Kid in aur cast...2 weeks before trip!

[jillian01520]

My 9 y/o was put in an air cast with crutches this morning and told there can be no weight put on that foot for up to 3 months....we are leaving for Disney in 2 weeks!

I don't even know what to do, how to get around, etc!

 

[nalabell]

Disney is really good about making accommodations for this. Get a wheelchair at disney, if you a driving you might be able to rent a wheelchair for your trip. My DD had a similar issue and our insurance paid for the wheelchair and she was able to move around really well with crutches in just a few weeks. So a combination of wheelchair and crutches and you should do fine. There may be a few rides that may be an issue but I see no reason to not be able to do most things. It may look bad today but you will be surprised on how well you child will do.

 

[patty57]

You can rent a wheelchair from an outside vendor, such as Apple Scooter, and they will deliver and pick-up at your resort.

 

[bsjs0708]

I would call Apple Scooter in Orlando. Free delivery to your resort and pick up. About half the price of Disney ECV rental

 

[LSUfan4444]

My 9 y/o was put in an air cast with crutches this morning and told there can be no weight put on that foot for up to 3 months....we are leaving for Disney in 2 weeks!

I don't even know what to do, how to get around, etc!

No weight? Completely non-weight bearing? Not even toe touch?

What is the injury?

In addition to added difficulty getting around in the parks, I also should mention the add'l time and assistance he will need each day doing simple things. bathing, getting dressed, etc.

It's just me, but I would seriously consider delaying my trip.

 

[3happydancers]

My 9 y/o was put in an air cast with crutches this morning and told there can be no weight put on that foot for up to 3 months....we are leaving for Disney in 2 weeks!

I don't even know what to do, how to get around, etc!

So sorry to hear this! One year my DD was injured at Disney in Typhoon's wave pool. She was in a wheel chair for the rest of our vacation. Cast Members were wonderful; gave DD extra attention and a little pixie dust which really put a smile on her face! I would highly recommend renting one (be it at home if driving or at Disney) and bring the crutches. This way your 9 y/o can switch on and off. Walking the parks with crutches can prove very tiring after awhile.

Wishing your child a speedy recovery! And a magical vacation

 

[minnie mum]

My 9 y/o was put in an air cast with crutches this morning and told there can be no weight put on that foot for up to 3 months....we are leaving for Disney in 2 weeks!

I don't even know what to do, how to get around, etc!

I assume that your child was taught how to use the crutches properly, since they will be non-weight bearing for three months. This seems like a very unusual order, though. You might want to clarify that with the Orthopedic surgeon. By the time you are ready for the trip, getting around should be pretty easy for him/her.

Rent a wheelchair from an outside agency and have it delivered to your resort. You will need a pediatric chair. Don't try to get by with an adult one- it would be uncomfortable for a child to spend a lot of time in an ill fitting chair. Plan on wheeling the child around the park. He/she should be easily able to get into and out of most rides with assistance from you. Encourage walking with the crutches from time to time, though to keep from getting stiff and sore from sitting too long.

You can have a look at the disAbilities board sticky. There is excellent information there for guests with mobility problems.

 

[LSUfan4444]

This seems like a very unusual order, though. You might want to clarify that with the Orthopedic surgeon.

Agreed..non weight bearing for 3 months is rare. Not even hip transplants, knee transplants, torn ACLs etc require that.

 

[amberpi]

Could be a broken femur? I know they take ages to heal.

 

[jillian01520]

Maybe I heard wrong...it was kind if a whirlwind appointment and really all I kept thinking was...Disney Trip...Baseball season....Disney trip...baseball season lol

Nothing I broken so I must have heard wrong! It's damage to his cartilage, it's called osteochondral defect....

 

[billwendy]

I honestly think you should rent a chair at home and bring it with if you can. You probably will need it at home for long distances as well. Ask for a light weight chair that can be broken down to fit in your car....then you might get lucky with a Quickie or something instead of the old hospital looking chairs. Another thing is you should consider a cushion. Those vinyl sling seats are the pits and hard on the tail bone. You could probably make one. Just make sure that you remember to sunscreen the tops of their legs and have them get out and move around throughout the day. I think you will still have a blast!

 

[Jennasis]

Maybe I heard wrong...it was kind if a whirlwind appointment and really all I kept thinking was...Disney Trip...Baseball season....Disney trip...baseball season lol

Nothing I broken so I must have heard wrong! It's damage to his cartilage, it's called osteochondral defect....

