Kids shoe lifts on the web?????

[serenitynow]

Has anyone got an address on the web for children’s shoe lifts?

I know that the height restrictions are for safety reasons, yes, yes. But we have a child who was born a premmie and is only 39” tall at 7. With shoe lifts, he will be the proper height for the safety restraints to fit correctly. Our doctor offered to order some orthopedic shoe lifts, but they would cost $249.00.

I do not want him to be disappointed by being told he is 1” too short to ride the rides. He’s gets enough teasing and tormenting about his height, or lack thereof, from the kids at school.

If anyone has a website, could they let me know? Thanks for your help!

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't want to seem argumentative but how would shoe lifts alter the height so as to make the safety restraints work? They in essence make your legs longer. Leg length doesn't matter with shoulder harnesses. Do as you will but be advised that those limitations are there for a reason. I would hate for a child to get banged around just because they were an inch too short for the restraints to work correctly. Of course, your child could have the same body build my son, 32, has. Very short legs but a very long torso. However, he would still have made the height restriction since his torso makes up for his lack of leg length.

 

[welovedis]

OP-not trying to flame you, but the other poster mentioned the reasoning behind the height restrictions. Leg length has nothing to do with the person's safety on the ride. I would never undermine my child's safety in order for them to experience a ride or attraction, just my .02!

I'm sorry to hear that he is teased & bothered by it at school, but that seems to be the trend. My son is teased about being so smart & has been called a nerd more times that I dare think of and he is in 2nd grade! Unfortunately it is something we have to deal with and preparing him for the disappointment of not being able to ride something is better than dealing with the consequence if something happened while riding.

Again, just my .02 & not trying to flame-I know how difficult it is for families with preemie children. I run a daycare that specializes in preemie care/special-needs children and I know it is a tough road.

Best of luck!

 

[serenitynow]

We discussed all of this with his doctor. I think I'll trust the advice provided by the pediatric specialist in this matter, but thanks to all for all of your concern for my child's safety.

I really just need to find a cheaper alternative to the $249.00 orthopedic shoe lifts right now.

 

[SandrainNC]

I have a premie myself and there is no way I would have him wear taller shoes just so he can ride something at an amusement park. The requirements are there for a reason.

Sandra

 

[meandtheguys2]

My 7 year old niece was a preemie and still has size issues. We wouldn't risk it either. As far as a pediatric specialist, I suspect that he has not spent a bunch of time studying the physics involved in these rides and the restraints used.

I can't imagine finding "lifts" for children because there is no purpose for making a child artificially taller, except to sneak them on rides.

 

[welovedis]

I think I'll trust the advice provided by the pediatric specialist in this matter, but thanks to all for all of your concern for my child's safety.

Wow, so a peds specialist actually said that they would recommend purchasing lifts for a child in order for them to be able to get on a ride that has clear restrictions based on height?

I don't know how much stock I would place in that specialist considering it could harm the child. Again, I'm not trying to flame you, but why would you risk it? I mean, I'm overprotective of my DS ( who is not a preemie, has a form of autism) and there is no way I would risk his safety to experience a ride.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Another preemie mom here!! DS was 11 inches at birth and it took forever for him to catch up. There were many tears when he was too short to ride some things but we never allowed him to ride till he was tall enough to meet the requirment. Most preemies not only are shorter but also have a much slimmer build that would just increase the risk of the restraint not fitting correctly. I neither mean to flame but I can not image why a doctor would approve of putting a child at risk. DS however hit a growth spurt about that age so maybe he will take off and grow an inche between now and then.
Children can be so unkind!! Try hard to find something that your son can excell at and try to do everything to improve his self worth. We put our "liitle one" in martial Arts at six and that, for some children, seems to make a big difference.

BTW DS will be 13 in two months and is 5'5 over 100 lbs and i just bought a size 9 shoe!!!! They DO grow!!!!

Prayers that all works out well for your family.

Jordan's mom

 

[serenitynow]

Thanks to all! I guess its true that you can find anything on ebay!!!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

You know, I suspect the specialist makes a decent profit off of those lifts. It is sad really.

 

[welovedis]

Sorry to hear that you feel taking the risk is more important. Good luck to you all.

 

[CEDmom]

My DD is very small for her age. At 5 1/2 she's 37" and 33lbs. She is still in a booster with a 5 pt harness while all her friends have been using the regular seatbelt for well over a year now. She knows that something can only be done when a person reaches a certain size. She may not always be happy about that but it's a fact of life. Whenever we go somewhere that might have height restrictions I find them out ahead of time and we just avoid those things she can't go on.

Luckily she's not a daredevil so that makes it easier but even if she was I wouldn't risk her life for a few moments of fun. I really hope the OP's son doesn't get hurt doing somethings he's not physically ready for

 

[Zoesmama03]

I say if he has a long toroso go for it. If not Id probably wait until he was tall enough. Its not about age so much as size I agree its about fitting in the harness.

You can always get them but if they seat belts/harnesses aren't fitting properly and you can ask the attendent to make sure its proper and if not then tell him maybe next time. I know its tough. Poor kid on the kids making fun of him kids can be cruel these days.

if the pediatric specialist says its fine perhaps he sees and knows his torso is longer and his legs are shorter.


