Help!

[Iculkn]

We are leaving in 2 weeks for a week in Disney...and my 12 yr old son broke his foot!

Any advice? Help!

 

[2luvmickey]

How bad? Is he in a cast or a walking boot?

I went to DLR last year with a broken ankle/foot. Made the family push me around in a wheelchair.

Once you know his level of mobility, then you can start planning your way to tackle the parks.

To get you started, look on the WDW website for guests with disabilities, and hopefully many DISers will give you advice.

Good luck!

 

[ttintagel]

I broke my foot first day of my last WDW trip! The Celebrations ER was OK, but crowded!

Since I didn't have an able-bodied person to push me around, I ended up renting an ECV. If your son's light enough and you've got an able-bodied adult who's free to push all day, a manual wheelchair might work better for you. There are a lot more hills and ramps in the parks than you realize when you're on your feet, so it takes some pretty serious upper body strength to wheel one's self - I tried it for half a day and had to give up.

Personally, I don't recommend trying to go with just crutches. The average WDW guest walks eight miles a day, and they really add up when you're not feeling well. I kept my crutches with me for places the ECV was hard to fit, and just parked the chair outside.

If he's got the Velcro-boot-brace arrangement, you shouldn't have to worry about getting it wet on Splash Mountain or other wet rides. I'm not sure about fiberglass casts - you'd have to ask the doctor.

If he's taking prescription paid medication, I recommend taking it before he thinks he needs it. (it's a small world is pretty trippy on Vicodin.) I didn't end up needing ice (for ice packs) in the parks, but I hear they'll give it to you at counter-service restaurants if you ask.

Good luck - it takes more than a broken bone to ruin a Disney trip!

 

[jdb in AZ]

We are leaving in 2 weeks for a week in Disney...and my 12 yr old son broke his foot!

Any advice? Help!

Judging from the laughing icon, you haven't lost your sense of humor. Depending on his immobility, maybe one of those kneeling manual scooters would help him get around and give him some independence, not to mention saving your family members from pushing a wheel chair through the parks. No doubt he'd love to drive an ECV but the rest of the family probably wouldn't be able to keep up with him, and rental companies require ECV drivers to be 18 yrs old.

 

[Piper]

The WCs at WDW are not in good shape. You would do better to rent one from an outside vendor. If you are flying, you may want to check out getting one locally so that you will have it in the airports. You can take it right up to the door of the plane and gate check it. It won't count against your luggage allowance.

Also (depending on his height and weight) you may want to get a pediatric WC. It is uncomfortable to ride in one that isn't suited to your height and weight. A 14 or even 16" one might be better suited for him. You also might need to get one that elevates at the legs for him.

If you decide to rent one in Orlando, check the top of this board and look in the FAQs. There is a lot of information there. You will also want to get a guide for people with disabilities from GS or sometimes they have them at the front of the parks. WCs usually go in the same line as everyone else, but there are a few attractions in the MK that have a special entrance. Also, be prepared to wait a little longer because you often have to wait longer to board than those not in a WC. (Although the general public thinks you get front of the line, they are wrong.)

 

[Iculkn]

Thanks for the tips everyone! Anthony is one of those 12 year olds that is the size of a 17 year old...so pushing him around all week would be a complete workout! I'm 5'8" and look him dead in the eye! He broke the growth plate in his foot (for the 2nd time this year!), and has a hard cast up to his knee. The Dr is scheduled to check his foot 3 days before we leave (although the cast will be on for another 4 weeks after that!), and I have thought about asking him to put him in a soft/removable cast for the week. let's hope he agrees! We are staying at a resort that has an on-site waterpark, and had planned to stay there a day or two to save money from going to the parks every day...this should be interesting!

 

[JennyDrake]

Rent off site chair. Bring ice BAG to refill with ice. Have towels to sit upon as the chair gets hot and sticky. DOn't forget that pain meds dehydrate you (if he is still taking them) so lots of fluids.

 

[deegack]

Waterproof cast. Worth every penny