Broken arm/Rides while in a cast at Disney

[pharmjenn]

We just returned from the ER with a diagnosis of a broken elbow on my DS4. It is a distal humerus fracture, and he currently has a soft splint but we see the orthopedic surgeon Monday for (I hope) a hard cast. I know there is a type that can get wet with no problem, so we are hoping for that.
We leave for Disney in just under 2 weeks, and I am wondering about rides. He is tall enough and willing enough to go on coasters, but will he be allowed to? Are there rules about riding with a cast like there are for other things (health reasons etc?)
I think usually after a few days the pain is gone, but I am sure he will be uncomfortable in the heat. I would hate to also tell him he can't do all the rides we have been talking about.

 

[seashoreCM]

He should be okay provided he never has to grab anything with that hand to hold onto or whatever. It would be as if you taped a mitten over the exposed fingers on that hand. The arm should be in a sling anyway.

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
On page 2 of that thread, there is a list of attractions with warnings, along with some information bout how rough they are and why each likely has a warning.
CMs wont stop you from riding anything he is tall enough to ride unless the cast interferes with the safety restraint or his cast would cause a hazard to other riders. In general, WDW puts out the warning and it is up o guests o read the warning and decide whether to ride or not.

You need to talk to his doctor about what he will and will not be able to ride. A lot will depend on his exact break and how stable everything is.
Besides holding on (holding on with a cast will not be like holding on with a mitten), you need to think about how bumped around his arm will get. For example, on a ride that can really throw you around, like Primeval Whirl, there may be too much jostling to even try. But, and attraction, like Splash Mountain that doesn't throw you around that much may still work.

He may need some extra assistance getting in and out of ride cars since he will likely be a little off balance and won't be able to use that arm for the grab bars they have on some attractions to help guests get off.

Besides possibly using a sling, you might also want to consider using a stroller as a wheelchair. This would allow you to keep a stroller in line and have it treated just like a wheelchair. You can find out more in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[pharmjenn]

Thank you both for the info. He has already started using his fingers to help hold things, but doesn't have much grip, so I can see how holding handrails will be difficult. Duh, I didn't even think to look at the disabilities forum, the obvious place! I will head over there now.

 

[Reddy]

if he is OK from the dr for riding then I would suggest that the cast arm is on the outside of the ride - hmmm not outside of the ride itself but away from anyone else - so let's say you are riding big thunder mt & his right arm is broke then he sits on the right side so the cast doesn't hit the person sitting next to him