goofieslonglostsis
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2007
- Messages
- 2,641
Time flies, were already back home 2 weeks. Im a wdw fanatic, love the combo of Disney "done right",Floridian weather and freedoms both wdw and Orlando give me, that arent in daily life. Over the years made special dear friends also. It was long known my situation is progressive and knew we were counting down last years. Last september it sunk in: not years, not even a year till point of no return. Slap in the face but quickly settled back into focus on quality. Did mean though that too much of my to do list would never ben crossed off. Tried to pull of one grand wdw blast but alas.
Enter my friend. Who ignored my "not yet" and signed me up with a wish foundation for terminal immobile people, reckoning it would take time. It did, less than 36 hours from signing up to having the go ahead and all arrangements. Shock! A couple of days belated wel would celebrate my birthday on last time Disney style. DLRP, absolutely no wdw, but Disney and most important; manageble for me to show my nephews D (3) and B(1). This amazing foundation has the mission to fullfil a last wish of all terminally ill immobile folks, regardless of age or wish as long as it can be done. From going to a loved ones burial, go grocery shopping, drive all across Europe to die in ones native country or DLRP. The combination of ambulance and medical volunteers make it possible to do so, even for those needing icu care. Talk about special angels in disguise.
After a long painfull drive and a detour through innercity Paris, weet arrived al Sequoia Lodge, only resort that could still accomodate me last minute. Funny/weird; cm at check in did check in with me on guerney, seen ambulance, got into asking about wish trip etc gives the obviously standard routine when pointing out the elevator. Ehm, they dont fit a large powerchair Let alone us. Oops, cm now gets it and a bit of panic. Who knows why, obviously there are larger options for staff, which they realised a bit later. Settled in and my angels left to their cabin at Davey Crockett, where brother, sil and kids also stayed.
Next day; main park. Drove by ambulance and allthough pakking at DLH is very closeby, too many cobble stones and speed bumps. Lesson learned, walking to the park it is. D hardly knew Disney at all, Just seen Peter pan, and thats it. Loves it from minute one, so off the go to meet winny the pooh while I get my accomodations sorted. While I understood what I was being told, my questions werent due to French cm's english not being strong enough to understand so she got a dutch speaking cm after 15 minutes of her repeating the standard drill I got but no relation to question. With new cm sorted in 2 minutes and some time for foundation pr after questions. One last issue; max number of accompaning people; 4+ me. Explained I understand why and appreciate it, but no "normal trip" , will only ride one ride max anyway and perhaps 2 or so caracter meets and highly value being able to do so as a family of 5 adults, 2 kids and got those folks in ambulance yellow-green with me since I need them, cant kick them out. Cm understood, but would not get the ok from the on duty highest up management. Nop, only foundations we work with. Here that is one: make a wish, whom only do kids. Angels tried, showing the paperwork both foundations are partners but alas. (as a result now working on getting seperate OK)
Turned out no problem, cm per location didnt even ask but "off course, all of you, ". D and B had a blast, being told they decide. Heaven for them and those twinkling eyes for me. After riding Peter pan, my mom tells him he can get a Peter pluche. No grandma, I want that one. Hè picks a Tink. Special moment for all, since Tink has become families symbol for me and my view of life. D knows I will die soon, but nothing about Tink. Also never seen or heard about the Tink tattoo my mom got recently. I think its his general love for princesses, calling her his Princess. No, he tells me, no princess but she is why we are here. Wow, he wasnt told beyond "just" a normal park day but this time I would also be able to go. After 2,5 hours we go back to our resorts for rest. The evening I shop for my Disney christmas addiction while the boys catch up on sleep.
Day 3: back to the main park. More rides, whatever fancies D. He is addicted, asking after waking up right away if please could he go to Disney again. Good boy, grin. I planned on dombo but didnt fancy him. So tea cups it would be. Big eyes; are you going, but you cant? And you dont have to wait? Think he liked that (allthough no bad waits, all rides under 25) Takes some time to get me situated, in come brother, sil and D, rest decide not to ride. He loves it and after ride stops cm asks me if I want to go again. Yes, decides D, thus so do I. Who cares about pain or health when seeing those eyes and smile? Using emh, we already seen the line for princesses being nuts long 90 minutes before opening. We go up to the cm, after all we must have one group picture with a caracter and nephew wants a princess. Sure!Cm appologizes for it not opening for another 5 minutes and we tell him that is common sense. Us moving into alternate waiting has side effects. Within 5 minutes no less than 12 groups add on that until than were doing well in the accessible general line. Lets just say there are still big kinks (partially caused by poor building) in putting together a proper but also fair and balanced accomodation system. Some apparently were foolish enough to play "musical chair" while proclaiming what a great easy to abuse system. Doc-angel respectfully proclaimed his vision and experience and some more magic; proclaiming group dumped chair then and there moving back to general line, some other parties would call eachother on "use where needed, dont abuse".
