Diabetics & GAC ??

[extreme8]

Friends went to Disney last year for a Children with Diabetes conference, and on the day they were scheduled to visit MK, the conference coordinators told everyone attending they should stop and get a GAC. I knew about GAC but never considered diabetes one of the ailments that should be covered.

They couldn't wait to get home and tell me how they got to get in the FP line for every ride, never a real wait even on the 4th of July weekend. I know that's not how GAC is supposed to work, but it did for them.
I was disappointed in his behavior. Sure a family with a newly diagnosed 5 year old diabetic daughter can use some breaks, but it seemed to me that they were really abusing the system.

Before everyone gets on me about how I have no idea what she's going through I have to say that I've been diabetic since I was 14 (over 28 years now).
Heat really plays havoc with my blood sugars but other than that I've been fortunate to avoid all of the complications usually related to this condition (disease?).
That said; yup, diabetes a pain in the rump and inconvenient as all get-out. Sure, being able to stay out of the heat while waiting for a ride or show would certainly help me keep my sugar under control, but I can't see how that fact alone should give me any sort of preferential treatment.

Ok, enough about my views.
I know how judgemental this sounds, and I'm usually a live and let live kinda guy but for some reason this is bugging me.
Basically I think I'm wondering if I'm being unreasonable by wanting to grab this guy by the lapels and shouting "That's not what the GAC was intended for"

Do other diabetics use the GAC?

Discuss.

 

[JenJen]

I know for a fact at Disneyland in california you can not get that sort of GAC for diabetes unless there is other problems that require you to not be in the que. They are getting or have just gotten the shade stamp but that does not get you to the front of the line at all it just provides you with a place to wai the line out of the sun.

 

[SueM in MN]

Do other diabetics use the GAC?

Discuss.

This subject came up about a year ago (maybe longer) and the consensus was that most diabetics didn't see a need to get a GAC for themselves/their child. Most of those who did, used it sort of like insurance - there when needed, but not used for every attraction.
Some diabetics may need to use a GAC, others might not at all. Just like every other diagnosis, not all people with that diagnosis have the same needs. So, it's not the diagnosis that should get the GAC, it's the need for accomidation.

When we got our DD's first GAC, we were given some instructions to go with it. The CM told us to use it like insurance, to get Fastpasses if we were able to and to use the standby line if the wait was 15 minutes or less. He explained that it was not meant to shorten or eliminate the wait in lines, but to provide accomidations that we needed to enjoy the attractions.

Now, in case anyone thinks maybe we don't really need one if we are using it that way, I'll tell you a little about my DD.
She has cerebral palsy and can't walk or stand without support. Because she has a lot of spasticity, she can't transfer herself. So, if she needs to be transferred into ride cars, it means we have to do it. That gets really tiring after a few times (plus, each time she needs the bathroom, that means another transfer in and out of her wheelchair). She is quite sensitive to heat and sun (she sort of totally wilts; all the tight places get tighter and the loose parts get like a rag doll). She also has Attention Deficit Disorder, Seizures (usually has 1-2 during our WDW trip because of the changes in temperature and routine), is non-verbal (so she has a hard time telling us if something is wrong) and has obsessive compulsive tendencies (certain things totally get her started on an obscessive path). Because she can't communicate with people easily, she sometimes hits people (she has hit strangers in line when they got too close to her wheelchair in line). And, because I have to get her ready in the morning, we can't get an early start to go to the parks when they are less busy.
Even with all that, we usually are able to get thru a day only using the GAC a few times a day (during Spring break, when it's busy).
Some days we use it a lot, some days not at all. There are attractions where we always use it (Test Track is one - there is no way she could be in the regular queue for very long in that noise and by the time we get to the park, the Fast Passes for the day are usually gone or so long into the evening that we are pretty sure we won't be there by the time the Fastpass "matures".) How much we use it depends on how her day is going and how busy the park is.

