Make a Wish (and other organizations) ~ Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume FIVE!!

[Jakentysmom]

Question for those previous Wish families with wheelchairs ....

Maddie has several different adaptive chairs/strollers, due to her varying needs on any given day. We have a Convaid Cruiser (for her "I'm feeling pretty good, but need some support so that I don't crash" days), a Snug Seat Stingray (large, adaptive stroller/wheelchair with all the supports she needs for her "can't stay awake or lift my head" days) and just got a second-hand Quickie Kidz manual chair that she is beginning to learn how to self-propel. Originally, I assumed that we'd bring the Convaid, since it folds easily and has moderate support for her. But it doesn't recline at all, and she'll have times that she really does need to rest. The Quickie manual chair is out, since it doesn't have enough support to account for her tired days. So then I'm left with with Stingray, which is super supportive, tilts, reclines, and has everything that she needs. It's a bit overkill for her "good days" but perfect for her "low battery days." But it's heavy and huge and cumbersome to handle. We would definitely need to gate check it. So, I guess my question is should we bring the Stingray chair, gate check it, and just deal with the heavy, cumboersome nature of it? Should we bring the Convaid, which is much easier to handle and would be fine for anytime that she doesn't need to fully recline? Or should we rent a regular, reclining, jogging type stroller, which would probably be ok (she's small enough for a regular stroller) but that we wouldn't have available at the airport if we need it and wouldn't have all the supportive features of her adaptive chairs? For those who gate-checked wheelchairs, did they get damaged? That's one of our big concerns, since this is the chair we'll have for the next few years.

Also, I know I shouldn't worry about what people think, but would it be odd to see a child who looks relatively normal and energetic on a "good day" using a chair that obviously has a lot of supports (laterals, harness, etc.)?

Ohh thats a hard one!! We have a convaid ez rider and it is probably about the same as yours. Doesnt recline or anything. But for Jacob-its perfect for him. But for your girl...I would do the big chair. Yes its big and bulky, but you will be kicking yourself on the days that she has low energy. Just my .2

 

[Kktraylor]

Missed me on the list too.

 

[kalimom6]

I need help from those who have gone to the parks!!! Which parks are full day and which parks are half a day?? I dont know what parks are half a day and which ones are full days? I dont want to plan a full day for a park that will take us half a day! Or plan for half a day and we miss out on a bunch of stuff.

We only lasted 3 hours at AK. A few of the rides were down when we were there, although we could have waited, they were just temporary at that time. But so many people were waiting and the kids just wanted to go to GKTW and swim. I agree with PP, it all depends on your family and, even, how the day goes. We actually wish we would have done Busch Gardens instead of AK.

 

[Jakentysmom]

We only lasted 3 hours at AK. A few of the rides were down when we were there, although we could have waited, they were just temporary at that time. But so many people were waiting and the kids just wanted to go to GKTW and swim. I agree with PP, it all depends on your family and, even, how the day goes. We actually wish we would have done Busch Gardens instead of AK.

Yeah I was thinking that AK is def a half a day park. All my kids really would like to do is go on the safari thing. We are going to eat at Tuskers in the morning so hopefully we can be on the first safari and get out of there at a good time.

 

[nuts4wdw]

Hi, we are getting excited 93 days!!!!! I am trying to recover from the last week. Prescott has been sick and ended up in ER with viral pneumonia. Yuck! But I think he is on the mend. So, I am starting to make list after list after list! I think the planning has been such a stress relief! So not much going on Make a Wish- wise, just having fun planning.

Maroo- Thanks so much for updating everything. However, I didn't see us on the list. Thanks!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

I just tried to pm you and your box is already full! You are one popular woman!!

Please pm me if ya get a chance!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Our son is a previous Wish tripper. I personally would take whatever is more comfortable for her to get through her days "assuming" there are going to be tough days for her due to the increased energy she will use at times. I would rather be prepared then not be prepared and she not have what she needs. I would bring the stingray.

As far as what people think we didn't really care lol. And believe me we did get looks and stares when our son would get up out of his Zippy lite wheelchair and walk. And we are used to that because he uses his wheelchair mostly only when alot of walking is involved. There were times he walked and there were times he rode. It made him to be able to reserve his energy for the more important things he wanted to do.

Question for those previous Wish families with wheelchairs ....

Maddie has several different adaptive chairs/strollers, due to her varying needs on any given day. We have a Convaid Cruiser (for her "I'm feeling pretty good, but need some support so that I don't crash" days), a Snug Seat Stingray (large, adaptive stroller/wheelchair with all the supports she needs for her "can't stay awake or lift my head" days) and just got a second-hand Quickie Kidz manual chair that she is beginning to learn how to self-propel. Originally, I assumed that we'd bring the Convaid, since it folds easily and has moderate support for her. But it doesn't recline at all, and she'll have times that she really does need to rest. The Quickie manual chair is out, since it doesn't have enough support to account for her tired days. So then I'm left with with Stingray, which is super supportive, tilts, reclines, and has everything that she needs. It's a bit overkill for her "good days" but perfect for her "low battery days." But it's heavy and huge and cumbersome to handle. We would definitely need to gate check it. So, I guess my question is should we bring the Stingray chair, gate check it, and just deal with the heavy, cumboersome nature of it? Should we bring the Convaid, which is much easier to handle and would be fine for anytime that she doesn't need to fully recline? Or should we rent a regular, reclining, jogging type stroller, which would probably be ok (she's small enough for a regular stroller) but that we wouldn't have available at the airport if we need it and wouldn't have all the supportive features of her adaptive chairs? For those who gate-checked wheelchairs, did they get damaged? That's one of our big concerns, since this is the chair we'll have for the next few years.

