Recommendations for smaller wheelchair for teen?

[oliviosis]

I have a 13 yr old son with Down syndrome. He can walk but has very little endurance. We usually rent a special needs stroller but they're pretty cumbersome to fold and load/hold on the buses which means that I can't leave the parks with him unless my husband is with us too and my 10 yr old is often wanting to stay longer. I'm wondering if it's time to move him to a wheelchair. The main reason we haven't done that so far is that I feel like the strollers are easy to push with the height of the handle, I think he likes the more reclined and enclosed feeling seat and I like that they offer some shade. The manual wheelchairs I've seen for rentals look like they'd be uncomfortable? We most recently used the Adaptive Star 18" Lassen Pushchair and I was looking at the Convaid Cruiser Classic- 16" but am wondering if it's just as bulky and cumbersome as the Adaptive Star? He's about 4' 5" and less than 90 lbs. Would love to hear what worked for your older kid!

 

[lanejudy]

I know several families who shifted to a Convaid Cruiser after outgrowing a regular stroller. It comes in varying sizes and folds compactly.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

One of these worked really well for my elderly mother for many years, not just around town, but at Disney.

It’s lightweight and easy to fold up to take with you on a bus or to load into a trunk, etc.

I’ve seen people say here they don’t like them for Disney but for us, it was a lifesaver.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cardinal...nsport-Wheelchair/497661811?classType=VARIANT

Good luck.

 

[Mamabun]

We have a small inexpensive wheelchair that works fine for the parks (Drive Medical 16inch seat); a full size wheelchair has not worked well. iIt’s too big and that makes it uncomfortable to sit in all day.

We greatly prefer the Convaid EZ Rider (similar to the Cruiser, but with more upright positioning). It so much easier to push all day, and seems more comfortable for the rider. Ours is old and they no longer make replacement wheels, so looking to replace it, and might try the Stealth Lightning as it’s much cheaper but looks very similar. Unfortunately, we don’t know anyone personally who has used it, so I’m wary. Would love to hear if anyone has experience with the Stealth Lightning?

 

[elvispursley]

If you’re thinking of moving your DS to a wheelchair and want it for more than just WDW (eg family outings), ask you pediatrician for a referral for a seating evaluation. They should be able to hook you up with an OT/PT that specialize in all kinds of chair configurations (from simple to complex). They can make sure he has a seat/cushion and back that are
comfortable. When I’d order wheelchairs for in-hospital or short term rentals from a medical company, I always opted for a solid seat with either a foam or air cushion as the sling bottom chairs are just so uncomfortable for all day sitting.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

If you’re thinking of moving your DS to a wheelchair and want it for more than just WDW (eg family outings), ask you pediatrician for a referral for a seating evaluation. They should be able to hook you up with an OT/PT that specialize in all kinds of chair configurations (from simple to complex). They can make sure he has a seat/cushion and back that are
comfortable. When I’d order wheelchairs for in-hospital or short term rentals from a medical company, I always opted for a solid seat with either a foam or air cushion as the sling bottom chairs are just so uncomfortable for all day sitting.

And it may be covered by your insurance

 

[only hope]

And it may be covered by your insurance

Insurance typically only covers mobility devices if needed for ADL’s (dressing, brushing teeth, toileting etc) unfortunately.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Insurance typically only covers mobility devices if needed for ADL’s (dressing, brushing teeth, toileting etc) unfortunately.

Not true.

If you do not have the endurance to walk, it very well may cover it. Both my child’s wheelchairs were covered for that reason.

 

[elvispursley]

Insurance typically only covers mobility devices if needed for ADL’s (dressing, brushing teeth, toileting etc) unfortunately.

This is not true. Mobility was often the primary reason I’d use for ordering a chair. The functional aspect could be community related, as in OPs situation.

 

[only hope]

Not true.

If you do not have the endurance to walk, it very well may cover it. Both my child’s wheelchairs were covered for that reason.

This is not true. Mobility was often the primary reason I’d use for ordering a chair. The functional aspect could be community related, as in OPs situation.

It’s definitely true for Medicare and that can be verified at medicare.gov. A small part of my job is placing DME orders with agencies (adults only) and the guidelines we use indicate mobility DME is approved by insurance only for ADL’s. Not that I agree with any of it, personally I think all insurance should cover any assistive device even if it’s just for long distances outside the home. Quality of life matters.

 

[elvispursley]

There has to be a functional component for all Medicare DME but that can include impaired functional ability (eg—in order to grocery shop, which is considered an IADL, someone who requires a wheelchair to be independent in this task, would qualify). But this is getting far off the topic so I’ll digress. If OP wants a seating evaluation, most seating clinics have someone who is able to run the insurance to determine coverage eligibility and amount covered.

 

[oliviosis]

If you’re thinking of moving your DS to a wheelchair and want it for more than just WDW (eg family outings), ask you pediatrician for a referral for a seating evaluation. They should be able to hook you up with an OT/PT that specialize in all kinds of chair configurations (from simple to complex). They can make sure he has a seat/cushion and back that are
comfortable. When I’d order wheelchairs for in-hospital or short term rentals from a medical company, I always opted for a solid seat with either a foam or air cushion as the sling bottom chairs are just so uncomfortable for all day sitting.

This is so helpful. We currently use a gigantic wagon stroller for him but it's extremely cumbersome for him to get into and out of (he can't do so on his own so I have to piggyback him) and it's 55 lbs without him in it! I need to get to our local Ds clinic and see if we can get evals going for some kind of mobility device. We're private insurance only so that will be a fight but this helps me know where to start. Our pediatrician was sort of clueless.

 

[elvispursley]

Ask your pediatrician for a referral for OT/PT for seating/mobility assessment. Feel free to DM me if you have more questions