Need some ideas

[ntburns22]

I have little Tinkerbelle gifts planned for DD and DS. I even got DD a Cindy dress for CRT for cheap thanks to DD.com. But now DD broke her big toe. Her doc said she should be mostly healed by then. She is scared she is going to hurt herself getting on and off rides. I told her she should be better by then and we will help her. She is just worried about our trip now. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas to help put her at ease and bring the magic back. This is our first trip as a family that we are going to be at the Disney for more then a day.

 

[barkley]

how about getting a pair of special indoor/outdoor slippers in case her foot gets sore. i have a pair that look like moccasins but have a tough slip proof rubber sole-the inside are fleece lined and very comfortable. there are also lots of styles that dearform makes (tons out now for the holidays).

 

[ntburns22]

Just bumping up. This morning she said she doesn't know if she'll still have fun. I am trying to reassure her everything will still be great. MAybe just a little slower paced. Any thoughts anyone? I am at a loss with my little girl.

 

[barkley]

since this is her first trip to disney does she realize that it's not like a carnival where they rush you on and off the rides (tell her she can take her time and the all of the rides only require a small step up or down-and you can help her with both).

if it helps at all, tell that my little girl broke her arm a few months back and then had to have surgery on it-she is going to take it slow boarding and unboarding rides, and there may be some she decideds not to go on but that there's so much to do and see that she is still looking forward to a realy super time!

you might also ask her what her specific fears are and then post them as questions on the disabilities board-the folks there can answer any questions she has and may increase her confidence that she will have fun in the process.

 

[mjmcca]

Are you going to have or rent a stroller for your kids that could put her mind at ease.

 

[ntburns22]

Thanks for the ideas. Now we are going to rent a double at the parks where we can. Does AK have doubles too?

 

[mjmcca]

Yes they do. All of the parks have double strollers.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Honestly, one of THE BEST trips I had at WDW was right after I broke my arm! I broke my arm in three places and had shoulder to finger cast on. This happened on Thursday. During the entire time they were casting me and everything, the only thing I could think of was "does this mean we can't go to WDW?!" Well, the doctors said that IF I went in a wheelchair and placed my arm on a pillow for most of the day (I could get up for on and off of rides) because the cast would take a long time to dry. I was able to see and go on everything I wanted to (I was 7), even Space Mountain, and was wheeled around all day, and you can bet I got some GREAT attention from the CM's! I even got a few signatures from the characters (though I don't think they do that now.)
Maybe sharing that kind of story will help her. I can't imagine not wanting to go to WDW. She should be able to wear a closed toe shoe by then, but maybe letting her know that there's wheelchairs available should she need it will take the anxiety away? Maybe pointing out that people IN wheelchairs (who can't get up and walk) still go and have a great time? (If she's gone before, maybe ask her if she remembers anyone in a wheel chair or on crutches, or with a broken limb and ask if she thought they were having a good time.) Is she old enough for you to have a "what if" kind of conversation with her? This works really well to dispell my aspergers son of some of his more "black and white" viewpoints. For example...."DD, if you had a friend, and she didn't have a leg because of cancer or an accident, would you tell her not to go to WDW because it wouldn't be any fun or she'd have a terrible time?" Or, "if xxx (insert best friend's name here) was planning to go with us to WDW but broke his/her toe (though frankly, I always go "bigger" with DS, like leg, arm) would you tell him/her that he couldn't go or that you didn't want him to go?" Often, when I put something in that realm, my DS really "gets it". I then say, well, if you wouldn't discourage xxx from going, why are you so convinced that you can't/shouldn't/wouldn't. Often, I don't even need to take that step with him anymore. I tell ya, it requires me to be quick to come up with analogies sometimes!
Help her prepare for possible/probable situations and then help her put it in perspective. Best of luck!