BroganMc's Live Blog from Disney

[BroganMc]

Hey everyone,

Since Grandpa Mohawk is outa action this trip I thought perhaps I'd take over the center stage for awhile. After all, between my many trips and calls to the hospital, I am still doing Disney.

So where have I been? Well last Sunday I checked into the BWV for my first stay there ever. After all those SSR vs. BWV/BCV wars of a year ago I had the aching desire to see what the area was truly like to stay overnight.

I showed up at 5pm and instantly needed lots of help. GM didn't exactly leave me in the most independent position once he took his fall. I had his scooter in the middle of my van, had hit the mother of all potholes on the entrance road to Disney and half the stuff GM piled on the backseat had fallen all over the floor. My van is a specially adapted kind with a transfer driver's seat that slides back to the middle of the van for me to get in and out. So I needed help clearing the junk out before I could even get out of my car.

I drove up and met a very nice valet named Jose. He's 20, just graduated with an EMT degree and has only one more month on the job. I thought he was a bellhop because he not only got my dad's scooter out of the fan, he also loaded up the luggage cart and tagged it all for me. Then he got me permission to park right up in front of the building where the valets usually park cars called for or maintenance equipment.

Next I went in to the Front Desk and met a DVC member turned cast member named Susan. Told her my woes of the day and that I might need a little extra help getting settled into my room. She ended up telling the manager Simon Van Stetten and from then on BWV started treating me like a family member.

My room was on that floor (the Boardwalk view but with the high wall) and I did need some extra help. Maintenance came to lower the bed. (Instead of the HA 20" bed it was a standard 26" bed.) Housekeeper Helen brought me a shower stool, lengthened it so it was just the right height and put the showerhead down so I could use it.

I had to jet back over to the hospital as I had left my dad in the ER, and by the time I got back it was 11:30pm. Simon and Susan were there to greet me and get the word my dad had broken his leg. I told them I hadn't eaten all day and needed to get out and grab something before everything closed. But instead Simon walked me back to my room, helped me setup my laptop and wheelchair charger and treated me to some room service for the night.

I opened the balcony door so I could go to sleep and wake up to the sounds of the Boardwalk music.

....

Monday I woke up, called my dad and we agreed I should go do a little something. I ended up eating breakfast on the Boardwalk and walked over to EPCOT to ride Soarin'. I can transfer myself just fine to the ride seat but I did get a little help from the guest next to me (a lady from Texas) in fastening my seatbelt. I had her and her family looking for the hidden Mickeys during the ride. By the time I left, I called Dad and he was missing me. So I ended up spending the rest of the day at the hospital. This was the day he ended up having surgery and the first heart issue. I got back to BWV around midnight-1am. Simon was waiting for me along with Helen the Housekeeper. They heard my story of woes and Helen walked me back to my room to tuck me in for the night.

...

Tuesday was spent with an earlier trek to the hospital and a bit of family drama as we figured out what happened to my dad exactly. My siblings each have varying degrees of guilt (at not being able to spend enough time with my dad) and jealousy (of my spending so much time with my dad). By the time I left that night, my dad was settled in his room, back to normal on bed rest for another day and my brother had arranged a carousel of siblings to fly down and take care of him. Yes, there was a bit more drama for me in that regard. My siblings and I are in conflict over the man.

I went back to BWV early that evening, spent some time on the net paying bills for myself and my dad and then went over to the F&W fest for the night. Had some great food in Greece (a spinach and cheese pastry), Ireland (hot potato leek soup), San Juan (a steaming hot beef, cheddar, egg souffle) and Poland (keilbasa and periogies). I was heading to a fireworks spot when I saw a couple with the husband in a wheelchair. They had never seen the fireworks post-wheelchair so I escorted them over to the wheelchair spot by the head of F&W. Sat and watched the Illuminations which is great but made me a bit emotional with the worry over my dad. By the time they got to the part of singing "We Go On", I was balling my eyes out. Then wiped my tears away and chatted with the post-fireworks revelers. Spent another hour walking along the waterfront and enjoying the night air. Saw the end of Underdog at the BCV beach movie. Learned more than I ever wanted to know about pearls at the Pearl Factory. And met a couple of college CMs walking along the Boardwalk.

