Broken ankle - leaving Sunday - HELP!!!!

[Joanne_in_London]

Hiya
My 8 year old nephew has broken he's ankle, and he is flying out to join us with my parents next Friday.
Is there any tip or advice anyone could offer, and maybe a link to info that could tell us what he can't and can ride? Also tips for airports/flight etc -flying with VA on a totally full flight.
Also, he is very immobile, cannot use crutches as he he is too big for kids ones and the adult ones hurt him badly under arms, so my sister has bought him a wheelchair for the duration, and when he does get out of it, its an absolute nightmare helping him along as he is quite a big boy. Does anyone know if they will let us park in the disabled section at the parks seeing as he is in a wheelchair, or is this impossible without a permit?
Thanks for any advice or help!
Jo x

 

[binkytell]

I think u better check with airline that he is ok to fly if u havnt already, last year my nephew broke his arm an wasn't allowed on flight to Majorca good luck

 

[Pegasus928]

I hope he gets to fly without any problems. No advice on that front from me as it's not something I have had to deal with.
If he does get there OK I would make my first trip to Guest Relations. As he is in a wheelchair, and it will be clear to see what the problem is, he won't have any trouble getting a GAC (Guest Assistance Card). This will allow him to use the alternative entrance at rides that have them, which should make life easier or your group. If you look on the disabled section of this site you will find lots of information about the GAC
Universal have a similar system, the only difference being that you will need to collect a card each time you visit, whereas with Disney you collect one on your first day and it lasts for the duration of your holiday.

 

[Rohais]

If he's OK to fly, I'd get on to Virgin's diability assistance line and explain the situation. They might be able to help by putting you in bulkhead seats - its not a guarantee though. I called them and had bulkhead seats (and ones in the bubble on the way back, directly behind PE) and they were very useful. HTH!

 

[Joanne_in_London]

Hi, thanks for the replies, I will def stop by guest relations for the GAC card.
We have contacted Virgin, they will let him fly and the consultant has given him a note to say he can, and they are splitting the cast the day before he flys. They have put him on a list for the bulkhead seats, but said at 8 that he would be low down on the list!?
They said they could offer assistance for him getting on and off the plane at each end, they also said for my mum to try exactly 24hrs before flight to change their seats to the 3 rows behind PE that they don't release until then, I had a broken foot when we flew to Dubai and was told I couldn't be put in the bubble in case of an emergency and getting out quickly?
Does anyone know anything about the parking situation at all?
Thanks again!! x

 

[Rohais]

When we flew LGW to MCo in August with VA, we were in the bubble and an exit door was directly behind us, if I remember correctly

Hope everything turns out well for you!

 

[Pegasus928]

They said they could offer assistance for him getting on and off the plane at each end, they also said for my mum to try exactly 24hrs before flight to change their seats to the 3 rows behind PE that they don't release until then

This is a good place to sit. We have been seated in here a couple of times due to DS needs and its a lot quieter than regular economy. The help they should get from Virgins special assistance, with regards to getting on and off the aircraft, should be that they get the choice of being allowed to board first or last. For us boarding first is the best option as DS takes a while to get settled and relaxed. For your nephew it might be better for him to board last so he is in the seat for a little less time. They may also let you disembark first but from what I have seen in the past wheelchair users are normally last off. Where are they flying into? As I remember it MCO has a dedicated lane for wheelchairs which he may qualify for using.

anyone know anything about the parking situation at all?
Thanks again!! x

Our last trip was a new experience for us as my mother was in an electric chair due to arthritis. We didn't know what the situation would be with regards to parking but each time we arrived we told the first attendant we saw that we had a wheelchair user and they directed us to the disabled section. We never had a 'blue badge' or anything else to confirm it, and we were never challenged once we parked. I guess having the wheelchair was enough for them.

 

[Joanne_in_London]

This is a good place to sit. We have been seated in here a couple of times due to DS needs and its a lot quieter than regular economy. The help they should get from Virgins special assistance, with regards to getting on and off the aircraft, should be that they get the choice of being allowed to board first or last. For us boarding first is the best option as DS takes a while to get settled and relaxed. For your nephew it might be better for him to board last so he is in the seat for a little less time. They may also let you disembark first but from what I have seen in the past wheelchair users are normally last off. Where are they flying into? As I remember it MCO has a dedicated lane for wheelchairs which he may qualify for using.

