguments.

As a wheelchair user I found overalls to be a lot of help. I could reach over and grab the back of the overalls with one hand and lift my DD right up into my lap. It's great for crawling babies.

Thanks! Both of those are super helpful. Little man is crawling now

 

[HonnyDipp]

ME!!!! I have polymyositis. It took away my ability to walk at age 29. I'm 35 now. In remission and currently learning how to walk again!

 

[Talking Hands]

Empty-nester and grandmother to 2. Have diabetes, fibromyalgia, arthritis and hearing loss. It can be frustrating at times. For the times I need to use the wheelchair I have used a baby carrier or Baby K-tan while they are really small then when older the oldest sat on my chair arm or stood and the footrest, now he uses a harness and walks most of the time. He is 2 1/2 and hates the stroller except to nap in on occasion.

 

[Glittercat]

37, mom of 2, have had many ops. and bone problems since age 8. I've been to WDW 3 times, twice in wheelchair. 1st time was at 17 when I was a nanny and had to use the park chair. 2nd time on honeymoon and I got to walk. Bones are deteriorating in my legs now though, and I have several screws (one loose - not funny but i had to make the pun). The 3rd time to WDW was with my lovely family! I had my own wheelchair which I generally push myself along in, which made a huge difference, and the kids were perfect and very patient. Our trip was not seamless, but very worth it anyway. We're going back next year! Anyway, hello all! *waves* ~Rebecca

 

[jodeeee4]

I have had 4 reconstructive surgeries on my ankle and have trouble walking or standing for long periods. I also have a lot of pain all the time. My kids are older (12 and 16) and are very understanding, but I worried they would miss out on things because of my disability. But I found Disney very accommodating, more so than many other places. Most importantly, I realized that we didn't have to see and do everything. Just being together in that magical place was enough!

 

[Glittercat]

I have had 4 reconstructive surgeries on my ankle and have trouble walking or standing for long periods. I also have a lot of pain all the time. My kids are older (12 and 16) and are very understanding, but I worried they would miss out on things because of my disability. But I found Disney very accommodating, more so than many other places. Most importantly, I realized that we didn't have to see and do everything. Just being together in that magical place was enough!

Great attitude!

 

[minkydog]

DH has stage 4 lung/heart disease and has not been able to work for the last 6 years. His energy level waxes and wanes with his illness and he needs a lot of rest, 2-3 naps per day. I have type 2 diabetes and inflammatory arthritis which affects mainly my hands and feet, making it painful to walk and do things with my hands especially. We are only 55 but our disabilities have made it hard for us to adequately take care of our mentally handicapped son, Christian. He is 17 now, a big strapping 6'1" 140-lb teen with all the energy and strength of a normal 17yo. We had CNAs helping us daily for the past 3 years. Two years ago we made the decision to pursue finding another home for him. It was a long involved process, but we had him placed this summer with a lovely couple who is younger, stronger and have more family assistance that we do. It has been a big adjustment for us, but it was absolutely the right thing to do. Christian is thriving in his new home and we are once again thriving as a couple after 17 years of constant caregiving.