Combat PTSD aggression and DAS

[arisafari]

Hi friends,

My husband and I are both service-connected (100% P&T each to give an idea about severity) disabled veterans and utilized DAS before the changes last year. We are reading lots of horror stories from other vets that their PTSD doesn't qualify to the DAS personnel and starting to grow concerned that we may not be able to return. If our time at Disney is over, that's hard to swallow, but we understand why they had to shut down the rampant abuse of the system and will accept that.

The problem is, we hope to one day get better and not have such severe symptoms that would make Disney doable without DAS, so we don't want to get banned. Why do I bring up being banned? Because when my husband's PTSD gets triggered he becomes hard to control as he tries to escape the trigger. He will absolutely tear through a crowded line to get away, because he feels he can't breathe in those situations. Our first trip to Disney, (we didn't know about DAS at the time) went terrible and we tried one line and realized that he only barely made it out in time. No more rides for us after that and he spent the entire time shaken from the breakdown. He gets violent, not to try to hurt people, but to try to get to safety as he feels he's literally running for his life at that moment. He wouldn't just randomly punch a kid, but he will run full speed through a crowd clutching at his throat like he's drowning. He's a huge man who will run people over and the image is likely scary just to see for children.

I worry that if he tells the DAS personnel that he becomes a hazard that they will permanently ban him from the parks. But we did multiple trips with DAS and we only had one small issue that was easy to remove ourselves from because we weren't crazy deep into a long, packed, winding queue. If they turn him down for DAS, that is fine, we will avoid Disney until we can hopefully get to a place where DAS is unnecessary, because he doesn't want to hurt anyone so he wouldn't put himself into the normal lines. I did a solo trip with my earplugs and a few other preparations and I was able to handle the lines much easier, but when going through the normal queues on that solo trip, I realized that nearly every ride has a regular queue that would make him lose control. My husband has been through heck and back and Disney is such a special place for him, where his problems feel so far away, and we're so thankful that we were able to use DAS as much as we did. Again, please don't shame me, we would never put people in harm so if turned away, we would never risk it and put people in danger.

Thankfully the accommodations of DAS have always been enough to let him have a great time and not suffer. We still occasionally had to walk away from the DAS booking if the line got too intense, but it was nice to at least have a shot and we were never upset if we had to miss out on a DAS booking due to a higher than usual line on that side. Please know we do NOT feel entitled to this program. I'm so paranoid to post about it because I tried once on a Facebook group and they called us entitled, dangerous, that we shouldn't be allowed to enjoy Disney anymore due to our disabilities, etc. But again, DAS means we have a higher shot at being able to ride a ride, not that we get to do whatever we want and ride whenever we want. I'm sorry if I'm all over the place, we've been shamed a lot for our disabilities and it's hard to open up to strangers. Also my brain fog kicks in when stressed so please forgive me if this post is all over the place.

I just worry that if he applies and tells them what happens when he's dissociated that they will ban him from the parks, and if that's the case then he will never have a shot at going if (hopefully WHEN) he gets better. Can someone give insight into the likelihood of a ban? Has anyone else shared their out of control/violent symptoms and not gotten banned? If it's likely he will get banned we will just suck it up and not even apply, because that's just too great a cost. We'll just hope he can improve so we can go in the future. Some things just aren't meant for us, but it's worth it to try if it doesn't mess it all up for us in the future.

Thanks for any help, please go easy on me if you can.

 

[Keladry84]

Hi friends,

My husband and I are both service-connected (100% P&T each to give an idea about severity) disabled veterans and utilized DAS before the changes last year. We are reading lots of horror stories from other vets that their PTSD doesn't qualify to the DAS personnel and starting to grow concerned that we may not be able to return. If our time at Disney is over, that's hard to swallow, but we understand why they had to shut down the rampant abuse of the system and will accept that.

The problem is, we hope to one day get better and not have such severe symptoms that would make Disney doable without DAS, so we don't want to get banned. Why do I bring up being banned? Because when my husband's PTSD gets triggered he becomes hard to control as he tries to escape the trigger. He will absolutely tear through a crowded line to get away, because he feels he can't breathe in those situations. Our first trip to Disney, (we didn't know about DAS at the time) went terrible and we tried one line and realized that he only barely made it out in time. No more rides for us after that and he spent the entire time shaken from the breakdown. He gets violent, not to try to hurt people, but to try to get to safety as he feels he's literally running for his life at that moment. He wouldn't just randomly punch a kid, but he will run full speed through a crowd clutching at his throat like he's drowning. He's a huge man who will run people over and the image is likely scary just to see for children.

I worry that if he tells the DAS personnel that he becomes a hazard that they will permanently ban him from the parks. But we did multiple trips with DAS and we only had one small issue that was easy to remove ourselves from because we weren't crazy deep into a long, packed, winding queue. If they turn him down for DAS, that is fine, we will avoid Disney until we can hopefully get to a place where DAS is unnecessary, because he doesn't want to hurt anyone so he wouldn't put himself into the normal lines. I did a solo trip with my earplugs and a few other preparations and I was able to handle the lines much easier, but when going through the normal queues on that solo trip, I realized that nearly every ride has a regular queue that would make him lose control. My husband has been through heck and back and Disney is such a special place for him, where his problems feel so far away, and we're so thankful that we were able to use DAS as much as we did. Again, please don't shame me, we would never put people in harm so if turned away, we would never risk it and put people in danger.

