2011 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ, Part II

[SteveTrek]

Yup- I was easily able to copy all of the info from the old thread, but the photo links don't come through intact, so I need to add the pictures back in manually. That's a job for the early morning hours when the house is quiet and I am in the proper state of caffienation.

Yet another reason why I and so many others are indebted to you for all the hard work you put in maintaining this excellent thread.

T-minus 31 days, 22 hours till we leave for Denver International Airport...

 

[TeenaS]

They warned my step dad when he did cyberknife (a form of laser radiation) that his skin might react, sort of like a rash or burn (the radiation breaks down the skin cells sorta) but they gave him a cream to use. He put it on after every treatment just in case but he never showed up with an actual reaction. I can find out what cream he used if you like.

Thanks ... they gave me a cream to use today. Hopefully it will work. The rash doesn't hurt or itch ... it's more like a skin discoloration and the weird thing is that it's way below the area the beams hit.

 

[jenneth79]

Thanks ... they gave me a cream to use today. Hopefully it will work. The rash doesn't hurt or itch ... it's more like a skin discoloration and the weird thing is that it's way below the area the beams hit.

First off Teena, I'm glad to hear the treatments are short and relatively painless!

Does it look like your skin has lost its pigment in the area? I had something similar to that near my injection site, just a circle about two inces in diameter where my pigment just "died" and still hasn't filled in. There were other spots as well along my lymph nodes (Neck and chest) that went back to normal a few months after treatment.

 

[SteveTrek]

With just a few weeks left and everything planned, now all the little things are starting to creep to the fore and bug the *(&*(^ out of me. For instance:

On Saturday 6/4 we have EP scheduled based on touringplans.com recommendations, including a dinner ADR at Akershus for 8:10. Our plan for Sunday 6/5 is to be at rope drop at MK, again based on touringplans.com. We're Catholic and I'm trying to figure out where to fit Mass into this. I'm hoping that we can attend the 6:00 service at Mary Queen of the Universe (6 miles and 15 min away from BCV according to Google Maps), which hopefully will last not much more than an hour, get back to BCV to park our rental car, and walk to Norway in time to make the ADR.

Am I being unrealistic? The alternative is to go to an early Mass on Sunday morning and re-work the MK touring plan for late arrival.

 

[clanmcculloch]

You know I feel like I am in a room with some of the best friends. My husband and I have been debating this with my DH. My doctor is trying to get me a scooter in general and just made me get a handicap tag recently. At almost 33 this is the most depressing thing I have had to face. I lived in Altamonte Springs, FL and was a part of the most wonderful marching band and then was in marching band in college. Years of "spran" ankels has caught up to me. We are finding out that I probably broke my left ankle a couple of times. Now I have bones have connected where they should not have and I have arthritis also. Surgery they want to do but when they start it will have to be done every 5 years on each ankle. I am trying to stretch this out as long as possible. I am a large woman, size 26 and have problems with thyroid and that hads more issues. My DH also a large man has problems with his knee. We have a 12 yr old going on 13 and I was held up with the fact that people will see two fat people in chairs while there son is walking being lazy.
Then last year I did not get any scooters and we only went into a park for a ADR and maybe hit a few things along the way but not much else because we both where in so much pain. Then three days before we left I stepped in a hole beside a sidewalk at the French Quarter and sprang my ankle and killed my knee. I got up the day before we left and got a push wheelchair to go to MK. My little man pushed me over to adventureland with my husband and I hated being a burden to my family. After last year being there for 10 days and only saw about a fourth of WDW in total. I left feeling that I wasted money.
So bottom line, I just booked two scooter with Apple, via earlier posts and I won't care if people think I am lazy or not! I am going to enjoy my vacation and not worry about being a burden on my kid this year.