Also, I know I shouldn't worry about what people think, but would it be odd to see a child who looks relatively normal and energetic on a "good day" using a chair that obviously has a lot of supports (laterals, harness, etc.)?

 

[angel's momma]

We have dates Cruise is 4/14-18, and we added on wdw 4/18-25.

 

[uk mum]

Hi...thought I would join in as my daughter has been granted a wish to disney in june......we are so excited and have already started counting the days.. xx

 

[angel's momma]

uk mum

 

[angel's momma]

Just curious about how much involvement everyone's wish granters have had in their process.

Ours called to set up the meeting to hear Angel's wish (and had the meeting of course), and called the day after Christmas to say that her wish was being granted. That's the last we've heard from her, and the wish coordinator has handled everything since.

 

[Lilfoot93]

We have dates Cruise is 4/14-18, and we added on wdw 4/18-25.

I'm so glad the wait is over and you FINALLY have dates I am so happy for you guys

Hi...thought I would join in as my daughter has been granted a wish to disney in june......we are so excited and have already started counting the days.. xx

Just curious about how much involvement everyone's wish granters have had in their process.

Ours called to set up the meeting to hear Angel's wish (and had the meeting of course), and called the day after Christmas to say that her wish was being granted. That's the last we've heard from her, and the wish coordinator has handled everything since.

We haven't heard much from ours either. We heard from them last May to set up an appt to meet with Trev then they called in early July to say his wish was granted then we did not hear from them until recently when we got our dates. I think it was late Jan/early Feb? They then called us a couple weeks ago for flight info as my Dad is going with us so we needed that early. Not sure if that is normal or not but that has been our experience! I know our wish grantors have a few other families they are working with too.

Jackie

 

[JWCJ]

Just curious about how much involvement everyone's wish granters have had in their process.

Ours called to set up the meeting to hear Angel's wish (and had the meeting of course), and called the day after Christmas to say that her wish was being granted. That's the last we've heard from her, and the wish coordinator has handled everything since.

We met our grantor (the person who interviewed Ja was different) once a month ago, so she could meet the girls and discuss a few logistics. The coordinator has been handling all the bookings for us since then.
The grantor SAID that she'd be in contact once a month or so, until the month before. She's creating a fun countdown for the last month, so I assume we'll hear from her regularly as that happens.

 

[angel's momma]

I'm so glad the wait is over and you FINALLY have dates I am so happy for you guys

We haven't heard much from ours either. We heard from them last May to set up an appt to meet with Trev then they called in early July to say his wish was granted then we did not hear from them until recently when we got our dates. I think it was late Jan/early Feb? They then called us a couple weeks ago for flight info as my Dad is going with us so we needed that early. Not sure if that is normal or not but that has been our experience! I know our wish grantors have a few other families they are working with too.

Jackie

We met our grantor (the person who interviewed Ja was different) once a month ago, so she could meet the girls and discuss a few logistics. The coordinator has been handling all the bookings for us since then.
The grantor SAID that she'd be in contact once a month or so, until the month before. She's creating a fun countdown for the last month, so I assume we'll hear from her regularly as that happens.

Thanks Jackie & Jo.

What you described Jackie, is what I was expecting - that the wish granter would contact us with that info. Instead it's been our coordinator, and she told me she'll get our itinerary to us, and then confirm everything again close to the trip. The granters haven't been mentioned.

 

[Mom2M07]

Hi...thought I would join in as my daughter has been granted a wish to disney in june......we are so excited and have already started counting the days.. xx

Welcome! How exciting for your daughter!

 

[LittleEsmom]

Hi...thought I would join in as my daughter has been granted a wish to disney in june......we are so excited and have already started counting the days.. xx

Yay WELCOME

 

[LittleEsmom]

We have dates Cruise is 4/14-18, and we added on wdw 4/18-25.

so HAPPY for your dates

 

[uk mum]

Thanks...we r so excited....93 days till we leave !! We r still trying to sort some bits out as our daughter is tpn dependant and can't eat or drink so charecter meals etc aren't really a good idea but I'm sure we will have an amaxing time...

 

[LittleEsmom]

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Close-up of our shirt image

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We will be sporting these on our way to GKTW/Disney

 

[Mom2M07]

We have dates Cruise is 4/14-18, and we added on wdw 4/18-25.

Ok ... I'm jealous! Happy for you guys, since I know you've been waiting awhile for dates and had crazy complications. But jealous b/c I want our dates SO badly