I think a few people have been rude here but also they are concerned is all.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I got some sneakers at payless that have thick soles and my dd is about an inch taller in them. It makes it so I don't have to roll this one pair of overalls that I normally have to roll about an inch. Try different styles of shoes too but be sure thos straps and harness fit well still when you go.

 

[crisi]

Just so you are aware, there have been posts in the past where CMs make the kids take off shoes that have tall soles, push down on "big" hair, etc. My daughter was "just" at the height for something last trip, and was really scrutinized by the CM - shoes checked out for high soles, pushed down on her hair.

If he will be truly heartbroken, it might be good to prep him now for the possibility he will get turned down anyway, even with the investment in lifts.

 

[welovedis]

Don't know if the above poster thought I was being rude, but if so, I was being brutally honest. If that comes across as rude then it is the way you are interpreting my written word.

My DH is a medical doctor and we know many different physicians, medical doctors, PNPs, NPs & PAs. Not one that I know would recommend purchasing lifts in order to get a child onto a ride. That is what I was saying.

And I stand by what I said, it isn't worth the risk. Life is full of disappointments and unfortunately a height restriction may preclude someone from riding. There is so much more that can be done that it hardly seems worth taking the chance.

I have seen for myself when the measured my DS for Kali River Rapids twice in one trip, once he made it, the second time he measured too short (for whatever reason) they deemed him unable to ride. He wasn't happy but we followed the rules and didn't attempt to make him appear taller than he was. Know what he remembers about that trip? Certainly not the Kali ride he couldn't take.

I honestly wish you the best of luck and hope all turns out well.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I suspect that I am the suspect! But I stand by the concept that any physician willing to sell a pair of lifts to a little guy to make a huge profit ought to be investitgated. Taking advantage of this situation is shameful, IMO. And to mislead a parent into thinking that something is safe when it might not be is even worse.

Now who gets the blame if (God forbid) something were to happen to this little guy?

 

[rt2dz]

I really don't have an opinion on the subject, either way it is none of my business. And I feel fine not warning the OP about the dangers of making a child an inch taller. And let me tell other posters why...

I have two neices 6 weeks apart in age. One is a 14 inches taller; only 2 of those inches is in the torso. That means 12 inches taller in the legs alone. Sure neice #1 could ride everything MUCH sooner, but all the height was in the leg. So since places don't measure the length of your torso to ride, leg height must make some kind of difference. Also, the couple down the street makes me think something has to do with leg length. She's 6'4", he's 6'2", sitting, he towers over her; his height is in the torso & her's is in the legs even though she is taller. DS4 is 44" tall and his height is split evenly between his legs & torso. DS14months, a premee too, is quite a bit tinier but his torso is 3 inches longer than his legs.

So, to the OP. Best of luck in what you decide. You know what is best for your child and I'm sure you would never do anything to put him in danger. You're heart is breaking for him so you obviously love him and wouldn't risk losing him.

 

[Evil Queen]

I hope, like the others, he is safe. I am not here to bash, but am concerned for the safety of others, as well as my own.

That Dr. really should be investigated, and I surely wouldn't want him to take "care" of me or my loved ones, if he offered to do this for you son to have "fun".

My son's orthotics just came in today (he has a medical reason for them) are awfully thin. I did see a few on line, while I was searching for a possible dealer that would sell them cheaper, that appear to have higher lifts on some orthotics.

I was given "instructions" on how my son should get use to them and what to do should they cause more discomfort, because his ENTIRE body must adjust to them, not just his feet. I hope some thought was given to this as well? That can make for a long day wearing something you are not use to or fitted for, plus I am not sure I would fell comfortable in putting something in my son's shoes that have possibly been in another's shoes.

As for some other posters, my son is tall (5'2" and over a hundred pounds and just turned 9)and is bullied and teased, because he's very "caring" and sensitive to the feelings, etc of others-he is like a gentle giant -per se. So teasing comes for all reasons. He is on a "lifestyle" change for eating though (he lost a pound last week-woo hoo). I can feel for those who can't change things for their kids, at least on our end, he can lose weight (he can't get shorter though). Due to his condition he can't run right now or jump. He can swim, ride bikes, light weights, and can toss a football around, so he has a few options for exercise, so the weight loss may be a bit of a problem,, because he's limited for awhile.

 

[ArRzrbk]

I do understand how you feel, but don't do it. We only took DS #1 on rides he was tall enough for, and even then, I felt a little nervous, as he was just barely tall enough.

I know your seven year old is probably well past the Barn Stormer, but that one scared me with my little three year old. I felt like he might slip out the side any minute. I held on so tight. And he was tall enough to ride.

Please, don't try and get around the restrictions. Oh, and in case any of you out there don't realize this...most rides are designed for average weights. If you child is really thin or really over weight, that too may be a safety concern, as the harness may not properly restrain them.

Saftey first. A child will get over not riding a ride, but if God forbid something happened to them because you tried to get around the safety measures. Don't take that chance. Please.