Any advice?

[tiredmelly]

I have a 2 1/2 year old DS who last year had a verbal diagnosis of GDD. (We are currently waiting for blood tests for fragile x, chromosone tests etc.)

I have started getting a bad back through lifting him often as he is the size of a 4 year old and weighs around 3 stone. He has Pierdo boots and often cannot / does not want to walk long distances but then also does not want to be in a pushchair. Even pushing the pushchair is having an affect on my back.

I was just wondering how you cope with this with your own DC?

Erm I have a 6yo DS2 like this, I use a mac major buggy that is made to carry larger/older DC's with SN. Could you ask your OT to provide you with one? at that size, I would imagine your DS is having the same sort of problems my DS2 did at that age, where he was above the weight limit for a normal buggy, and was 'squashed' into the seat, making him refuse to go in it as it was uncomfortable. The Mac major is designed to hold much bigger DC's, I've even put my 11yo DD in it after she had a particularly bad seizure (she has epilepsy) and I had to pick the DS's up from school. Try through the OT, then let me know, as I actually very rarely use mine now (very good bus service locally, and it's getting too much for me to push as I have epilepsy as well). I think in the last year, I've only used it on 3 occasions, once for DD (who is now too tall for it) and twice in the snow for DS2 due to no buses. I missed out on funding for mine by one point on the OT's stupid scale, so went out and bought one. I was actually pondering whether or not to find someone who needs it more....

Thanks for the reply. We have only seen OT once so far and they discharged him, but after a talk with his physio worker are going to see him in 6 months.

I see the physio tomorrow so will ask her about it. I think we may be outside of the funding if it is on par with other funding limits so would be very interested in your buggy.

Hi tiredmelly. We have a DD who has GDD, epilepsy, and cortical dysplasia. We have been referred for a SN buggy and will be getting a Maclaren Major when we get to the top of the looonnnggg waiting list. I think most people get a Maclaren Major unless they have particular seating and support needs.

So it isn't means tested on income?

I have been in two minds about getting the Mclaren Major fir over a year as I kind of feel like I'd be using it for an easy ride as I see his physical problems as mild but coupled with his behavioural problems and your regular 2 year old behaviour it's just a bit full on - especially with me only being 5ft.

It's not means tested, you just need a referral to wheelchair services ideally. Different areas have different rules about who they will help though.

The physio should be able to refer.

Or the OT - just be aware that the queues are long.

I spoke to the physio today - she is going to speak to OT and sort out the referral for me.

She has said she will also look into completing a sensory assesment for me as I think some of DS's issues could be sensory problems. Feel like I could be getting somewhere today

I second Riven, my DS was a late walker, and STILL can't do stairs at all by the afternoon, he's 6yo now...but I have toys downstairs for him, and I carry him up to bed only, my back is awful now. If you get nowhere with OT, bump this thread and I'll see what I can do.

dd2 is 7 and also in a wheelchair so I second the hoisting!

Its not only your back you have to watch - dh and I both have tennis elbow now, and neither of us plays tennis!