Help! Son just broke his Knee!

[MagicalMom]

We leave for Disney in a couple of weeks. We own a van & are driving so we will be able to keep his leg up on the trip. I'm going to call Disney tomorrow to req. a first floor room. We also plan to rent a wheel chair while in the parks. Is there a place we can store his crutches while he is in the wheel chair? Will we need to carry them through the park with us? Is there anything else I'm forgetting? We didn't get home from the hospital until 10pm tonight so we are still trying to adjust & clear our heads. Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Someone will have to carry his crutches (although if you rent from an off-site company, they may be able to provide you with some type of attachment to hang the crutches on the back of the chair or something) unless he's planning to NEVER get out of the chair.

 

[SueM in MN]

First, take a deep breath!

Second, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

I'd suggest you rent a wheelchair for him, either from one of the off-site places listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread or from a place near your home to take with you.
Advantages of renting from offsite would include:
- you would have one to use where ever you are (those resorts can be huge)
- you can rent one with elevating footrests so he can raise his leg if he needs to
- you can rent crutch holders for the wheelchair
- there is a greater variety of sizes; I don't know the age or size of your child, but most of the park rental or resort wheelchairs are adult size, which is too big to be comfortable unless your child is older and larger.

 

[SueM in MN]

Is there a place we can store his crutches while he is in the wheel chair? Will we need to carry them through the park with us?

If you don't have crutch holders, someone will have to carry them. You will want the crutches to be with him because they will be helpful for getting on and off rides. In most rides, he will be able to bring the crutches onto the ride with him. If that's not possible, the CM will take the crutches and wheelchair and store them for you while you are on the ride.

 

[MagicalMom]

Thank you all for the replies. I'm surprised that the wheel chairs at the parks don't have elevated footrests. That's ashame because I'm sure he'll need that.

He has an immobilizer that comes on & off of his leg so hopefully he can still use the pool. We'll ask the Doctor tomorrow.

 

[HopperFan]

If worse comes to worse, take a few small bungee cords with you. You may be able to bungee them to the back of the chair. Sell small ones in packs at the dollar stores.

 

[mytwotinks]

I have rented a double stroller and had them hold my personal stroller for me. They give you a tag to reclaim it. I would assume that they would also hold crutches. You rent the wheelchairs in that same area, right? I would think that they would rather hold them there for you than have you carrying them around. They wouldn't want someone to get hit by a crutch.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The problem with leaving the crutches anywhere (as opposed to carrying them) is that unless he's planning to NEVER get out of the wheelchair - including to use the mens room - he's not going to be able to get around

 

[SueM in MN]

If worse comes to worse, take a few small bungee cords with you. You may be able to bungee them to the back of the chair. Sell small ones in packs at the dollar stores.

Check the ends of bungee cords if possible before you buy them. I had bought some inexpensive ones like that and found that the tip came off after a few days' use - exposing an end that was as sharp as a nail. If the cord had snapped, someone could have gotten badly hurt by it.

The problem with leaving the crutches anywhere (as opposed to carrying them) is that unless he's planning to NEVER get out of the wheelchair - including to use the mens room - he's not going to be able to get around

Bringing the crutches with him will be necessary if he is going to get out of the wheelchair at all.