Not wanting to walk on the ice due to Hypermobility

[babayjane67]

My 9 yr old dd has hypermobility in all her joints but especially the ankles&feet.she does very well now keeping up with her peers running etc although a lot slower&still can't ride a bike without stabilisers.
When it gets icy she gets very worried about having to walk on it.we have about a 20 min walk to school&usually have to leave earlier when it's frosty to allow more time to get there&not have to rush.
This morning it's pretty icy out there.all the snow we had yest has frozen up.sge was very wortied&panicky about walking in it.i asked if any of our friends could take her by car but none could.so in the end I let her have the day off&rang in to say she's ill.
It's the first time I've had to do it&have made it clear to her that we can't keep doing that.
My partner thinks I should have made her walk it.
Anyone else in a similar position to me today or at all ever?
She's calmed down now&is happier.she loves school&hardly ever has time off sick or anything else.

My 10 yr old DD has hypermobility as part of her condition and the snow and ice has been a problem for us too. She's actually got a tummy bug so off school anyway today. She's normally ok if I walk with her on ice or unsteady surfaces - she needs more support than just holding my hand though.

Do you have a GP or paediatric services for her? Perhaps they could help you deal with her confidence with situations like this.

Thanks for yr reply Butterfly.
No we're not under any services now other than Orthotics which we have to see in April again.i will ask him I think if there's anything we can do to help her or he can point us in the direction of someone who can.

Could you not get some type of grips for her shoes? My friend got some after she fell and busted her knee when it was icy. I can definitely empathise with your daughter as I am quite nervous walking on icy surfaces as I have had both knees replaced and quite scared in case I fall and damage them in some way.

Walking poles are the business in icy conditions. Adult walking poles can be adjusted for height of the person so might do your DD. They have various tips, one of which is for icy conditions.

As an adult I use them + snowboots with amazing grips and am fine. The poles give double sided support and balance.

They are often on sale in Aldi and are quite inexpensive, since they will not be used that often.

Just a suggestion.

Look for yaktrax, www.yaktrax.co.uk/ she must not walk on surfaces without snow and ice, or indoor surfaces, so they need to come off on the mat as soon as she enters school or home, they are pretty easy to fit although with hypermobile wrists she could struggle, maybe a teacher could help at the end of the school day, or if you drop off and pick up that's not a problem.

All very good suggestions there Thank you!
With all other things she doesn't let them faze her or stop her from doing them.shes a very determined girl&will try most things but walking in the ice&frost she's never tackled in the same way&always been afraid of bless her.