You probably didn't hear wrong: from http://www.footandankleresource.com/Osteochondral_Defects.html

"Conservative Treatments:
The treatment indicated is determined by the amount of symptoms. Small OCD lesions of 5-6mm may cause significant pain for certain individuals, whereas larger OCD lesions up to 10-12mm in size can be seen with little discomfort. There is a great amount of variability in presentation of these lesions. Treatments must be designed on a very individual basis and depending on pain and symptoms.

For small lesions that are not displaced, cortisone injections may provide adequate relief. Custom orthotics or prefabricated orthotics may provide enough biomechanical support to offload the affected part of the joint. Immobilization in a CAM walker or a cast may be needed to give these lesions a chance to heal on their own. Physical therapy can help with range of motion and pain symptoms.

Complete immobilization in a cast non-weight bearing would give the greatest offloading of this lesion possible. "


I echo the others...rent a wheelchair.

 

[JillyBean1899]

How far up the leg does the cast go? If his knee is unaffected, you might consider renting a knee scooter. Definitely get that or a wheelchair for the trip, he would be wiped out if he used the crutches all day every day while you guys are there.

 

[JennyDrake]

OH HONEY!! I FEEL FOR YOU!!

I was zero weight bearing for 12 weeks last year (ruptured Achilles).

Shortly after weight bearing was allowed, I had a WDW, so while my circumstances were different, I *can* relate. Absolutely, positively rent a wheelchair from an off site source. I used Walker Mobility and was very, very pleased. I had a knee scooter and it would not have been manageable for the long, gradual inclines in the parks nor for the uneven surfaces at AK. _I_ did not take the knee scooter to WDW and I have no regrets. _I_ would go w/ crutches and renting a wheelchair.

If you are flying, the airline can arrange for a wc for you from front doors to the airplane and vice versa. Give them a call in advance. The MCO airport wc will get you from your gate to either car rental or curbside pick up.

RENT THE CHAIR. You will be so glad you did.

 

[jillian01520]

I guess we will be renting a chair. I am seriously starting to consider postponing all together but I don't even know how that would work with the tickets, airlines, etc. I want him to have a good time, who knows if we'll ever get back!

 

[3happydancers]

I guess we will be renting a chair. I am seriously starting to consider postponing all together but I don't even know how that would work with the tickets, airlines, etc. I want him to have a good time, who knows if we'll ever get back!

Was wondering if he was in a lot of pain and how he is dealing with the situation? Disney might be a positive thing and he may very well have a blast despite his situation. One thing to keep in mind is that he will have to transfer from the wheel chair to the attraction.

 

[jillian01520]

Was wondering if he was in a lot of pain and how he is dealing with the situation? Disney might be a positive thing and he may very well have a blast despite his situation. One thing to keep in mind is that he will have to transfer from the wheel chair to the attraction.

He's not in a ton of pain...a little when he puts pressure on it

 

[LSUfan4444]

I guess we will be renting a chair. I am seriously starting to consider postponing all together but I don't even know how that would work with the tickets, airlines, etc. I want him to have a good time, who knows if we'll ever get back!

If this is a possible "once in a lifetime" or "once in a decade trip", then go, plan and make the best of it.

Just be patient all the way around and understand you will move slower and things will be different.

 

[bumbershoot]

Maybe I heard wrong...it was kind if a whirlwind appointment and really all I kept thinking was...Disney Trip...Baseball season....Disney trip...baseball season lol

Nothing I broken so I must have heard wrong! It's damage to his cartilage, it's called osteochondral defect....

Sounds like you didn't mis-hear, but since you describe it as a whirlwind appointment and you sound like you weren't totally focusing on it, I would strongly urge you to call them and get the full orders written out.

This is totally silly and it was a child's understanding not a parent's, but it has to do with misunderstandings after injuries. I managed to take the end of my finger off with the nail, and an entire summer was spent dealing with that. The orthopedist was more interested in swatting my 11 year old rear end than making sure I understood what I needed to do. He told me I needed to keep my hand above my heart. So all summer long, I propped my elbow up and slept strictly on my back so that my hand was literally over my heart. Of course he just meant on a level above my heart, and he probably didn't intend for me to do even that all summer, but I didn't understand and I think my mom was so freaked out by his inappropriate behaviour towards me that she didn't ask, and it was a VERY uncomfortable summer even while sleeping.


So definitely get it all in writing, OK?


Major hugs to you and your 9 year old.

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Post 2 of that thread has information about renting wheelchairs.

Since he can't bear weight, it will be important to know what attractions he can stay in a wheelchair for. There are a lot if attractions that require a transfer; some of the transfers may be difficult and some may not be possible.
Posts 18-22 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about transfers.