....

Wednesday I had to move out of BWV and check in to SSR. Simon had coordinated with Jason at SSR and smoothed everything for the transfer. Jose was even there to help me load up my van again. In this case Disney did so much better than even my family in providing help. My brother had flown in that morning and went directly to the hospital. We kept crossing wires throughout the day so it was a bit more conflict for me than expected.

I managed to keep my flower arranging class that day. Made a lovely pumpkin display at SSR's Community Hall. Checked into my room and housekeeping helped me unpack the perishables to stock the kitchenette. I had them removing furniture I didn't need. Lowering showerheads and setting up my suitcase.

...

Thursday was my dad's surgery so I didn't do much of anything at the resort. He did fine though and my other brother arrived in town later that night.

I'll continue the rest later. Right now I'm taking my cousin out to dinner at the Grand Floridian.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Great blog! Hope GM feels better.

 

[PutnamDS]

Whew, BroganMc - I am tired just reading all you've done. It sounds like everything was pretty fine at BWV. Makes me want to try it, if I can drag myself away from my home resorts (AKV and SSR).

Hope your Dad is "on the mend" and that you can continue to find some joy during this trip.

I look forward to hearing more.

deb

 

[CarolA]

Oh Dear!

This sounds so stressful.

I will have to go hunt down the rest of the story! Take care of yourself!

 

[twinklebug]

So glad you've found the true magic of Disney is in the wonderful CMs who work there (they'll all tell you it's NOT for the money LOL!)

I'll be watching for more updates... to you and your dad.

 

[AllyBri]

The Disney Angels are keeping a good eye on you.

Tell Dad to keep feeling better. I hope he gets to spend some time with you at Saratoga.
Brogan Mac, you deserve a lot of credit.

 

[BroganMc]

Where was I?

Oh right, Thursday. Well Thursday just happened to be my birthday as well as the day of my dad's surgery. There was a bit of controversy Wednesday since the cardiologists cleared him for surgery but the surgeon played a bit of scheduling juggling. He could do the surgery Thursday night (the same scenario as Monday when my dad's energy is notoriously low) or Friday morning (meaning one more day just lying in the bed with a broken leg). Then the surgeon came up with an opening Thursday morning but my dad hesitated and wouldn't tell my brother why. Later when we were alone he confessed he was hesitant to spoil my birthday in case something went wrong. Turns out his heart did just fine throughout and he was a model patient. I prefered he go ahead with the surgery anyway certain I'd be able to relax and enjoy my birthday more knowing he was on the mend at last.

Well that would have been fine except for my brother's presence. Seems there are some deep underlying conflicts between my siblings and I (notably one brother). We ended up in a long "discussion" the night before my dad's surgery and I was more than a little wiped by the next afternoon. So with my dad resting comfortably, the other brother in town while the debater heading home, I tiredly drove myself back to SSR and promptly to the Concierge desk. I had already cancelled the Cinderella Castle dinner the night before. Next I resheduled the Halloween Party for that night. I ended up spending the evening talking to my sister on the phone while waiting for my cousin to get into town.

I must commend SSR's staff for salvaging something of a good day out of it for me. The manager arranged a little surprise for me in the room. I walked in (alone) and found the room filled with balloons, flowers and gifts. I do love this place.

....

Friday was a very positive day. My more goodnatured brother was in town along with my cousin. My sister was due to arrive that morning. My cousin and I got up and marched down to AP to refill our mugs and bring back breakfast while my brother dressed. My dad started his PT and got to walking again. My brother got my sister from the airport and we all ended up meeting at the hospital where I walked in and was surprised with my dad in a chair (first time in 5 days), a birthday cake and a serenade of "Happy Birthday".

I'd been in full throttle caretaker mode all week so when my sister told me to just go have fun with my cousin and she'd take care of things I couldn't believe it. My cousin and I ended up going to MGM. I beat him at Toy Story Mania though he gave me a good run for my money. We rode Tower of Terror, me getting shakier every second we got closer to it. My cousin loved the theming of the ride so we took a very loooooong time through the queue with him taking pictures and me getting more scared. It was great. I'm terrified of falling but this ride has a way of pushing me past my limits and getting me used to not being in control. I call it "clearing the sinuses". After that, we went to see Fatasmic and I checked in with Dad. He had walked again and was doing his bed exercises with my sister.

