Visiting with EDS, need a push chair or wheel chair...

[klmorg]

Hi all. I am visiting with my 8 year old who has Elhers Danlos Syndrome. She can walk but not for very long without pain. My daughter appears normal in every way, just has limitations on many things she can tolerate. I just discovered that the Orlando stroller rentals no longer deliver to the resorts and I am trying to find the best way to accommodate my daughter. My plan was to have a push chair, which is sort of like an oversized stroller, delivered to our resort and use it for the trip, but since they no longer deliver I thought about just renting a wheelchair from Disney for the 8 days but then was informed that wheelchairs are first come first served, and we could not do a park for the day with out a chair. Any suggestions??

 

[Mama Who]

Check the FAQ in the Sticky thread.

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

try searching the internet for special needs stroller rentals in Orlando. I think walker mobility has small wheel chairs. you can try wdwstrollers. I have used walker for ecv delivered to off property resort, but never used wdwstrollers. if you are going to parks early in the morning, you should be ok to get one. but it is nice to have your own rental for the entire trip.

 

[klmorg]

Thank you, I am also wondering if I should look into getting a GAC for her.

 

[anonymousegirl]

well the GAC isn't going to shorten distances or wait times. You will have to tell GS what kind of accommodations your daughter needs and they can see if they have such accommodations available.

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

do you have one at home you could bring with you? we have a similar situation as dgd appears regular but needs her push chair. we bring ours with us on the airline. I think sometimes I am ocd with wondering about germs on them. I wonder who has used them previously, maybe being contagious, and has the company sanitized them well. but this would be the same with a regular stroller rental too. If I had to rent one, I would probably wipe it down first. I know, I am probably worrying way too much.

also, maybe you could call Disney directly and ask them if they have any companies they work with since they don't rent them out themselves. or check out the ecv companies that deliver and see what they have. even the smaller wheel chair may be more comfortable for her and cheaper than daily rental.

about gac, I would get one, even if you don't end up using it. we try not to but in a few occasions, it has helped. we get the tag to use the stroller as a wheel chair since our push chair looks like stroller. that way she can rest if there are long waits in line.

 

[cdfendley]

Wow! Our DD also has EDS - we have been to Disney a few times. Last year was our first trip since her EDS became more apparent and troublesome - we needed a stroller but she was too big for a normal one. Disneyland issued a GAC for her - she also has POTS. It really helped with wait times - she still had to rest most afternoons but was able to enjoy DL like others. Without a GAC she would not have been able to do much. We don't have a pushchair but we used a bike trailer that converts to a stroller. It was large enough for our 9 year old DD. We have a surprise trip planned to DW for Thanksgiving - also looking for a rental pushchair for her.

 

[klmorg]

My DD has EDS Hyper-mobility and Vascular. She has a bronchial tube that is partially collapsed and has ALOT of joint pain. She also has near constant tachycardia and has IBS. She was diagnosed with EDS when she was 6, she is 8 now. She was hospitalized the first time when she was 15 months old and five more times since then. She has had pneumonia 15 times. I am praying her health is good in November when our trip is booked. Our last trip was in 2009 when she was 4 and she could still use a stroller but she is too tall for one now. I will definitely get the GAC because while at some times she will be okay with the wait at other times standing for more than 10 minutes or so could be excruciating. I don't want her to be in so much pain by day 2 that her whole trip is ruined. We missed our 2011 trip due to her being ill. I am going to look into the best way to go as I know we will need a push chair or something for her. Thanks

 

[klmorg]

do you have one at home you could bring with you? we have a similar situation as dgd appears regular but needs her push chair. we bring ours with us on the airline. I think sometimes I am ocd with wondering about germs on them. I wonder who has used them previously, maybe being contagious, and has the company sanitized them well. but this would be the same with a regular stroller rental too. If I had to rent one, I would probably wipe it down first. I know, I am probably worrying way too much.

also, maybe you could call Disney directly and ask them if they have any companies they work with since they don't rent them out themselves. or check out the ecv companies that deliver and see what they have. even the smaller wheel chair may be more comfortable for her and cheaper than daily rental.

about gac, I would get one, even if you don't end up using it. we try not to but in a few occasions, it has helped. we get the tag to use the stroller as a wheel chair since our push chair looks like stroller. that way she can rest if there are long waits in line.