Thankfully the accommodations of DAS have always been enough to let him have a great time and not suffer. We still occasionally had to walk away from the DAS booking if the line got too intense, but it was nice to at least have a shot and we were never upset if we had to miss out on a DAS booking due to a higher than usual line on that side. Please know we do NOT feel entitled to this program. I'm so paranoid to post about it because I tried once on a Facebook group and they called us entitled, dangerous, that we shouldn't be allowed to enjoy Disney anymore due to our disabilities, etc. But again, DAS means we have a higher shot at being able to ride a ride, not that we get to do whatever we want and ride whenever we want. I'm sorry if I'm all over the place, we've been shamed a lot for our disabilities and it's hard to open up to strangers. Also my brain fog kicks in when stressed so please forgive me if this post is all over the place.

I just worry that if he applies and tells them what happens when he's dissociated that they will ban him from the parks, and if that's the case then he will never have a shot at going if (hopefully WHEN) he gets better. Can someone give insight into the likelihood of a ban? Has anyone else shared their out of control/violent symptoms and not gotten banned? If it's likely he will get banned we will just suck it up and not even apply, because that's just too great a cost. We'll just hope he can improve so we can go in the future. Some things just aren't meant for us, but it's worth it to try if it doesn't mess it all up for us in the future.

Thanks for any help, please go easy on me if you can.

I’d be very surprised if you would get banned from simply talking to the DAS team. There’s no ground or reason for it. I’ve also never heard of anyone getting banned just because they called to apply for DAS.

Whether or not either of you will be approved can’t be known until you call in, but please don’t be afraid of making the call to find out.

 

[Bete]

If your pocketbook can handle it then pay for getting quicker access to the rides if DAS doesn't happen.

We have enjoyed many trips doing shows, fireworks, parades and character meet n greets. You really don't need rides to enjoy Disney. You can take special tours which again costs extra money, but they are fun to do, as well. Enjoy table service meals, too.

 

[SteveH]

@arisafari first and foremost, thank you both for your service and your sacrifices it is appreciated and respected.

With so many great places to visit in the US and world, I would ask why put yourselves in the situation at Disney that might be a trigger? We stopped our Disney trips a few years ago and have fallen in loved with our visits to the Hawaiian Islands, the slower pace, lack of lines, better food and natural beauty. So do what makes YOU happy.

I would meet with the DAS team and explain your situations, and see where it goes. From all the reports it sounds like they are really focusing on those on the spectrum but I think you could have a good reason for them to assist you both, but you won't know unless you try.

 

[dreamer17555]

He will not get banned for applying. However if he is triggered and has a violent outburst he might be banned. They are much stricter in who they are issuing DAS passes to and you will not know if he is approved until after tickets are purchased so really ask yourself would it still be worth going if he is not approved?

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I just wanted to thank you both for your service.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Pardon my different take but I feel it may help here- Skip DAS and try LLs. No, it isn’t cheap, you may have to save up longer or downgrade other aspects of the trip but you’ll still be in the DAS lines.

I’ve actually found it kinda less stressful- no worries about the interview, no intrusive q’s, no feeling like I was under scrutiny when it goes blue when I tap in. No, I don’t do as many rides before. Yes, they expire- but they are pretty generous about that tbh so give scanning in a try if you’re late with no expectations and see what the CM says.

LLs instead of DAS doesn’t work for everyone but you two might be candidates - biggest issue is there are no repeats and hopefully that won’t be an issue for you.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Thank you for your service.

I wish there were a charity that one could donate to that would help defray some of the costs of LLs (or better Premier Pass) for combat veterans, particularly those with PTSD who struggle with lines.

 

[lowlight]

Thank you for your service.

I wish there were a charity that one could donate to that would help defray some of the costs of LLs (or better Premier Pass) for combat veterans, particularly those with PTSD who struggle with lines.

You could Venmo them money if you wanted.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Thank you for your service.

I wish there were a charity that one could donate to that would help defray some of the costs of LLs (or better Premier Pass) for combat veterans, particularly those with PTSD who struggle with lines.

There are many...just google " veterans make a wish" and many appear

To the OP...thank you for your service and I would strongly recommend you pursue seeking a grant from one of these foundations that would allow you to enjoy a VIP tour that would ensure an enjoyable stress free Disney visit. That would eliminate the line issue for you both. If that doesn't pan out(and it will take some time and effort to pursue that funding), perhaps a crowdfunding site like GoFundMe. There are lots of good people out there who would donate to your cause. You two have given plenty...you should be able to enjoy a vacation without stress. I wouldadd that you might want to tryDisneyland instead...it's a less stressful environment, much more casual and laidback...slower pace. C'mon out...we're nice folks out here...