The PT's were very encouraging about his progress and predicted he'd only need a few days rehab. If he can walk 150 feet he's too good for in-patient rehab. So we started envisioning him doing rehab at the place down here and then possibly coming back to SSR before flying home next weekend.

My brother, sister, cousin and I met back at SSR that night and walked over to Raglan Road for some pub food and drinks. It was open seating so we ended up picking a table in the back where the staff had left a bunch of salt-n-pepper shakers. Never ones to be bored, my brother and cousin began inventing games to play with the shakers. I have no idea what the rules were but I think I won one. We toasted my mom and grandmom (the Irish members of the family who passed on before the pub opened) and settled into chatting. Invariably the discussion turned a bit serious and my brother and I "talked" about some of the conflicts. But the positive of all that is that my brother is finally realizing why I said a summer trip was not the best idea for our dad. Older folks with high blood pressure and cardiac issues do not fare best in heat & humidity of a Florida summer.

We walked back, hung out at the Congress Park pool and talked a bit before crashing in our room.

....

Saturday started on a good note. I woke up first, called Dad and found him chipper and eager to get going. My sister wanted to print her boarding pass for her evening flight and do a little shopping in DTD. So we got up and left. My sis even had them printing up a form from her work site. We took the West Side route, both bemoaning she hadn't known to take that path when we stayed last October and she & her hubby went to dinner at House of Blues.

On the way back we thought we'd check in with Dad again. That's when we learned he tried to show off doing his PT and overdid it. He ended up with A-Fib and bedrest. More drama for my sibs and I. My cousin wisely stayed out of it as we all raced back to the hospital. I spent my day hunting down doctors, nurses and social workers to find out exactly what was happening with my dad. I'm sure the cardiologist who found me hunting him down outside the bathroom thought I was insane, but I swear I was very polite but diligent. Turned out everyone just thought my dad had overdone it too soon and nothing big came from the A-Fib.

Still my sister started planning for my dad to be in rehab for 3 weeks and possibly have heart surgery. She tends to not be an optimist. My dad just wanted to concentrate on the next day and no longer.

My throat had been hurting me all day so with my dad settled in bed for the night, I finally just left my sister and brother in charge early evening and went back to SSR. Again I rescheduled the Halloween Party tickets, this time via my cousin and for next Friday. I was exhausted so after grabbing some dinner to eat at the Congress Park and do laundry, I crashed at the room.

My sister flew home. Apparently I spent my night shushing my brother and cousin. All I know is I was exhausted and had a huge headache.

....

Sunday

Apparently I also had a fever. I woke up in a cold sweat this morning. Dragged myself off to the shower, dressed and decided I needed some fresh air. I left my brother and cousin configuring their laptops so my dad could watch the football game at the hospital.

I went off to AP for some breakfast on the terrace. Filled up my mug with hot chocolate and then took a walk through DTD. I was feeling the need for a little TLC so picked up a stuffed Pooh bear in his sleepshirt and hat. Came back to SSR and promptly crawled into bed to watch Mulan movies on my computer.

I had called my dad first thing in the AM and told him I wasn't feeling well today and wouldn't be at the hospital to protect him. Instead I called throughout the day. He always seemed to be busy doing stuff. He had a good PT session, sat up in the chair today and was cleared to fly by his doctors.

Tonight I felt well enough to take my cousin out somewhere. So we went to Grand Floridian to eat at the Cafe then watch the EWP and Halloween fireworks from the ferry dock.

I started feeling a bit pooped after that so headed home to SSR again. En route my sis called. Apparently she has strep throat and wanted me to know I may too. Yup, my week's going great, eh?

Well now I'm settling in bed again with my Pooh Bear and a double feature of Pocahontas 1 & 2. Tomorrow is a new day.

Meanwhile I still don't know when my dad will get released or where he'll go. I also have a sneaking suspicion my troublesome brother is planning another barrage of siblings flying down to "help" us. My dad's still planning only the next 12 hours. Tomorrow the PT's plan two sessions of therapy. Hopefully no more complications pop up to set him back again.