I don't have one I can bring with me, wish I did but we don't venture out much where she has to do a lot of walking. I will get the GAC, her doc has no issues with writing her a note for one. I am a slight germ-a-phobe too and will definitely clean anything we use well, especially since she is more vulnerable to virus's.

Calling is a good idea! I will do that tomorrow and post what I find out. Thanks

 

[klmorg]

Wow! Our DD also has EDS - we have been to Disney a few times. Last year was our first trip since her EDS became more apparent and troublesome - we needed a stroller but she was too big for a normal one. Disneyland issued a GAC for her - she also has POTS. It really helped with wait times - she still had to rest most afternoons but was able to enjoy DL like others. Without a GAC she would not have been able to do much. We don't have a pushchair but we used a bike trailer that converts to a stroller. It was large enough for our 9 year old DD. We have a surprise trip planned to DW for Thanksgiving - also looking for a rental pushchair for her.

I posted above in response to your reply but was also wondering how long did you stay at Disneyland and do you have any other advice? We are also going in November so hopefully the weather won't be too terribly warm for her. (Maybe we will be there at the same time!!) Thanks again.

 

[cgncga]

My DD has EDS Hyper-mobility and Vascular. She has a bronchial tube that is partially collapsed and has ALOT of joint pain. She also has near constant tachycardia and has IBS. She was diagnosed with EDS when she was 6, she is 8 now. She was hospitalized the first time when she was 15 months old and five more times since then. She has had pneumonia 15 times. I am praying her health is good in November when our trip is booked. Our last trip was in 2009 when she was 4 and she could still use a stroller but she is too tall for one now. I will definitely get the GAC because while at some times she will be okay with the wait at other times standing for more than 10 minutes or so could be excruciating. I don't want her to be in so much pain by day 2 that her whole trip is ruined. We missed our 2011 trip due to her being ill. I am going to look into the best way to go as I know we will need a push chair or something for her. Thanks

If you go with a large stroller you'll want to get it tagged as a "stroller as a wheelchair" and get the GAC reflecting that. This will allow her to stay in the stroller in the lines--right up until boarding.

The "stroller as a wheelchair" is the only thing that has allowed us to enjoy Disney several times with our 9 1/2 year old daughter who has low muscle tone, epilepsy (with fatigue being a seizure trigger) and several other issues. It's not the same as what your daughter deals with, but her issues do have a significant impact on her ability to be on her feet for any length of time without causing even more problems. The one morning we had her walk the ques (with very short line-ups) she had a bad seizure at lunch time and hit her head when she fell forward into the table and again when she fell backwards and off her seat. Ever since then, she stays in her stroller (we use a McLaren Major) 90% of the time while we are in the parks because we do not want a repeat of that day.

Catherine, Mom to 2 girls

 

[wilkeliza]

My DD has EDS Hyper-mobility and Vascular. She has a bronchial tube that is partially collapsed and has ALOT of joint pain. She also has near constant tachycardia and has IBS. She was diagnosed with EDS when she was 6, she is 8 now. She was hospitalized the first time when she was 15 months old and five more times since then. She has had pneumonia 15 times. I am praying her health is good in November when our trip is booked. Our last trip was in 2009 when she was 4 and she could still use a stroller but she is too tall for one now. I will definitely get the GAC because while at some times she will be okay with the wait at other times standing for more than 10 minutes or so could be excruciating. I don't want her to be in so much pain by day 2 that her whole trip is ruined. We missed our 2011 trip due to her being ill. I am going to look into the best way to go as I know we will need a push chair or something for her. Thanks

Please be aware as someone posted earlier a GAC may not shorten wait times and there may not be somewhere to sit in the GAC waiting area. A wheel chair or bigger children's stroller is your best option. If you go the stroller route just get a stroller as wheelchair sticker and a GAC wot be necessary just redundant with one of those.