I'm glad to hear you booked the scooters and recognize that you deserve to enjoy your vacation. Yuu say you were worried about appearances but really, you'll never see these people again in your life. Who cares what they think? What you do need to think about is how you're affecting your loved ones who are with you. Without the scooters look at how much your son missed. Those people who may give dirty looks aren't the ones suffering from the excruciating pain or having to lay down all day after walking for only an hour. They don't live your life or walk in your shoes. They don't matter. This time you will be able to have the trip you want for your son. He desserves that. If you are even once questioning whether or not to get the scooters, think of your son and remember that he deserves for his parents to be pain free (or in less pain if you've always got some level of pain) and able to enjoy the trip with him. Keep reminding yourself of that.

I'm sorry to hear about your day to day struggles. Hopefully your endochronologist can really get things straightened out for you to slow down your progression. Just curious; when testing your thyroid were your parathyroid and adrenals ever tested?

 

[DrMomof3]

Can someone tell me about the kids club at the Beach Club? We have two 7 year olds and a 6 year old and were thinking it would be real nice to have a night out with DH and I alone, but I don't know much about the Kids Club, rules, costs, what it inclues, how to reserve a spot etc.

I have 3 kids and we usually use Kids Nite Out instead of the kids club. My youngest hasn't been old enough for the kids club anyway but I think it's also more cost-effective to use KNO once you have multiple kids. We've used KNO a few times and have always had a good experience!!! Last year the nice woman (SAHM to 2 slightly older boys who does this to earn some cash and get to spend time with younger kids) brought arts and crafts projects. My kids made paper bag puppets and had a blast!!! They were sound asleep when we got back from dinner and were very happy with the experience.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Heather - I'm SO happy to read that you've booked the scooters!!! I know it'll make your trip that much better and allow you to do things that you don't normally feel up to doing. My youngest has mild Cerebral Palsy and we've learned to get his stroller designated as a wheelchair. To the untrained observer he looks like a normal healthy (almost!) 3 year old. And mostly he is. But his wears custom orthotics for a mild foot drop and has low muscle tone. His muscles fatigue quickly and then he needs a break. Without the stroll = wheelchair, I have to carry a 38 lb child around (this happened at the National Aquarium last week). I'm 5'2" and don't particular enjoy carrying around a heavy child, especially in August Florida heat! I'm sure someone has made a snide remark about us "taking advantage" of the GAC by keeping him in the stroller. I'd love for someone to say something to me because I'd be more than happy to explain that my ex-preemie is very high-functioning but still has CP! Having a child with a disability has really opened my eyes to the world and taught me to withold judgment. Nobody but nobody knows what's really going on with anyone else!

Amanda

 

[Marlton Mom]

Hey Heather,

I know it's easy to feel judged but try to keep in mind that it's not important what other people think. Things are the way they are for what ever the reason and sometimes no matter what you do the deck is stacked against you. Please don't get too wrapped up in worrying about other peoples opinions about what you have to deal with. Concentrate on the fact that there are MORE PEOPLE who understand and get that everybody has their own challenges and are Supportive rather than negative.

The smart people realize that the best thing thing to do is to be supportive and loving towards everybody regardless of their differences. Mentally "live" there and not in the negative! There will always be idiots. Ignore them and come hang out on the brighter side of life.

You do what ever you have to do to have the best trip possible, even if that means Everybody gets a scooter!!!! Lol..... and besides, then you can have races in the parking lots ; )

MUCH LOVE!
Marlton Mom

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Unfortunately people don't think and say whatever they feel like saying.

It happened to us last summer.

As almost everyone on this thread knows, our dd broke her leg the beginning of last summer. She was in a long leg cast for 8 weeks and had surgery to put in screws. She got her cast off two days before we left for Disney. The orthopedic doctor told us the only way we could go to Disney was for her to use the wheelchair and crutches.

The very first day we were in MK some woman made the remark, loud enough for dd to hear, "look at that girl using the wheelchair to get to the front of the lines. Nothing wrong with her". DD didn't tell us until we were out of sight or she would have heard an earful from me. DD was so upset.

It makes me crazy. We were lucky that dd's situation was temporary. Despite popular opinion a wheelchair DOES NOT GET YOU TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE. Also, dd could have had a heart condition or any other number of medical problems without looking like she needed to use the wheelchair.