 

[Pootle]

An interesting account of a very stressful time for you. Glad to hear you did manage to get some enjoyable Disney time too and congratulations on doing ToT . Best wishes to you and GM.

 

[gk90]

Sending "strep throat stay away" vibes--that's the last thing you need right now. Also "troublesome siblings stay away" vibes, and best wishes for GM's smooth recovery.

 

[BroganMc]

Good news. I wake up this Monday morning and my throat actually feels better. I'm doubting I have anything more than a stress cold that is getting better. Now just crossing my fingers my dad has a successful day of PT.

Oh btw, my bed at SSR is verrrrry comfortable. Mattress is just the right balance of firm and soft and at a perfect 20" height. I also brought along my own blanket (a dorm down-substitute lightweight comforter) that is the perfect shade of green to blend with the SSR decor. I find bringing a few creature comforts helps bring the home to travel.

 

[jekjones1558]

I don't know where you get your energy! I had been reading your blog and the other thread, but seeing it altogether in this thread makes my head spin. No wonder your resistance is down and a bug has hit you. Here's hoping you and GM have turned the corner and only good things from here on out. We will be at SSR tomorrow and looking for you. It will be our first stay at SSR, so if we cross paths I will undoubtedly be lost (no sense of direction) and you, as an SSR vet, can steer me straight.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good news. I wake up this Monday morning and my throat actually feels better. I'm doubting I have anything more than a stress cold that is getting better. Now just crossing my fingers my dad has a successful day of PT.

Oh btw, my bed at SSR is verrrrry comfortable. Mattress is just the right balance of firm and soft and at a perfect 20" height. I also brought along my own blanket (a dorm down-substitute lightweight comforter) that is the perfect shade of green to blend with the SSR decor. I find bringing a few creature comforts helps bring the home to travel.

Great!
Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

I hope you are fighting off those strep bugs and getting healthy! Don't want to share that with your recuperating Dad. It sounds like you have settled into a routine anyway. Here's some more prayers for you and your Dad.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Maintenance came to lower the bed. (Instead of the HA 20" bed it was a standard 26" bed.)

I will be staying at Boardwalk Villas later this year. On previous trips (staying in a 'handicap accessible' room) I have had difficulty transferring from my wheelchair to the bed, because the bed was much too high for a sliding transfer. I would guess it was a standard 26'' bed. I even manage to end up on the floor one night and RCFD had to come out to lift me back onto the bed!!!

A 20'' bed would be much better, because that would be almost exactly the height of of my wheelchair seat, making transfers much easier.

Can I ask for the bed to be lowered next trip?

Andrew

BTW, I have quoted your message over on th DISabilities forum.

 

[dgaston]

More I also hope the "discussions" with siblings are going to sow some long-lasting benefits. Hope you're feeling better, and that GM gets to visit SSR before returning home.

 

[BroganMc]

I will be staying at Boardwalk Villas later this year. On previous trips (staying in a 'handicap accessible' room) I have had difficulty transferring from my wheelchair to the bed, because the bed was much too high for a sliding transfer. I would guess it was a standard 26'' bed. I even manage to end up on the floor one night and RCFD had to come out to lift me back onto the bed!!!

A 20'' bed would be much better, because that would be almost exactly the height of of my wheelchair seat, making transfers much easier.

Can I ask for the bed to be lowered next trip?

Andrew

BTW, I have quoted your message over on th DISabilities forum.

In addition to being a power wheelchair user I am also a petite 4'10" Barbie doll (i.e. with limited workable joints). So even though I can stand and walk some, there's absolutely no way I can climb. Seeing a 26" high bed is an immediate deal killer for me.

What I had them do in room 2067 (that's the Boardwalk View studio, only one in the joint according to Special Needs) is take out the wooden frame. It dropped the bed to about 17-18". A bit low for me (yes, limited mobility gives me a very short range of good seat heights) but I could get into bed and lean on my powerchair to climb out. Maintenance does bed lowering.

You may want to call Special Needs in advance of your trip and tell them specifically what height bed you need. All BWV needs to do is use a low profile frame (it's 2-3" high).

