Any thoughts?

I take care of a 7 yr old with CP. She just went to the doctor and weighs #41 and is 36" tall.

This weekend, her baby brother (17 mon.) went to the grandparents so we hung out, just the two of us. YIPPEE - we can go to the pool!! Since it was the two of us and we were going in/out several times, I opted to take her "umbrella" w/c vs. her regular one and drive my car. I was surprised to see that she is right at the top slots on my AIRWAY. It's going to expire soon and another baby is on the way, so our duo days are definitely numbered. However, she is also at the top slots on HER MA (I haven't seen her in it for awhile, but I moved the harness up last spring.)

Here's the problem: They fly frequently (2-3x yr) to visit family out east and they purchased the MA, primarily for use when traveling (she usually rides in her w/c at home). Because of her CP, she can't sit in any seat without a harness, lat. support (or both).

Is there any Airline Approved seat that would be worth the $$ for another few inches or should we just be looking at COLUMBIA? Does anyone know/have link to harness height for the Columbia seat?

The Radian is FAA approved and has slots almost an inch higher than the MA. That has the highest slots that I know of for an airline approved seat. I can't find anywhere if the Safeguard GO is FAA approved, but if it is, that would be a good option, but I'm thinking it's not.

The GO couldn't be used on a plane because it requires a top tether (which is not available on a plane).

Would insurance cover the Columbia?

I don't know the harness height, but I had a 10 yr old I cared for in a Columbia. Private insurance, medicaid, and county or family resources will all provide funding for the seat depending on the need and situation of the family... it also fits nicely in a pogon stroller (oversized umbrella stroller) or on it's own base.

I used the pogon more than the Columbia base because I could use small throw pillows to create lateral supports and the recline on the stroller seat is enough that my little guy didn't tip forward while sitting in the seat.

Tumbleform seats also fit into the Pogon, so he always had oen extra seating option at home - the tumbleform would sit on a recliner in the living room, on the base in the yard, on a regular chair in the kitchen, etc.

kelly said:

The GO couldn't be used on a plane because it requires a top tether (which is not available on a plane).

Click to expand...

Not the GO, the regular Safeguard seat.

lisa2976 said:

I don't know the harness height, but I had a 10 yr old I cared for in a Columbia. Private insurance, medicaid, and county or family resources will all provide funding for the seat depending on the need and situation of the family... it also fits nicely in a pogon stroller (oversized umbrella stroller) or on it's own base.

I used the pogon more than the Columbia base because I could use small throw pillows to create lateral supports and the recline on the stroller seat is enough that my little guy didn't tip forward while sitting in the seat.

Tumbleform seats also fit into the Pogon, so he always had oen extra seating option at home - the tumbleform would sit on a recliner in the living room, on the base in the yard, on a regular chair in the kitchen, etc.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. I was afraid they'd have to head the Columbia way. I can't see spending the $$ for a Radian with only 1-2" of torso growth. She normally is transported in her power w/c, so I don't know if insurance, et. al. will go for a car seat as well. Justification and funding is the next step.

As far as Tumble Forms go, she had a "Special Tomato" seat (same difference) for awhile as a trial and it didn't work for her very well. She needs more lat support to keep her from leaning to far L/R (she doesn't like using a harness at home). Her CP causes her to extend/arch (and even more so when excited or upset), which is why she needs a crotch strap or adductor when seated or she'll submarine right on out.

[She was also one child that it was recommended be turned FF before age 1/20lbs (which she hit at age 2) because she would extend SOOO much and having firm footing just increased her reflex arching.]