Diabetic

[lovewdwdvc]

I am diabetic and it looks like many of the kids meals would be a great choice for me. Will Disney allow me to have a kids meal? I am mostly interested in the full service meals to have a kids meal.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to the disABILITIES Forum and look at Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs. There is a large section in that post dealing with special dietary needs, as well as many related links. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by following the link in my signature.

This is a very common topic of discussion in the disABILITIES Forum.

 

[bytheblood]

Yes, they will.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Crazy but I never thought of diabetics as a disability.

 

[POOHsie]

Crazy but I never thought of diabetics as a disability.

Not a disability you would receive SS disability payments for. But a disability none-the-less. People who require a special diet to maintain normal health have a disability. It can be a large problem to go on vacation and try to eat at restaurants where the menus are not planned for people with special requirements. DISboards has kindly gathered info for those with special dietary needs at WDW. And Disney is very receptive to assisting those with dietary needs. The DISabilities forum is logically the place to find this info.

 

[Agri]

Not a disability you would receive SS disability payments for. But a disability none-the-less. People who require a special diet to maintain normal health have a disability. It can be a large problem to go on vacation and try to eat at restaurants where the menus are not planned for people with special requirements. DISboards has kindly gathered info for those with special dietary needs at WDW. And Disney is very receptive to assisting those with dietary needs. The DISabilities forum is logically the place to find this info.

Not to mention that diabetes can lead to other health issues, as well.

TBH, my mom is type 2 and we didn't even request something special the times we've done the dessert party. She just didn't eat a lot of carbs with dinner so she could have a little something at the party since she doesn't eat much anyway. She is not a picky eater, so we've never had problems finding something on the menu suitable for her.

 

[Snow Shoe]

The other health issue for me, is that I'm going blind from my diabeties. Probably in several more years, I'll have to give up driving.

 

[MisterGoofy1]

I'm diabetic and don't consider myself to have a disability, and quite frankly would be offended if someone told me I had a disability. Being able to keep your blood sugar under control should prevent further complications. And the best part of having type II is with the proper diet and exercise, you could become non diabetic.

I'm down 60 pounds since March 30th. And it's all from diet, exercise and portion control. My goal is to lose enough weight to become non diabetic before our Disney trip at the end on January. If not, then I will just have to not indulge as much, or if I do, make sure I'm walking or doing some kind of physical activity 2 hours after.

 

[Agri]

I'm diabetic and don't consider myself to have a disability, and quite frankly would be offended if someone told me I had a disability. Being able to keep your blood sugar under control should prevent further complications. And the best part of having type II is with the proper diet and exercise, you could become non diabetic.

I'm down 60 pounds since March 30th. And it's all from diet, exercise and portion control. My goal is to lose enough weight to become non diabetic before our Disney trip at the end on January. If not, then I will just have to not indulge as much, or if I do, make sure I'm walking or doing some kind of physical activity 2 hours after.

I understand, but for some people it is a disability and not everyone is capable of putting in the effort to exercise that much even if they wanted to. My mom was diagnosed 6 months before she had major brain surgery and its been two years since her diabetes diagnosis and she has chemo once a month that knocks her on her butt for at least two weeks. So for her, diabetes is one of her medical issues that makes the list when doctors ask. We know how to control it with her food and medicine, though, so special accommodations at Disney aren't an issue. Weight isn't always the issue, either.

I think its great you've been able to lose weight and become more healthy, its just not possible for every person with Type 2.

I can definitely see how someone who is type 1 or a picky eater might need more accommodations, though.

At any rate, the DISabilities forum is for all sorts of medical issues whether they are considered a full on disability or not. Forums have to be organized and its logical that the medical issues would all be in one place.

 

[crashbb]

I cannot eat gluten. Not a disability at all. However, the DISabilities forum was very helpful in providing information about how I could safely (and tastily) eat while at WDW. Nothing at all to get offended about.

 

[POOHsie]

I'm diabetic and don't consider myself to have a disability, and quite frankly would be offended if someone told me I had a disability. Being able to keep your blood sugar under control should prevent further complications. And the best part of having type II is with the proper diet and exercise, you could become non diabetic.

I'm down 60 pounds since March 30th. And it's all from diet, exercise and portion control. My goal is to lose enough weight to become non diabetic before our Disney trip at the end on January. If not, then I will just have to not indulge as much, or if I do, make sure I'm walking or doing some kind of physical activity 2 hours after.

Please don't be offended. Diabetes is not that easy to lick for many people. When you get much older, there will probably be no 30lb/mo weight loss miracles. Diabetes' corrosive effects on people's health makes it a major scourge. I have to be carefully monitored by my MD as my Type II disease progresses, because of its harmful effects on other aspects of my health, such as blood circulation, eyesight, kidneys, skin problems, all of which I developed in my senior years as a result of Diabetes that I closely controlled.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Crazy but I never thought of diabetics as a disability.

I'm diabetic and don't consider myself to have a disability, and quite frankly would be offended if someone told me I had a disability. Being able to keep your blood sugar under control should prevent further complications. And the best part of having type II is with the proper diet and exercise, you could become non diabetic.

