Water Parks?

[MattDisney]

I have a child in a wheelchair with CP. What can she do at a water park? Thanks

 

[Mary976]

What age? Also, would you say she about the same height as other kids her age? What's her transfer situation like...can she stand at all, is she small enough for a parent to lift, can she do pivot transfers with an assist, etc? Also, how's her upper body strength/control?

Sorry to answering your question with more questions, but my advice will be totally different depending on age/height and transfer ability!

Mary

 

[ratlenhum]

Answers to Mary's questions will definately make it easier to give you advice on what can be done.

 

[Schmeck]

Most of the attractions at the waterparks are single person - although there are a few tube slides with doubles, but I'm thinking crush'n gusher would be too wild for someone with CP.

If your child can swim, and can control her body enough to be safe on a waterslide, then she could do a few slides at the parks - and the family raft rides would be a choice if you could get her up to the loading area without the wheelchair.

The wave pools and lazy rivers are options if she has enough head control.

 

[MattDisney]

Thanks for the responses. She is 11 and is unable to walk at all. I am able to carry her for short distances. She can't swim but does have good head control. I'm just worried she will be very bored. Thanks

 

[Mary976]

Okay, she should be able to do some things. We always go to TL, my DD is older has good upper body strength so she likes the Crush n Gusher slides. Those are pretty much the only slides that have an elevator to go up, but they are like water roller coasters, so pretty wild.

In your case, for either park, I might start by getting a life jacket at the service desk. I think they are free, you just have to leave a deposit. Then, you could probably do the lazy river and the wave pool with some planning. For the lazy river, there are two person tubes available. I would sit your DD in the first hole, and then have you stick your head and arms through the back hole, so that your feet are dragging behind you. You could sit in the second space, but I think the first option would give you more control. You could help support your daughter with your hands and keep her from falling over. But you can feel it out once you get there.

Also, the wave pool is a zero depth entry, so you can just walk right in. I would recommend sitting in the VERY shallow area because when the big waves come, they can knock you over. The bottom is kind of rough, so you might want to get a pair of shorts for your daughter, clothing stores usually sell board shorts made for water near the bathing suits. That's what my DD did. Plus, we got aqua socks (water shoes) for DD because I was worried she would bang her feet and stuff and cut them. They have those cheap at Target and Walmart.

Finally, given your daughter's age, she might like the kids area. They have some small slides, but also spray jets and things you could sit under.

Have fun!
Mary

 

[RabFlmom]

I have a child in a wheelchair with CP. What can she do at a water park? Thanks

First thing I would do is call Blizzard Beach and talk to a CM there. They have the ski lift there that has a car for wheel chairs to get to the top of the mountain. If she is able to go on any of the slides, they will make sure her wheelchair is at the bottom of the slide for her.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Finally, given your daughter's age, she might like the kids area. They have some small slides, but also spray jets and things you could sit under.

This will not work. The child areas have maximum height restrictions and they are strictly enforced.