Child with CF and GAC card

[Corrine 1973]

Hi my name is Corrine,

I am in the planning stages of taking my son to WDW for his 9th birthday. The last day of school is on May 27th, which is 2 days after his b-day, so I am hoping to be able to go that weekend. Just waiting on taxes.

My question is on the GAC card. How hard is it to get? and what special things do I need to get it? Liam has Cystic Fibrosis so he can not stay in the heat for to long, plus he gets tierd quicker than other boys his age. We have only been to WDW once before. It was Sept. 2009 and it was a Wish trip so we were given a special GAC card from GKTW.

I also was wondering about refridgerators. I noticed that the value hotels have them for an additional fee. Does that fee apply to people who need them for medical supplies. My son has a medication that he needs daily and it needs to be refridgerated.

Thanks,
Corrine

 

[SueM in MN]

There is as complete of information as is possible in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can get to that thread near the top of this board or by following the link in my signature. In general, you will need to be able to explain his needs to the CM at Guest Relations.

If he gets tired, you may want to look into a stroller, special needs stroller or wheelchair because a GAC almost never shortens the distance walked. Also, much of the distance walked and time spent in the heat will be outside of attractions, where a GAC will not be able to assist you. All lines are wheelchair accessible, but if you are using a stroller as a wheelchair, you will need the GAC or a sticker that allows you to use a stroller as a wheelchair. Also, keep in mind that the GACs given to kids on MAW trips do hive expedited access, but GACs given to other guests are meant to give accommodations, not necessarily shorten the wait in line.
You may also want to check into touring plans like TourGuide Mike which can help you to be in the quietest part of the quietest park. That can help with shortening waits and outside of attractions, where a GAC can't help.

Refrigerators are in each room in the Moderate, Deluxe and Home Away from Home resorts, so if you stay on one of those, you don't need to make any special arrangements. They are available for a fee on request at the Value resorts and the fee is waived for guests who have a medical need for a refrigerator. Even if they say the fee is waived, check your receipt at check out to make sure they did not charge you by mistake. It is much easier to deal with mistakes right there and then.
There are 2 types of refrigerators. One is a small dorm type refrigerator and the other is the size of a large shoe box.

I don't know if you used First Aid on his MAQ trip, but there is a station in each park. They have refrigerators where you can securely store medication. They also have private rooms or cubicles with cots that you can use for treatments. If you have equipment like a vest or percussors, they can store them there for you ( just remember to pick them up before you leave).

I

 

[Corrine 1973]

thanks sue, that was some great information. I am looking into possibly getting a higher end hotel but with less than 4 mo. to go I don't know if I can afford it so might have to deal with the value so it is good to know about the fridge.

I do know that the GAC card Liam gets this vist will be diffrent than for his MAW trip. That was a once in a life time special trip. For the most part he does pretty good, we had very few problems in 2009 and did not need to use first aid, I just want to try to plan the trip so we incounter as few possible problems as possible. Thanks for the info about the first aid. Do they have nebulizers at the stations, or should I bring my own? And with the GAC card, do I need a doctors note to verify his illness since he doesn't look sick? Would it help to bring the GAC from 2009 to verify we had one then? Looking at the other post now.

Thanks again,
Corrine

 

[SueM in MN]

They don't have nebulizers at First Aid, so if you need one, you would need to bring it. You could store one there if you want though.

For the GAC, there is more complete information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread in post 6, but the short answerswith CF are:

1) you don't need a doctor's letter, although some people feel more confident having one. If you do bring a letter, they may not want to look at it. And, if you bring one, it should talk about what your child needs. If it just says he has CF, the CMs might not know what it is and won't know what he needs since different people with CF have different needs.

 

[dclfun]

My biggest concern for you will be the heat- it's usually HOT by the time you'll be here. Can your Dr. prescribe a cooling vest? I'm thinking you might want to rent a w/c just so he doesn't have to exert himself and also to keep from getting even more overheated. There really isn't a GAC that can keep him out of the heat but pacing your day and using a good touring plan will help. If you do rent a w/c or if he's small, get a GAC to use stroller as w/c, perhaps you can attach a misting fan. Since you'll be here during Memorial week, take advantage of resting in the afternoon and then using evening EMH when the sun's down and it's at least a bit cooler. ---Kathy

 

[jmartinez1895]

We used a cooling vest to help with our son and it was great. Also he used one of those spray bottles with the fan and it was amazing. I think in your case a stroller ( or wheelchair) would be great. If you use a stroller they will give you GAC that will allow you to use it as a wheel chair. I want to second what Sue said about checking your bill and the nebulizer. We have to get the fridge for medical reasons and they charged us for it. At check out tho they took care of it, but if we had not double checked we would not have noticed. Also we take our neb. to the park and store it at the first aid station. It is nice knowing it is there if we need it and they have a private are we can use it in.

 

[Ratatosk]

DS7 has cf and we just returned from a trip. We stayed at Wilderness lodge, which had a fridge. A friend of mine told me the cost to rent a fridge at the values is $10 a day; however, I think they may waive the fee if you indicate it's for medical purposes.

As for the GAC we requested one at guest relations -- we just said he had CF and they issued one. Our concern wasn't necessarily the heat in February, but with bathroom issues. Plus we spend so much time doing treatments each day that we can never ever make it to the rope drop. It wasn't a front of the line pass, but the GAC did help to meet his needs.