Cruising with Special needs kid?

[Sarasein]

My youngest has CP and wears AFO's. I am assuming there is no issues with them, but wanted to check. She should have them on any time she is in shoes. Would there be any issues in the club? She will turn 5 two weeks before we go. Does any one have experience with kids in AFOs and cruising?

Also, what about eye patches? She currently has to wear one for 90 min a day. Hear at home, I put it on and we go. I tell her when she can take it off. If she needs to wear it to the club, can they tell her to take it off when it is time? So, I would tell them what time and they would just have to tell her it was ok. She knows how to pull it off and throw it away.

She is fully potty trained and is used to being in a small group setting.

 

[Michigan]

I have 2 kids in wheelchairs and we have cruised several times on Princess and never had any issues with the kids clubs.

 

[lanejudy]

I think your daughter will be fine in the kids clubs. She likely knows not to remove her shoes and AFOs, and you can tell the CMs that she must keep her shoes (and AFOs) on. I don't recall any activities where my DD took off shoes, but I won't say it couldn't happen, so as long as the CMs are aware they should accomodate that.

As for the eye patch - I suggest you try to do that during family time. Wearing the eye patch may not be a problem itself, but I don't know that the CMs will keep track of timing for her. If she has to wear it at the club, you may need to check back at the time to remove it. We've been through the patching also, though not on a cruise, so I'm familiar with that whole process.

 

[Sarasein]

I think your daughter will be fine in the kids clubs. She likely knows not to remove her shoes and AFOs, and you can tell the CMs that she must keep her shoes (and AFOs) on. I don't recall any activities where my DD took off shoes, but I won't say it couldn't happen, so as long as the CMs are aware they should accomodate that.

Yes, she can take them off, but not able to get them back on. And her sisters will also be in the same club, so they can help. But none of them can get the AFOs back on. She was at the YMCA last night went I was working out. They were putting all the kids shoes on and went out to play. The guy was having a really hard time getting K's AFOs back on. He did not have her foot in there right at all. I came in and got her fixed.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Can you teach one of your older DD's to put them on her just in case they do get taken off?

 

[Sarasein]

Can you teach one of your older DD's to put them on her just in case they do get taken off?

That is an interesting idea. One I had not though about. I can work with my oldest about it. She may be able to learn. But a lot of putting them on is getting her foot in there just right and making sure they are on right. If you do it wrong, she can get hurt. But, we have 9 months and I can try.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

That is an interesting idea. One I had not though about. I can work with my oldest about it. She may be able to learn. But a lot of putting them on is getting her foot in there just right and making sure they are on right. If you do it wrong, she can get hurt. But, we have 9 months and I can try.

I'm sure if you asked her she would probably be thrilled to do that as I'm the oldest of 4 boys and was always willing to help out with my brothers when they were younger.

 

[Michigan]

I just noticed that she is 4. Parents of young children are given beepers in the event the staff needs you they will beep you.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would certainly choose a time other than the kids club to have your child wear the eye patch. We did a patch for years, some time all but one waking hour. It will be easier for you child to interact and enjoy herself with out the patch. It may also be very warm on the cruise and we found heat rash to be an issue. Maybe have her wear it during the evening when you are in the room for down time and stories or whatever.

Can she manage well without the AFO's to walk around if the activities dictate bare feet? It so....I really would not worry too much about a little bit of time out of the AFO's. As long as she does not spend hours at at time at the child care, she should be ok to you get back. Been there done that...there is ideal and there is reality. If she can not function well without them, you will just need to be close by to put them back on after an activity that requires they be removed. Now if she takes them off just because, that is another issue entirely!

 

[EskiLvr]

It may also be very warm on the cruise and we found heat rash to be an issue. Maybe have her wear it during the evening when you are in the room for down time and stories or whatever. ...

I'm a former patch wearer myself (at the same age as your DD, no less) - and heat rash under that adhesive was just not fun at all. (Although, if it does happen, the water in the pools will help to clear it up - go figure).

Don't forget that you'll also have Pirate Night while you're on board. I'm not sure if she would get into wearing her patch that night (or at dinner) - but you could cover her patch with a "pirate patch" and really have her get into the spirit of things. Otherwise, I'd shoot for first thing in the morning (when she has lots of energy) or later in the day (when she's tired, and you're actually forcing her weaker eye to work just a smidgeon harder) for patching time. Your doctor might be able to give you some recommendations there.

Good luck!

 

[Sarasein]

Can she manage well without the AFO's to walk around if the activities dictate bare feet? It so....I really would not worry too much about a little bit of time out of the AFO's. As long as she does not spend hours at at time at the child care, she should be ok to you get back. Been there done that...there is ideal and there is reality. If she can not function well without them, you will just need to be close by to put them back on after an activity that requires they be removed. Now if she takes them off just because, that is another issue entirely!

Yes, she can walk with out them. she tends to fall more with out them, but she fall often ether way. And I can't see them spending more than a few hours at a time in there. Too much else to see and do. Or, yes, they could page us, if necessary. And I can work with my oldest on putting them on. I know she would love to help. Thank you all for your wonderful ideas.

 

[Sarasein]

I'm a former patch wearer myself (at the same age as your DD, no less) - and heat rash under that adhesive was just not fun at all. (Although, if it does happen, the water in the pools will help to clear it up - go figure).

Don't forget that you'll also have Pirate Night while you're on board. I'm not sure if she would get into wearing her patch that night (or at dinner) - but you could cover her patch with a "pirate patch" and really have her get into the spirit of things. Otherwise, I'd shoot for first thing in the morning (when she has lots of energy) or later in the day (when she's tired, and you're actually forcing her weaker eye to work just a smidgeon harder) for patching time. Your doctor might be able to give you some recommendations there.

Good luck!

I bought some of the good patches with glitter accents on them. She is used to having to wear them and really does not care what others think. One for pirate night is a great idea. I guess we will play it by ear. At home, we use them first thing in the morning. I give her her meds and she picks one out. That is just so I don't forget.