Wheelchair for 10yr old

[kaytieeldr]

You would probably be better off just buying a gel cushion, from Amazon or a durable medical equipment vendor in your area.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

When my daughter was in a walking boot last year, we rented a 16-inch chair (at least I'm pretty sure that's what it was) with legs that could be raised from Orlando Medical Rentals. It was pretty much like this one: https://www.orlandomedicalrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=10&key=RWC

It was a huge help for her to have her leg elevated for most of the day, so I would definitely look into elevating leg rests.

It also had a tall back with a removable top portion. I'm 5'8" and the handlebars were definitely too low for me, and of course I forgot the handlebar entensions at home (doh!). I found it super easy just to hold on to the poles on the headrest and push her around.

She never complained about a sore butt--but maybe that was because her foot was still in a fair amount of pain, but I can see how a seat cushion would make it a more pleasant experience.

Orlando Medical Rentals was great to work with. They brought a backup chair in case the first one didn't fit--which it did. Pickup and dropoff couldn't have been easier!

Most of the ride lines are totally wheelchair accessible. Many of the loading areas will have an area where you will wait and get out of the chair--just look for signage, because sometimes there's a little gate for wheelchairs before the "regular" entrance to the boarding area. You leave the chair off to the side and either return to it when you're done, or the CMs move it to the exit and it's waiting there for you. Honestly, it's super easy. We frequently just asked the CM at the entrance what to do before entering the line--and often times, they'll just tell you what to do if they see you pushing someone.

I will say that Animal Kingdom was ROUGH in places. Like, literally, the ground is rough, and it makes pushing pretty tiring. Overall, though, it was a lot easier than I worried about, and the chair folded down and fit in the trunk of our rental car.

The first time we were putting the chair together in the lot, a parking attendant scolded us for not asking for the Medical Parking. We said we didn't have a handicapped permit and he said it didn't matter. We didn't even know there was such a thing, but it was definitely a great tip. After that, we just rolled down the window and talked to a parking attendant and explained that our daughter had a wheelchair and asked for medical parking or medical overflow parking. There are spaces in that lot that don't require a handicapped placard, and they are much closer to the entrance. Still a bit of a walk, but much easier than trying to get a folded up wheelchair in the parking tram!

 

[amberdc1987]

When my daughter was in a walking boot last year, we rented a 16-inch chair (at least I'm pretty sure that's what it was) with legs that could be raised from Orlando Medical Rentals. It was pretty much like this one: https://www.orlandomedicalrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=10&key=RWC

It was a huge help for her to have her leg elevated for most of the day, so I would definitely look into elevating leg rests.

It also had a tall back with a removable top portion. I'm 5'8" and the handlebars were definitely too low for me, and of course I forgot the handlebar entensions at home (doh!). I found it super easy just to hold on to the poles on the headrest and push her around.

She never complained about a sore butt--but maybe that was because her foot was still in a fair amount of pain, but I can see how a seat cushion would make it a more pleasant experience.

Orlando Medical Rentals was great to work with. They brought a backup chair in case the first one didn't fit--which it did. Pickup and dropoff couldn't have been easier!

Most of the ride lines are totally wheelchair accessible. Many of the loading areas will have an area where you will wait and get out of the chair--just look for signage, because sometimes there's a little gate for wheelchairs before the "regular" entrance to the boarding area. You leave the chair off to the side and either return to it when you're done, or the CMs move it to the exit and it's waiting there for you. Honestly, it's super easy. We frequently just asked the CM at the entrance what to do before entering the line--and often times, they'll just tell you what to do if they see you pushing someone.

I will say that Animal Kingdom was ROUGH in places. Like, literally, the ground is rough, and it makes pushing pretty tiring. Overall, though, it was a lot easier than I worried about, and the chair folded down and fit in the trunk of our rental car.

The first time we were putting the chair together in the lot, a parking attendant scolded us for not asking for the Medical Parking. We said we didn't have a handicapped permit and he said it didn't matter. We didn't even know there was such a thing, but it was definitely a great tip. After that, we just rolled down the window and talked to a parking attendant and explained that our daughter had a wheelchair and asked for medical parking or medical overflow parking. There are spaces in that lot that don't require a handicapped placard, and they are much closer to the entrance. Still a bit of a walk, but much easier than trying to get a folded up wheelchair in the parking tram!

Wow a lot of great information! A lot I haven’t even thought about. I will definitely look at them. They are one of the ones on my short list.

I had no idea about medical parking! I’ve never heard of that. I will say I was worried about folding it up and getting it on the tram. So if they still have medical parking that will be a load off my mind. Thank you so much for all the information.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

You are totally welcome! I am pretty sure I asked here (or at least read threads like crazy) the day she sprained her foot. I got lots of good advice and we had a great trip despite the walking boot!

Oh, I also brought a few garbage bags to wrap around her walking boot on water rides. And then it rained, and we were SO happy we had them!

I can say that I hefted that folded-up chair onto at least one parking tram. It fit, but man, it was NOT fun hoisting it up there. Medical parking was amazing, and I was so thankful for the parking attendant who clued us in.

 

[SueM in MN]

They do have Medical Parking.
There are some spots with blue painted lines, a wheelchair symbol painted on the ground or a handicapped parking sign. Guests can’t park in those without a state issued handicapped parking permit without risking getting a ticket.
The ones you can park in just have white painted lines.

 

[amberdc1987]

They do have Medical Parking.
There are some spots with blue painted lines, a wheelchair symbol painted on the ground or a handicapped parking sign. Guests can’t park in those without a state issued handicapped parking permit without risking getting a ticket.
The ones you can park in just have white painted lines.

Great. Thank you for clarifying that.

 

[amberdc1987]

You are totally welcome! I am pretty sure I asked here (or at least read threads like crazy) the day she sprained her foot. I got lots of good advice and we had a great trip despite the walking boot!

Oh, I also brought a few garbage bags to wrap around her walking boot on water rides. And then it rained, and we were SO happy we had them!

I can say that I hefted that folded-up chair onto at least one parking tram. It fit, but man, it was NOT fun hoisting it up there. Medical parking was amazing, and I was so thankful for the parking attendant who clued us in.

Yes I feel like I've read everything under the sun. Or at least tried to. I know Disney and I know Disney well. But I don't now Disney with wheelchairs lol. I will say it was refreshing to learn new things. Even though I would have much rather not had.