Help! My 2 year old broke her collar bone last night and we leave tomorrow....

[rbuzzotta]

I posted on the disABILITIES board but I don't think it is as active as this board. We leave for DxL tomorrow and my 2year old broke her collar bone last night. I was wondering if anyone knew if I could get some type of cushion or mattress to put done on the portable playpen that she will be using?

Also, I am nervous about waiting in lines with her!!! If anyone bumps her I'll just cry for her and I'm sure she will too. I read on the other board about a Guest Assistance Pass. Will I qualify for that? Where do I get it? At the hotel? We don't plan on doing much this trip but she just loves MK and I would like to see her enjoy something!

Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Rosemary
Off-site every year since 1985
PO '96, '97, '99
Coronado '00
WL '94, '00
CB '98
VB '97, '98, '00
DVC member '00 OKW
DxL '97, '01
BWV '01

 

[RobDoc]

I have also moved your post to the Resorts Board. You may want to take a small pillow for her to use. You can check at Guest Services at any park for help with an Assistance Pass. I don't know what the guidelines are for those, but assume this would be an instance when it may apply.
You'll have a great trip! Kids bounce back from these things much faster than parents seem to. Enjoy!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[PamOKW]

Oh Rosemary I'm so sorry to hear about your little girl! I haven't got any answers for you. Do you have time to get a note from the doctor or maybe bring along the medical diagnoses just for back up in trying to get a special pass?

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[Candace]

Just don't forget to take along the pain medicine that your doctor gives you! My son broke his collarbone at age 4, and getting him comfortable enough to get to sleep was tough the first few nights. (and especially in hotel surroundings!) Good luck, and have a great time in spite of it!

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

I'm so sorry to hear the your little one had such an accident just before you will leave for WDW. The one thing that I have found, having to take care of young children after such accidents, is that you first must follow the instructions concerning the figure 8 brace that I am sure that they put on her following her X-Rays. It may look like it's useless but it does keep her Clavicle in place and it help to relieve pain somewhat. A pillow or foam type cusion is a good idea but the most important thing is to keep up on her pain meds. to keep her as comfortable as possible. If the area she will sleep in had a good mattress support you will most likely not need any more padding. You will also find that she will do fine and she will find her limits while using her arm, children are very adaptable that way. I have had to instruct parents for many years on how to use the brace and it is hard to see your child in pain, but give it your best effort and you will see that she will soon be comfortable in it. Try to keep her in a stroler as much as possible as the pain meds may cause her to be a little unstable on her feet.
My prayers will be with you and I hope that the excitement of WDW will help her and you through this problem. Use the disability assistance provided by WDW, I had to learn to use it dispite my reluctance, or as my patients call it stubborness, to admit that I had difficulty walking. The CM's are there to help you and you will find that they will be your best resource while at the parks.
In the words of this old country Dr., the loving touch of parents and WDW are the best medicine she can have.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Dennis the WDW Menace,

THANK YOU for such encouraging words!! The hospital Dr. did NOT give her a figure 8 collar and said they no longer use them. As a R.N. I of course questioned it and now today, before we leave, we will be seeing an orthopedic. My 5 year old had a greenstick fx. of her clavicle 2 years ago and we used the figure 8 and it healed well, and quickly I may add. This is a complete break and I am giving her Tylenol with Codeine for the pain. She is now wrapped in a sling (too big for her little arm because they didn't have pediatric ones!!!) and then I placed an ace bandage to hold her arm against her body for support.

I checked the disABILITIEs board and will inquire into a GAC pass at the parks.

All my schooling as an R.N. went out the door and I became an overanxious mom!!!

May I add, I thank you and all that have responded for my plea for help. I will let Mickey know that you all send him your best.

Thanks to all!!!

Rosemary
Off-site every year since 1985
PO '96, '97, '99
Coronado '00
WL '94, '00
CB '98
VB '97, '98, '00
DVC member '00 OKW
DxL '97, '01
BWV '01

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi, I answered in one of the other places this was posted, but I wanted to respond to the wheelchair part and the Guest Assistance Card here.
There is a Guest Assistance Card that allows a stroller to be used as a wheelchair, which means the stroller can go in all the queues and buildings the same as a wheelchair does. That is a good solution for this situation. Trying to keep a 2 year old safely in a regular wheelchair would be difficult and using a wheelchair for a child who could use something else means one less available for somneone else who needs one.
You request a Guest Assistance Card at Guest Services at any of the parks. The card doesn't allow front of the line or immediate access to rides, and you are asked to use fastpass whenever possible..

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[jennybobenny]

My daughter broker her collar bone when she was 3. We didn't get a figure 8 brace from the ER, but the orthopedic specialist we went to the next day gave us one and showed us exactly how to use it. I admit I didn't think it was going to be much help but her collarbone healed very quickly. She even grew attached to it and when the time came to stop using it we had a hard time taking it away from her.
I can't add anything that hasn't already been said - just wanted to wish you luck. Hopefully the magic of Disney World will make her forget all about the pain in her shoulder.

<font face="Class Garmnd BT"><font color="ff69b4"><big>Jennybºoº benny</big></font>
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[Towncrier]

I am surprised that they don't still use the figure 8 brace anymore. When our 2yo broke her collar bone (9 years ago), she was fitted with a brace and healed up in no time. Prayers for a quick recovery for your DD.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thanks to all for your best wishes and responses. We went to the orthopedic this morning. They no longer use Figure 8 collars because they feel it is more painful for the child then a sling. Also, the place where her break is is the place where the brace would be resting against. We got a better fitting sling, bought lots of Motrin and still have the stronger Tylenol with codeing (if needed). We appreciated the responses from the disABILITIES board about the GAC pass. We will be bringing her stroller (not renting one like we usually do) and a blanket for a cushion.

We leave in 1 hour for Logan Airport! Pixie Dust to us!!!

Will let you all know how it worked out.

We will send our best to Mickey from all our friends on the DIS board.

Rosemary
Off-site every year since 1985
PO '96, '97, '99
Coronado '00
WL '94, '00
CB '98
VB '97, '98, '00
DVC member '00 OKW
DxL '97, '01
BWV '01

 

[Towncrier]

Logan Airport. Yikes!!! That's worse than a broken collarbone.

Hope you are having an exceptional time at WDW.