Dashing off to the dr. for a check up on MY broken foot, which I broke falling off a pyramid in Mexico last Feb.

Anyway I"ve not read all the advice but I'm sure its worthy! But be sure you have a signed letter from your dr. saying he is in good health and able to fly!!!

I almost didn't have this...the last medico I saw told me I would need it and I did. The airlines wanted to see it on my way home. If I had not had it, I would not have been able to fly.

Upgrading to biz is great for him. I'm too poor...but they put me in a bulk head which was not good for me...fortunately the plane was half full...and I moved to the back of the plane and was able to put my leg up on the empty seats!!

He can do it...just depends how dedicated he is to the trip. Also a wheelchair would be easier on YOU too!!!! :)

I agree with the advice to NOT ditch the wheelchair.

Having an athletic dd who has been on crutches for 6 weeks now. It is not easy to get around for long periods of time.

A lot of work.

This is a very good lesson in why purchasing travel insurance is always VERY good idea.

One last suggestion -- have you looked into your credit card to see if they offer any travel protections. (Some do, most don't). Putting off thetrip by a few months would make it much more enjoyable for the whole family.

Doesn't your health insurance refund the cost of renting a wheelchair? Nobody has to pay for using a basic wheelchair in France, even if visiting most other countries.

My health insurance would not cover the cost. They said that she was fine on crutches.

My insurance would not cover a wheelchair, we rented for full price. Blue Cross HMO.

When my older son had an injury, his insurance Kaiser did not cover a wheelchair, only gave a discount.

Well for what it is worth that makes me feel a little better Faina.

At this point,I have to say I wish I bought the wheelchair 6 weeks ago. Now, I keep remaining hopeful she will be walking without crutches at somepoint soon.

Anyway to the OP if you can afford it buy it. And if you cannot afford it you should not be going on this trip anyway ;-)

The site I found renting wheelchairs for 40 euros a week in Paris with online booking doesn't seem to indicate the need for buying a wheelchair for transcontinental travel, especially when it won't be needed after another week or two.

Great idea re the thrift stores.
I would CALL the thrift stores re the available wheelchairs for sale. They usually get snatched up right away. Calling ahead is a good idea.

Just FYI as a tangent, did you know that my mom was wheelchair bound for about 10 years. Most of those years medicare rented & paid for her chair. I was shocked as I knew it was paid for many times over. They would not "buy" it, we checked. No wonder we have problems with medicare.

Bring zipper bags. After I had my knee replaced (age 50)I started traveling with plastic zipper bags to ice down my knee. I would double bag to help with melting ice. Really saved me on the plane (never had a flight attendant turn me down for ice when I explained the situation)and at night after walking around all day. I also agree with the other posters in trying for business class. Being able to stretch out and have your leg raised somewhat really helps with the swelling.

gwen that is an excellent idea. I will do that in the fall with dd for her foot.

Yes,my insurance will cover the cost of the wheelchair..the doctor prescribed it today. Great idea for the ice. I checked out the online stores for wheelchairs you can buy a companion chair for about $200.00. I think we will go to a store and see what is available first. I really don't think we would cancel if we had insurance the logistics of getting a month off of work is not easy and if we were to reschedule who knows what my come up. Dr. said he is fine to fly, unfortunately no business class available on the flight. Maybe there will be some empty seats. Thanks for all the advice, it sounds like we are not the first in this situation.

Since everyone gave me such great advice I wanted to update and tell everyone how it is going on our trip. Great! We took advice and purchased a wheelchair from spinlife.com for 149.00. (it is actually a companion chair it can be pushed but not wheeled independently) It weighs a mere 19 pounds. Luckily the doctor gave the ok for my son to start putting weight on his leg so he is able to get up when we need to carry the chair down stairs etc. We have pushed him all around Paris and now Barcelona with no problem at all. The metro in Paris does require a lot of stairs so for someone confined to a wheelchair it would be very difficult. I suggest the person pushing needs to be in good physical condition as well. My son weighs about 165 pounds and pushing him up some of the streets in Paris was quite a workout. I am so happy we did not cancel our trip. Attitude is everything and with the "we can do it" attitude it is easily done. We did not have to wait in line at the Muse de Orsay, and were lucky to have empty seats on the plane so he could put his leg up. I will post updates along the trip. Barcelona does have elevators in the Metro, I never saw any in Paris but there are some escalotors. Thanks for the advice and encouragement! Hasta Luego

Thanks tbbeach!

It is great to get feedback. Hoping the rest of the trip is fab....be sure to have the crema catalana.

It has been mentioned a couple of times but the one thing I would be the most concerned about is the plane ride. It is long and he has had major surgery traveling a relatively short while afterward. I wouldn't cancel the trip but I would definitely consult with his ortho to find out how to care for him on the long flight.Business class would be ideal because he could elevate. Having that leg down for so many hours will cause him a lot of pain when the plane trip is over. The swelling is still going to be bad anyway and the plane will make it worse.I don't mean to exagerate but I would anticipate a 7 or more hour flight in coach and that leg will just be throbbing half way through if he can't elevate it. I had almost an identical injury two years ago and still swell more on planes than ever before. (though I am in my 40s so that may make a difference)

I agree that you should keep the wheelchair but I would also bet he'll want to use his crutches as much as possible. Is he well practiced using the crutches on stairs? He'll need to be for sure. But he's young and strong and will do just fine. Plus his siblings can pitch in to help! Have fun but please, please consider implications of the air travel.

TTT

Glad your trip is going so well!

It's great you went on that trip! The physical pain will go away, the joy and memories will be with you forever!

Hi tbbeach - glad to hear your son hung in there and you had a good trip. You're an inspiration to us all!

Just wanted to say how sorry I am that your son broke his leg. I hope he manages ok and still has a nice trip.