Re: Stroller or Wheel Chair Advice

[Guest guest]

Hey Becky,

Let us know how you make out with getting one. I heard that Medicaid won't

pay for them anymore. I'd like to get one too, but right now I just don't

have the time nor the energy to put into it.

Gail :-)

Hi Everyone ~

I know there had been discussion in the past about the Maclaren Major

special needs stroller, and we need to buy something for Dylan now. I

am going to try through my insurance and his medical card, but if that

fails I have some funds from our family support $ left this year. My

guess is insurance won't cover the stroller, but possibly a

wheelchair. I'd rather have something not so " medical " looking

though.

What I am wondering is does anyone have anything else - a wheelchair

or a different stroller that they like? Positive and negative

feedback about the Maclaren? I think I remember talking about that

the handles for quite high for pushing it - making it difficult for us

short people

Dylan is 11 and about 72-73 pounds.

Thanks for any advice!

Becky

[Guest guest]

I have the Baby Jogger special needs jogger, and it is HUGE! It's nice for using

around the neighborhood, but my six year old is totally swallowed up in it.

It's not simple to fold either, requiring wheels be removed and posts

disassembled to fit even in my minivan. It was very expensive, around 700

something dollars, and I think it was a mistake to get it. We usually end up

using our regular jogger, because it's just a lot easier, and lets her see

around better. I wish I had gotten the Maclaren instead...

My two cents!

Hugs,

mom to Ally and Katy (DS/ASD), twins age 6

Becky Kligora wrote:

Hi Everyone ~

I know there had been discussion in the past about the Maclaren Major

special needs stroller, and we need to buy something for Dylan now. I

am going to try through my insurance and his medical card, but if that

fails I have some funds from our family support $ left this year. My

guess is insurance won't cover the stroller, but possibly a

wheelchair. I'd rather have something not so " medical " looking

though.

What I am wondering is does anyone have anything else - a wheelchair

or a different stroller that they like? Positive and negative

feedback about the Maclaren? I think I remember talking about that

the handles for quite high for pushing it - making it difficult for us

short people

Dylan is 11 and about 72-73 pounds.

Thanks for any advice!

Becky

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/20/2006 2:42:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

hmickgarcia@... writes:

It was very expensive, around 700 something dollars, and I think it was a

mistake to get it.

We bought a jogger that holds up to 200 lbs a few years ago. It was $250.

We LOVE it. Maddie is close to 120 lbs, and she loves it too. We

bought it at a local bike shop. We use it probably 5x a week (we walk a lo

t). However, it's IS huge, and not good for doc visits. I am on the

market for a MacClaren or Convaid just for that purpose.....and for the

mall....not that we do THAT very often. Maddie's not a *shopper*.

Donna

[Guest guest]

<< I think I remember talking about that

the handles for quite high for pushing it - making it difficult for us

short people >>

Hi Becky...I was the one who was afraid to buy it because I'm only 5'3 " and

Jayne the supermodel was mentioning that it worked great for her at 5'9 " . Well,

we did buy it and at 95 lb now prefers it over her older one. Me too.

There is no problem pushing it for me- I did NOT end up having to wear 6 "

platform heels hehe. It is so light and so narrow and maneuverable I just love

it. My husband who takes her out more than I do uses this one all the time now.

She figured out how to get in without help pretty quickly (she's 4'6 " ) and they

both love it. The only problem I've had with it is if you attempt to pull it

back and raise up the front wheels like to go over a curb it can get a little

unstable. So we always stay on the wheelchair route. We've got the convaid which

medwaiver paid for and it is very good...just quite a bit heavier for lifting in

and out of the car, and also much wider for travelling around the aisles in

stores. I say go for it!!

Sherry

[Guest guest]

We've had a Maclaren Major for about 3 years now and I still love it. It was

kind of funny a couple of weeks ago, I was in a thrift store with all my kids

and this lady, just made a beeline for me and I wasn't sure what to expect.

It was weird. But it was the stroller we had that she wanted to know more

about. She has a disabled granddaughter who is outgrowing her baby stroller and

needs something else. I felt like a sales rep for Maclaren!

a (Hannah 9 )

[Guest guest]

We have the convaid scout model. And although, it is nice, it is

cumbersome. Very heavy and awkward to fit it my car. I have an SUV and I have

to put

the third seat down in order to fit it -- which means I usually have to decide

between the stroller and how many passengers I take along with me. I know it

will be much too large to take on a plane -- and travel with -- so I'm going

to have to get a backup stroller for that. It was very expensive and the

medicaid waiver covered it, but I felt guilty when I saw the cost, like I was

wasting taxpayers money.

