stroller for special needs 6 year old

[mtnprotracy]

Hi,

I'm new to the boards...very happy to have found you all. I'll have a difficult time staying on task at work tomorrow !

Anyway, my family (DH,DS10, DS9, special needs DS6) plus my parents, my brother, his wife, and two children are headed for WDW Dec 15-Dec.22. This makes our 3rd trip with the whole gang.

I am looking for a *big kid* stroller for the 6 year old. He has outgrown all the umbrella stollers. He is VERY mobile, and WDW without the right stroller will be a nightmare. He has sensory issues and likes to take off his shoes and put his bare feet on the rolling wheels. He prefers to sit upright...doesn't nap...even after 10-12 hour days at WDW. He is small for his age...weighing just under 30lbs and about 38" tall. I don't think the park strollers will work well. The plastic is so hard, and he has such little padding!! He's a former preemie (1 lb 11 oz, 110 day NICU stay). Health wise, he's great...the happiest child you've ever seen...and LOVES Arial He is non-verbal, and the CMs were awesome with him last December when we were there. This is really his Christmas present...we all just get to enjoy it !

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Tracy in NC

 

[horsegirl]

Welcome. I am pretty new too. What about one of the 3 wheel jogging types of strollers. There is only one wheel in the front. My DN has one and it looks super comfy. I cannot remember the brand he has but it is a combination of a jogger/stroller. The only problem my my DBIL/SIL have is the turning is not as easy as some strollers.

 

[zdesiree]

WELCOME!!! I just bought the Baby Trend Jogging Stroller, it holds up to 50lbs. My kids loved it!!. You may check in www.joggingstroller.com, they have the Instep Safari TT Single, the front wheel has swivel option and holds up to 50lbs too.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[della]

There is also the DISabilities board here on this website. You may find some helpful info there. Have a great time!

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome. I am pretty new too. What about one of the 3 wheel jogging types of strollers. There is only one wheel in the front. My DN has one and it looks super comfy. I cannot remember the brand he has but it is a combination of a jogger/stroller. The only problem my my DBIL/SIL have is the turning is not as easy as some strollers.

They sometimes do not allow the jogging strollers with one large wheel in front into the parks because they are hard to turn and the front wheel sticks out and becomes a tripping hazard (you basically have to come to a stop and "bump" up onto the rear wheels and then pivot to turn).
The jogging strollers also are sort of permanently partially reclined. Some kids don't like that and sort of lean forward in them.
If he has any autistic tendencies, many kids on the autism spectrum actually like the firm plastic WDW strollers. It gives firm pressure and the sides of the stroller cut down on stimulation.

You probably don't have time to get one paid for by insurance, but you should check that out. The strollers for larger children are pretty expensive and if he has a medical need to use one, insurance should pay for it as "Durable Medical Equipment". Also, the "regular" strollers will typically only hold up to 45-50 pounds. There are special needs strollers that can be used for someone up to 100 pounds and 5 feet tall.
This site has the best selection of special needs strollers. If the link doesn't work, go to www.adaptivemall.com and on the left side, under "Browse Products", choose strollers and pushchairs.

If he is working with a therapist (OT or PT) at school or elsewhere, they may be aware of lending closets for equipment like special needs strollers in your area or places where you can rent one. It would be nice to to have a stroller at the ariport (I'm assuming you are traveling by air). You could gate check it and keep it until you actually board.

You can find more info about touring WDW with children with special needs by following the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

WELCOME,

I am sorry that I do have not answers for the stroller question but wanted to welcome you. My DS was a 1lb 10 oz and we were at Baptsit for about 100 days. Saw you are also from NC and wondered where your little one spent his time??
Quite a few moms of premature babies on this board!

Jordans' mom

 

[mtnprotracy]

Jordan's mom,

Just looking around, I couldn't believe the number of posts I read where there was a reference to a preemie!

Our Zeke spent his NICU time at Mission in Asheville. We live just north of Asheville....just south of Boone. I can't believe we have SNOW forcasted for this week!!! I'll believe it when I see it!

I have a former high school classmate who lives in Clemmons with her preemie daughter. We have been to Ammos (sp?) Cottage for evaluations on more than one occassion. You guys are very lucky to be so close to such wonderful facilities!!

Take Care,

Tracy

 

[mtnprotracy]

Hey Sue,

Thanks so much...the site is great. We have had little success with our insurance paying for ANY DME or AUG COM devices. But Zeke's PT person may very well have access to a lending library. I'll get on it first thing tomorrow. Is it best to have the school system contact these companies about purchase? I noticed there were no prices posted with the descriptions.

Thanks Again

Tracy

 

[SueM in MN]

Is it best to have the school system contact these companies about purchase? I noticed there were no prices posted with the descriptions.