Bottom line - do what you need to do and don't worry about anyone else!

 

[Sinderelly]

I can see there are some activites being planned from the social closet. Scooter races!

When I had my foot surgery I had to use a scooter or not go anywhere. It felt alot better to use the scooter! I did notice there were some that gave me some "dirty" looks after my cast was off but I had nothing but positive reactions when my cast was on. It seems people have the opinion that if they can "see" your disability it's okay. I have the opinion that you should use whatever you need (scooter, wheelchair, stroller, walker etc) to make your trip with your family enjoyable!

 

[TeenaS]

First off Teena, I'm glad to hear the treatments are short and relatively painless!

Does it look like your skin has lost its pigment in the area? I had something similar to that near my injection site, just a circle about two inces in diameter where my pigment just "died" and still hasn't filled in. There were other spots as well along my lymph nodes (Neck and chest) that went back to normal a few months after treatment.

It's weird. It starts about an inch below my breast and it goes all the way down to my waist. Width wise it's probably 5 inches -only on the right hand side. It sort of looks like a light bruise or a blotchy tan area. Nowhere near the area where the beams are. Just a large area on the right that is a different color than the rest of me. Started right after first treatment and it's still there. Doesn't hurt or itch and you can't feel a thing. It's got everybody stumped.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I totally agree with what you are all saying about strollers/wheelchairs. We had our 10 year old in a rental stroller for a good portion of our recent trip because he had such a bad cough. Whenever he walked for any period of time he started coughing like crazy again. We put him in a stroller and he barely coughed. Helping him stay hydrated and less fatigued really helped so he didn't have to spend any more time in the villa than he had already. He's a very small ten year old (about the size of an eight year old) but I still felt like everyone was looking at us!

Also, both of our boys have autism and sensory issues. Our younger DS who was 6 on our April/May 2010 trip spent almost the whole time in the stroller. He looks completely typical, until you see him have a meltdown. He was effected so strongly by the heat on that trip - the stroller really made a big difference for him.

We also used to use the "stroller as wheelchair" option when our oldest was little and handled the lines much better in his stroller. He was a big flight risk at the time too...

So my thought it to just do what's best for you & your family... everyone else will get over it!

 

[heatherbabydoll1]

Like I said I feel like I am with the most supportive loving friends! My DS told me last night "thank you" for getting the scooters. He said that now we don't have to stop so much! I did not relize how much us walking and stoping all the time to rest affected him.

Any ideas if I have to tell my DS early that we will be staying at the BC how to do it? Any ideas would be great!

Also I thought it would be fun to have a trival scavenger hunt on the day we stay at the hotel (just in case it is really cold for to much time in the pool). I would love any fun trivia questions. I know one would be about the third eleveator being a telephone spot. I can write that like:
what is the "special elevator"?

Or something like that

 

[creativeamanda]

You know, Heather--

I am so happy you made that decision. I've thought over and over about the year I was at Disney with a heck of a bout of plantar fascitis (the same time I met clanmcculloch), and how swollen my feet were at the end of that week. Turns out, I had walked so much, I had a stress fracture! I should have bucked up my pride and called and rented a scooter, but I was worried about what others thought. Had I just said the heck with em, I am certain I would not have been in the pain I was for the next 6 months afterwards. Never be afraid to admit you need help. And if someone gives you a dirty look, just smile and go on.

Amanda

 

[clanmcculloch]

You know, Heather--

I am so happy you made that decision. I've thought over and over about the year I was at Disney with a heck of a bout of plantar fascitis (the same time I met clanmcculloch), and how swollen my feet were at the end of that week. Turns out, I had walked so much, I had a stress fracture! I should have bucked up my pride and called and rented a scooter, but I was worried about what others thought. Had I just said the heck with em, I am certain I would not have been in the pain I was for the next 6 months afterwards. Never be afraid to admit you need help. And if someone gives you a dirty look, just smile and go on.