I was one of those people who approached another family at a theme park who

had this really neat stroller, and I started talking to the mom to ask about

it, and they had a little boy with down syndrome and we started comparing

stories and all that, and it turns out that he was also autistic. We, as you

all

can imagine, instantly bonded. She lives about 2 hours from me, but she

doesn't email. So we write about 2x a year. Not enough, but always good to

hear from her. She wrote a month or so after we met and she said that, that

very same day that we met she ran into another family with a little boy with

the dual dx.at the same theme park. She felt it was a sign from God -- because

how often does that happen.

PS. Make sure whatever stroller you order that you check the size out very

well. We had an OT come to our house to measure for the proper fit,

and when the stroller arrived at the medical supply store -- it was big

enough to carry me, and I'm 5'9 " , with plenty of room to grove. We sent it

back

and got one TWO sizes smaller. IT's still big.

good luck,

patty

[Guest guest]

we had the Special NEeds Stroller II which holds up to 120 lbs (now passed

on to a listmate). When Elie was too small for it, we put a FIRM pillow

behind him so that the seat depth was lessened. I did not like the McClaren

which I tried out - even though it was easier to fold - it was not more

comfortable. Also, at the time that I bought the SPecial Needs Stroller - I

bought a refurbished one from the company and it was much cheaper.

Sara - Choose to make lemonade, not complain about the lemons.

>

>Reply-To:

>To:

>Subject: Re: Stroller or Wheel Chair Advice

>Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:35:25 -0700 (PDT)

>

>I have the Baby Jogger special needs jogger, and it is HUGE! It's nice for

>using around the neighborhood, but my six year old is totally swallowed up

>in it. It's not simple to fold either, requiring wheels be removed and

>posts disassembled to fit even in my minivan. It was very expensive, around

>700 something dollars, and I think it was a mistake to get it. We usually

>end up using our regular jogger, because it's just a lot easier, and lets

>her see around better. I wish I had gotten the Maclaren instead...

>

> My two cents!

>

> Hugs,

>

> mom to Ally and Katy (DS/ASD), twins age 6

>

>Becky Kligora wrote:

> Hi Everyone ~

>

>I know there had been discussion in the past about the Maclaren Major

>special needs stroller, and we need to buy something for Dylan now. I

>am going to try through my insurance and his medical card, but if that

>fails I have some funds from our family support $ left this year. My

>guess is insurance won't cover the stroller, but possibly a

>wheelchair. I'd rather have something not so " medical " looking

>though.

>

>What I am wondering is does anyone have anything else - a wheelchair

>or a different stroller that they like? Positive and negative

>feedback about the Maclaren? I think I remember talking about that

>the handles for quite high for pushing it - making it difficult for us

>short people

>

>Dylan is 11 and about 72-73 pounds.

>

>Thanks for any advice!

>

>Becky

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We now use an INVAID wheelchair which I found at a flea market for $70!!

Then my husband took the fron wheels off and put lawnmower wheels on it so

it rolls easier on grass.

It also fits the car easier. I think all in all - I would get a w/c over a

stroller - although I loved the stroller when we had it - the w/c is just

easier to open and shut and put in the van. And there are LOTS of them

available at yard sales, flea markets, on line.

Sara - Choose to make lemonade, not complain about the lemons.

>From: hamburgpatti@...

>Reply-To:

>To:

>Subject: Re: Stroller or Wheel Chair Advice

>Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 19:45:27 EDT

>

>We have the convaid scout model. And although, it is nice, it is

>cumbersome. Very heavy and awkward to fit it my car. I have an SUV and I

>have to put

>the third seat down in order to fit it -- which means I usually have to

>decide

>between the stroller and how many passengers I take along with me. I know

>it

>will be much too large to take on a plane -- and travel with -- so I'm

>going

>to have to get a backup stroller for that. It was very expensive and the

>medicaid waiver covered it, but I felt guilty when I saw the cost, like I

>was

>wasting taxpayers money.

