Renting a pediatric wheelchair or using a stroller?

[disney*mom*82]

I asked a question a few weeks ago about GAC's as I thought we may need to look into getting one in case we need it, well DD4 all of a sudden started having some issues last week and I am certain we will need to take advantage of a GAC for her, I am just wondering if it would be best to use her stroller or rent her a pediatric wheelchair?

A little history. She has had heart problems (bradycardia and tachycardia and abnormal beats) and also apnea. She tires extremely easily. She had a little scare last week and had a check up to mainly reasure us she is fine, well, they dont think she is. They hear her heart sounding very irregular and also a gushing noise along with the abnormal rhythm. She is acting quite the same, still very tired but wants to be active, sometimes more than the doctors want her to be. She is scheduled with a new cardiologist soon, will be on a 24 hr monitor, possibly while at WDW, is doing a sleep study and is also seeing a pediatric dermatologist. We did not think we would be back down this road, but here we are.

She is tall for her age, but thin. I only have her basic baby stroller, she fits in it ok, besides looking too tall. She is able to sleep in there with little complaint, but since I know she will be in there a lot of our trip in March, I am wondering if it would be better to find her a pediatric wheelchair to rent while there??

Does this sound reasonable or should we just stick to the stroller? Is there anywhere that is reasonable in renting such a thing close to WDW?

I really appreciate everyones help. Such caring and informational people on here.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have only a few minutes to respond, but check post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. That thread is near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature.

Post 2 has a list of rental places, including some that rent special needs strollers and some that rent regular strollers. She would likely be more comfortable in one of those. There are few places that rent pediatric or smalle wheelchairs and it would be difficult to find one for a 4 yr old.

Post 6 of that thread has information about Guest Assistsnce Cards, including how a stroller as wheelchair works

 

[dclfun]

I agree with Sue- she will probably be more comfortable in a special needs stroller that reclines, such as the Maclaren Major. It depends on her height too as to how well she will fit. You might want to ask her cardiologist if she is eligible to receive a w/c or special needs stroller through your insurance or if there is a rental closet at the peds hospital where you could borrow one. Meanwhile I'm sorry to hear she is going through so many challenges.

 

[cgncga]

I agree with Sue- she will probably be more comfortable in a special needs stroller that reclines, such as the Maclaren Major. .

If you're looking for a special needs stroller that reclines, the Maclaren Major probably isn't what you want. The one we have for my 8 year old (purchased new less than 3 years ago) does not recline. She's comfortable in it and will fit in it for a number of years, but there is no recline feature on it. The other problem with the Maclaren Major is that the stroller, the canopy and the foot rest are all separate parts. That's not a problem when we're at home and loading the stroller in and out of the car trunk, but since we always use the buses when we go to Disney it will be more of a hassle there. We haven't tried it there yet or on an airplane, but now that she's over 50 pounds I don't think we'll be able to get by with a regular stroller on our next Disney trip.

Catherine, Mom to Grace with hypotonia, epilepsy, fatigue issues, low vision, etc.

 

[disney*mom*82]

Thanks for the advice so far! I wish the cost of renting wasnt so much. It would be nice if I knew someone who I could borrow one from. Im racking my mind, but dont think Ill have much luck with this. This may in fact be something to bring up to the cardiologist next week. It is a new cardiologist, so I hate to bombard him with everything and him think Im crazy when he doesnt know all of her history, which has been such a mystery.

Anyways, thanks again, I love that I can count on atleast a few people to be able to direct me.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the advice so far! I wish the cost of renting wasnt so much. It would be nice if I knew someone who I could borrow one from. Im racking my mind, but dont think Ill have much luck with this. This may in fact be something to bring up to the cardiologist next week. It is a new cardiologist, so I hate to bombard him with everything and him think Im crazy when he doesnt know all of her history, which has been such a mystery.

Anyways, thanks again, I love that I can count on atleast a few people to be able to direct me.

If she goes to a specialty clinic or a children’s hospital, there may be a Social Worker who can help you out with resources. There are sometimes equipment lending closets that can loan out things like children’s wheelchairs or special needs strollers.

Also, some people have found very good deals on things like special needs strollers on places like ebay or Craig’s list. As kids outgrow equipment, people don’t always have a good place where they can pass it on to someone else who needs it.

If you are traveling by air, a stroller, special needs stroller or wheelchair are transported free of charge and without counting toward your baggage allowance.

 

[organized mommy]

We went when DD was 4 and had a Phil and Ted stroller. It was a savior! She was able to nap in the stoller. We did have a GAC for staying out of the heat and direct sun while waiting. The one thing that we didn't realize we needed was for the GAC to specifically say that we were using the stroller as a wheel chair. The only time though that this was a problem was during the Fantasmic Show. The CM did let us in, as DD waas asleep at the time, but did advise us to make sure and add it. She actually slept through the whole entire show!

 

[lanejudy]

If your daughter is still comfortable in your traditional "baby" stroller, no need to pay more for a rental, just bring that and get a GAC to use the stroller as a wheelchair. A special needs stroller would be good if she's too tall or too heavy or simply outgrowing your traditional baby stroller and is uncomfortable in it. The Maclaren Major rents relatively cheap, though hard to find; I started with the link in the sticky note and found a couple places that rent it and I think it was about $50 for the week. However, we decided to buy one to have at home and other trips so I didn't follow through with that info. The Maclaren Major does not recline, it's like a traditional umbrella stroller - if your child is comfortable in one of those you probably don't need a "special needs" stroller with all the bells and whistles that some have. Also consider if you will have your own transportation or taking a bus - some of the special needs strollers are quite bulky and heavy to fold and bring on a bus.
Good luck with your trip planning and I'm keeping your daughter in my prayers!