child in lap on wheelchair?

[Mommee]

I'm surprised by the amount of EDSers and those that know some

Thanks again for all the input. Honestly it's the heat of someone on my lap that is making my decision for me. I never thought about that

 

[starshine514]

You may have more stroller options than you think for your 5-yr-old, although she may have outgrown her stroller, there are some standard ones that go up to 50 or 55 lbs (I'm just guessing at her weight, as my DD5 is still less than 45 lbs).

Here are a few options I found on Amazon w/ higher weight limits:

http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Yea...=UTF8&qid=1344881128&sr=1-3&keywords=stroller

http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Cherokee...=UTF8&qid=1344881128&sr=1-2&keywords=stroller

http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Yea...UTF8&qid=1344881128&sr=1-12&keywords=stroller

http://www.amazon.com/Maclaren-Volo...UTF8&qid=1344881337&sr=1-31&keywords=stroller

http://www.amazon.com/Inglesina-201...UTF8&qid=1344881473&sr=1-73&keywords=stroller

I don't own any of these strollers, but you may want to look at them (or others, I just did a quick search) as options, as then you DD could have a stroller in the airport as well (you can take it all the way up to the gate and gate-check it for her for free with most airlines). One I noticed was less than $40, so still cheaper than renting at the park if you think she'll need it elsewhere.

 

[Mommee]

thank you so much, starshine! I didn't realize they made strollers that were a bit bigger. DD (almost 6) is 44 lbs (hers went to 40lbs.) and she was also too tall to be comfortable the last few times we used it. We'll head out and let her try some out this weekend.

 

[SueM in MN]

thank you so much, starshine! I didn't realize they made strollers that were a bit bigger. DD (almost 6) is 44 lbs (hers went to 40lbs.) and she was also too tall to be comfortable the last few times we used it. We'll head out and let her try some out this weekend.

Some of them still may not work - even though the weight might be OK, the height might not be. So not o etching I would probably buy without trying.

 

[Mommee]

that's why we've decided to go in person instead of ordering one online-to make sure she's ok height and comfort-wise, too.

 

[starshine514]

that's why we've decided to go in person instead of ordering one online-to make sure she's ok height and comfort-wise, too.

Yup, that's what I would recommend. If you have a specialty baby store, or even a Babies R Us around, I would recommend them over a Walmart or JC Penney for selection of the higher-weight ones. I seem to recall seeing one ar BRU last year that my (then) 6 yr old sat in comfortably for around $60, I don't remember which one it was, though...

 

[lanejudy]

Actually, if the child has a diagnosed disability with limited mobitility/stamina, you MAY be able to get a "special needs" stroller approved through your insurance. These strollers are not available through specialty baby stores or Babies R Us - your local Medical Supply store may be able to help you. Or do a lot of online research. A very common one that I've seen a lot is the Convaid, which is considered an special needs umbrella stroller, though it has more of a wheelchair look to it. The one we have is a very basic one, lightweight for travel and really just a slightly larger version of a standard umbrella stroller; the Maclaren Major Elite which is very much non-medical looking (doesn't look like a wheelchair). It supposedly holds up to 140 lbs, but that might be pushing it, however will definitely hold an elementary school aged child probably for several years. My DD8 uses one when we take vacations. We purchased ours used and got a good deal - that's an option if your insurance will not cover it and you only plan to use one occasionally. Some of the rental sites near Disney will rent this as well - rather than the baby stroller rentals, check the links in Sue's sticky for wheelchairs and other medical equipment. There are other brands on the baby stroller sites, but most are large/heavy/bulky if you plan to use the WDW transportation.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[jmartinez1895]

I did not have time to read all the post so I am sorry if this has already been suggested. For your child, I would have a stroller with me. Do you have a friend that maybe has one in there attic that they no longer use? If not then I would look at thrift stores or yard sales. As pp have said, the Orlando air port is very large and then the walking to and from the bus stops at the parks is another issue.

 

[JeannieNM]

This seems like an older thread and I admit to not reading all the replays...I'm going to give you my experience and you can do what you want with it.

I am paraplegic and have been since shortly after my DD was born. I have no idea how in the world you would push a stroller from a wheelchair. My now 16 yo old rode on my lap everywhere including Disneyland and Disney World. At a very young age I taught her how to hold on facing me, by 5 she was facing forward, balanced and holding on. I can't imagine how we would have done all we did in life when it was just the two of us if she did not ride on my lap. Now she is too tall (can't see over her) at 16 but I sure miss those days.

Have a wonderful trip.

PS I reread your post that you will have others with you to help, all the more reason to hold you daughter on your lap and have two people to help push you. I have such fond memories of my husband meeting us at Epcot at the end of his meetings, we would all watch the parade, eat and then the fireworks. DD always feel asleep and DH would push me holding her back to Dolphin hotel. It warms my heart to think about it. Thank you for letting me wonder down memory lane.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I am paraplegic and have been since shortly after my DD was born. I have no idea how in the world you would push a stroller from a wheelchair. My now 16 yo old rode on my lap everywhere including Disneyland and Disney World. At a very young age I taught her how to hold on facing me, by 5 she was facing forward, balanced and holding on. I can't imagine how we would have done all we did in life when it was just the two of us if she did not ride on my lap. Now she is too tall (can't see over her) at 16 but I sure miss those days.

I suspect this is good advice for people with paraplegia and conditions that don't necessarily include direct joint impairment/damage and with kids who don't have mobility disabilities (I'm going to try to make a mental note of this idea/post, in fact, in case someone asks a similar question where this idea would work).

Unfortunately, I'm fairly certain it won't work for the OP just because her condition happens to include a high risk of joint dislocation and damage, especially since her daughter has the same condition. It just sounds like it likely involves too much balancing and stress on the joints (having someone in your lap in a wheelchair is going to add extra stress on most joints from your back on down).

 

[ppony]

You may have more stroller options than you think for your 5-yr-old, although she may have outgrown her stroller, there are some standard ones that go up to 50 or 55 lbs (I'm just guessing at her weight, as my DD5 is still less than 45 lbs).

Here are a few options I found on Amazon w/ higher weight limits:

http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Yea...=UTF8&qid=1344881128&sr=1-3&keywords=stroller

http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Cherokee...=UTF8&qid=1344881128&sr=1-2&keywords=stroller

http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Yea...UTF8&qid=1344881128&sr=1-12&keywords=stroller

http://www.amazon.com/Maclaren-Volo...UTF8&qid=1344881337&sr=1-31&keywords=stroller

http://www.amazon.com/Inglesina-201...UTF8&qid=1344881473&sr=1-73&keywords=stroller

I don't own any of these strollers, but you may want to look at them (or others, I just did a quick search) as options, as then you DD could have a stroller in the airport as well (you can take it all the way up to the gate and gate-check it for her for free with most airlines). One I noticed was less than $40, so still cheaper than renting at the park if you think she'll need it elsewhere.

Oooo. THANKS for this list! I have a severely autistic son that is almost 5 and needs his stroller...a LOT. I suspect we'll need one of these soon.

 

[Mommee]

Just a little update--we couldn't find a suitable stroller in a store but I ordered one off amazon that will be here Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will work so dd can have it at the resort and airports. And PP is right-I've got no business putting that kind of pressure on my joints if I don't need to. I'm still learning to take care of me first.

Thank you everyone for the input.