Oh No! Crutches. Please advise!!!

[Missymouse18]

Well, I do appreciate all the advice - thank you. Right now we are praying that she will heal quickly. I want her to enjoy herself and for her first WDW trip to be memorable for all the right reasons.

 

[ZoZo]

There is a scooter-like device for use instead of crutches. I've seen a couple of people using them and they scoot right along. It consists of a wheel and a platform for her to rest her bad leg on. Try a medical supply for info. Hope you have a good trip.

This is a great idea! I rented "knee scooter" after foot surgery, and they are so much easier to use than crutches! As this poster says, they are little four-wheeled devices with a cushioned platform to rest your knee/shin on. A fourteen year old would do just fine with one.

And as others have said, you can't rent a motorized "ECV" for a fourteen year old, so unfortunately that's not an option. But look into a knee scooter - you can rent one for about $100 a month (and might be able to find a medical supply place to rent you one for a shorter time period).

 

[disnut8]

Why not rent her a manual wheelchair from an offsite place? Yes, you and your husband would have to push her but it would be at your speed. You can have the wheelchair delivered to your resort and picked up at your resort without charge. Much less expensive than an ECV and the power is back in your hands, literally.

Personally, she's 14 years old and is more than likely looking forward to this trip. I would turn the side on this one and make it a joking experience. "Your first trip to Disney World and you get to make the adults push you around! How fun!"

Then, continue to plan at your normal pace and go with it. I'm not sure for this trip, it should be all about you. You will have a 14 year old with you. Take a step back and think of things from her eyes for just a moment.

I have toured with myself in a wheelchair, my husband in a wheelchair, my father in a wheelchair, my granddaughter in a stroller, my father-in-law walking as best as he could. And each trip was special in so many ways. Maybe that's a focus you can adapt for your trip - YOU are the one taking your niece on her first Disney World trip. Make it special for her, not yourself.

 

[Missymouse18]

A few years ago, I was on crutches for 6 weeks. I could barely make it a block without feeling miserable. No way would I attempt to take anyone on crutches to WDW. It would be awful for everyone involved. Not only will your niece end up sore and exhausted, but you will feel the stress wondering if she's in pain, if you're moving too fast for her, etc. Finally, crutches can be a safety issue in a crowd. It's hard enough to maneuver through crowds on two feet. She could be easily tripped with so many people around.

Here's what I would tell your sister. "DN is welcome to come with us only if she uses a wheelchair and only if you pay for it. We will not take her only with her crutches. If you refuse to pay for a wheelchair, then she will have to wait until next year to come with us." Period. No negotiation. It's for your niece's comfort and safety.

I think this is the advice that best fits the situation. Thanks again!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am in a huge dilemma. My DH and I are die-hard Dis-ers, pretty much commando. We agreed to let our niece go with us this year. MagicBands have already arrived and we are just 22 days out. DN14 has broken her foot and will be in a cast and on crutches while we are there. I am no dummy, and know that there is no way to do Disney the way we like to do it with her on crutches. This would be her very first trip. I told my sister that in reality this is not a good idea for a first timer to go on crutches, especially since we are not the type to lollygag through the parks. My sister seems to think we should leave it up to my niece; since this is the only vacation DH and I will take this year, and since we pay a pretty penny every year for our WDW trip, I feel like this is ultimately our decision as to say she can go or that she should wait till next year.
All opinions welcome - I really feel caught between yay and nay on this one.

A wheel chair would resolve the issue. I have a broken ankle. We did downtown DC 2 weeks into it and I just rented a chair. It was a lot of work for my family (the adults) and I wheeled some of it myself. (Lot of work due to terrain and some hills.)

I would let her family decide. I personally don't think it is right for you to uninvite her.

I'm not sure of rides will restrict her or not--but she is old enough to wait patiently of there is something she cannot ride.

I do agree that her going and only using crutches is a bad idea. Too much effort, very little stamina.

But a wheelchair will indeed save the vacation.

 

[Asnell]

I spent a few weeks on crutches recently, and it's true -- they bruise you up, even just walking around the house. She will be battered and sore.

The other consideration is the type of cast she is in. Most foot/ankle casts cannot get wet, even if they are fiberglass, because the water pools at the bend inside the cast and causes the skin there to rot.

This means no water rides or splashing rides for her, and of course no pools or swimming. Given the choice of accompanying you next year, she may well prefer to go when she's able to fully enjoy the experience.

 

[MouseyMin]

Another thought - is your niece able to bath/shower by herself? Or would she be willing to let you help her?

 

[jade1]

You will not keep up with her with this.

Collapsable will help when you get to some attractions.

Or maybe:

 

[HopperFan]

A few years ago, I was on crutches for 6 weeks. I could barely make it a block without feeling miserable. No way would I attempt to take anyone on crutches to WDW. It would be awful for everyone involved. Not only will your niece end up sore and exhausted, but you will feel the stress wondering if she's in pain, if you're moving too fast for her, etc. Finally, crutches can be a safety issue in a crowd. It's hard enough to maneuver through crowds on two feet. She could be easily tripped with so many people around.

Here's what I would tell your sister. "DN is welcome to come with us only if she uses a wheelchair and only if you pay for it. We will not take her only with her crutches. If you refuse to pay for a wheelchair, then she will have to wait until next year to come with us." Period. No negotiation. It's for your niece's comfort and safety.

Have had injured teens many times in this house and the crutches won't last down Main St without great pain and discomfort to her - and your trip adversely affected. The wheelchair is the only way to go and sadly you will have to push her. It is your vacation and the only way to salvage it with her is a wheelchair.

But I agree with giving the choice to your sister and niece. Either a wheelchair that you will make her use OR wait until the next trip. Who knows your niece might even choose to wait if she doesn't want to ride in the chair. You could consider the scooter but again I would insist her mother pay for it but I would not suggest the "peg leg" it is good for short distance but I think she would physically tire with it long term.

 

[jade1]

This ones a little beefier but shows how quick you can get on them.

Skateboarder review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU7hBew1VYo