Injured Growth Plate in ankle, we leave next week!

[patkingpin]

Hi – I posted this in the theme park planning boards and there have been a lot of great comments, most of which mention coming here and posting and getting some more reassurance and great tips. Here is a little breakdown of where we are right now.

So we have been planning a surprise trip for our daughters for the better part of this year. Well we leave a week and a half from now and my oldest daughter (who will be 7 when we go) injured the growth plate in her ankle. We went to the Ortho and he put her in a walking boot for four weeks which encompasses our trip. He didn’t have concerns with her going or walking on the foot during the trip, but did recommend she does rest whenever she needs it and to keep her off of her foot whenever she feels pain or gets tired.

We will have a double stroller so I am not worried about getting around the parks. We are renting a double stroller as we also have another daughter who is 2 with us and will need a stroller.

So after reading all of the replies on the other thread, I know there is a lot of information and mis-information out there. The Disabilities boards have been a second home to me the last couple of days as I have read about a million threads and the information there is amazing. Since we leave a week from Thursday, I figured I would come here and see if anyone can offer any advice as well for tips. We are almost positive that we will be asking for a stroller as a wheelchair pass, but have never used one before.


Just a couple of items that apply to us to clarify that might have been confusing from the other thread:
1) the dr did say she could walk around the parks. He stated as long as she has the boot on she will be ok as long as it is comfortable to her.
2) I don't expect a "front of the line" pass nor do I feel she needs one. If we can use the stroller as a wheelchair, we will be fine. We are renting a citi mini GT double (we own one so I know the mobility of it very well and it is a very easy push).
3) no, we won't be asking for a handicapped room. We need two beds for our family and I feel the rooms should be used for those who need it more than us. Also, we are staying at All Star Movies and from what I read they only offer King Sized bed rooms for this which won’t work for the four of us.

Hopefully this clears up some of our expectations. Any advice or tips would be appreciated.

 

[lanejudy]

to the disABILITIES Forum!

So sorry your DD is injured and right before your trip! I'm sure she can still have a great vacation, though. Yes, you should stop by Guest Relations at the first park and request the stroller-as-wheelchair tag. That will allow you to take the stroller into the main or FP+ queues as most are accessible. On the few that aren't accessible, she can either walk if up to it or you may be given a "wheelchair return time" which keeps the accessible entrance from getting backed up.

I'd think she's likely to get very tired dragging that boot around all day, especially since she is still getting used to it. But kids can be resilient so she may surprise you and walk quite a bit anyway since the doctor approved walking. You might consider getting 2 separate strollers, depending on how well the 7-yr-old fits and doesn't end up clobbering her younger sibling with the boot trying to get in/out.

Since she is mobile, I don't see the resort room as an issue. The main reasons for getting an HA room would be for hand rails in the bathroom, or a roll-in shower; but it doesn't sound like she'll need either of those.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[patkingpin]

Thank you for the positive response.
One thing I am confused about though is when to go to Guest Relations. So We arrive Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning we have an 8am BBB reservation in Magic Kingdom. Can we go anywhere on Saturday without using a ticket to a Guest Relations booth? We have a car with us because we are driving down from Buffalo (a whole different trip this time LOL) so we can go wherever we would need to on Saturday to save time on Sunday and not miss a BBB appointment.

 

[lanejudy]

You can only get a stroller-as-wheelchair tag at Guest Relations at one of the 4 major theme parks. I haven't heard of getting one at an "outside" location (without using your ticket to enter) though you could ask. Disney Springs won't issue one because it has no recognized use there, or really anywhere other than for attraction queues in the major theme parks.

You do not have to get it immediately -- go to your BBB appointment first. That first morning she may be full of energy and ready to walk. You can certainly use the stroller as usual at that time, you just won't be allowed to take it through queues without the tag. If she rides in the stroller between "lands" you may not need the tag to use it in lines until later in the day; depends on how quickly you expect she'll tire.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[gap2368]

Hi – I posted this in the theme park planning boards and there have been a lot of great comments, most of which mention coming here and posting and getting some more reassurance and great tips. Here is a little breakdown of where we are right now.

