I don't have a lot of time and I've been putting this off for a while...
We're going on quite a few adventures this year. My knee isn't 100% yet, but I can move around and carry pretty well. Elena's knees are in a "holding pattern" of sorts, so it seems like we can put off surgery for this year (keeping fingers crossed!).
I could really use your help, Doodlers in blogland!
In no particular order, we will be visiting Atlanta, GA; , Berlin and Munich, Germany; New York, possibly Chicago, IL and maybe one other trip this year in addition to typical family occasions.
The domestic trips will most likely be by car or train; Elena has never navigated a big city (like NYC) so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of how many blocks is too many vs. cab rides. I feel like the kids would love the NYC subway experience but I'm worried about navigating the crowd and steps with so many people. How do you get around so many curbs/bad sidewalks with a wheelchair/stroller/crutches? Do I bother bringing her wheelchair (not to much of an issue if we drive) or do we just use taxis? Are there certain events that are great for kids--and should I be concerned about crowds?
The overseas trip is a huge deal; we've never traveled as a family overseas, and the last time we went anywhere as a family on a plane Elena could still fit into a stroller. We are not planning on bringing her wheelchair or stroller (I figure we can rent one?) and I'm not sure how much walking is involved, or what sort of transport we will need. If you have any advice for plane/train travel, or Berlin/Munich attractions/mobility advice I would *really* appreciate your comments! Feel free to comment below or email me at cpmom2009 AT yahoo DOT com.
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Next up: School recaps. Holiday prep, maybe. Recaps on some events.
Overall things are going well here.
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No one plans, or expects, to have a child with a disability. When this happened to us, we started a desperate search to find information relating to milestones or expectations for our daughter after her diagnosis. Most of this was fruitless. My hope is for this site to help any person or parent in a situation similar to ours.
About Me
- Amy
- I'm a work-hard, play-hard multitasking wife and mother of two. I'm lucky to have a supportive family and friends, and live in a great town for children with (and without) disabililties. Elena is my firstborn, born at 33w with moderate spastic diplegia. Vivian is my secondborn--almost at 28w, but with a lot of help, made it to 38 1/2w and developing normally; she was diagnosed with focal epilepsy at age 9.
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cpmom2009 AT yahoo DOT com
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6 comments:
Hi Amy,
This is Margot. I work with Gregg Mozgala in NYC. Gregg can navigate subways very well here so I would suggest emailing him about this. I assure you Elena will need her chair unless she can walk at least 5 blocks or so on her own with crutches.
I have spastic diplegia CP like Elena and live in NYC. At my CP friends' insistence I went on a subway adventure and HATED it so much. The subways in NYC are NOT built for crutch users,too crowded, too many steps. I was miserable. NOT fun and NOT worth it! plus Elena might get lost easily with her slow gait. Just NO subways. Also bring the chair!
If you go from an accessible station like Grand Central or Columbus Circle to another accessible station like Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn, a subway adventure is totally doable. Just don't try to take the subway to a smaller stop with no elevators. I just traveled internationally and saw several people gate-checking strollers, that may be an easier option than trying to figure out how to rent one in Germany.
I would take the wheelchair, its so much easier for long distances, and also works well in crowded places as it allows you to sort of plough through. I always have much more fun if I'm not having to concentrate on walking. I also hate having to use hired wheelchairs, I much prefer my own, even if at times I end up walking and pushing it (whilst invariably someone else jumps in it). I have always found planes to be rather good regarding mobility needs, I am always allowed through security without queueing and they bring my equipment back to me as soon as the plane lands (I have flown with my wheelchair, crutches and a kaye walker, and everything has been fine so far).
I should also add, by far the best thing for helping me with uneven ground and my wheelchair has been the purchase of something called a freewheel. This clips onto the footplate of my wheelchair and lifts the front wheels up, replacing them with one big wheel, it makes going over bumpy ground so much easier and I don't have to wheelie over as much difficult ground.
For overseas trips be mindful of travel warnings and restrictions due to ISIS and other terrorist bombings and attacks.
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