Keeping Our PMD and PMLD Warriors Safe

The door was closed and latched. Tom* had to back up to pull it open. There was a huge noise and he started screaming. His grandmother found him still in his wheelchair, crumpled at the bottom of the stairs.

Every parent of a child with disabilities has a story like this. A near miss or a could-have-been-worse; a but-for-the-grace-of-God moment where their child scared the daylights out of them. All children can be tenacious mischief-makers who are all too determined to get what they want. Our Warriors are no exception.

When it comes to children with disabilities, the importance of creating a secure environment becomes even more crucial. 

Navigating daily activities and environments may pose unique challenges for our Warriors, but with thoughtful consideration and proactive measures, we can empower them to explore and thrive safely. 

Safety on the Stairs

Our Warriors can be ingenious when it comes to getting where they want to go. Tom, for example, often wheeled around the house, his parents encouraging the exercise and the independence of free movement. 

The day Tom fell down the stairs, his family had safety precautions in place. He came away from his misadventures with a few scrapes and bruises, but his determination wasn’t dented at all. His parent said, “The very next day as soon as he was in his wheelchair I watched him proceed back to the door and try to do it again! When I admonished him for it, he just laughed.”

Tom wasn’t being oppositional. Instead, like many special needs children, he struggles to understand boundaries and consequences. Tom’s family installed a deadbolt high up where he could not reach it. They began locking the door to ensure such a fall could never happen again.

More tips for stair safety:

  • If stairs have a door, consider adding a lock that is out of reach of wandering, able hands. 

  • If stairs are open, consider using wall-mounted stair gates both at the top and at the bottom of the stairs.

Safety by the Pool

We are so often proud of our Warriors for their sheer determination, and their dedication to getting what they want. Nick’s family knows this firsthand.

It was a beautiful day and Nick* was outside in his activity chair for lunch. His mother said, “He kept looking at the pool. He loves the pool. The pool was open, but covered and still very cold and not ready for a swim.” 

After lunch, Nick and his mom returned inside, where he had free reign in their safety-proofed home.  Typically, there would be no way for Nick to get back outside. However, the door didn’t latch properly. Nick managed to army crawl his way through the minimally cracked door and made his way to the pool. 

“Our worst nightmare. We thought that we had taken every safety precaution possible. But still the unthinkable happened. I found Nick unconscious in the pool.”

Nick’s mom performed CPR until the medics arrived. He was taken to a nearby children’s hospital, where he spent three months in the pediatric intensive care unit. While the process of brain healing is slow, Nick’s family holds fast to the hope and faith that he will continue to heal.

More tips for pool safety:

  • Consider installing a pool alarm.

  • Ensure fencing around the pool surrounds is separate from your backyard fence to ensure the pool is secured if your child is in the backyard. 

    • Fencing should be at least four feet tall, complete with a self-closing and self-latching gate that opens away from the pool.

  • Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren’t tempted to retrieve them.

Fostering independence while keeping our PMD and PMLD Warriors safe

It is estimated that 131.8 million people (or 1.85% of the global population) require a wheelchair. And for many PMD and PMLD warriors, wheelchairs are more than just transportation. They are chariots of freedom. 

Wheelchairs provide our Warriors with the ability to move independently. Our Warriors can navigate their surroundings, engage in daily activities, and participate more fully in their communities, fostering a sense of autonomy and freedom.

In a world that constantly presents new challenges, ensuring the safety and well-being of children is a top priority for parents and caregivers. 

Stories like these are all too relatable. However, this all means we can learn from them. 

Nick’s mom said, “We never in a million years thought he would be able to get out of the house on his own. When you think you have done EVERYTHING, do a little more.”

Tom’s dad said, “Don’t underestimate their abilities and child-proof your home, especially when they get older. You don’t want to live with the regret of not taking the extra steps to avoid a tragedy.”

Together, let's build a world where every child, regardless of ability, can experience life to the fullest with the assurance of a safe and supportive environment.

More safety resources:

*Names have been changed to respect the privacy of our families.

Blog, PMLDMaureen Ballatori