Need Advice for Son With Broken Foot

[62travelDisney]

Hi all,

My 13yr DS broke foot last night - 4 days b/f our much anticipated WDW trip. We are staying at SSR and will have a car. Can anyone kindly walk us through what our options are? He will not be able to walk all over parks w/o assistance or stand in long lines. Thanks for any help you can offer.....we have been on many disney trips but have been blessed not to have any issues until now.

Laurie

 

[KPeveler]

your best option will most likely be to rent a wheelchair for him - check out the FAQs at the top of the page. there is no way he can walk/crutch that far all day!!! at age 13 it shouldnt be too difficult to push him around the parks

 

[Hemi-mom]

So sorry about the broken foot! Not fun!

A wheelchair is your best option for sure for an almost near normal experience. You can read all over this board how the parks are extremely handicapped accessible and the CM's very helpful. You can rent a chair through other agencies if you want a chair for your length of stay or if you do decide to go to any other places in Orlando. Here's one link that is pretty reliable. http://www.medicaltravel.org/scooter/land_manual_wheelchair_rentals_cruise.html.
OR, as a resort guest, you may have length of stay chair rental options through Disney that you can take it wherever you need to go. I would call your resort and ask them in advance about your options.

I see you are in Mass. and so may want to really consider renting a chair for the whole trip from home so you can use it in the airport if you're flying. You really may find this to be better for travel. Our son (now 12) is mobile but has CP and has trouble with distance and duration and we are so glad to have His chair with us for the ENTIRE trip from the moment we get to the airport. We would never attempt WDW without his chair! This summer will be his 3rd trip and he is excited about being able to get around more on his own, but he knows his limitations.

Also, another important thing to think about...I would talk to your doctor about getting a temporary handicap placard for your car. This will help you significantly at the WDW parking lots if you can get one. YOu maybe able to get something from guest services at WDW too but the doctor would be the best bet.

As far as WDW attractions/restaurants go, the wheelchair will be crucial in helping your son get into the right lines for his needs, as well as the right boarding areas, and seating areas for shows, (with ramps and such). The CM's will see you coming and will do everything and anything you need. Pushing him around will be worth it when he is able to enjoy everything as if he weren't injured!

Friends of ours had their son come down with Strep while on vacation at WDW and they got him his antibiotics and rented a chair for the him for the remainder of the trip. They said it was the best choice ever and he was able to enjoy the parks and not lose the vacation.

I'll check back in case you have any questions about wheelchairs that I can answer more specifically. I hope this helps!

Best wishes and prayers for healing and a quick recovery for your son, and most importantly, enjoy your vacation!!

 

[mechurchlady]

Because of his age only one rental company might rent to him. So that pretty much rules out an ECV.

It might be cheaper to rent locally a chair or borrow one. Try to get one with foot rest that can easily be raised. Make sure you know how to raise the foot rest. Keep it down in crowds then when at a show or dinner you can elevate it. If crowds get bad then form a human shield and have them walk in front of the wheelchair so as to part the crowd. You can use the crutches for jousting practice and goose anyone who jumps in front of the wheelchair. Just kidding, honest I am kidding, please no goosing jerks.

Wheelchairs are easiest for getting around unless you are like my mother who has one waddling disabled person to push her around.

 

[62travelDisney]

Thank you all - very helpful. I already called the airlines (SW) and they ordered him a chair and he'll get to board 1st. Forgot to ask if we can use a chair on the other end - getting from the plane to the car. I will call our resort and see what our chances for getting a chair, and if not, will rent one. Great idea about the parking pass - it truly will be tricky for him to hobble all over the place.

BTW - be careful what you wish for - I was concerned our trip would be ruined by this child's state hockey tournament, the more games they win, the more likely it wouldve interfered w our trip and he wanted to stay back. Now he cant play at all and we'll be at WDW right on schedule. Go figure!!!!

 

[I Love Pluto]

You may want to check the Roll-a-Bout Corporation. You can purchase or rent a scooter-type device that they will ship to you via UPS next day. They're located in Delaware. (They have an internet site.)

My foot doctor recommends these to all of his patients. I just had some foot & ankle surgery, and I'm using one. They're a lot less bother than a wheelchair, and they're a lot smaller to take with you.

 

[zumbergc]

I have to second the thought about getting a wheel chair that has a leg that can be elavated. Your going to want to elavate a broken foot. We have used walker mobility, and they do have an option to pay extra to get a leg that elavates. You have to request specifically and tell them which leg it is.

