dreamsofdisney
Still has a little Mickey Dust sprinkled on her de
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2006
- Messages
- 544
As we count down the days until our much-anticipated trip to WDW, I thought I would take a few minutes to post this in the hopes that it might increase awareness for my fellow DIS fans.
Maybe youll see us this July. Youll look over at the roped off section for Its Tough To Be A Bug, or Muppetvision 3D and see a Mom, Dad and teenage boy standing in the wheelchair accessible section. Or well be walking down the EXIT ramp at Its A Small World. Maybe youll roll your eyes and wonder why were trying to cut the line when were obviously not using a wheelchair. Perhaps youll see us going through the Fast Pass lane with a different looking card instead of Fast Pass tickets and think to yourself What makes them so special? or say, Must be nice! with a sarcastic tone of voice. After all, you cant see any reason why we should be allowed to have a shorter wait. All children hate waiting in lines!
Let me introduce you to my family. Im a 30-something-year-old Mom who recently married a wonderful 30-something-year-old man. Together, we are raising my bright and challenging 13-year-old son. My son is growing taller than me by the minute, has a deep love for Disney and Star Wars, a quick wit and great and sense of humor. He also happens to have Autism. You cant see his Autism, but he lives with it every day. There are daily struggles to understand basic social interactions. He often responds inappropriately in social situations. He might yell out something, speak too loudly, or growl and say something rude if hes feeling anxious. Hes been known to get very upset if he perceives people to be talking about him (although theyre probably not) or if he thinks theyre standing too close. You might see him talking (at length!) about the ride were about to go on. Many children with Autism can talk! But the slightest thing can set him off and we might need to make a break for the nearest exit. The long lines and close proximity to large groups of people is just too much for him. Wed love to be able to go during a less busy time of year, but he cant afford to miss any therapies during the school year.
My son works very hard all year to get through the little steps that your child takes for granted. There are no play dates after school to ride bikes with the kids down the street. No lacrosse games or soccer tournaments. No ballet recitals or band concerts. No school dances or sleepovers. (Although some children with Autism do have these wonderful experiences, they are not feasible for my son.) Instead, he has Speech and Occupational therapies, countless doctors appointments, and attends a special school with social skill training groups and intensive, individualized education. Every vacation our family has taken this year has ended in tears after the stress of change has proven to be too much for him, and hes had more meltdowns than I care to count. Our annual Disney trip is the one time that my son gets a break. Where he gets to be treated a little extra special and has his moment of magic.
So when you see us (or someone like us) on your next trip, please remember that you dont know what its like until youve walked a mile in someone elses shoes. And take a moment to appreciate your child and all of his or her special gifts. I know Ill be doing the same with mine!
Thanks and have a Magical Vacation!
Maybe youll see us this July. Youll look over at the roped off section for Its Tough To Be A Bug, or Muppetvision 3D and see a Mom, Dad and teenage boy standing in the wheelchair accessible section. Or well be walking down the EXIT ramp at Its A Small World. Maybe youll roll your eyes and wonder why were trying to cut the line when were obviously not using a wheelchair. Perhaps youll see us going through the Fast Pass lane with a different looking card instead of Fast Pass tickets and think to yourself What makes them so special? or say, Must be nice! with a sarcastic tone of voice. After all, you cant see any reason why we should be allowed to have a shorter wait. All children hate waiting in lines!
Let me introduce you to my family. Im a 30-something-year-old Mom who recently married a wonderful 30-something-year-old man. Together, we are raising my bright and challenging 13-year-old son. My son is growing taller than me by the minute, has a deep love for Disney and Star Wars, a quick wit and great and sense of humor. He also happens to have Autism. You cant see his Autism, but he lives with it every day. There are daily struggles to understand basic social interactions. He often responds inappropriately in social situations. He might yell out something, speak too loudly, or growl and say something rude if hes feeling anxious. Hes been known to get very upset if he perceives people to be talking about him (although theyre probably not) or if he thinks theyre standing too close. You might see him talking (at length!) about the ride were about to go on. Many children with Autism can talk! But the slightest thing can set him off and we might need to make a break for the nearest exit. The long lines and close proximity to large groups of people is just too much for him. Wed love to be able to go during a less busy time of year, but he cant afford to miss any therapies during the school year.
My son works very hard all year to get through the little steps that your child takes for granted. There are no play dates after school to ride bikes with the kids down the street. No lacrosse games or soccer tournaments. No ballet recitals or band concerts. No school dances or sleepovers. (Although some children with Autism do have these wonderful experiences, they are not feasible for my son.) Instead, he has Speech and Occupational therapies, countless doctors appointments, and attends a special school with social skill training groups and intensive, individualized education. Every vacation our family has taken this year has ended in tears after the stress of change has proven to be too much for him, and hes had more meltdowns than I care to count. Our annual Disney trip is the one time that my son gets a break. Where he gets to be treated a little extra special and has his moment of magic.
So when you see us (or someone like us) on your next trip, please remember that you dont know what its like until youve walked a mile in someone elses shoes. And take a moment to appreciate your child and all of his or her special gifts. I know Ill be doing the same with mine!
Thanks and have a Magical Vacation!
. She doesn't experience the typical joys of childhood that you expressed either. 
