I think I need a little guidance

[pigletto]

Hi everyone

My 10 year old son fell at basketball practice last night. Long story short, he has broken a bone in his foot (avulsion fracture of the 5th metatarsal).

We see the orthopedic surgeon Tuesday morning. For now my son is in an air boot, using crutches, and has instructions to put no weight on his foot.

From what I am reading he will likely still be in the boot in 6 weeks, with up to 12 weeks needed to feel much better. Our trip is in 6 weeks. I am thinking we will need to rent a wheelchair for the parks. Even if he is walking in 6 weeks I can't imagine he could tolerate 8 hours a day or more of walking in the parks.

We are staying offsite and will have a car. I have been reading through the FAQ's and Sticky threads (which are great by the way!!). I guess I am just a little flustered trying to think of all the things I might need to plan and consider.

So far..
1.) Rent small wheelchair (will use a company recommended on the list)

2.)Request Ground Floor or Elevator access for our hotel rooms (staying at Royal Pacific Resort and Sheraton Vistana Resort)

3.) Should be fine at the airport as shuttle will drop us at front doors, and can use crutches/walking boot to the gate. It's a small airport... Might need chair for MCO though

That's what I have so far. It would appear that we can use the wheelchair in most if not all the lines at Disney. Is this correct? He could transfer pretty easily (he should be able to put weight on the boot by then, and my husband can lift him). I will have to look into the ones at Universal.

Is there anything else I haven't thought of? This is all really new and I guess the planner in me wants to make sure I straighten it all away so we can relax about the trip. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.

 

[bookgirl]

Hi everyone

My 10 year old son fell at basketball practice last night. Long story short, he has broken a bone in his foot (avulsion fracture of the 5th metatarsal).

We see the orthopedic surgeon Tuesday morning. For now my son is in an air boot, using crutches, and has instructions to put no weight on his foot.

From what I am reading he will likely still be in the boot in 6 weeks, with up to 12 weeks needed to feel much better. Our trip is in 6 weeks. I am thinking we will need to rent a wheelchair for the parks. Even if he is walking in 6 weeks I can't imagine he could tolerate 8 hours a day or more of walking in the parks.

We are staying offsite and will have a car. I have been reading through the FAQ's and Sticky threads (which are great by the way!!). I guess I am just a little flustered trying to think of all the things I might need to plan and consider.

So far..
1.) Rent small wheelchair (will use a company recommended on the list)

2.)Request Ground Floor or Elevator access for our hotel rooms (staying at Royal Pacific Resort and Sheraton Vistana Resort)

3.) Should be fine at the airport as shuttle will drop us at front doors, and can use crutches/walking boot to the gate. It's a small airport... Might need chair for MCO though

That's what I have so far. It would appear that we can use the wheelchair in most if not all the lines at Disney. Is this correct? He could transfer pretty easily (he should be able to put weight on the boot by then, and my husband can lift him). I will have to look into the ones at Universal.

Is there anything else I haven't thought of? This is all really new and I guess the planner in me wants to make sure I straighten it all away so we can relax about the trip. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.

If you are going to drive and park I would see if your doctor will give you a temp parking permit. Just like a handicap parking permit, but usually only good for a few months. In the normal course of events I'd say you wouldn't need one for a broken foot on an otherwise healthy kid, but on vacations where there is a lot of walking or that you are using a chair it might help a lot to be able to park close to your room or the gate or shuttle.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would call airline and add the wheelchair for MCO if for no other reason than keeping him from be pushed by others in a hurry to get off plane plus the long walk there

 

[buffettgirl]

our experience travelling with a person on crutches has been that as soon as we entered the line to check in, staff brought over a wheel chair without us even asking.

If you think you'll just need one at MCO, just tell the gate person at your home airport and they'll make sure you have one waiting.

 

[kaytieeldr]

RPR ground floor isn't main floor. Also, if by elevator access (because both hotels have evators going to all floors) you mean near elevator, you should request it that way.

 

[pigletto]

All excellent suggestions and I am making notes. Thank you.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Make sure the wheelchair is either cushioned or bringing on along. Also making sure if he has any kind of pain medication that you bring it and have enough of it for the trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are going to have a wheelchair and you don't have a temporary handicapped parking permit, tell the CM at the booth and each CM directing traffic that you have a wheelchair, but no permit. They will direct you where to park. Just don't park in any spot with a handicapped parking sign, a wheelchair symbol or blue painted lines.
Those are all designated handicapped parking areas and you could get a large fine if you park there without a permit.

If you don't have a wheelchair, you will be closer and less walking in most cases by parking in the regular lot and taking the tram. There is no trsm from the handicapped parking areas

 

[pigletto]

Thanks again everyone. We just plan to park as usual. If he is still not walking we will have the wheelchair at the car anyway. Many people need those spaces more than us.
Sheraton Vistana Resort has elevators in two sections, or we can request a ground floor room in one of the buildings without them, so we should be fine there.
It's hard to know how mobile he will be. We should know a little more when we see the surgeon on Tuesday.