Wheelchair vs renting Macleran Major vs WDW stroller rental

[triplefigs]

My DS who was in the hospital for over a month in Oct/Nov now has a wheelchair for long distances as he is very weak due to both his CP and the severe weight loss and surgeries. Should we use the wheelchair in the parks, rent a Macleran Major, or just rent a Disney single stroller at each park? We have always used a regular Macleran stroller with us in the past (he has lots of anxiety and sensory issues). He is still under the weight requirement for a typical stroller (he's back up to 42 pounds at 7.5yrs), but he is much too tall.

Thanks for any help and advice.

 

[bbyee]

If he's comfortable in the Macleran stroller, then I'd go that route. Also, were you talking about him using a regular wheelchair or the Disney rentals?

If you have a regular wheelchair for him, that would also be a good bit. I hate the rental wheelchairs because they are hugely clunky and won't fit him well.

If you don't have a regular wheelchair for him, and you think that he'll need one as a part of his regular world, that would be something I'd highly recommend. At his age, even if he's physically small, he's still nearly 8 years old, so a stroller might not be emotionally appropriate for him anymore.

 

[zumbergc]

Since your child is small, he may not fit well in an adult wheel chair. Does he have one of his own that you would be bringing or using one from the parks, or rent from an offsite location.

If you are renting from disney, he won't really fit well in those wheelchairs.
There will be a gap in the back from the bottom of the chair, and the actual back on the chair, so this gives him less support, because it may not hit his back until mid back and feel ackward sitting all day.
You might want to call the off-site rentals t see if they have child size wheel chairs. Does anyone know if the off-site places have child-size wheel chairs?

If his own stroller still fits him, it could be the best option. If he doesn't feel comfortable (socially, being old and in a stroller), then look both locally at your home, and at the stickeys at the top of this forum.

Good luck

 

[triplefigs]

Yes, we have a child wheelchair (Home Health brought it to our house), but it is still too big for him. His feet don't touch the foot rests at all. Just trying to figure out what to do in the next 2weeks.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, we have a child wheelchair (Home Health brought it to our house), but it is still too big for him. His feet don't touch the foot rests at all. Just trying to figure out what to do in the next 2weeks.

I would suggest calling the Home Health company to see if they can adjust the footrests for his height. I would expect a child's wheelchair would have enough adjustability built in to fit it to his leg length. If this one doesn't, then they are not providing a wheelchair that fits his needs. Don't be afraid to push it; your child deserves a wheelchair that fits him.

If you can't get the footrests to fit in the time you have left, but it fits otherwise, here's something that might work. You might be able to raise the level up far enough by putting yoga blocks or blocks of styrofoam onto the footrests to raise them up to the correct height. You can attach them with duct tape. Not necessarily pretty and he would have to be a little careful to not dislodge them, but at least his feet would not be hanging.

Otherwise, if you think he would be more comfortable in a Maclaren special needs stroller, there are some links to places that rent them in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Hope you have a great time! Your family really needs one.