 

[klmorg]

Please be aware as someone posted earlier a GAC may not shorten wait times and there may not be somewhere to sit in the GAC waiting area. A wheel chair or bigger children's stroller is your best option. If you go the stroller route just get a stroller as wheelchair sticker and a GAC wot be necessary just redundant with one of those.

Yes, I will definitely be using a large size stroller( a 'push chair') or a wheel chair. Just trying to decide the best route to go with acquiring one for the time we are there. And I was unaware or the 'stroller as a wheelchair' sticker and will be sure to get that also if the large stroller is the route we end up with. She is too big for an actual standard size stroller. The ones I have looked into have all been referred to as 'push chairs'.

Thanks everyone who is posting! I love this forum and knew you all would be ready and willing to pass out the best advice

 

[G719]

How did you find out that Orlando stroller rentals doesn't deliver? The website still says they deliver. We were planning on renting from them.

 

[klmorg]

How did you find out that Orlando stroller rentals doesn't deliver? The website still says they deliver. We were planning on renting from them.

I contacted them via email from their site because I had to measure my DD and send them her measurements for them to size a chair for her. They have a chair we could rent from them for about $120 for the 8 days and I was all set to use them, then they said they no longer deliver to the WDW resorts. And yes, their website DOES still say they deliver...

 

[G719]

I contacted them via email from their site because I had to measure my DD and send them her measurements for them to size a chair for her. They have a chair we could rent from them for about $120 for the 8 days and I was all set to use them, then they said they no longer deliver to the WDW resorts. And yes, their website DOES still say they deliver...

Thanks! That stinks since they are one of the few rental companies with the city elite and the special chair for bigger kids. Wonder how long they can stay in business renting strollers if they don't deliver to the Disney resorts?

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have one I can bring with me, wish I did but we don't venture out much where she has to do a lot of walking. I will get the GAC, her doc has no issues with writing her a note for one. I am a slight germ-a-phobe too and will definitely clean anything we use well, especially since she is more vulnerable to virus's.

Calling is a good idea! I will do that tomorrow and post what I find out. Thanks

A doctor's letter is not needed to request a Guest Assistance Card - you can bring if you want and if it makes you feel more confident about requesting a GAC.
But, be aware that the Cast Members are not likely to look at it.
Thereismore information about GACs in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
U can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

I contacted them via email from their site because I had to measure my DD and send them her measurements for them to size a chair for her. They have a chair we could rent from them for about $120 for the 8 days and I was all set to use them, then they said they no longer deliver to the WDW resorts. And yes, their website DOES still say they deliver...

I wonder if this is a misunderstanding.
In November of 2012, WDW started having what they called Preferred Vendors for ECVs and wheelchairs.
These 'Preferred Vendors' were the only vendors who are allowed to deliver to the WDW resorts and leave items at Bell Services for guests before the guest arrives.

Other companies are allowed to deliver the the WDW resorts, but they can't leave anything for the guest to pick up later. These companies have to arrange to deliver the item directly to the guest and pick it up from the guest.

I had heard that this was eventually going to apply to the stroller rental places also. I had not heard it had taken effect, but it may have. So, they may have ment that they can't deliver it to the resort before you arrive.
So, if you want to rent frm that company, it would be worthwhile to call and check if they can deliver it to you at your resort.

Also, post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has a number of companies listed that rent equipment. I know for sure at least one of the preferred companies for ECVs and wheelchairs (Apple) rents strollers and, it's too late to look up, but I think some of the others also do.

 

[klmorg]

I wonder if this is a misunderstanding.
In November of 2012, WDW started having what they called Preferred Vendors for ECVs and wheelchairs.
These 'Preferred Vendors' were the only vendors who are allowed to deliver to the WDW resorts and leave items at Bell Services for guests before the guest arrives.

