Strollers for 70 lb. child

[Esmeralda123]

As I posted earlier, I have a five year old child with numerous special needs. She is a very large child-70 lbs. I am scared that this will be our last trip to WDW where we will be able to use her existing stroller.

Does anyone have any suggestions for strollers for larger children? Elayna is mobile and can walk for short periods of time. Her exceptionalities are mild CP, juvenile arthritis, ADD, PDD, asthma and TBI. I also need a stroller that is easy for her to get in and out of because she is getting to heavy to lift. Is her only choice going to a wheelchair? I think she likes the extra confinement a stroller seems to give her. Also, is there a chance insurance will cover this? I mean she is mobile, just not for long periods of time.

Thanks in advance for all your help! This board is awesome!

 

[tammie]

hi.......we have two very special stroller for johnathan..........one that was paid from my insurance company and and the other one i brought........the one i brought i belive it call a mellagin sorry about the spelling....... and the other is a special need stroller.....the one one that my insurance paid for i need a doctor note and a letter from his pt and it was a 1200 stroller that my insurance paid for the other was stroller 400.00 my son is eight years old and it a god son for us.......we take everywhere we go.......johnathan love his stroller very much..... the other stroller my insurance company brought me he does not like to much but he will get use to it....if you have any question just ask.......i hope this help......tammie

 

[lisapooh]

I would also consider school transportation in what you get. I know that our school system will not allow the strollers to be used on the school bus. The kids must be mobile or us a wheelchair or the parent must transport. Just something to think about.

 

[teri]

Here are some sites to look at...
http://www.convaid.com/
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/am/mainbug.html the Maclaren Major Buggy is very popular

 

[SueM in MN]

First of all, don't let the word wheelchair scare you. Some of the things that manufacturers call wheelchairs look a lot like strollers to other people. And some of those can be transported by school bus with the child in. It is something to keep in mind and ask about when you are looking at products.
In general, if the person using the chair is going to propel it themself, you would want the traditional large wheelchair tires for her to be able to use it. In your case, you may definately NOT want those because it may be better for you if she CAN"T propel it herself.
In order for insurance to cover it, you will need a doctor to say it is necessary. It sounds like there are good reasons for her to have one. If your doctor is not agreeable to that, you might be able to get support from a physical therapist if you are working with one.

 

[momejay]

If you need a stroller for trips to the mall, Disney etc. McClaren (spelling?) makes an umbrella type stroller with 5 pt. restraint. It holds my son.. a 50lb., autistic, escape artist. I think it holds up to 100lbs. It's not cheap but, very lightweight & easily folds. We were very lucky to get one from the Rainbow Foundation. I hope this is helpful.

 

[TrlyScrumptious]

I've been looking for a stroller for our growing boy (39 pounds, 44") and trying to decide whether to get a Maclaren. In my search on the web, I found that Baby Jogger makes strollers that accomodate up to 150 pounds. The special needs stroller can almost be custom made to accomodate a child's shoulder width and hip-to-head lenghth. It also comes with both the single-wheel on the front for running, and a set of double wheels for maneuvering as a regular stroller, and a basket and canopy. It's $640.00. They also have a number of other strollers, most of which accomodate up to 75 pounds, which range in price up to about $275.00.

 

[momejay]

We had a baby jogger type stroller. We paid $300 for it & hardly use it. It is very easy to push, very light weight but...The restraints were ripped off on the second trip to the mall. My niece, who is 7 & 80lbs, tried to ride in it & the canvas started to rip. The restraints wouldn't go around her. The back wheels have to be removed to fold it up to put it in the trunk. (not that it's difficult, but with a tantruming child...) If you need a stroller to use Disney's buses try getting it on a crowded bus. They won't let you enter in the back of the bus (safety reasons)so one must lift heavy stroller up smacking into feet, knees, arms... to get to a seat. I think it depends on what exactly you need the stroller for. Our school system purchased the one my son uses at school. Our insurance helped pay for jogger stroller for the home. We have had Maclaren stroller (paid for by Rainbow)now for almost a year. I use it all the time. My son is very active/distructive, weighs 55lbs, & it still looks brand new.