Princesses made their way over and surprise; we are called in first of the day. D. is jumping from joy but as soon as Ariel got close, he turned into a true Bashfull. ;-) Ariel took all her time with me, but told her D and sleeping B were my main focus. She pulled out all the stops, but too Bashfull. So got or pics and on our way. Racing carts for D, space mountain for sil and nurse-angel after assuring her we would be ok with "just" doc. After that onto the parade. Small one, but we all love it and sitting on the guerney D has the best view in the house. Only 2 hours, but many rides incl repeats and enough. Back to Disney Village for a quick Earl of sandwich/birthday party. Great, but I crash so back it is.
We aim for the big parade at 5.30. We cut it very (too? ) short with medical issues, telling brother to go ahead and we will find them somewhere around the square in front of city hall. Make it with 5 minutes to spare but no room for all where they are standing, offering me front row and they will just not accept when there is space elsewhere. We start to move across square when male cm points us to handicapped seating. Thanks, but know its max 2 persons, I want together and there is space. Nono, go there, its ok. There we meet a cm angel. She speaks Dutch and having read the foundation name on the uniforms knows enough. Before we realise it, she has the whole handicapped seating guests moved around to give me best view and all of us, wow. Bit of a chat about the wish trip, there being a Belgian chapter (her nationality) of this foundation, any fave caracter (D and B are main thing, Ive had my own trips and they are New so not sure about faves). When the music comes on some ladies who were seated stand up, totally blocking my view but are soon pointing out they block and plenty of space, soon solved.
True magic follows. Those with experience know sometimes caracters woosh by but it not being the norm, for obvious reasons. Not for us this time. Pooh and friends were in a Dance routine but all other groups came by. Many times more than 1 caracter per "story" , multiple times all, one even all caracters at the same time, those on floats obviously paying special attention. Beyond words, each and all one on one interaction with both me, D and both of us. He already loved Peter pans pirates but adores them after minutes of paying naughty games like sticking tongues out in your face, making weird faces, "stealing" stuff etc. D was a pinball going from shreaking from pure joy, to being Bashfull so close up to being flabbergasted so many kept coming over. Jackpot! Spent another hour repeating fave rides before calling it quits.
That night would be terror but worth it all. My stubborness and skills from angels got me home safe instead of officially having to go to hospital that night and be admitted. We went expecting to make memories and some difficult moments that come hand in hand. However these angels in green-yellow uniforms took such good care we could Let our gard down (norm is wrong harmfull care within medical field due to unknown of syndrome, so learned soon we must do all self and check professionals). They are so sublime with this work, they felt my wants, needs and where I want to cross a line. Result: all were in the moment when in the parcs. So much so, we all forgot taking pics. No worry, Doc-angel had taken hundreds at all the right, special and so precious normall moments. Seeing it really brought it home; this was the first time in too long many finally were relaxed and just enjoyed without worry, smiling smiles without carrying all the worries on their shoulders. Priceless. Sure some had their moments of wall of but not during, instead during rests, walks back etc. Huge gift to have the park times so pure intense enjoyment and positivity.
The shock of how fast this all went still hasnt fully settled. But boy, what a wish come through. More than I and all hoped or dared dream off. Thankfull my friend was the only one who ignored my request to wait (turned out all adults decided to try and contact a wish foundation without telling the others but respected my "not now"). Back home it became clear that year is very positive and unrealistic. Waiting even another month it would have been to much for me to physically be able to go. Yet another precious part of realising this life long special moment and memories for all. The physical price was and is huge but without a doubt more than worth it.
DLRP is not the easiest Disney location for a wish trip by far, but knowing what it is about it can be done. Ive had plenty of huge magic come my way at wdw over the years. DLRP, lets say you can notice it being French. Knew that coming into it and was main reason along with poor accessibility why I since skipped it in favor of. But so many individual cm's went above and beyond, even if you were to meassure it on the wdw or "normal magic" stick. Wow. When the US becomes a bridge too far and able and willing to work with DLRP options; dont knock it, it could surprise you, esp when having your own proper care/medical team with you. More and more European countries have or are getting their own nationale foundation where ambulance transportation and care is made available for a wish for a terminally ill person with mobility issues aids like wheelchairs cant tackle. Whether your (s) (loved ones) being to go to DLRP or something else; know it is out there and expending as time goes on. Names differ, but almost always have "ambulance" and "wish" in the name in the national language. Its a huge gift to give people and loved ones. We all die some day, many arent very mobile anymore in last months, weeks days or hours, yet many still have some wishes, however small or big. A huge group can benefit, many have no clue yet unfortunately. We are rich, we knew. We feel on of the richest people on earth having been able to enjoy these services. If only one person somehow is gifted the same gift by me sharing my experience and stating more nations are also getting alike foundations, it has been so worth to share. This is an option I wish upon all in their last part of life and their loved ones.