So we have been planning a surprise trip for our daughters for the better part of this year. Well we leave a week and a half from now and my oldest daughter (who will be 7 when we go) injured the growth plate in her ankle. We went to the Ortho and he put her in a walking boot for four weeks which encompasses our trip. He didn’t have concerns with her going or walking on the foot during the trip, but did recommend she does rest whenever she needs it and to keep her off of her foot whenever she feels pain or gets tired.

We will have a double stroller so I am not worried about getting around the parks. We are renting a double stroller as we also have another daughter who is 2 with us and will need a stroller.

So after reading all of the replies on the other thread, I know there is a lot of information and mis-information out there. The Disabilities boards have been a second home to me the last couple of days as I have read about a million threads and the information there is amazing. Since we leave a week from Thursday, I figured I would come here and see if anyone can offer any advice as well for tips. We are almost positive that we will be asking for a stroller as a wheelchair pass, but have never used one before.


Just a couple of items that apply to us to clarify that might have been confusing from the other thread:
1) the dr did say she could walk around the parks. He stated as long as she has the boot on she will be ok as long as it is comfortable to her.
2) I don't expect a "front of the line" pass nor do I feel she needs one. If we can use the stroller as a wheelchair, we will be fine. We are renting a citi mini GT double (we own one so I know the mobility of it very well and it is a very easy push).
3) no, we won't be asking for a handicapped room. We need two beds for our family and I feel the rooms should be used for those who need it more than us. Also, we are staying at All Star Movies and from what I read they only offer King Sized bed rooms for this which won’t work for the four of us.

Hopefully this clears up some of our expectations. Any advice or tips would be appreciated.

1 this is good that she will be able to walk I would let her know that if she gets tired she can site in the stroller that telling you she is tired or in a little pain will not mean that you will be leaving the park ( unless she want too, I was the child that hurt my foot right before disney and was so scared to tell anyone I needed to rest because I thought it meant leaving) you do know your child best. I would encourage her to sue the stroller when walking long distance like between lands and let her walk around in stores maybe in lines ( but I would keep the stroller with you incase the line is longer then you think she get tired)

2 there really is no front of the line passes only for Make a wish kids. yes I do agree that the stroller as a wheel chair is all you need. I would how ever have a number for an out side vender that has children wheel chair just incase it is too hard or her to get in and out of the wheel chair she maybe fine the first day or two but after doing it a few times a day maybe too much. ( there is a stick at the top that has links to venders, and hopefully it will not need to do this) I have seen gust with a double ( side by side stroller as a wheel chair) in some lines and for the most part they where fine a few times they had to take a corner slower back up so just be careful ( I heard someone complaining that the lines were to hard with a single fill dubbed stroller)

3 since she can walk and you will not need a handicap room I think you are right.

since you have an 8am BBB I would either stop by GR before hand I think they let you in 10 minute before 8 and get your tag or go after but I would do it soon I think it would be really bad waiting in a line her getting tired and someone having to carry her or getting out of the line.

most of the lines you will be able to take the stroller in either the FP or stand by a few have steps that you will by pass like splash, TSMM, ( there are other) a few you will do an alternative entrance BTMRR and space ship earth are two that come to mind this rids the CM will give you a return time ( it will be a card about the size of a bossiness card) with the time for you to come back. and a few when you get almost to the loading area you will be pulled out ( 7DMT dose this) and a few you will be pulled to the exit I think buzz dose this ( I did not list all rides) when you go to GR ask them for the disability guide and this will let you know what to do at each ride or ask the CM what to do. ( I really hope I did not confuse you it really is not that bad most rides you simply go in either the stand by or FP line what ever you have)

also if she dose need to rest some get some ice or some OTC meds she can go to first aid at any park and they will help her out this way you do not have to go all the way back to your room to take a 20 what ever minute rest so she feels better.

enjoy your trip I will be there just 3 days ( Monday) after you and I am so excited I hope you have a great time.