What would your DC's think about a bag with wheels?

[sananbaz]

Hi, my DS is 9 and has a genetic condition that is not obvious to most people - what you would call an invisible disability. The Occupational therapist has advised he use a school bag on wheels. He is due to start a new school shortly (he doesn't know anyone there), and I'm worried about bullying. What do you think your DC's reaction would be to seeing a new kid with a bag on wheels?
Thanks

[Propertyquandry]

I'm not sure at 9, they'd think much negative at all. They may ask why his bag has wheels but they're far more likely to think it's cool than laugh at it.

[sananbaz]

Thank you! I hope you're right.

[Propertyquandry]

Just asked DS1&2 (14&12). 14yr old said he'd assume the person had problems with their back, 12yr old said it would be cool and is now asking for a bag on wheels for starting back at school on Mon!

[MothershipG]

I tried to persuade DD to get one In Year 7 when she was 12 and she refused on the grounds that no one else had one.

But I think at Primary they are more easygoing so I'm sure he'll be fine. Make sure he is prepared for questions and let his teacher know as well.

[maizieD]

Oh dear.

Cool they might be, and probably an absolute necessity for the OP's son but I hope it doesn't start a trend. School corridors are narrow and crowded enough as it is; someone wheeling a bag behind, or beside, them takes up twice as much space as someone carrying one and it could be a real tripping hazard. Wheeled bags are quite a menace as they are trailed behind their owners at busy railway stations and in airports (where there is far more space available). I think they'd be dreadful in a school.

[useyourimagination]

At 9, does he really, really need a school bag? What does he actually take to school each day. Mine are past primary now but all they ever had was a reading book/record and lots of crap that really wasn't necessary.

[steppemum]

maize - but at primary they don't carry bags round, they bring them in at the beginning of the day and home at the end.

[sananbaz]

Oops, hadn't intended to start a trend, Propertyquandry!!
I see what you mean about space and trip hazard maizieD - i hope it doesn't cause problems. The school have the care plan, so hopefully staff should all be aware. There are other adaptive aids he will use in the classroom, but the wheeled bag will be the most blatantly obvious difference to the whole school. I guess he's at risk of bullying just like everyone else's DC, he just has enough to deal with (and he's still my baby! ).

[LadyPenelope68]

I teach Year 6 and if a child came with a wheeled bag then I'm almost 100% certain the others would be wanting a go at pulling the bag and asking their parents for one. I'm sure there wouldn't be any bullying!

[Propertyquandry]

Sananbaz, don't worry about it taking up space. It's essential for your DS's health and therefore necessary for his education. If he needed a wheelchair, there'd be no question around space, so honestly don't worry about that.

[sananbaz]

In his school bag, so far, he has pencil case X 2 (adaptive equipment), water bottle, lunch, pe kit, school planner, move n sit wedge cushion, reading book, toilet wipes and underwear. The pe kit will spend the day on his peg, lunch box on a rack and the cushion will be on his chair, but the rest he will need with him i'm guessing?

[Lilaclily]

It would be absolutely fine at my school
People might ask just as they ask why such and such is in a wheelchair, such and such sits in a special chair at lunch etc but kids that age quickly accept whatever is going on imo

[Lilaclily]

At ours pencil case lives in tray, pe bag only comes home at half term

[sananbaz]

Thank you LadyPenelope and Propertyquandry, that's reassuring. As it's a new school, I'm not entirely sure how it works - it's a middle school, so 9-13 year olds.

[sananbaz]

Lilaclily, thank you. I know they don't have trays in the classroom, and the pe kit can't be left in school (too many stinky teenagers I guess!). I'm guessing it may be different due to being a middle school.

[user789653241]

Greg in Diary of Wimpy kid use them. My ds would find it cool, since he loves those books!

[Witchend]

There's a lad at ds' (9yo) school who has one which has lights on the wheels. Ds is wild with envy whenever we walk past him on the way into school.
The lad has a slight limp which I can see, but ds has never noticed (that I'm aware of) so maybe similar to your ds.

[sananbaz]

Ooh, I wonder where they got one with lights in the wheels?? We've bought a plain black bag, thinking it will blend in and cause less attention, but maybe bright and obvious is the way to go!

[sananbaz]

My son loves Wimpy Kid too!

[LillyBugg]

In my local shopping centre we have one of those cheap crappy luggage shops but at the moment they've got a huge display of mini suitcase type bags with characters all over them, like the avengers etc. They are really quite small and look nice and light. I would say embrace the bag rather Han try and hide it.

[CrotchetQuaverMinim]

I have a wheeled bag that has hidden backpack straps that tuck away into a pocket when it's being wheeled, and the wheels get sort of covered up when it's being carried. It's not the most comfortable on your back compared to really ergonomic backpacks, which might not be ideal for him if he has problems, but you might be able to find better ones (mine was v cheap). Then he could wheel it on the longer walk like to and from school, but if he was just carrying it short distances between classrooms or in areas with restricted space, it could become a backpack.

[Ditsy4]

I would customise it with Spider-Man or you could photocopy Wimpy Kid onto fabric and stick or stitch on. I think you can get it at Staples it photocopies on and then you peel off the sticky bit and place on. I would probably stitch it around to make it secure or you might have to repeat each term.
It wouldn't be a problem at our school if it has a handle it can go on a peg anyway. Otherwise staff might want it in the room which might be better for him anyway. I have seen a few Secondary kids walking to school with them as they walk about a mile and a half from up past ours into town so probably sensible, easier and better for their back.
You could put lights on it at Christmas a few weeks before the end of term those ones with a little battery.
Tell him to say it is cool if anyone makes fun then they will think they are the uncool ones. If you customise it you might start a trend is he prepared for that?

[sananbaz]

Love the idea of Christmas lights! He's quite a quiet, reserved kind of a chap, so not convinced he'll rock the trend setter role!! Didn't know about the photocopying on to material - will look in to that a bit more, I think!

[Ditsy4]

Perhaps just one Wimpy Kid pic in the middle then. I think it would give him the " cool" factor from the start. I have been looking for you but I can't find one on the Internet so have been looking on Pinterest but nothing so far( did get a bit distracted) I will look again later as I have to go out in 15 mins and not dressed yet!

[sananbaz]

Thank you, Ditsy, that's really kind of you