Enter my friend. Who ignored my "not yet" and signed me up with a wish foundation for terminal immobile people, reckoning it would take time. It did, less than 36 hours from signing up to having the go ahead and all arrangements. Shock! A couple of days belated wel would celebrate my birthday on last time Disney style. DLRP, absolutely no wdw, but Disney and most important; manageble for me to show my nephews D (3) and B(1). This amazing foundation has the mission to fullfil a last wish of all terminally ill immobile folks, regardless of age or wish as long as it can be done. From going to a loved ones burial, go grocery shopping, drive all across Europe to die in ones native country or DLRP. The combination of ambulance and medical volunteers make it possible to do so, even for those needing icu care. Talk about special angels in disguise.
After a long painfull drive and a detour through innercity Paris, weet arrived al Sequoia Lodge, only resort that could still accomodate me last minute. Funny/weird; cm at check in did check in with me on guerney, seen ambulance, got into asking about wish trip etc gives the obviously standard routine when pointing out the elevator. Ehm, they dont fit a large powerchair Let alone us. Oops, cm now gets it and a bit of panic. Who knows why, obviously there are larger options for staff, which they realised a bit later. Settled in and my angels left to their cabin at Davey Crockett, where brother, sil and kids also stayed.
Next day; main park. Drove by ambulance and allthough pakking at DLH is very closeby, too many cobble stones and speed bumps. Lesson learned, walking to the park it is. D hardly knew Disney at all, Just seen Peter pan, and thats it. Loves it from minute one, so off the go to meet winny the pooh while I get my accomodations sorted. While I understood what I was being told, my questions werent due to French cm's english not being strong enough to understand so she got a dutch speaking cm after 15 minutes of her repeating the standard drill I got but no relation to question. With new cm sorted in 2 minutes and some time for foundation pr after questions. One last issue; max number of accompaning people; 4+ me. Explained I understand why and appreciate it, but no "normal trip" , will only ride one ride max anyway and perhaps 2 or so caracter meets and highly value being able to do so as a family of 5 adults, 2 kids and got those folks in ambulance yellow-green with me since I need them, cant kick them out. Cm understood, but would not get the ok from the on duty highest up management. Nop, only foundations we work with. Here that is one: make a wish, whom only do kids. Angels tried, showing the paperwork both foundations are partners but alas. (as a result now working on getting seperate OK)
Turned out no problem, cm per location didnt even ask but "off course, all of you, ". D and B had a blast, being told they decide. Heaven for them and those twinkling eyes for me. After riding Peter pan, my mom tells him he can get a Peter pluche. No grandma, I want that one. Hè picks a Tink. Special moment for all, since Tink has become families symbol for me and my view of life. D knows I will die soon, but nothing about Tink. Also never seen or heard about the Tink tattoo my mom got recently. I think its his general love for princesses, calling her his Princess. No, he tells me, no princess but she is why we are here. Wow, he wasnt told beyond "just" a normal park day but this time I would also be able to go. After 2,5 hours we go back to our resorts for rest. The evening I shop for my Disney christmas addiction while the boys catch up on sleep.
Day 3: back to the main park. More rides, whatever fancies D. He is addicted, asking after waking up right away if please could he go to Disney again. Good boy, grin. I planned on dombo but didnt fancy him. So tea cups it would be. Big eyes; are you going, but you cant? And you dont have to wait? Think he liked that (allthough no bad waits, all rides under 25) Takes some time to get me situated, in come brother, sil and D, rest decide not to ride. He loves it and after ride stops cm asks me if I want to go again. Yes, decides D, thus so do I. Who cares about pain or health when seeing those eyes and smile? Using emh, we already seen the line for princesses being nuts long 90 minutes before opening. We go up to the cm, after all we must have one group picture with a caracter and nephew wants a princess. Sure!Cm appologizes for it not opening for another 5 minutes and we tell him that is common sense. Us moving into alternate waiting has side effects. Within 5 minutes no less than 12 groups add on that until than were doing well in the accessible general line. Lets just say there are still big kinks (partially caused by poor building) in putting together a proper but also fair and balanced accomodation system. Some apparently were foolish enough to play "musical chair" while proclaiming what a great easy to abuse system. Doc-angel respectfully proclaimed his vision and experience and some more magic; proclaiming group dumped chair then and there moving back to general line, some other parties would call eachother on "use where needed, dont abuse".