 

[TrlyScrumptious]

Hi,

Thanks for the info about the jogger strollers! I think we will probably end up with a Maclaren, but from what I could tell, it looks like the only jogger-types that are really well-made are the ones from Baby Jogger. They have a lifetime warranty, too, so if the restraints didn't hold, they would replace them. (Wouldn't do much good in the middle of a trip, of course!) I think they are also the only ones who make the two-wheels on the front of a jogging type stroller.

The points about folding, getting on buses, etc. were really helpful to me. We're staying at the DLH, but the same issues probably arise on the monorail. As I said, we'll probably decide on a Maclaren...gotta make that decision soon!

 

[BuckeyeBelle]

Sorry to reply so late...

Regarding boarding the buses, true -- the general population is not allowed to board through the back, but you are probably not the general population. Unless things have changed since Jan 2000, drivers should let you board through the back if you have a special need, and that includes a special needs stroller like a MacLaren, Panda, or Baby Jogger Special Needs. If they won't, they should be reported to the transportation department. Now, I understand Disney has added some new super-duper buses recently which have a little different access procedures, hopefully someone will post soon to fill us in about how to board new buses! But for the old ones, you SHOULD be able to board through the back.

Last time we took our son (Jan/Feb 2000), all but one of the bus drivers we encountered had us to load our son and his big jogging stroller through the back door. In fact, it was recommended to us by our first driver of the week when we explained that our son couldn't walk and that his big stroller was too large to go down the aisle, even folded up. The only driver who refused did so because there was already one wheelchair in the back of the bus, however, the we think he didn't understand us when we explained that we didn't need the wheelchair tie-down spot, just to load through the back so we had more room and were out of the way. Like momejay said, it was a tremendous hassle to go through the front -- my DH had to carry the stroller OVER HIS HEAD to the rear area anyway (where there was plenty of room ), which was a sight to see - lol. We ended up holding up the crowd LONGER than if he would have just opened up the back door to begin with. This was the only problem we had all week with the jogging stroller. Other than that it was smooth sailing!

Good luck getting your stroller, and have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

My DD has an actual wheelchair, so we have never had a problem with the bus drivers not recognizing it as one. I have no personal experience, but some people who have used mobility devices that look more like strollers have used their GAC for the buses too, to get them to let it be brought on the back door of the bus.
For BuckeyeBelle, the driver who didn't want to let you board in the back with one wheelchair already on the bus just didn't want to let you board. The buses can hold 2 tied down wheelchairs.
We haven't been on the new buses yet, but I've read that they are lower to the ground and have a ramp, not a lift.
We've got a ramp on our van and know some people who have lifts. Ramps are much faster, more reliable and easier to use.

 

[momejay]

Maybe I'm just special but, we were told that for even if you have a GAC (which we did) that we couldn't enter in the back. I was by myself with 2 (autistic) children, one that was refusing to walk at the time. I had to drag ds up the isle with one arm & carry the stroller with the other. My dd almost got left behind. Of course this was only once during that visit, but the "no entering in the back" was the whole time. We don't bring that "jogging type" stroller anymore & I never travel the buses without help.
I just figured the drivers were just doing their job but...
It's not easy with 2 kids. I try to set an example. I didn't want to "tantrum" about the driver even when we had to stand for the short ride home.

 

[lisapooh]

New buses are great. The driver lowers the bus and extends the ramp and you just drive in and park your wheelchair. It is super.
I saw many bus drivers allow parents with large strollers to enter through the rear with the stroller. Guess it is up to the driver.

 

[SueM in MN]

It was really a big production to lower and then raise the lift in the old buses. The new buses sound a lot less time consuming to use so that might be why some drivers are letting people with big strollers go in the back.
The part about using a GAC to put the special needs stroller in the back door was something that someone recently posted and even then, not all the drivers would let them do it.