Other companies are allowed to deliver the the WDW resorts, but they can't leave anything for the guest to pick up later. These companies have to arrange to deliver the item directly to the guest and pick it up from the guest.

I had heard that this was eventually going to apply to the stroller rental places also. I had not heard it had taken effect, but it may have. So, they may have ment that they can't deliver it to the resort before you arrive.
So, if you want to rent frm that company, it would be worthwhile to call and check if they can deliver it to you at your resort.

Thank you Sue! Below is the text from the email I got from Orlando Stroller Rental. I used a direct link from the Orlando Stroller Company but all of my responses came from 'The Baby Jogger Company' so I am assuming they are one in the same.

"Hi Karen,
Thank you for your reply. We apologize for any confusion with the measurement charts! It does look like Grace would fit into the Freedom Push Chair. You can purchase this chair directly through us, or through one of our distributors: http://www.advancemobility.org/usaDealers.php
If you wish to use your insurance company to cover the cost of the stroller, you will need to purchase through one of our dealers and not directly through us.

Unfortunately, we do not offer the service of resort drop off and pick up. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please let us know if you have any other questions, we would be happy to assist you. Thank you and have a great day!

Best Regards,

Customer Care Team
The Baby Jogger Company
t: 800-241-1848| f: 804-262-6277
www.babyjogger.com"

I will give them a call just to clarify that they are no longer offering this service in any aspect. Thanks for all the great advice

 

[klmorg]

A doctor's letter is not needed to request a Guest Assistance Card - you can bring if you want and if it makes you feel more confident about requesting a GAC.
But, be aware that the Cast Members are not likely to look at it.

I just read post #6 in the FAQ link. Thank you for sending me to it. My DD will need a chair but can walk on her own so it is likely that she may be walking up to the ride ques for some of our trip. I am thinking from what I read that it may be a good idea to have the GAC for those times when her chair will be left among the sea of strollers and she walks into the que on her own. Is this correct? Also, I read somewhere that it was a good idea to bring a note from her doctor to initially acquire the GAC so as to possibly avoid a lot of possibly unpleasant questions directed towards my DD, as she is only 8 years old. This is not her 1st trip to Disney World, but it is her first since her illness has been causing more issues with her day to day activities and I really want her to feel as 'normal' as possible while we are there.

Thanks again for all the advice and information.

 

[disney david]

Thank you Sue! Below is the text from the email I got from Orlando Stroller Rental. I used a direct link from the Orlando Stroller Company but all of my responses came from 'The Baby Jogger Company' so I am assuming they are one in the same.

"Hi Karen,
Thank you for your reply. We apologize for any confusion with the measurement charts! It does look like Grace would fit into the Freedom Push Chair. You can purchase this chair directly through us, or through one of our distributors: http://www.advancemobility.org/usaDealers.php
If you wish to use your insurance company to cover the cost of the stroller, you will need to purchase through one of our dealers and not directly through us.

Unfortunately, we do not offer the service of resort drop off and pick up. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please let us know if you have any other questions, we would be happy to assist you. Thank you and have a great day!

Best Regards,

Customer Care Team
The Baby Jogger Company
t: 800-241-1848| f: 804-262-6277
www.babyjogger.com"

I will give them a call just to clarify that they are no longer offering this service in any aspect. Thanks for all the great advice

I wondering if orlando stroller rental asked baby jogger who makes it to email you to answer the question because they are the ones that make the model they use and that way they don't offer the drop off or pick up service.

They look like a site that makes them and sells them because they have links where buy the strollers hopes this helps they should of said we will have the company that makes it contact you.

http://www.babyjogger.com/

It looks like they make the city line of strollers and their special needs stroller division makes liberty push chairs and other ones to sorry the advance mobility is their specail needs division that makes push chairs and other types of special needs strollers.