Large child in stroller

[birthygirl]

I have a son who is 52" and 90lbs (yes, he is overweight for his age) and has dyspraxia. I am taking him and my 40 lb, 43" son to WDW in June. Has anyone ever used a double stroller with more than the weight limit? Or should I consider renting a Liberty pushchair for my older one? I'd really just like to avoid having two strollers, but I'm afraid that might be the only option as I don't think either can go a full day without one.

 

[ajgardner]

Wow! This was exactly what I came on here to find out about! My 6 year old son also has dyspraxia (along with sensory processing disorder) - his gross motor skills are on par with a 3.5 year old. But to make matters worse...he is the size of a 12 year old (not exaggerating - he is taller than half of my daughter's 7th grade friends) and he is also overweight. Walking Disney is going to be a huge challenge - but I don't know of any stroller that would fit him (plus he would probably look ridiculous in it). I'm afraid to use a wheelchair because he doesn't appear to others as to having any problems (I know I should worry about other people - but it can be hard not to). So, would love to hear thoughts and suggestions too!

 

[zomama]

I don't really have any advice but I just wanted to say that my dd has dyspraxia too. I very rarely hear of other children who have it.

 

[birthygirl]

Wow! This was exactly what I came on here to find out about! My 6 year old son also has dyspraxia (along with sensory processing disorder) - his gross motor skills are on par with a 3.5 year old. But to make matters worse...he is the size of a 12 year old (not exaggerating - he is taller than half of my daughter's 7th grade friends) and he is also overweight. Walking Disney is going to be a huge challenge - but I don't know of any stroller that would fit him (plus he would probably look ridiculous in it). I'm afraid to use a wheelchair because he doesn't appear to others as to having any problems (I know I should worry about other people - but it can be hard not to). So, would love to hear thoughts and suggestions too!

My son is 6 as well. SPD can be part of dyspraxia from what I've learned. My son has that as well. Gross motor and muscle tone are his biggest physical concerns (fine motor are not affected). The Liberty pushchair says it goes up to 100 lbs so it would work for my son. My husband doesn't want to use a stroller for him and just wants to work on his endurance with walks. That's a good start ,but I think having a stroller will easily cut down the amount of "I'm too tired" or "I need to sit down"'s we hear. I think it will make it more enjoyable for him, too.

And I'm with you on the appearance of things. It's an interesting condition and I almost dislike that you can't just look and see that something's wrong. I in some ways feel like that would help people to understand better, if that makes any sense at all.

 

[ajgardner]

And I'm with you on the appearance of things. It's an interesting condition and I almost dislike that you can't just look and see that something's wrong. I in some ways feel like that would help people to understand better, if that makes any sense at all.[/QUOTE]

I completely understand what you mean by that - it makes sense. We did Disney Land last year and went without the stroller because I wanted to work on the endurance; I'm just worried that Disney World is so much bigger and there is so much more to do. We're only there for 5 days, so I'm going to want to go, go, go (my son will want to sit and rest, rest, rest!) . I'll just have to slow it down and be happy with what we get to do!

 

[Emteach]

I would think that the ones that you can rent in Disney would be able to work for your kiddos. While we did not use those on our most recent trip (brought our own) most amusement parks I believe have very similar ones. I know a couple of years ago we rented a double at another theme park (same durable plastic kind) for my brother and sister, who was 10 at the time and it worked out well. Our only issue was with her height, she had to crouch so he head didn't hit the roof. Not sure if this is of any help, just thought I would post. Have a wonderful trip

 

[Lisa71]

Our DS has cerebral palsy and we did a double last year when he was 72lbs and 49 inches .he is too big now..I would get the push chair

 

[lanejudy]

I have a son who is 52" and 90lbs (yes, he is overweight for his age) and has dyspraxia. I am taking him and my 40 lb, 43" son to WDW in June. Has anyone ever used a double stroller with more than the weight limit? Or should I consider renting a Liberty pushchair for my older one? I'd really just like to avoid having two strollers, but I'm afraid that might be the only option as I don't think either can go a full day without one.

