What a wonderful discussion board! I'm new to the board and have a question of my own. My daughter, who is 16 years old, was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. She uses a spiffy little Quickie TNT for mobility--standing is NOT an option.
We've been to WDW every year from 1994 to 1998 and every trip was magical. However, they weren't without their fair share of difficulties. Our first trip in 1994 was--well, let's just say that we learned a lot of valuable lessons. At the top of that list would be, "Never let the flight attendant stow your wheelchair cushion." lol It was our first trip to fly with a wheelchair and we were clueless. After changing planes in Dallas, we went on to Orlando and her cushion went on a fun-filled ride from coast to coast. Katie spent her first 2 days at WDW sitting on a hotel pillow. lol
Each year, our trips became more organized. At the same time, they became more frustrating. As Katie got older, she also grew and became heavier. On our last trip in 1998, she weighed around 150 pounds and the tranfer/lifts into some of the rides became nearly impossible. We tried to emphasize that the lifts were no problem, but I think the grunting and groaning, and the huffing and puffing were a dead give-away. lol I could see it in her eyes that she felt like "a problem". As the week went on, the more quiet and grumpy she became. I don't blame her. Rolling around in a "sea of butts" is bad enough. The stares and the feeling of being invisible are overwhelming. But those are things that are out of her control. She tries to focus on things that ARE in her control. She's a good-natured, fun-loving, happy teenager. BUT if you give her "attitude", she will give it right back, bud! lol
I would love to see someone develop some sort of mechanical lift or a side-ways transfer mechanism so that she could go to WDW and feel a little more independent. On our last trip, I would look around and see teenagers running around together from ride to ride without their parents attached to their hip. I would give my right arm to give Katie that feeling. If NASA scientists can build a space station, I feel certain that they could come up with some sort of device that would help people who use wheelchairs to transfer to a ride at WDW with independence and dignity. Has there been any discussion on this board about this? Thanks for the forum!
We've been to WDW every year from 1994 to 1998 and every trip was magical. However, they weren't without their fair share of difficulties. Our first trip in 1994 was--well, let's just say that we learned a lot of valuable lessons. At the top of that list would be, "Never let the flight attendant stow your wheelchair cushion." lol It was our first trip to fly with a wheelchair and we were clueless. After changing planes in Dallas, we went on to Orlando and her cushion went on a fun-filled ride from coast to coast. Katie spent her first 2 days at WDW sitting on a hotel pillow. lol
Each year, our trips became more organized. At the same time, they became more frustrating. As Katie got older, she also grew and became heavier. On our last trip in 1998, she weighed around 150 pounds and the tranfer/lifts into some of the rides became nearly impossible. We tried to emphasize that the lifts were no problem, but I think the grunting and groaning, and the huffing and puffing were a dead give-away. lol I could see it in her eyes that she felt like "a problem". As the week went on, the more quiet and grumpy she became. I don't blame her. Rolling around in a "sea of butts" is bad enough. The stares and the feeling of being invisible are overwhelming. But those are things that are out of her control. She tries to focus on things that ARE in her control. She's a good-natured, fun-loving, happy teenager. BUT if you give her "attitude", she will give it right back, bud! lol
I would love to see someone develop some sort of mechanical lift or a side-ways transfer mechanism so that she could go to WDW and feel a little more independent. On our last trip, I would look around and see teenagers running around together from ride to ride without their parents attached to their hip. I would give my right arm to give Katie that feeling. If NASA scientists can build a space station, I feel certain that they could come up with some sort of device that would help people who use wheelchairs to transfer to a ride at WDW with independence and dignity. Has there been any discussion on this board about this? Thanks for the forum!