Amanda

I really don't remember you being in pain. You didn't let on at all. I hope we didn't rush you to Soarin'. We would have gladly slowed down for you. I have no idea how you're doing your running with PF. I'm even more impressed by you than I already was. I wonder if at any point I'll be inspired enough by you to try running? Hmmm..... I think it'll be tough. I have no idea how to develop a love of physical activity. I wish I did. You'll need the share your secrets. You are definitely inspiring.

 

[heatherbabydoll1]

You know, Heather--

I am so happy you made that decision. I've thought over and over about the year I was at Disney with a heck of a bout of plantar fascitis (the same time I met clanmcculloch), and how swollen my feet were at the end of that week. Turns out, I had walked so much, I had a stress fracture! I should have bucked up my pride and called and rented a scooter, but I was worried about what others thought. Had I just said the heck with em, I am certain I would not have been in the pain I was for the next 6 months afterwards. Never be afraid to admit you need help. And if someone gives you a dirty look, just smile and go on.

Amanda

OMgoodness now I feel like such a bad wife! My DH was told last year he had plantar fascitis. I thought it was no big deal and I get so upset when I try to walk the walmart and my DH always gets the evc when I suck it up because I see the elderly with cains and I don't want to hog one when a little old lady might need one. So last year I got ticked off that he would sit and I would be willing to walk a little bit farther. Wow, now I know on top of my DH bad knee this is another real problem. OK I got it he is not a big baby!

 

[creativeamanda]

OMgoodness now I feel like such a bad wife! My DH was told last year he had plantar fascitis. I thought it was no big deal and I get so upset when I try to walk the walmart and my DH always gets the evc when I suck it up because I see the elderly with cains and I don't want to hog one when a little old lady might need one. So last year I got ticked off that he would sit and I would be willing to walk a little bit farther. Wow, now I know on top of my DH bad knee this is another real problem. OK I got it he is not a big baby!

It can be very painful--I now do my exercises regularly. I intend to walk during this trip, but only because I've been in the gym regularly and noe have orthepedic inserts to help with the walking. But I would not hesitate to get a scooter should my foot start hurting.

 

[creativeamanda]

I really don't remember you being in pain. You didn't let on at all. I hope we didn't rush you to Soarin'. We would have gladly slowed down for you. I have no idea how you're doing your running with PF. I'm even more impressed by you than I already was. I wonder if at any point I'll be inspired enough by you to try running? Hmmm..... I think it'll be tough. I have no idea how to develop a love of physical activity. I wish I did. You'll need the share your secrets. You are definitely inspiring.

I met you early in the trip and I really was not in a lot of pain. But by the last day of the trip, I was in enough pain that I bought stuff to wrap my foot from the hotel (you can only imagine the cost). It was in October when I was having another foot problem that could lead to worse problems that he told me, "Amanda you know we (his family) love you. You are going to continue in pain if you don't do something." So I did. I weighed 195 pounds in October. Today, I'm down to 165. I started not running, because I didn't want to put more pressure on my feet. I began lifting weights. I go to the high school weight room (dh has a key) and a college student studying to be a personal trainer started me on a lifting program. In January, I started running more, and in March I did my first 5K. I'm registered for the Wine and Dine 5K in October, and it's to celebrate my one year of making a change.

I never loved physical activity, but I started trying and was really surprised about how good I felt afterwards (those endorphines, ya know). In fact, the trainer told me a month ago, "You know, I didn't think you would stick with it after the first day."

My answer to him, "I knew you thought that, even if you didn't say it then. I was going to prove you wrong."

 

[Kona65]

It was a great place to have DH take the kids in the quiet pool while I did laundry. We would get a table and have coffee or such while the laundry was getting done.

Okay, stupid me, I thought the quiet pool was for adults only. That way you could get away from the noise and splashing you get at SAB.

 

[WsPrincess]

Wait, I am confused, can anyone use the quiet pool? I was thinking it might be a good start for the kids if they can't handle SAB. Am I wrong?