ANyone else with SID child have to skip shows?

[taximomfor4]

My 8yo dd (OMG, she turned 9 2 days ago...9yo dd!!) is really, really affected by being too close to too many people. We have learned to just skip MGM completely, because she also doesn't do rides much...besides the few rides, MGM is mostly shows. Well, even WITH the GAC, dd can't last the whole time waiting squeezed into that crowded waiting room for Mermaid.B&B has NOWHERE for her to wait -- we asked all the CMs we could find there, our first MGM trip. Our GAC meant nothing there and the crowd was really, really packed in. We didn't want to wait to go in after everyone, because dd is also vision impaired -- need to get there before the VI seating is full.

Actually, at EPCOT we had the same problem with HISTA. They had nowhere for us to wait out of the mad press of people.

Is mine the only SID kid that just can't see the shows at Disney, because there isn't anywhere out of the crush to wait?

 

[Talking Hands]

You need to state specifically what your child needs to be able to access the show. She cannot tolerate being in an enclosed crowded preshow. Ask for a lead or supervisor if necessary. Sometimes the stamp doesn't explain sufficiently so you have to do more explaining to get the accommodations you need.

 

[taximomfor4]

You need to state specifically what your child needs to be able to access the show. She cannot tolerate being in an enclosed crowded preshow. Ask for a lead or supervisor if necessary. Sometimes the stamp doesn't explain sufficiently so you have to do more explaining to get the accommodations you need.

I will try this year to work up the chain of command. At both B&B and at HISTA, it was quite a battle, I tell you. I have never, EVER seen dd as upset about her "differences" as she was at HISTA. I pretty much wish it wasn't at WDW that she became so aware of what makes her not typical. I was spitting mad, but held it in and tried to get adequate resolution, but ended up writing when I got home. They mailed dd a nice stuffed Marie, btw...I told them I didn't want anything, I just wanted to know that someone HEARD. Oh, Philharmagic we had problems too -- went 4 different days, at different times and 3 out of those 4 days the same CM caused us grief.

I really want dd to see some shows so I will not give up. One of these days, we hope we can get her into the Princess Meet n Greet in Toontown -- that has never been possible. As a matter of fact, her very, very favorite FOTLK has us use the WC entrance and she can't stand that, either -- so we have had to skip that show as well since they stopped directing us to the back entrance (for VIPs apparently).

I am just so sad sometimes. I truly am grateful that her life was spared when she was born (close call)...don't get me wrong...but when her Brownie troop does things, or her school does things, or when her friends are riding bikes, or she has to miss her #1 favorite thing at WDW (the FOTLK), I just want to sob. Heck, I am crying now just typing this out.

Sorry...rambling...feeling at a low right now. I will try to advocate more the next time we're there -- I just dread some of the unpleasant CM encounters I have had. I'll try to remember the great CM encounters instead, to bolster myself.

Beth

 

[dclfun]

Beth- I just wanted to say how sorry I am for what you have experienced. If someone could walk in people's shoes for just one day, they'd be alot more understanding. I can see where it would be difficult, but not impossible, for a CM to assist you at all those shows. There's a place to wait outside in the shade, for instance at the Mermaid show and someone could usher you to the front row seating area before the doors open. While you'd have to pass through a crowd it would only then be for a moment...same thing at HISTA. It would be a no-brainer to bring her to the exit at FOTLK. I'd stop at GS at DAK at least to explain how much that show means to your daughter and insist that she be able to enter this way even if a manager has to meet and escort you back there. This way the arrangements are made beforehand by someone in charge vs. a CM who is rushed and doesn't have the ability to make those kind of changes while the line is building for the show. It's also a shame that we all have to take time out of touring to stand in line to advocate for what we need and then be concerned about the response we will get. It isn't as though in your daughter's case that you are asking for much. I remember the trouble you had before with the visual issues on another trip. I know it sounds cliche, but your daughter will end up being a better person for what she has gone through- SHE will understand and have empathy for others...and that's more of what the world needs. ---Kathy

 

[taximomfor4]

Beth- I just wanted to say how sorry I am for what you have experienced. If someone could walk in people's shoes for just one day, they'd be alot more understanding. I can see where it would be difficult, but not impossible, for a CM to assist you at all those shows. There's a place to wait outside in the shade, for instance at the Mermaid show and someone could usher you to the front row seating area before the doors open. While you'd have to pass through a crowd it would only then be for a moment...same thing at HISTA. It would be a no-brainer to bring her to the exit at FOTLK. I'd stop at GS at DAK at least to explain how much that show means to your daughter and insist that she be able to enter this way even if a manager has to meet and escort you back there. This way the arrangements are made beforehand by someone in charge vs. a CM who is rushed and doesn't have the ability to make those kind of changes while the line is building for the show. It's also a shame that we all have to take time out of touring to stand in line to advocate for what we need and then be concerned about the response we will get. It isn't as though in your daughter's case that you are asking for much. I remember the trouble you had before with the visual issues on another trip. I know it sounds cliche, but your daughter will end up being a better person for what she has gone through- SHE will understand and have empathy for others...and that's more of what the world needs. ---Kathy

Thanks Kathy! I will stop at GS and explain. As for HISTA, we simply won't return there. DD lost her composure while several CMs were arguing about what to do with "that girl." The one wanted to be really helpful and had a plan, but the other didn't approve of the plan. It was just terribly sad, watching dd hear herself talked about within earshot (and in front of other guests)...she just wanted to know why they weren't confused about all the OTHER KIDS.

OT, but you should see her light up when she dances! She competes, catches the judge (or anyone else) looking at her, and just lights up, smiling ear to ear. She doesn't really understand that her good eye is starting to shut off and wander. She doesn't understand that the cyst in her brain will most likely eventually need a very invasive surgery. She does, however, know she is shorter than all the other 9 yr olds she meets (about 46" tall now I think), that she sometimes can't stop shaking, that her elbows are really crooked (cubitus valgus), that her eyes slant a lot, that her eyelids droop a lot, and that other kids her age can ride bikes. That's plenty for her to know -- we try to keep WDW a Happy Place.

 

[dclfun]

Beth-I remember too when you told us she won that competition for dancing. I'm glad your family and daughter are celebrating her accomplishments ( and us too!). I know what you mean about keeping WDW as the happy place. I try to do that too for myself and my family which means that when something spoils that for me, it's devastating vs. just a minor inconvenience and really hurts. That issue I had with the MGM GS CM over my GAC last year is still very painful to recall and I'm easily brought to tears over that one encounter by one nasty and rude CM. ---Kathy

 

[Nik's Mom]

One of my sons has big problem with shows. He loves Playhouse Disney, but I know that show would be a disaster! And after getting a lecture from a cm about how "we can't accomodate you by having a separate waiting area", I didn't even try.

We were on a disney cruise a couple of weeks ago, and my little guy couldn't even do the disney shows on board.