I recommend you get a wheel chair from offsite so you have the chair for the resort. SSR is very large, we were just there, and have been there 3 times now. It would be super hard for him to get around the resort w/out a wheelchair, it is spread out.

If you are DVC I would call and ask to be placed near artist palate, the pool, etc. area. Even w/ a push chair it will take a lot of work to get around. I would recommend staying in the grandstand area and request the building closest to the carriage house/artist palate/main pool/check-in. Another option would be to request the springs area. We were in congress park, the closest building to the main stuff, but a long ecv ride. It was fine for me, but too much for mom.

A couple other thoughts about making the trip more comfortable. Bring one of those refillable ice packs, ice often. Ice first thing in the morning even if your not in pain, and at night before bed, at the minimum. You can get the refillable ice packs at large grocery stores. Then you can easily refill it at counter service locations. Just ask for a large cup of ice and tell them what its for, so they fill it up all the way with ice. They are better than just plain old zip lock bags, last longer and don't leak as much.
http://www.return2fitness.net/Cold_therapy/Cold_Packs_And_Wraps/md200icebag-mandl
Here is a link to what they look like, don't know anything about the website listed, a local pharmacy, grocery store should have them.

If you forget your ice pack, the first aid stations can give you a disposable one. Works in a pinch when things swell up unexpectedly, they don't last that long.

Make sure to bring you pain pills. nsaids, tylenol, or asprin with you into the park. I've been in many of wheel chair sections with people grabbing at their knees when their pain pills were back in the room.

We requested the congress park area, and in hindsite grandstand would have been closer to the main action of the resort.

Have a wonderful trip.
Connie

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

I would suggest contacting one of the companies listed in Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs and rent a wheelchair that is suitable for his size. It is unfortunate but all the wheelchairs at WDW that are either rented or loaned by Disney are full adult size or larger. When you call the companies tell them how tall he is and how much he weighs and they will be able to provide you with one suitable for him.

Also the Disney wheelchairs do not have the adjustable footrests which he may need.

You can get to the FAQ either by looking near the top of the thread listings or by following the link in my signature.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with the others -
The chairs that might be available at your resort can't be reserved ahead of time, there is no guarantee they will have one when you arrive, they are adult size and don't have elevating footrests.

 

[62travelDisney]

Thanks - he is not the size of an adult quite yet - only 13, those are excellent points and it would be nice to have the elevation b/c that's what's "ordered" by the docs. I did call SSR to see what we could do about getting a room where we dont have to walk miles to get places - they said they'd put a note on our ressie - we'll see how that goes - we dont get in till midnight. I guess we'll take it day by day. Can anyone think of rides he wont be able to go on? He has a cast-boot to his knee.

 

[SueM in MN]

Can anyone think of rides he wont be able to go on? He has a cast-boot to his knee.

You should probably call the doctor's office and ask if there are any types of rides you should avoid. Depending on the break, they may say to avoid those that would jostle him more.
This is a list of rides with warnings at each park.
You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
I added some notes about some of the rides.
For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space - green team is less intense and doesn't spin, but still jostles you around
• Test Track - some parts are very bumpy

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain - not bumpy, but may be a little difficult to brace on the downhill part. Also, kind of hard to get into ride car
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - fairly smooth, but may be hard to brace
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - other people might hit the back of your car, making a big bump
• Space Mountain

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours - jerky
• Rock N Roller Coaster - very smooth roller coaster, does go upside down
• Tower of Terror - actually fairly smooth, but sudden change of direction

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari - kind of like driving on bumpy road
• Kali River Rapids - you will get wet, maybe soaked. It can be slippery getting in and out because the floor of the boat will be wet
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl - VERY turbulent, with sudden, random changes of direction
• Dinosaur - very jerky

In general, the CMs won't stop you from riding anything unless they feel it would be dangerous. They out out the warnings and it's up to you to decide whether or not to ride.

 

[mechurchlady]

On roller coasters and simulators there may be the problem of bracing oneself. I read at another park that they require a tripod which is 3 usable limbs that can from a tripod to brace the riders. Try an easy roller coaster like Big Thunder first. Also try to get the thrill rides done in the morning when he is strongest.

Kilimanjaro Safari - get a front row if at all possible. I rode this twice in the middle or front and once in back. I was crying in pain and near panicked as it really bounces you around.

If you park in a WDW parking lot then tell them you have a wheelchair. They have a few spaces near the trams for disabled guests even if they do not have a disabled placard. There is the handicapped lot but for me the trams are much closer.