 

[michelle9343]

I also use a GAC for my DD like Sue only when nesseccary.My DD has major issues ,is non-verbel ,not toilet trained , has a problem with touching people around her,has seizures , the inability to sweat ,uses a WC (but can walk for short distances). Waiting is a huge issue for her and she can really get "UGLY" if she waits to long. We live close by and go often , so I really try and avoid times when the rides are really busy. Also sometimes when we go, days off and school breaks, We enjoy just watching shows and parades and getting ice cream. That being said I would never judge others but unfortunetly abuse of the GAC is out of control. Many people who would have no problem waiting if the GAC didn't exsit, find out about it and feel they have "the right" to use on. I am really afraid that sooner or later the GAC will be gone.For many it is the only way to be able to do the parks. That will be a really sad day I had a long conversation with a CM at guest services last year. He said on average each CM at guest service at MK gives out 50+daily. He told me it is extremely frustrating to them because they knowning have to give out the pass to many that do not need it. Cm are instructed to not give more then asked for.For years I had know idea that there is a stamp for waiting in a shaded area. I found out total by accident one day. Many times in years past we have by passed shows because we knew that our DD could not wait the 30+ min in the sun. Although most CM really have no clue how to accomated the "shade" stamp it has really helped in the summer.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now, in case anyone thinks maybe we don't really need one if we are using it that way, I'll tell you a little about my DD.

Sue, just my opinion, but... I don't think you need to explain yourself to anyone, but especially not anyone who's spent more than a couple of days reading this board. And for that matter, you don't need to explain your situation to anyone who doesn't "know" you, either.

Same goes for Michelle or anybody in situations similar to yours.

 

[Selket]

I think first of all it might be a good idea to discuss this with your friend. He can give you a person-to-person perspective of what it is like to be a parent of a pre-school child who has type 1.

Bless you for getting to this age and being healthy and not in need of assistance. I suspect by the time my son is 14 (the age you were diagnosed) or 42 he would not need a GAC even as "insurance" for bad days.

I can't really even begin to tell you what it is like to be the parent of a young child with type 1 - it is a much different scenario than what you experienced. You were older at diagnosis and not a parent. William was diagnosed when he was 26 months old and I literally got to the point that I was afraid to go out of the house with him. He routinely dropped from the 400's to 80 and below in 30 minutes. He was too young for glucose tabs or candy (choking issues) and wouldn't always drink juice, etc. I had to have him in front of his lunch in minutes. Some of this was the issue with the type of insulin he was on and some of it was honeymooning. He is almost 2 years older now (he just turned 4 today actually - today is his birthday!). He is also on an insulin pump - one of the youngest ever in his HMO to go on a pump - he started pumping when he was still 2 yrs old.

So I'm not completely new to diabetes and I"m not unsophisticated when it comes to treatments. We went to WDW twice last summer - once just to go and once for the same conference your friend attended with his daughter. We got a GAC both times and used it the same as others have mentioned - when we needed it. I know during the conference in July (was the weekend after the 4th of July weekend actually - as Hurricane Dennis blew off the coast) - we went to the parks on Sat and Sun. On Sat William ran low all day - I couldn't hardly keep him above 90 (his target is 100-250). We often had to stop what we were doing and get him to eat, take him to a cooler place (was the heat making him go low, the exercise, the excitement? I don't know), etc. He cannot recognize his lows - he has been in the 20's and playing normally. He has never once alerted us in any way that he was low. He has an older brother who also ended up with a lot of down time too because of William (although sometimes we split up). William isn't a baby though - he wanted to ride stuff as much as the next kid.

The next day he ran high all day - 300's +. Again we stopped often, got water, tested, gave insulin, tried to hang out where it was cool, etc. Going high makes him feel sick. It was another tough day. He was excited and wanted to be in the park - had looked forward to it for a long time like any kid. It is heartbreaking to see your 3 year old struggling like that believe me.

I agree with Sue in that we used the GAC when we needed it and tried our best to avoid crowds and so forth (the whole reason for our May trip really was to take William in cooler weather with fewer crowds). I don't think the CWD conference folks overly encourage anyone to get a GAC. They do note that WDW reps are at the conference to give them to those who feel they need them. ANY accomodation given to those with disabilities can be abused - I think you can read enough about that on this board and the parking threads. I think the same medical condition is not experienced the same way by everyone who has it. Or handled as well and so forth. I'm sure there are parents of preschoolers who would say they don't need a GAC at all. And there are parents who don't test their children but 3x a day and still use regular insulin, never test for ketones when their kids are high for days and do all kinds of things I can't personally imagine doing with my son. Goodness knows we aren't all made the same! Even you have problems with the heat. Imagine trying to guess what is going on with your child.

I won't apologize for your friend's use of the GAC. Perhaps he didn't know how Fastpasses even work (most people I talk to about going to WDW don't seem to even know what a FP is) - maybe he hasn't been to WDW much and doesn't know how to tour the park most effectively. I've been going to WDW for a long time and I'm used to the strategies to minimize my wait times - even before I had kids. Maybe the folks handing out the GAC didn't explain to try to use it when necessary and etc (all the stuff Sue said). I know when I got the GAC for William in May I wasn't told all that stuff my the CM - I wasn't told anything!