Our last trip was a new experience for us as my mother was in an electric chair due to arthritis. We didn't know what the situation would be with regards to parking but each time we arrived we told the first attendant we saw that we had a wheelchair user and they directed us to the disabled section. We never had a 'blue badge' or anything else to confirm it, and we were never challenged once we parked. I guess having the wheelchair was enough for them.

Thats fantastic advice, thanks so much!
I think it might be best for him to get on the plane first if this were an option. Im just thinking of my poor mum and dad struggling to get him through all the people. Once he is settled down, nintndo dsi in hand, Im sure he will be patient.
Thanks again! x

 

[janiebubble]

my dad isn't very mobile anymore, walks with a stick but isn't registered disabled etc. His big problem was going to be us being sent down to the very end of the car park so he'd have to walk the entire way back to the trams in the car park. Each time I told an attendant this they sent us down to the disabled parking. I even managed to get him to let me use the wheelchairs to get him to the gate ... it just meant when we got to the park he was able to walk!! You should have no problems using the disabled parking

 

[Joanne_in_London]

Thanks so much, thats so reasururing!

 

[Jets fan]

When asking for the Gac card it may be helpful to have a letter from your doc or the hospital, would speed things up. Even though they can see the injury, it always helps it have something formal, like a letter.

Tina

 

[Joanne_in_London]

When asking for the Gac card it may be helpful to have a letter from your doc or the hospital, would speed things up. Even though they can see the injury, it always helps it have something formal, like a letter.

Tina

We have a letter from the consultant for the airline, so we will use that, thanks!

 

[Pegasus928]

When asking for the Gac card it may be helpful to have a letter from your doc or the hospital, would speed things up. Even though they can see the injury, it always helps it have something formal, like a letter.

Tina

To be honest we have a child with a non-visible disability and have never been asked for proof, and as far as I am aware they are not allowed to ask for any evidence when issuing the card.
It certainly wouldn't speed things up any as all they ask is what help you require and fill in a card that provides you with the assistance you need. If anything I would think them reading through a doctors letter would take more time.

 

[UKDEB]

they also said for my mum to try exactly 24hrs before flight to change their seats to the 3 rows behind PE that they don't release until then, I had a broken foot when we flew to Dubai and was told I couldn't be put in the bubble in case of an emergency and getting out quickly?

They're talking about the rows between downstairs PE and Economy, so he won't be in the bubble.

 

[Joanne_in_London]

They're talking about the rows between downstairs PE and Economy, so he won't be in the bubble.

No Debs, someone just before that possting said he could get seated in the bubble. Im pretty sure that wouldn't be allowed though?

 

[Jets fan]

To be honest we have a child with a non-visible disability and have never been asked for proof, and as far as I am aware they are not allowed to ask for any evidence when issuing the card.
It certainly wouldn't speed things up any as all they ask is what help you require and fill in a card that provides you with the assistance you need. If anything I would think them reading through a doctors letter would take more time.

Maybe it depends what staff member you get as my friend has a daughter with aspergers and she is always asked for documentation from her doctors to proce that somthing is wrong with Zoe and when my mum was in a wheelchair we were asked for documentaiton to prove that she had a medical condition and was not just using a wheelchair because she is elderly.

 

[scojos]

US law states they cant ask what your childs disability is, on what they can do to help. ds has asd and i agree with kenny, they cant ask.
once you have your GAC wave it at the "parkers" and they will wave you to the disabled parking area, there are wheel chair places (dont park in those unless you have a blue badge ) but also non wheel chair signed parking places in that area.
thats what we use they are a lot closer to entrance esp AK but are not disignated with wheel chairs.
HTH
Tracy

 

[Pegasus928]

US law states they cant ask what your childs disability is, on what they can do to help. ds has asd and i agree with kenny, they cant ask.Tracy

That was my understanding - and my experience.
We have never in all our visits been asked to 'prove' that DS has Aspergers or ADHD.

 

[PJB71]

Hi

I have a disibility and need two walking sticks and can only walk a very short distance.

I always take my mobility scooter with me and have only ever had one bad experience in gaining a GAP and that was at universal studios. I rode in on my scooter struggled to stand with my sticks and was confronted by a very rude employee who said she wouldt issue me with a pass until I gave her my full medical history, I was LIVID as if it wasnt obvious!!

Since then I have always kept the passes and taken them back with me and just asked for them to be re-issued and thankfully never had a problem.

 

[Joanne_in_London]

Guys, thank you so much for all of your answers, which have been, as ever, so useful and informative.
This time tomorrow I will be at the boarding gate, or maybe even in my seat!!

Much love!
Jo x