Sprained ankle and arriving on Sat

[MUtiger98]

There's nothing quite like getting a call from school that DD14 rolled her ankle at PE 3 days before our trip. The urgent care confirmed a sprain. I've booked a wheelchair from an offsite vendor and am contacting the airline to arrange a wheelchair escort at MCO. I have a reuseable gel icepack in the checked luggage to stick in the condo freezer each night. Made sure to get a larger bottle of ibuprofen than I'd usually take. Am I forgetting anything? Any guidance/suggestions?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Which rental company, and how big or small is your daughte4?

 

[Selket]

For the parks I've brought in an "old fashioned" ice pack - the type with the screw top lid that you fill with ice. Usually the gel packs don't last more than an hour and especially out in the heat. You could get one of those or bring some ziplock bags to the park with you to fill with ice when she wants something to put on it and maybe a bandana to wrap it in and tie it or towel to put between the ice and her ankle.

If she can walk a bit she could transfer to some rides - I suppose that depends on how bad her sprain is of course. For our spring break trip last year I had a stress fracture in my foot but I could walk enough to get on rides. I believe the FAQ has info about accessing the rides (here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...rip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/#post-21014707) and what is required. If she can walk a short distance she, should be able to access most rides to transfer from the WC to the ride. Moving walkways can be slowed or stopped in many rides. For example, some rides like Splash Mountain you take a different route ... so she can stay in the WC up to where you get in the log seat and you can ask the CM's to direct you. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[MUtiger98]

Which rental company, and how big or small is your daughte4?

She's about 5'3" and 125. I have a 16" chair from Gold Mobility.

I like the idea of the old style ice pack...I had packed a box of ziplocks, but going old-school would be a lot more environmentally friendly! Thanks.

She can hobble gingerly right now...I'm hoping a couple more days will help a bit. I've re-read the FAQs (I used this board a lot when we got a scooter for my FIL a couple years ago).

 

[gap2368]

All the parks have a first aid where she can get some OTC meds ice packs and Lie down if she just need to rest for a bit or needs something

 

[cmwade77]

In addition to Ibuprofen, Turmeric will help, make sure it is a good brand, there is now a liquid form that works very well, but if you with the pills, you will probably need to play with the doses for her size a little to get it right. It is all natural and won't interfere with most other medications (it can interact with blood clotting medications and it is also used to help decrease blood sugar in diabetics, so if blood sugar is an issue, be cautious there).

Another good thing that can help with pain is Magnesium Oil and spray it on the affected areas, just make sure you are not dehydrated when doing so as it will sting if you are.

And as always, do your own research before using anything like this, but these are very effective for me and several people I know to dramatically reduce the need for Ibuprofen, Tylenol or other pain killers.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Does anyone have a cane she can borrow? I'm just thinking that it might help her keep her balance when she's transferring onto rides on one foot.

 

[jerseygal]

There's nothing quite like getting a call from school that DD14 rolled her ankle at PE 3 days before our trip. The urgent care confirmed a sprain. I've booked a wheelchair from an offsite vendor and am contacting the airline to arrange a wheelchair escort at MCO. I have a reuseable gel icepack in the checked luggage to stick in the condo freezer each night. Made sure to get a larger bottle of ibuprofen than I'd usually take. Am I forgetting anything? Any guidance/suggestions?

Best of luck! Hope that it heals quicker than you thought. Enjoy your vaca despite the "setback"

 

[Lilsia]

In addition to Ibuprofen, Turmeric will help, make sure it is a good brand, there is now a liquid form that works very well, but if you with the pills, you will probably need to play with the doses for her size a little to get it right. It is all natural and won't interfere with most other medications (it can interact with blood clotting medications and it is also used to help decrease blood sugar in diabetics, so if blood sugar is an issue, be cautious there).

Another good thing that can help with pain is Magnesium Oil and spray it on the affected areas, just make sure you are not dehydrated when doing so as it will sting if you are.

And as always, do your own research before using anything like this, but these are very effective for me and several people I know to dramatically reduce the need for Ibuprofen, Tylenol or other pain killers.

Ginger is an amazing anti inflammatory also.

 

[cmwade77]

Does anyone have a cane she can borrow? I'm just thinking that it might help her keep her balance when she's transferring onto rides on one foot.

If not, since you are renting a chair from Gold Mobility, call and ask them if they can arrange for one, might cost a little extra, but could make it easier than trying to borrow one.

 

[mamabunny]

Or if she is using crutches, ask Gold if they have any crutch carriers for the wheelchair.

Bring along brightly colored bandanas or some fun patterned grosgrain ribbon to tie to the handlebars - makes it easier to pick out your chair quickly in a literal ocean of similar wheelchairs.

Remember to put sunscreen on the tops of her everything - tops of her ears, shoulders, legs, feet - since she will be sitting relatively still, those areas will get more sun exposure.

Remember to grab a parks map, or use your MDE app on your phone to find where all the bathrooms are. The HA stalls should have enough room for her, the wheelchair and a helper if needed. There will be a sink in each one as well, which is nice. Be patient; there may be a line to wait in, as there is a shortage of those, so don't wait until the last minute!