When hotels don't have the low profile frames it is usually because they subcontracted out the new bedding and someone forgot to tell the subcontractor which rooms are HA. When I get home and have a chance I'll be calling Special Needs myself to advise them of the problems in that studio. Specifically the high bed and the lack of any shower stool already in the room.

Oh, and if you are absolutely stuck at the 20" seat height and must see people strolling down the Boardwalk to enjoy that view, don't bother wasting the points on it. The balcony wall is totally solid and comes up to 4 feet. Next time I'll just take a preferred or standard view. I could hear the Boardwalk sounds but a I could see was Beach Club across the lake.

A point in SSR's favor is that their HA rooms are designed much better. Built-in shower benches, 20" beds, light switches lowered and electrical outlets raised. Even the microwave is installed below the sink counter instead of on top a shelf like at BWV. BWV had better shelf space around the bathroom sink though. I miss that.

 

[BroganMc]

More I also hope the "discussions" with siblings are going to sow some long-lasting benefits. Hope you're feeling better, and that GM gets to visit SSR before returning home.

My cousin wonders why I allowed the "discussions" to go on so long. The answer is that this kind of stuff never comes out in those few jovial moments spent with kids in tow and general family mayhem. My brothers and I never have a chance to just sitdown and talk. As a consequence misconceptions have been allowed to build up along with some bad feelings. I'm a Psych grad so I know the value of airing things out. I'd rather we cleared the air whie my dad is still around to be enjoyed and cherished by us all than wait until after he's gone and we turn to open feuding over what coulda or woulda been. My brothers are cursed with the guilt they can't spent enough time with my dad and resentment that I can. Ironically I've been the one browbeating the "hey take Dad somewhere you guys" theme song. Apparenty the chorus that goes "If Dad's occupied then I can go flake off on my own and not feel guity or worry about him" comes off badly in their eyes. For the record, I absolutely adore palling around with Grandpa Mohawk, but I also enjoy exploring my own independence.

Ok, obviousy the early morning trip to park hopping got sidetracked. I slept in instead. Currently my dad's on the phone with my sister and my cousin and I are debating who goes to fetch breakfast. This is when I miss the room service at BWV. Lunch is still at Dad's. Then probably some Magic Kingdom time for my cousin and I. Since my strong-strapping cousin is here (hey any single girls out there looking for a fella who's a landscaper, house renovator and business owner? My cousin is still looking and has had terrible luck. He blames his stuttering but I think the girls he's met are just idiots.) I can do some rides I never get to do because of transferring problems. Notably Pirates of the Caribbean. Nice having a fella around who can benchpress you and think you're "light".

 

[Karenj2]

Hey BroganMc - I hope you're having MUCH more fun, and that GM is doing well...

Can you give us an update?

 

[theoarn]

BroganMc
It is nice to hear that your dad is recovering and also that you are getting a chance to get out and see the parks. I really feel for him he sounds like the kind of guy who just doesn’t want to be held down.
I am sorry that your trip has had so much trouble but you know....some times the drama and conflict remind us that we are still alive.
At least you are at a really neat place and can get out.
I am not a counselor or anything but I do have a job that requires me to handle a lot of different personalities in very stressful situations and I suspect that possibly some or one of your siblings views your size as a sign of weakness so you may have to put your intellectual foot up his butt to get him in line with the program.
This may have some humor in it but I say it seriously. You seem to have some writing talent and more importantly you seem to be drawn to writing. Maybe you should consider taking up screen writing??
I know the girl actually woman who created the REBA show (she is from Texas Like me) and it is written totally about her family. Well it doesn't appear that your family has any less drama than hers.
Well enjoy all you have lined up and I hope you get your dad home without any more trouble. I am sure he would like to be home in his time of ill health. I know every time I get injured or wounded I always want to get home as soon as possible. It may be a mess but it has all the things that make me feel protected. And tell him I’m sorry he didn’t get to see Mickey! But if you get to see him then give him a hug for me!
Theo

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Sending and your way. May GM recuperate fully and quickly.

Your story has been amazing. I really admire all your energy and your attitude. I get tired reading - can't imagine having to do all you do. Thanks for sharing with us.