Disney & Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bones)

[*Nessa*]

I was wondering if anyone has travelled to DL/WDW/DCL with a child or family member who suffer with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease). I am really struggling to find recommendations on accommodation, park activities we could participate in and perhaps which (DL/WDW/DCL) would be better equip for our needs.

Hoping someone in the disboards world might be able to share advice or experiences.

tks

 

[Yoshiandi]

How old is the person going?

Any resort would work.
As far as rides, avoid those with the jarring impacts (high speed) Most of the rides have nice slow stops that won't throw you into the sides or front of the car you are in.

 

[Gracie09]

I don't know much about this condition but to get a sense of the rides I would look at YouTube videos. You can see which have the potential to cause problems. Depending on the agenof the person a stroller (and the stroller as a wheelchair tag) or wheelchair may not be a bad idea to give them a buffer from the jostling of the crowds

I thjnk a recall another thread about this but I may be wrong. You can do a search though.

 

[Bete]

I'm not familiar with the condition either, but I would be cautious. First, I would talk to the doctor and maybe show the doctor a few rides if you have a smart phone or an iPad and see what the doctor says about it.

You should probably orient the trip towards shows, parades and fireworks where the person can be more passive. There's plenty to do without going on rides. Some meet and greets might be okay, too.

I remember another post about this, as well a very long time ago. I remember that everyone in the group guarded and surrounded the person from crowds and such. They surrounded the person; so, others could not get near even though the person was in a wheelchair. This means a person on each side, one in front and one in back of the wheelchair, for example. If you don't have four to guard then I would do the front and back.

Perhaps a DAS would help. You need to explain the situation to guest services and this will provide some conveniences that could help. Make good use of fastpass plus. If you are staying on site you can get some shows and fireworks included in fastpass plus. Also, if you stay on site take advantage of extra magic hours for the morning.

I would go early to all parks. It will be less crowded. As the day builds; so, does the crowds.

There is a VIP experience you pay high dollars for and it's an escorted tour through the parks. You get some front of the line access with this service. Keep in mind this is very expensive. I believe you would avoid some crowds with this service.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am familiar with the condition, only from taking care of patients with it as a nurse.

The suggestions given so far are very good (especially as the posters say they have no experience with it and are just guessing).
A lot would depend on how fragile the person is; depending on severity of Ithe condition, some may just be able yo do rides and shows.

WDW puts warnings on attractions that might cause issues for certain guests. The warnings are only a starting point for discussion with the doctors, gathering more information, etc.
The disABILITIES FAQs thread has a list of warnings on the second page, along with my notes/descriptions about why that attraction may have that warning.
That is a good starting point.
You can find the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature. Post one of that thread is an index to tell which post contains which information.

There is also a DAS FAQs thread near the top of this board. The first post of that thread is the FAQs.

 

[gilesmt]

I am very familiar with osteogenesis imperfecto type 2, the little one I know went as a MAW to DLR which was not the first choice but they thought it would be better for her.

She was able to do most of fantasyland and bugs life, I think that is all, and the shows and such. She was allowed to stay in the form seat that is shaped like her body and placed on the rides, but that maybe because of MAW, I am not sure, it is like her little brace it is just for her whole body. Of course she was 6 but only weight 13 pounds. She had a lot of fun.

I know of another little boy, I think he had type 4, his parents used a w/c to protect him in the crowds, he was older and of normal size and since his condition was no where near as debilitating as the first child I talked about, he was able to do more, such as POTC, and autotopia.

I believe it is really going to depend on what type he/she has and how much they can do before a break happens. After you figure that weigh in your options, DLR is compact, easy to maneuver, WDW is spread out and a lot more moving in crowds, and I don't mean in the parks but on buses, restaurants, and such, where in DLR you can stay on site, walk to and from parks and use restaurants off sites so less crowded. All choices will have pools to use and most have quiet pools that are a good option. I would say if you choose WDW I would go in sept or jan when crowds are low low. I would also do like many suggest with disabilities and use early morning hours to the max and then when crowds get big leave, come back late at night when crowds go down, even in the low seasons this will maximize your time, illuminate the need to rush, or be in crowds. I hope that helps .