Due to head over to Soleil Plage on Friday coming, but our daughter (7 years old) has just broken her leg. The hospital have provided us with a wheelchair & walking frame.
We are considering cancelling the holiday since she may struggle to get around and will be watching others leaping about quite enviously. She is normally very active.
We haven't been to SP or the area before, so would appreciate some advice as to whether she will be able to get around ok with a wheelchair and still get involved in some activities?
We have travel insurance so shouldn't lose out too much financially if we did decide to cancel. Obviously we would then have to find something else to do with our 2 weeks off.
Thanks
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Do you know which area your pitch is in ie nearer the restaurant or near the river? It doesn't really matter as the roads adjoining the pitches are Tarmac and the only real slope on site is up to the pool/ shop etc and that would be manageable if you pushed your daughter. There is a kids club on site which does a lot of non physical activities such as arts and crafts. The staff are really lovely and I'm sure will help you all you can. the new shower block in the riverside part would be no problem as it is really open and spacious with no steps at all. Sarlat nearby is pretty flat but obviously very busy on market days.
I hope you do go and if so see you there - we set off on Saturday and will arrive on Monday. Let us know what you decide.
we went over to europe when our son had a huge metal frame on his femur,huge spikes stiking out everywhere.Holiday was less active than normal but he had a good time.Infact i think he liked all the attention.
Our daughter broke her foot about 2 days before went on holiday at about the same age(actually what was bad was that she also ripped off a load of skin and some flesh down the side, it was horrible).
Becuase of the soft tissue injuries she had a removeble cast thing below the knee (as we had to dress it every 2 days). She was on crutches, and we often used a wheelchair for going far. We were staying in a static that time and holiday with inlaws/cousins and grandparents so she still wanted to go.
Yes of course she was disapointed an frutrated at times not to be able to join in everything, but she still ahd a fun time.
What made all the difference was we got a plastic waterproof cast protector for the cast which meant she could have a shower/bath, go in pool and the sea a bit and a waterproof sock, that kept damp and sand out on the beach.
We used limbo cast protector and long waterproof sock. The later would only work for a below the knee cast though 9it's sounding like yours has a full leg cast).
The cast protector was well made and the service from the company was very good, it was delivered next day. Our daughter got surpisingly good at swimming and diving around in the pool :-)
The main annoyance for her was that you can only wear the Limbo for a limited amunt of time (30 minutes?) before taking it off becuse the mositure from your body collect in it and makes the cast damp if on for to long.
We made sure we had plenty of games, crafts and other distactions for when she had to have 'time out'. That we did plenty of things that she could take part in, and made sure the other kids did plenty of things with her she could do as well.
I would say go, she will probably be happier on holiday than at home with new things to do and places to go, rather sad becuase she is missing it at home, and it's surprising what kids can manage to do once they get used to the cast :-)
The only reason I wouldn't go was if for some reason you though that managing the day to day practicalities (living in a tent, washing/toilets, sleeping etc.) would be to difficult. We might have probably struggled in a tent becuase of having to remove and dress the cast, other wise it would ahve been ok I think.
And like I said, kids get used to these things really quickly. Right now it's no doubt painful, she feels it Have plenty is really awkward and clumsy, but she will soon adapt, and the pain will ease. Take plenty of calpol and kids Nurofen though, as being active tends to make it hurt more :-)
Hope you can manage to go, I'm sure you will all still ahve a great time, we did.
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A holiday is still a holiday, and the change will do you all good! As you say, you will have to do something with the two weeks, and sitting at home thinking 'if only we were in France' is probably not conducive to family harmony!
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Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 07/8/2013
What lovely helpful posts!
Definitely, and gives a great deal of peace of mind.
Thank you all for the comments, it really has helped to put our minds at rest.
We have just ordered a couple of cast protectors so she can go in the pools, she's normally like a fish and I think this would have been the biggest disappointment for her.
We've got a bit of juggling to be done to fit the wheelchair & frame in, but that's hardly a big issue when everything is considered.
Just ensure practicalities such as getting up and down caravan steps (we bought one of the Milenco MGI huge double steps hereas OH had a break last year and was worried by the smaller steps) and using onboard toilet and shower are possible, and beds big enough for comfy sleep whilst elevated.
Plenty of ice packs in freezer as well for swelling
I would think the journey will be hardest thing possibly so think about how that could work and obviously ensure you have your EHIC cards and have informed your travel insurance if you have it.
If you decide to go hope you have a great time - lower limb breaks can be strenuous for all concerned!
Quote: Originally posted by The Morans on 07/8/2013
Do you know which area your pitch is in ie nearer the restaurant or near the river? It doesn't really matter as the roads adjoining the pitches are Tarmac and the only real slope on site is up to the pool/ shop etc and that would be manageable if you pushed your daughter. There is a kids club on site which does a lot of non physical activities such as arts and crafts. The staff are really lovely and I'm sure will help you all you can. the new shower block in the riverside part would be no problem as it is really open and spacious with no steps at all. Sarlat nearby is pretty flat but obviously very busy on market days.
I hope you do go and if so see you there - we set off on Saturday and will arrive on Monday. Let us know what you decide.
Regards
Jo
Definitely going now, insurance have been informed. We are booked for the riverside section.
Travel out overnight on Friday and stop near Tours to break the journey up, then continue on Sunday. We're only stopping for 1 week then travelling back up to the vendee for our second week.
Two weeks before our holiday to the Dordogne my four year old was caught by a car as we walked along the pavement on our way to school. Her leg is now badly broken and she is in a full leg cast. We thought France would have to be cancelled this year but the surgeon said that she would be fine to go....
and so here we are in the beautiful Dordogne.
The waterproof cast protectors are great, we put two on at a time (just incase)and she is still having a fab time in the pool and in the dinghy. Last night we went up to the candlelit gardens at Marquyssac with the wheelchair and had a lovely evening.
Have a great holiday,
Julie
------------- May 2013..New England Bay CC
August 2013..Bel Ombrage,Dordogne
I had an accident 2 years ago, I had a really bad break, was non-weight bearing, with a big plastic thing on my leg, (not a boot type thing), on crutches & we went to Normandy via Eurostar so I could sit down in the car & not have to manage a ferry.
Now I'm on a stick & do use the ferries but they do park me near the lift if I tell them at the kiosk when we check in. They put a sticker on the windscreen to tell the deck parking men on the ferry.
In France I was amazed how courteously the people treated me, not once was I pushed, jostled or tutted at. Even now, when I'm much more mobile & just walk with a stick I can walk around the busiest market without being pushed, walk round a hypermarche without having a trolley rammed into the back of my legs & not have to wait at a crossing....now,if only the same we're true for the UK!
So yes, if your daughter's not in too much pain & the hospital OK it, (important for travel insurance - also check with the company, mine were OK with me), then go, enjoy, heal, relax!
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Topic: Broken Leg