Princesses made their way over and surprise; we are called in first of the day. D. is jumping from joy but as soon as Ariel got close, he turned into a true Bashfull. ;-) Ariel took all her time with me, but told her D and sleeping B were my main focus. She pulled out all the stops, but too Bashfull. So got or pics and on our way. Racing carts for D, space mountain for sil and nurse-angel after assuring her we would be ok with "just" doc. After that onto the parade. Small one, but we all love it and sitting on the guerney D has the best view in the house. Only 2 hours, but many rides incl repeats and enough. Back to Disney Village for a quick Earl of sandwich/birthday party. Great, but I crash so back it is.
We aim for the big parade at 5.30. We cut it very (too? ) short with medical issues, telling brother to go ahead and we will find them somewhere around the square in front of city hall. Make it with 5 minutes to spare but no room for all where they are standing, offering me front row and they will just not accept when there is space elsewhere. We start to move across square when male cm points us to handicapped seating. Thanks, but know its max 2 persons, I want together and there is space. Nono, go there, its ok. There we meet a cm angel. She speaks Dutch and having read the foundation name on the uniforms knows enough. Before we realise it, she has the whole handicapped seating guests moved around to give me best view and all of us, wow. Bit of a chat about the wish trip, there being a Belgian chapter (her nationality) of this foundation, any fave caracter (D and B are main thing, Ive had my own trips and they are New so not sure about faves). When the music comes on some ladies who were seated stand up, totally blocking my view but are soon pointing out they block and plenty of space, soon solved.
True magic follows. Those with experience know sometimes caracters woosh by but it not being the norm, for obvious reasons. Not for us this time. Pooh and friends were in a Dance routine but all other groups came by. Many times more than 1 caracter per "story" , multiple times all, one even all caracters at the same time, those on floats obviously paying special attention. Beyond words, each and all one on one interaction with both me, D and both of us. He already loved Peter pans pirates but adores them after minutes of paying naughty games like sticking tongues out in your face, making weird faces, "stealing" stuff etc. D was a pinball going from shreaking from pure joy, to being Bashfull so close up to being flabbergasted so many kept coming over. Jackpot! Spent another hour repeating fave rides before calling it quits.
That night would be terror but worth it all. My stubborness and skills from angels got me home safe instead of officially having to go to hospital that night and be admitted. We went expecting to make memories and some difficult moments that come hand in hand. However these angels in green-yellow uniforms took such good care we could Let our gard down (norm is wrong harmfull care within medical field due to unknown of syndrome, so learned soon we must do all self and check professionals). They are so sublime with this work, they felt my wants, needs and where I want to cross a line. Result: all were in the moment when in the parcs. So much so, we all forgot taking pics. No worry, Doc-angel had taken hundreds at all the right, special and so precious normall moments. Seeing it really brought it home; this was the first time in too long many finally were relaxed and just enjoyed without worry, smiling smiles without carrying all the worries on their shoulders. Priceless. Sure some had their moments of wall of but not during, instead during rests, walks back etc. Huge gift to have the park times so pure intense enjoyment and positivity.
The shock of how fast this all went still hasnt fully settled. But boy, what a wish come through. More than I and all hoped or dared dream off. Thankfull my friend was the only one who ignored my request to wait (turned out all adults decided to try and contact a wish foundation without telling the others but respected my "not now"). Back home it became clear that year is very positive and unrealistic. Waiting even another month it would have been to much for me to physically be able to go. Yet another precious part of realising this life long special moment and memories for all. The physical price was and is huge but without a doubt more than worth it.
DLRP is not the easiest Disney location for a wish trip by far, but knowing what it is about it can be done. Ive had plenty of huge magic come my way at wdw over the years. DLRP, lets say you can notice it being French. Knew that coming into it and was main reason along with poor accessibility why I since skipped it in favor of. But so many individual cm's went above and beyond, even if you were to meassure it on the wdw or "normal magic" stick. Wow. When the US becomes a bridge too far and able and willing to work with DLRP options; dont knock it, it could surprise you, esp when having your own proper care/medical team with you. More and more European countries have or are getting their own nationale foundation where ambulance transportation and care is made available for a wish for a terminally ill person with mobility issues aids like wheelchairs cant tackle. Whether your (s) (loved ones) being to go to DLRP or something else; know it is out there and expending as time goes on. Names differ, but almost always have "ambulance" and "wish" in the name in the national language. Its a huge gift to give people and loved ones. We all die some day, many arent very mobile anymore in last months, weeks days or hours, yet many still have some wishes, however small or big. A huge group can benefit, many have no clue yet unfortunately. We are rich, we knew. We feel on of the richest people on earth having been able to enjoy these services. If only one person somehow is gifted the same gift by me sharing my experience and stating more nations are also getting alike foundations, it has been so worth to share. This is an option I wish upon all in their last part of life and their loved ones.