I cannot eat gluten. Not a disability at all. However, the DISabilities forum was very helpful in providing information about how I could safely (and tastily) eat while at WDW. Nothing at all to get offended about.

A person who cannot eat gluten has a disability.

A person who is diabetic has a disability.

A person who requires eyeglasses or contact lenses to see clearly has a disability.

Anybody who has a need for regular medication, a physical inability to eat regular food, or has to have some sort of aid to live a regular life is disabled. The only differences are the level of assistance or restrictions needed.

 

[MisterGoofy1]

Please don't be offended. Diabetes is not that easy to lick for many people. When you get much older, there will probably be no 30lb/mo weight loss miracles. Diabetes' corrosive effects on people's health makes it a major scourge. I have to be carefully monitored by my MD as my Type II disease progresses, because of its harmful effects on other aspects of my health, such as blood circulation, eyesight, kidneys, skin problems, all of which I developed in my senior years as a result of Diabetes that I closely controlled.

I'm sure my age plays a huge factor in being able to possibly lose the weight and potentially become non diabetic.

Also, whoever mentioned type I, that is a whole different ball of wax. That is something I would not want to deal with.

 

[MisterGoofy1]

a physical inability to eat regular food,

What regular food can diabetics not eat? Diabetics do not have a restriction on what they can eat. They have a restriction on how much of certain foods they can eat.

I'm allowed 75 carbs per meal. I can choose to use those 75 carbs all on chocolate or any other "regular food" you don't think diabetics can eat. Or I can choose to eat more sensibly.

Diabetes is not a disability, it is a different lifestyle. And who is to say chowing down on hundreds of carbs per meal and gorging oneself is normal?

 

[Hugpug]

I am Type II diabetic and yes it is a disability and Disney has been very helpful in making dishes that I am able to control my surgar (carbs) Dieting does not work for everyone it depends on ones medical and physical condition. I am very pleased with the forum here at the DIS as they have helped me make a trip enjoyable. Last year was the first time I had to use an ECV at the parks dued to a medical problem with my legs but the forum here geared me in the right direction and I thank you all.

 

[RMulieri]

The only place where it won't be allowed is Buffets or Family style dining.There you will be expected to pay the adult meal charge

 

[EvilQueenT]

my daughters long time bf is an insulin dependent diabetic and it can be a problem for him when we travel. some of the bag guards give us a hard time because of his insulin pen (some want to count it as a "weapon"), food choices can be a little tricky depending on where we go and for us on our last trip he misjudged how much walking we really did vs what he'd eaten, he took his normal long acting insulin dose at bedtime and bottomed out that morning (fyi for those who don't know he could have died)...PLUS he's only 23 and hadn't taken a lot of trips outside his own family (his mom usually made sure they had everything he'd need) so going with us he had forgotten to pack his glucagon (basically super concentrated sugar to bring a to low blood sugar back up) and we had to call ems...not the way to spend a disney vacation morning. we joked later that only at disney can you call ems and say i'm in a treehouse and don't know where i am (specifically the address of course) come find me...and they do.

 

[Agri]

What regular food can diabetics not eat? Diabetics do not have a restriction on what they can eat. They have a restriction on how much of certain foods they can eat.

I'm allowed 75 carbs per meal. I can choose to use those 75 carbs all on chocolate or any other "regular food" you don't think diabetics can eat. Or I can choose to eat more sensibly.

Diabetes is not a disability, it is a different lifestyle. And who is to say chowing down on hundreds of carbs per meal and gorging oneself is normal?

Someone mentioned not considering being unable to eat gluten a disability, which is what Cheshire was referring to. They even quoted the statement.

And I do disagree with you. Diabetics do have limitations on what they can consume in a meal. Plenty of "normal" food choices ARE out of the question. Especially if someone is type 1. The methods for managing Type 1 and Type 2 are different.

A "normal" person can indulge in a sugary beverage with a meal or a sweet dessert without having to think "Oh, if I have that then I need to cut back on my mashed potatoes." That right there is a special diet which does equal a disability. There can be severe consequences for straying from the diet outlined by a medical professional.

My disability? I'm far-sighted. My eyeglasses are my adaptive equipment. I also have seizures, so that's another disability. Yes, they are both controlled through glasses and medication but the very fact that I HAVE to have glasses and take medicine makes them a disability. If I don't wear my glasses, I can't see as well and if I don't take my medicine, I have seizures. Just like if Type II diabetics don't take medicine or maintain a strict diet, it would limit major life activities.

"The Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA) has a three-part definition of disability. Under ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; OR (2) has a record of such an impairment; OR (3) is regarded as having such an impairment."

There is a huge difference between having a disability and being able to qualify for government assistance due to a disability. A disability doesn't have to be visibly apparent for it to be considered one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_disability

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/diabetes.html

Oh, and depression and ADHD are also disabilities.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Yes, dietetics is a disability. I just know that will time, preparation and good choices, I can control this situation. T hanks for reminding me how important it is to be in control.