I'm just hoping for a cure and I would more than happy to have my brain wiped of any knowledge of a GAC. All of us here, no matter the condition, hope that for our children I'm sure.

 

[SueM in MN]

Maybe the folks handing out the GAC didn't explain to try to use it when necessary and etc (all the stuff Sue said). I know when I got the GAC for William in May I wasn't told all that stuff my the CM - I wasn't told anything!

I think that is the norm - just hand the card to the Guest or the Guest's parent.
When we got our first GAC, they had just recently changed them. So, I think they were being pretty vigilant about telling people how to use them. We also got the "total of 6 people" and the "on some attractions you may be limited to one - two people accompanying the person with a disability because of space constraints" part of the instructions.
I wish they did the same thing now.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue, just my opinion, but... I don't think you need to explain yourself to anyone, but especially not anyone who's spent more than a couple of days reading this board. And for that matter, you don't need to explain your situation to anyone who doesn't "know" you, either.

Same goes for Michelle or anybody in situations similar to yours.

Thank you.
You are probably right. I was a little sensitive when I wrote it because on another board (not the DIS Boards), after I posted about the difficulties of getting on several rides, I got a "snarky" response. So, maybe I was a bit more defensive than usual when I posted here.

 

[JenJen]

I have a question ? I have not been to Disney world in about 3 or 4 years but at Disneyland they would never just hand out a pass to people when they say they have fibromylagia, diabetes, MS or any other DX's for that matter. They ask you what type of assistance do you need. Sometimes they even ask what will happen if you are in a line. It seems like at WDW they tend to just pass them out more freely. TO me it seems a lot harder to get them at Disneyland then at WDW. I have heard several people say they walk in and say that there child is autistic and they just had it to you no questions asked. THAT NEVER happens at disneyland. They are very very strict and ask a lot of questions.

I hope no one took offense to my post about not being able to get a pass at disneyland for diabetes. Because if you do go up to them and say you are a diabetic you would have to explain why you need the pass and why you can not be in a Que. There would have to be other underlying problems or issues with the diabetes that require you to be away from people. That is just the way it works there.
(((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))
Jen

 

[dck12ga]

Selket...I was kind of mad when I first read Diabetics and GAC.. I became a diabetic when I was 10 years old (now I am 43 yrs old). And for the longest time I did not want anyone to think I had any disability! I wanted to be "normal"! When we were small, the only way to check on how you were doing was to test your urine, that was it... I am glad you don't have to play that game! and insulin, there were only a handful of different types to choose from! It was a far fetching dream to have an insulin pump!!!!! you can only dream!!! I just want you to realize it was no picnic for us either when we were small, remember puberty(hormones are not our friends!) is a few years off for you, so our parents had to do some fancy dancing back then with no technology to help them!! so please, even though we were 10 and 14 years old, we had far less technology and puberty to go thru!! I wish you luck with your little one, he is lucky to have such a great mom!!! That reminds me... I need to call my mom and dad and thank them for everything they did for me when I was a kid!!!
Please do not get me wrong!! I am not trying to flame anyone! just my story...

 

[bumpysheep]

I am type 1 diabetic and use a GAC when I need to. I had very serious complications that led to autonomic and peripheral neuropathy after a ketoacidoic coma when I was 17. I also have EDSIII & mild autism. Between all of that I need it. I am extremely sunlight sensitive because of my EDS and medications. I also use a scooter and wheelchair at home and have a service dog. I don't mind waiting my turn, but if there is a real pending issue we use the GAC. I would not be able to have a even slightly enjoyable visit without one.

 

[Chloesmom]

My daughter (6) was just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last year when we went to Disney. I would have loved a GAC hen but did not think I could get one. I did not think it would be an issue but more than once we had to leave a long line because her sugar plummeted and she needed to be tested and fed and retested. In short it took us 6 days to see what we used to see in 2 or 3 days because we spent so much time managing her sugar. I would not say that she was in less need of a GAC then any other ill child but in need for different reasons. Any child should be allowed to go and enjoy their vacation without the constant stress and worry of an illness.