>

>I was one of those people who approached another family at a theme park who

>had this really neat stroller, and I started talking to the mom to ask

>about

>it, and they had a little boy with down syndrome and we started comparing

>stories and all that, and it turns out that he was also autistic. We, as

>you all

> can imagine, instantly bonded. She lives about 2 hours from me, but she

>doesn't email. So we write about 2x a year. Not enough, but always good

>to

>hear from her. She wrote a month or so after we met and she said that,

>that

>very same day that we met she ran into another family with a little boy

>with

>the dual dx.at the same theme park. She felt it was a sign from God --

>because

>how often does that happen.

>

>PS. Make sure whatever stroller you order that you check the size out

>very

>well. We had an OT come to our house to measure for the proper

>fit,

>and when the stroller arrived at the medical supply store -- it was big

>enough to carry me, and I'm 5'9 " , with plenty of room to grove. We sent

>it back

>and got one TWO sizes smaller. IT's still big.

>good luck,

>patty

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We now use an INVAID wheelchair which I found at a flea market for $70!!

Then my husband took the fron wheels off and put lawnmower wheels on it so

it rolls easier on grass.

It also fits the car easier. I think all in all - I would get a w/c over a

stroller - although I loved the stroller when we had it - the w/c is just

easier to open and shut and put in the van. And there are LOTS of them

available at yard sales, flea markets, on line.

Sara - Choose to make lemonade, not complain about the lemons.

>From: hamburgpatti@...

>Reply-To:

>To:

>Subject: Re: Stroller or Wheel Chair Advice

>Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 19:45:27 EDT

>

>We have the convaid scout model. And although, it is nice, it is

>cumbersome. Very heavy and awkward to fit it my car. I have an SUV and I

>have to put

>the third seat down in order to fit it -- which means I usually have to

>decide

>between the stroller and how many passengers I take along with me. I know

>it

>will be much too large to take on a plane -- and travel with -- so I'm

>going

>to have to get a backup stroller for that. It was very expensive and the

>medicaid waiver covered it, but I felt guilty when I saw the cost, like I

>was

>wasting taxpayers money.

>

>I was one of those people who approached another family at a theme park who

>had this really neat stroller, and I started talking to the mom to ask

>about

>it, and they had a little boy with down syndrome and we started comparing

>stories and all that, and it turns out that he was also autistic. We, as

>you all

> can imagine, instantly bonded. She lives about 2 hours from me, but she

>doesn't email. So we write about 2x a year. Not enough, but always good

>to

>hear from her. She wrote a month or so after we met and she said that,

>that

>very same day that we met she ran into another family with a little boy

>with

>the dual dx.at the same theme park. She felt it was a sign from God --

>because

>how often does that happen.

>

>PS. Make sure whatever stroller you order that you check the size out

>very

>well. We had an OT come to our house to measure for the proper

>fit,

>and when the stroller arrived at the medical supply store -- it was big

>enough to carry me, and I'm 5'9 " , with plenty of room to grove. We sent

>it back

>and got one TWO sizes smaller. IT's still big.

>good luck,

>patty

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Becky-

Our son, DJ, uses a Zippie wheelchair created for him. Many children with CP

utilize the same type wheelchair. Modifications are made for each individual.

You even get to pick the color of the various parts: color of the base, seat,

etc. His name is boldly stitched on the seat back " D.J. " It takes a bit of

practice to take it apart for transport, but it fits in a car trunk or in the

back of my SUV. It was purchased through his insurance (MediCal here) because

of his heart condition. It suits our needs. I have found Exceptional Parent

magazine's yearly product issue to be a great source for looking for whats

available. Or talk to other parents at gatherings with special kids in

attendance. Also, medical equipment places can help you with ideas about what's

available.

Hugs-

Donnell (mom to DJ-age 11)

Becky Kligora wrote:

Hi Everyone ~

I know there had been discussion in the past about the Maclaren Major

special needs stroller, and we need to buy something for Dylan now. I

am going to try through my insurance and his medical card, but if that

fails I have some funds from our family support $ left this year. My

guess is insurance won't cover the stroller, but possibly a

wheelchair. I'd rather have something not so " medical " looking

though.

What I am wondering is does anyone have anything else - a wheelchair

or a different stroller that they like? Positive and negative

feedback about the Maclaren? I think I remember talking about that

the handles for quite high for pushing it - making it difficult for us

short people

Dylan is 11 and about 72-73 pounds.

Thanks for any advice!

Becky