Thanks Again

Tracy

If you click on individual items, there are prices. Some of the prices are for the whole item, some are for a particular option (like 8 inch tires, which might be expensive enough that you think it's for the whole item). Some of the "simpler" items, like the Maclaren strollers are not that much more than one that is not made for special needs kids. Some of them (like the Convaid Cruisers) are much more expensive.
I'd suggest you talk to the PT or OT about suggestions for which stroller would work best, so you don't end up paying for things you don't need. They can help you with getting things written up for funding.

 

[zdesiree]

Try www.comfortforless.com too, they have all kinds of strollers, including special needs strollers.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, if you want to rent in Orlando, A Baby's Best Friend has jogging strollers with swivel front wheels that fit children up to 45 pounds. It doesn't list the height, but they should be able to tell you if you write.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

mtnprotracy

Yep, We well remember Amos cottage. Our DS was a 24 weeker 13 years ago. We have been so blessed that our DS requires no special services. We are so thankful for Baptist and all they did. We are exacty 50 miles and exactly 60 minutes from the hospital. Can you guesss how many times we have made that trip????

Blessing and prayers for your little one.

Jordans' mom

 

[Beca]

We bought a Peg Perego Pliko P3 just for WDW. My dd is kind of small (39 inches, and 31lbs....she is almost 4). I wanted a stroller that:

1) was easy to maneuver
2) was very soft
3) fully reclined
4) had leg rest extenders
5) had a canopy cover
6) folded like an umbrella stroller instead of a full-size one to take up less space in the rental car

This has been the perfect stroller for us. It comes with an optional rain cover that is clear plastic for those Fl. storms, and has extending handles for dh (he is kind of tall).

It doesn't weigh very much, and folds into the tiniest space.

Good luck in your search,




Beca

 

[mtnprotracy]

Becca,

That stroller looks great. My hubby is tall as well. I'm just wondering if the seat sits completely upright. Zeke doesn't like to recline. He can tolerate about 80 degrees pretty well. Also, do any major retailers carry the stroller, or will I have to purchase online? Thanks so much!

Tracy

 

[Beca]

Becca,

That stroller looks great. My hubby is tall as well. I'm just wondering if the seat sits completely upright. Zeke doesn't like to recline. He can tolerate about 80 degrees pretty well. Also, do any major retailers carry the stroller, or will I have to purchase online? Thanks so much!

Tracy

Well, I have never actually measured how far upright the seat sits, but to me it seems to sit like any other stroller (sorry I can't be more help here...I just never noticed that). We got ours at Babies 'r Us. I think USA Baby and Burlington coat factory carry them as well. They are VERY popular, and I would be surprised if you could not find one for sale in a retail store where you live. Just try the phone book, or see if there is a list of retailers on the peg perego website (dogpile.com can give you their web address).

I also forgot to mention...it is SO easy to push this stroller with one hand...I think they definitely are the "Rolls Royce's" of strollers. They also have a really neat "one hand fold" closing system, and they are designed to stand on their end wheels when folded. So, if you are waiting for a Disney bus, and you don't need the stroller, you will be able to fold it and stand it up without having to "babysit" the stroller.

The basket underneath the stroller is very big, but only accessible from the side when the stroller is fully reclined.

It is a REALLY convenient stroller to have. I wish you luck finding one, and hope you have a wonderful trip!!



Beca

 

[blessedby3]

Maclarens- they are very sturdy, have tall handles, and hold up to 55 pounds!

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

If you would like a stroller with a big hood that you can pull down and reduce the stimulation, choose a P3. Specialtybaby dot com has 2005 models on sale, as low as $209 with free shipping. They're excellent.

If you don't need the hood, I would pick a Maclaren. Macs are sturdy, easy pushes, and tall-parent friendly. (P3's have bigger double wheels that you may kick if you have a long stride.)

A Volo is your basic umbrella with a mesh seat, no recline, and a carrying strap. Very light. The Triumph is a step above with a small recline and more padding. It's a few pounds heavier. The Quest is the next step above. It has a good recline, better hood, and extendable seat (to make it deeper). It weighs a bit less than the P3. The Ryder and Vogue are slight variations on the Quest with bigger wheels. Above these models you have the Techno and the Global Buggy. Again, these are all available through major retailers and with the 2006's coming out, you can probably get a good deal on an 04 or 05. I found a Volo at Marshall's for $40 off retail.

It doesn't sound like you'll need the whole recline feature, but I thought I'd give you some of the options out there.

Happy stroller shopping. I love strollers.

 

[munchkinsmom]

Maclarens- they are very sturdy, have tall handles, and hold up to 55 pounds!

I second this recommendation.