uh-oh daughter is in a cast - limitations?

[Diamond_Girls]

We leave in 24 days and my 9 year-old broke her wrist and is now in a cast from her fingers to her upper arm (between the elbow and the shoulder). The doctors say that by the time we leave she will be in either a cast from below the elbow to the fingers or out of a cast completely. However, they probably won't know for sure until a day or two before we leave.

I'm not sure if we should cancel or not. Has anyone ever taken a child in a cast and if so, were there some rides they could not go on? Her favorite ride is Tower-of-Terror and she is devastated that she may miss that. Blizzard Beach is out for sure. I hate for the whole family to miss out, but I don't want her to go and not be able to enjoy at least most things.

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks! Thanks!

 

[Cindy B]

I have had three casts on my two kids... I understand where you are coming from.

Its hard to say really... you could get a waterproof cast cover or ask the doctor about receiving one.

I've seen people walking around in the world with casts.

 

[DisneyVillain]

The below the elbow cast will probably be waterproof (ask for it). With 24 days of healing before the trip, she probably won't have to miss anything.

 

[CRCrazy]

Actually - you should probably hope that she is still IN the cast for your trip! At that point - she will feel fine in her cast - and if you get the waterproof cast, or at least a waterproof cast cover (inflatable thing that seals it off - she could definitely swim with this!). If the cast is newly off - she is going to be tentative with that arm - my daughter really babied hers for about 2 weeks after the cast came off!

With a short cast on - she should be able to do any of the Disney rides! Absolutely no reason she shouldn't be able to ride Tower of Terror! Just be sure the cover is on for the wet rides, like Kali and Splash Mountain if she doesn't have a waterproof cast! Her biggest problem will be itching inside the cast from the heat - be sure to bring some cornstarch powder to put around the edges - it absorbs the sweat and makes them a little more comfortable!

 

[TammiMcMan]

My DD flipped over the handle bars of her bike just 5 days before heading down to Disney. She was in a beautiful purple fiberglass cast that the characters loved to sign. Even though we got the fiberglass (supposedly waterproof) our doctor informed us that it was only meant to get a little wet and not completely submerged. Our trip was taken in July, there was no way that we were telling our DD that she couldn't swim, so we did go ahead and invest the $30 in a waterproof glove that slipped over her hand and went all the way up to her shoulder. It was really awkward on her though and we packed it up after the first day and allowed her to swim without it. As for the rides, our doctor advised against anything that would jerk her around and jolt or bump the arm. She was able to go on all the rides except for Space Mountain, Big Thunder and Dinosaur.

Here is a link for the waterproof cover (and some cute cast coverups) http://www.orthomedicalsupplies.com/ it's called a XeroSox. If you check out the link, my DD got the small arm cover, but they now also sell a 1/2 arm cast.

Tammi

 

[ktulu]

I say go! And if anyone gets out of line, you can use her arm as a weapon!

That would be a funny picture, Captain Hook getting beat down by a 9 year old with a cast

 

[Diamond_Girls]

I cannot believe how quickly I can go from despair back to happiness... and it's all thanks to you wonderful people on the boards!

Now I am hoping for the short cast and that it is water-proof. It makes sense that it would be better to have her in the cast than not. If I cannot get the water-proof, then I'll order the sleeve from the website you gave me.

If she's still in the long cast I'm not sure what I'll do because that arm is pretty much useless. But hopefully I'll find out in the next week or two. She sees an orthopedic pediatrician in a week.

thanks for cheering me up! If the princesses sign her cast she'll be the most excited of us all!

Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

If you need the waterproof sleeve, please let me know. There are sizing instructions on the website and if you're daughter will fit in the adult small (fully arm sleeve), I'd be happy to drop mine in the mail for her to use at Disney.

It's amazing how quickly kids heal and once she gets used to having the cast, she will not have much trouble getting around with it at all. She will get lots of attention from CM's and characters alike.

Tammi

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hey ~ I have a 9 year old DD as well (without at cast) and we leave in 24 days too.

Where are you staying? we are at the beach club... I will be looking for a kid with a cast and a green ribbon


>>^..^<<

 

[tebright]

I actually used the plastic waterproof covers for my daughters ankle this past weekend. She has been casted twice and had to have surgery last week and she really really loves swimming.

We used it Saturday and it worked perfectly. I bought it at a medical supply pharmacy and it cost about $30.

I definately wouldn't cancel your trip....you'll have fun.

 

[goofymom23]

Two weeks before our last trip my 5yo broke his leg. It was also a big question as to whether we should go or not. I would say with it being her arm and not having to worry about getting around your only concern will be the heat. I highly recommend bringing with you or buying a fan water sprayer. It was the only thing that keep him cooled off. If you can keep her cool from the beginning then you won't have to worry about the heat under her cast. Another recommendation is to draw a line down the sides of her cast so that the characters won't sign on the line and when it is time to cut it off they won't have to cut a signature in half. Have a great time!!!

 

[swanmom]

DD had a cast on her arm several years ago when we went. Didn't really hold her back but I do have a suggestion from that experience. Due to sweat or moisture from swimming (even with the waterproof sleeves), the cast can really start to get damp, uncomfortable and really stinky on the inside. DD got a lot of relief from aiming a hairdryer (Be sure it's set on Cool) under the cast. She would do this whenever we got back to the hotel and it seemed to make her much more comfortable.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

I cannot get over how nice everyone is on these boards!

TammiMcMan, thank you so much for your kind offer of the sleeve. I don't know what kind of cast she'll be in yet.

>>^..^<< - we'll be at ASMu!


Thanks everyone for the great tips!

 

[Diamond_Girls]

My daughter is in a short cast, yay! I want to order the xerosox for her. Tebright is this the brand you had and were you able to purchase it at a store in your town? I'd prefer to buy it that way than over the web just to make sure I get the right size...

TammiMcMan - thanks for the offer of yours, it looks like that will be too big for us, but it was really, really nice to offer!

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'm so happy to hear about the short cast. She should have no problems getting onto those rides now.

I agree that it would be much easier to purchase directly from a local medical supply shop. If you have to order through the website, just give them a call and have a tape measure handy. They will walk you through the sizing.

Have a wonderful trip and let us know how it went.

Tammi

 

[buzz2400]

My son broke his arm three weeks before we were to leave. We asked for a waterproof cast and the doctor said he does not like them. You end of having to blow dry the cast when it gets wet. So we went to a medical supply store and bought a thing that you put over the cast and and it sucks out the air. He hated it. Did not keep out all of the water. With regard to the rides, Disney did not give me any trouble at all. We went on all the thrill rides without a problem. We went to Islands of Adventure and they told us that he had to sit on the outside of the roller coasters so that he is not hitting the person sitting next to him. We did not get to go to the water parks. I did not think we would have a good time there with the cast but we did go in the pool at the hotel. I would not cancel the trip. We still had fun.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

It is the sleeve that fits over a cast and makes it waterproofby pumping out the air. We found it in a store here in town. The people at the store said it is a hot item and so far they had not have anyone have any problems. Buzz2400, is this the same brand you used (I hope not!)?

The shower worked so the next test is the pool. Daughter is very excited!

 

[buzz2400]

diamond girls,
That is the brand we used. It is blue and you put it over the cast and squeeze out the air. Some water got in but not as much if you were not wearing it at all. We tried blow drying it the first night but took too long so the rest of the vacation we just let it air dry. I think the water got in because he was playing with a floatation toy and the water seeped in. I figured if the cast really got bad we would just go to the doctors when we got home and get another cast put on.