I think the Liberty Pushchair (or another special needs stroller) would be a better idea than a double. That is 90lbs + 40lbs is quite a bit of weight to push, and also very unbalanced because one is so much heavier than the other. Plus the 2nd stroller would allow you to split up if necessary. Just a note...the Liberty Pushchair is good, but large and rather cumbersome when folded. If he doesn't really need reclining, have you looked into a Maclaren Major? He'd fit the weight limit, and it folds compactly and rather lightweight like a traditional umbrella stroller. I believe a couple of the w/c vendors listed in the FAQ sticky rent these, or they did a couple of years ago (we ended up buying one so I can't say for sure). Coupled with a regular umbrella stroller for your littler one, this would be preferable for me rather than overloading a double.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[joanchris]

Do you think that if you rented the one larger pushchair or McLaran you could give the children turns in it? Or would they likely need to ride at the same times?

 

[Piper]

birthygirl....I just sent you a private message.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Using a stroller with children over the wieght limit may result in a buckled wheel or two. It happened with my sister last June. We had a stroller for her youngest who is autistic, and the middle child (with learning disabilities) begged to ride in it when his brother wasn't. Well that front wheel buckled. Luckily it wasn't a rental, just an old one my sister dug out for the trip.

 

[Mama Who]

I think the Liberty Pushchair (or another special needs stroller) would be a better idea than a double. That is 90lbs + 40lbs is quite a bit of weight to push, and also very unbalanced because one is so much heavier than the other. Plus the 2nd stroller would allow you to split up if necessary. Just a note...the Liberty Pushchair is good, but large and rather cumbersome when folded. If he doesn't really need reclining, have you looked into a Maclaren Major? He'd fit the weight limit, and it folds compactly and rather lightweight like a traditional umbrella stroller. I believe a couple of the w/c vendors listed in the FAQ sticky rent these, or they did a couple of years ago (we ended up buying one so I can't say for sure). Coupled with a regular umbrella stroller for your littler one, this would be preferable for me rather than overloading a double.

Enjoy your vacation!

This. If you have two adults available for pushing, split up the weight. Even if you don't damage the double stroller, you'll damage yourself. They aren't ergonomically designed for you to manage that much weight in them and I'd be worried about your back and shoulders.

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

don't know if the weight limit would work for you but we got a "Special Tomato" brand, it is larger than regular stroller and our neuro dr gave us a prescription so insurance covered it completely. we tried a rental a few years ago, and although it was better than overworking her by all the walking, she was very uncomfortable in it. she also has sensory issues, so if something isn't right, she lets you know.

 

[mydisneyboys]

I have been looking into getting a special tomato for my 9 year old. Thank you so much for the post about insurance covering it. I had never even thought of going that route!

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

we have the eio pushchair from special tomato. it is very much like the last regular stroller we had, just alittle larger. she was getting too big for reg one. this one is perfect for her, we have had it for 2 or 3 yrs now and she still fits fine. easy to push. they aren't cheap, so I was very thankful insurance worked for us.

 

[Freesia123]

If they can walk but not the whole day, have you thought of getting the push chair and letting them take turns? Then if its too much you could rent a second single for the smaller child?

 

[LisaTC]

I know it is hard, but I urge you and encourage you and salute anybody who can just shrug the "appearance of things." People can be snarky, but nobody knows your story. DD is Dyslexic. She has very, very, very mild dyspraxia. She falls down a lot in gym and playing. Her knees are skinned to the hilt. SHE's almost 10 and just now learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. She also has dysgraphia, but she's brilliant and beautiful! She never once noticed an older child in a stroller or in a push chair or if she did, it didn't phase her. That's the wonderful quality your children will have...never judge somebody elses circumstances. I have Meniere's and I walk crooked sometimes! People probably think I'm drunk. Many challenges are invisible. Diabetes, heard conditions, dyspraxia, autism spectrum, etc. I support your choice to get him a alternative solution with Tomato or Liberty Chair. Phooey on anybody else!

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

I know it is hard sometimes worrying about what others might think, I am a big worrier. but when it comes down to it, our little ones need to be taken good care of and they deserve to be comfortable. I know how tired and achy I am after walking the parks. I cant imagine forcing a child, or anyone for that matter, to walk and be in pain or over doing it, especially if it is just because of what others may think. I just have to keep telling myself, we will never see these people again, and my dgd is so worth a little tlc.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We are on our second liberty push chair and it is life saver at WDW. I won't tell you at the end of the day how many adults say they wish they could sit in it. DS uses it less now but when he has to block the sensory, or refuses to walk the Liberty is wonderful.