 

[teresax4]

VERY interesting topic here for me!! I have been debating on how our 10 yr old, 60 lb daughter was going to get around Disney when we go next April. Brooke has mild CP, and walks with a walker. I KNOW she will not be able to get around Disney the whole time with just her walker. It would exhaust her terribly! Just looking for some ideas on what you all think. We also have two more girls ages (now) 5 and 3, and a son that is now 20 mos. Keep that in mind...we will have one double stroller with us! It will also be my husband and I, plus one of our mothers is going with us to help out with the kiddos! LOL!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a few suggestions:
1) It's been psoted that rental strollers can accomidate up to a small 12 yr old, so you might want to try that. That might not be option #1 because you would need to make sure the stroller fits before you go.

2) You could check with your PT at school to see if he/she is aware of any lending closets for equipment like wheelchairs. Some chapters of United Cerebral Palsy have lending closets like that.

3) You could try calling WDW RESORTS/SPECIAL RESERVATIONS
(407) 939-7807 [voice]
(407) 939-7670 [TTY] and see what suggestions they have.

4) Someone posted once about: http://www.all-about-kids.com/main.htm
They offer childcare services (including Special Needs ) and they rent children's wheelchairs and other equipment!
One of the other places that we list for renting adult ecvs and wheelchairs also rents child size wheelchairs. It's not on my sticky notes on this computer, but maybe I can figure out which one it was.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have an 11 year old, with autism and Down Syndrome. He also wears orthodics that go up to right below the knee. I have the McLaren Major Buggy stroller. It is great. I have trying to get the basket for underneath, but adaptive mall is having trouble getting both the strollers AND any accessories from McLaren.......

In any case, it is wonderful. The problem with the jogger type strollers is that the front wheel usually does not swivel. So to turn, even slightly, you must push down and lift that front wheel off the ground. Even if you do this slightly, the child feels it...... My son would whine/cry out as he felt off balance....... (yes, he might have become used to it over time)

 

[billwendy]

Hi I am an OT that works in a childrens hospital in the wheelchair clinic. A Convaid Easy rider may be an answer for you. Although it is a stroller and folds like an umbrella stroller, it has a more level seat making it much easier for people to sit down in. Many of the maclairans and convaid cruisers are set up like a typical umbrella stroller with the seat higher and tilted back a bit making it difficult for people to climb up into and requiring them to be lifted. They do have a harness and i believe you can even get a tray if she likes the feeling of confinement for safety. A light weight wheel chair may also be an option for you but it does not fold the same way at all. You would really need to think about how much you would use the stroller/chair. A wheelchair can provide much better support for when you are in it for a long period of time....a stroller is quick to unfold but has much less support.
Insurance should pay if you have a durable medical equipment clause. It would require a letter of medical necessity from her doctors stating her condition and how she would benefit from the equipment. One thing to remember, they only pay for a "wheeled mobility device" once every 3-5 years or so typically so you want to build in growth and make sure you are getting what you want. I would also call my insurance company and ask them if they have a preferred equipment vendor. Then call the vendor to ask if you could see the equipment or if they could come to your house or childs school to show you some equipment. They are usually helpful!!! Also your local childrens hospital may have a seating clinic in which you could see and try some equipment to see if your child is comfortable, can get into the chair etc. Good Luck, but I would act soon especially if insurance is involved as they take some time to approve equipment.

Wendy

 

[D L and K's Mom]

My DS is 11 and has a bright blue Conavid Cruiser Stroller. It is a wonderful stroller. David is approx 72 lbs and still has some growing room in the stroller. When we ordered the stroller (from a local med supply store) they sent someone out to measure all sorts of things for the stroller. Our model has foot plates but does not have the 5 pt harness. We also have the seat tipped back at a slight angle. I know that some models have a back that can go down all the way (like a stroller so children can recline) We opted for just a lap belt as David likes to twist the shoulder straps . We also have a great removable sun shade for the stroller (That the airlines lost a major piece to, but we won't talk about that here ) and it also came with a very large plexiglass tray that is removable. The stroller folds up like an umbrella stroller but it is bulky and heavy to try to carry. I would suggest talking to your insurance company to see what is needed to be eligable for a stroller. The Convaid model we have now comes in lots of fun colors which is nice for the kids to be able to have a choice. Good Luck