They are on the spectrum. My 6 yr old is a flight risk. We were told by her therapist to do her stroller that way. We had been many times and with major meltdowns an me sitting out with her while everyone else was in line. Being able to keep her in a stroller which is her personal space till time to ride or something. This will only be our 2nd time I do this, but we had the best trip when we did this. We only had 1 melt down that I had to go back trough the crowd. I want to be able I take a trip and enjoy a trip with my family, with out being physically and mentally worn down by my child I love!! I Have 2 kids on the spectrum, also 6yr old has ADHD along with my oldest who has ADHD and anxiety. I want them to be able to enjoy their trip too!!!
I'm sorry but it does upset me for people to wonder why I do what for my kids. I have a hard enough time with family. I do whats best for my kids. I would have never thought to do this until their therapist mentioned it. Their OT, has helped a lot with planning and showing me what would be better for the kids. She is the one that works with them weekly!
Strollers are used as wheelchairs for a variety of reasons.
Sometimes, it is for children who are not physically able to walk or can't walk the whole distance in a day at WDW because of their disability.
Sometimes, it is for children with disabilities who can physically walk, but will refuse to walk, run away or need a safe haven while waiting.
That is actually one of the big reasons people use strollers as wheelchairs.
It has been advice on this board for children with autism since we first started getting questions about autism.
Many attractions don't have alternate places to wait and/or that place can be very busy or noisy. Many people have posted that they can wait in the regular lines using a stroller as wheelchair because the stroller provides the safe place their child needs while waiting.
OP, you sound like a great mom and you and your family deserve to have a great vacation.
Maybe the poster who questioned you, did not read your original posting throughly where you did mention that all your children had a disability. Some people are sensitive because, unfortunately people have gotten GAC's or said they were disabled when they were not. I am sure the poster meant no harm. I can understand your feelings about being questioned by someone else. Only YOU know your children the best. Do whatever works for you and your children and have a great vacation.
That is possible, although that poster did mention getting a GAC instead.
Sometimes people only consider what they have done and don't consider what might work better for someone else. Many people would not think of using a stroller as a wheelchair for children who can walk because it doesn't sound like an obvious connection.
My guess is that poster had never heard of using a stroller as a wheelchair and was asking about it, not meaning any harm or questioning parenting.
When reading on the Internet, all you have is words.
In real life, body language, tone of voice nd facial expression add a lot of meaning that make the meaning and intent of the words more clear.
There is an explanation of using a stroller as a wheelchair in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread if anyone wants to read more. That thread is near the top of this board or you can use the link in my signature to get there.