 

[goofyrn13]

This may seem like a dumb question,but my DD Allie was just dx'd with type 1 3 months ago.We are going to the world in June and not sure how you go about getting the GAC.Her sugars will drop so fast some times it is scary.She can be 190 and 30 minutes later 50.She is still honeymooning,so she can't get the pump for awhile.So I am concerned with her having to wait in the heat etc..This is our 8th trip so we have our favorites and know the heat issues,but this dx throws a big twist in there.So if we feel we need the GAC,how and where do we go at the parks?And do I need any documents from her Dr?Thanks

 

[DonnettaR]

I know for a fact at Disneyland in california you can not get that sort of GAC for diabetes unless there is other problems that require you to not be in the que. They are getting or have just gotten the shade stamp but that does not get you to the front of the line at all it just provides you with a place to wai the line out of the sun.

What is a shade stamp?

 

[SueM in MN]

This may seem like a dumb question,but my DD Allie was just dx'd with type 1 3 months ago.We are going to the world in June and not sure how you go about getting the GAC.Her sugars will drop so fast some times it is scary.She can be 190 and 30 minutes later 50.She is still honeymooning,so she can't get the pump for awhile.So I am concerned with her having to wait in the heat etc..This is our 8th trip so we have our favorites and know the heat issues,but this dx throws a big twist in there.So if we feel we need the GAC,how and where do we go at the parks?And do I need any documents from her Dr?Thanks

If you check out the disABILITIES FAQs near the top of this forum, it explains the GAC (I think it's post 5 of 6 on that thread).
You don't need a doctor's note; just be able to explain the issues like you did here.
Take your DD with you to Guest Services in any of the parks to request a GAC.

What is a shade stamp?

The GAC (Guest Assistance Card) is printed with some standard information and then there is a space for more specific information that tells what sort of assistance is needed. One of the stamps has a message to allow the person with the GAC to wait out of the sun if the queue is in the sun for a "significant amount of time."

 

[DonnettaR]

Thanks

 

[ilovemickeymost]

I understand why your are annoyed, he is teaching his DD to use diabetes to get special treatment. I have the same problem w/ family members & my DD. When she is acting like a 12yo acts & she gets punished, I hear, but she's dealing w/ so much (her diabetes). Or when I mention that she didn't do her chores, they act like she should be excempt b/c of her diabetes. What a bunch of crap. She needs to learn that she is just like everyone else. She just has something to deal w/ that her friends don't. But as I tell her, they have things to deal w/ that she doesn't (like divorce & alcoholic parents). I will admit that I let her have more sweets than before she was diagnosed b/c I figure she's got to be careful counting everything she eats, then if she's gonna count for it, then go ahead and enjoy. It has cut back on the sneaking food. Being that you are experienced w/ being diabetic for a while maybe you can give him some insight into what your parents did that helped or hurt you dealing w/ your diabetes. Then he won't feel attacted. Might be that he was trying to show her that there was a positive to having diabetes. He might not know what the true purpose of the GAC is.

 

[CF'er]

people in wheelchairs w/ very visible issues (CP, MD and the others), children with sensory disorders etc get GAC that allow them to "wait" out of the sun, in a quiet place etc. I understand that. It is needed.

A diabetic gets a front of the line pass to by-pass the lines.... HUH? What am I missing here?

Go ahead and start flaming now.... I am type 1 diabetic on the pump. I too have highs and lows. I always make sure to have my meter and a snack in my fanny pack with me in-line. If needing to get out of line were an issue I would. I don't see how a front of the line pass is warranted. I also have Cystic Fibrosis. Walking far distances in the heat and humidity is an issue for me as well. I got out of the hospital 2 days before leaving on vacation. I took IV antibiotics to Disney and did them there. Did I get a front of the line pass? No. Did I ask? No. I didn't even consider it. But that's me.

I did rent a scooter and got in the shade as needed etc. But a front of the line pass..... I'm not sure this warrants it.

Just my opinion. Maybe there are other "hidden" disabilities?

Kalen

 

[Selket]

I think ilovemickeymost had good advice in another recent post that works well for those with many types of diabilities and chronic conditions - not just diabetes:

"everyone has advice, even if they don't know what the hell they are talking about (each diabetic is different & has different orders, medicine, and reactions)."

Every diabetic IS different - and the problem is trying to compare yourself to your child, or an adult to a 12 year old to a 3 year old, etc. I wonder if the recent posters even read the entire thread or just the original post

 

[susancl]

A newly diagnosed 5 year old has a nightmare schedule. Glucose test before a meal (finger prick and blood), eat, track carbs and inject the right amount of insulin, glucose test 2 hours after a meal and snack between meals. That's it if everything goes smoothly. If there are high glucose readings or low glucose readings, then there is another plan. Chances are there are going to be fluctuations due to the high amount of exercise. I'll bet it's really helpful to bypass a long line or two.