5 year old with asthma

[kinlaw6450]

I have a 5 year old DS with severe asthma. Basically that means that he should not be running around or doing many activities. He still rides in a stroller and is carried alot. He's getting to big for that though!

Anyway, I had a letter from his doc when we went to WDW this past June. The man who gave us the GAC said he didn't want to see it and was very nice. The cast members on the rides however were not. They took one look at the card and then at him (he doesn't "look" sick) and rolled their eyes. As did many people in the lines we were walking through. We heard many what the h*** do they think their doing.

I am taking him, DD and a neice to MVMCP next week for a special christmas present and it won't be so special if he has to spend another night at the Celebration Hospital. That is what happened when he was 3. We thought he could handle standing in lines and ended up getting taken out of the MK by paramedics.

I know this is long and rambling I am just really stressing myself out about this.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm really sorry that you had such bad experiences with other guests at the parks. Some people are very judgmental - we've had people say our DD doesn't look like she needs a wheelchair and she can't even stand or walk by herself! There isn't much you can do about those oafs except hope they never have a child with a health problem because they don't have the patience to deal with it. You know that you need some special accomidation to be able to make your trip work and that is the important part.
The CM's attitude is disturbing though. There are some really great, thoughtful CMs and there are some who are not so great (and here we thought it was because our DD grew up too much to be cute any more). They don't require a doctor's letter (or, like your experience, even wnat to see one) to get a GAC, but they don't hand them out unless you have needs that require one. Once you have one, the CMs you show it to should be treating you with courtesy and knowledge that if you didn't need it, you wouldn't have it. I can't think of any short, witty reply for those cases (something on the order of "Would you like to see the leter from our doctor?"). If there are troublesome CMs, they all have a supervisor and you can always complain about your treatment. Get the name of the CM involved; since the CMs rotate responsibilities frequently at the attraction they are assigned to, the CM doing greeting may be doing boarding or unloading 15 minutes later.

 

[lisapooh]

The guests that are critical ignore. It's none of their business. Castmembers report.

 

[teri]

I just got back, still not quite recovered from my trip. I have an asthma hint for you... take a respirator mask with you for your son to use during fireworks and during the rides that have any smoke or flame for special effects. I used the 3M 8511 respirator mask... got it at WalMart in the paint section. The 'dust' mask isn't enough, you need the one that is for fine mists and particulates. It *definitely* helped.

Take a look at the FAQ, just click on the link in my signature --there are links to threads there about dealing with stares and unsolicited comments.

 

[kinlaw6450]

Thank you all! I am still a little edgy about going through it all again but I guess if he doesn't here it oh well...and I will check into that mask!

 

[kinlaw6450]

I am happy to report that due to Christmas Spirit or whatever is making everyone nicer these days, we didn't encounter any negativity regarding DS and his need for GAC. The cast members treated him like gold as did the people in line (when there was a line). All in all this was a very positive experience.

Also, Teri thank you for the mask suggestion. It worked beautifully and he even kept in on.

Kami

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad to hear things went well for you.

 

[teri]

Welcome back! I am glad that you had a nice trip.

You are welcome... which mask did you end up using?