Disney During Chemo - DAS and EVC Rental

[TammieLandry]

Hi Ya'll.

I will be making my 16th trip to Disney in May.

My trip was postponed in January due to my Cancer Diagnosis, Bile Duct Cancer, not in the bile duct. I set my mind to all things positive and that, combined with a wonderful oncology team, have kept me working, living and powering through.

I will have had my 11th treatment before we travel.

Here is my angst.

I don't look sick. That's not by accident. I'm fortunate that I've handled chemo so well and I strive to keep my appearance up by useing makeup, etc. my hair, though thin, is hidden with root powder.

However, my fatigue level is such that I cannot walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time.

I am resigned to renting an ECV but struggling with getting a DAS card.

I'm afraid of being judged.

I'm terrified of it.

Has anyone else felt this way?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Although I've lurked for a long time, this is my first post.

Again, thank you!

 

[adisneyaunt]

You ve proved that you're stronger than so much already... don't let anyone or anything deter you from seeking any potential help to enjoy your trip.
Besides, I always say... you ll never see those people again, who cares what they think, lol

From one Survivor to another ...
Keep Being Strong, Always Advocate for yourself and Enjoy every day... especially those when you are Lucky enough to be at Disney. During my own chemo.. I also used to think ahead about ... when I got to return to Disney!

Best of Health to you and Enjoy ur visit
Pixie dust your way.

 

[mamabunny]

Hi Ya'll.

I will be making my 16th trip to Disney in May.

My trip was postponed in January due to my Cancer Diagnosis, Bile Duct Cancer, not in the bile duct. I set my mind to all things positive and that, combined with a wonderful oncology team, have kept me working, living and powering through.

I will have had my 11th treatment before we travel.

Here is my angst.

I don't look sick. That's not by accident. I'm fortunate that I've handled chemo so well and I strive to keep my appearance up by useing makeup, etc. my hair, though thin, is hidden with root powder.

However, my fatigue level is such that I cannot walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time.

I am resigned to renting an ECV but struggling with getting a DAS card.

I'm afraid of being judged.

I'm terrified of it.

Has anyone else felt this way?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Although I've lurked for a long time, this is my first post.

Again, thank you!

First of all, and please accept my heartfelt congratulations on telling your cancer to take a long walk off a short pier. GO TAMMY!!!

Now, let's talk about you, an ECV and if you want to get one, a DAS.

First thing to remember is this: You stand a better chance of getting hit by lightning AND winning the lottery on the same day as you do seeing any of the THOUSANDS of people who will populate WDW during your trip. So... who cares what they think? You will never see them again.

Next, if you look at most folks who have wheels under them at WDW, they don't necessarily "look" disabled - they look like people on wheels. Yes, some people will have more obvious signs, like oxygen or casts, or braces, but the huge majority of people who are on wheels at WDW at any given time don't look any different than anyone else. I'm disabled, but I don't really look like it; if you saw me just sitting in a dining chair, for example, you would say to yourself, "Oh, look at that poor old tired mama rabbit. She deserves a rest!" LOL

When we think about you - or anyone - using an ECV, what we are thinking about is using a TOOL to accomplish a task. Just like you have used chemo to beat back the cancer that has invaded your body, you will now use the ECV as a TOOL to not only keep up with your family, but to make it easier for them to keep up with you! They won't have to worry about you getting too tired; you will have the ECV. You don't have to worry about slowing them down - or keeping up with them - because you have the ECV. The ECV is just a tool to allow you to maximize your Disney time, and have the most wonderful trip possible. It's no different than using eyeglasses if you can't see well, or a hearing aid if you have lost your hearing. It's just a tool you are using at WDW. Nothing more. It doesn't mean you aren't strong (you are!) or that you are a quitter (you certainly aren't!) or that you are lazy. It just means you are using every tool at your disposal to have the best possible time with the people you love!

Now, about that DAS. You don't *have* to have a DAS if you use an ECV while at WDW. I am disabled, but have never used one because my needs are met by my personal mobility device.

When you get a DAS, you don't have to talk about anything but this: Why you can't stand in a line like everyone else. That's it. You don't talk about diagnosis, you talk about how your current situation impacts your ability to stand in line for a show, attraction or event that allows the use of the DAS system. If your issue is more or less mobility related, then Congratulations! By using an ECV, you can bypass the entire DAS issue, and just go have fun! If you have other issues that would be accommodated by the DAS then you will still need to stop at the first Park you go to, and work with Guest Relations. But you DON'T have to talk about your cancer, and you DON'T have to even talk about anything other than how standing in line will affect you.

Don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have - this is a great community, and you will find lots of helpful folks here!

I truly hope and pray that you have the most Magical trip possible!

 

[DisneyOma]

In order to get a DAS, you need to have a disability that is not met by using a mobility device. If you feel the ECV meets your needs, then you don't need the DAS. Decide what the DAS would do for you if you got one, and then decide if you need one. To be honest, it sounds like your needs are met by the ECV. DAS may get you away from some crowding, but not all of it - so if your immune system isn't up to par, perhaps consider waiting a bit longer, if you can, to take this trip.

 

[gap2368]

Hi and welcome to the DiS. I am so Happy that you will be able to go to Disney and that it sounds like you are doing well in treatment.

I think it is a great idea that you are going to use a ECV. As a PP said it is a tool that a lot of people need at disney.

As fair as the DAS card is. Some people with a Disability really do not need one. There is not list of disability that need one and do not need one. The DAS card is really need based not DX based. If you feel you need one think of thing that you will need while waiting in line, Like someone that need a ECV might need a place to sit and an ECV will give then that a place to sit.

If you go to GR and they tell you that you do not need a DAS card and you find that you are having other problems that you did not tell GR you are more then welcome to go back and talk to them about your need again ( or if things are not working for you)

 

[TammieLandry]

Thank you all for your kind, informative, quick responses.

I feel confident that I only will need the scooter.

Ya'll are awesome!!

 

[TammieLandry]

You ve proved that you're stronger than so much already... don't let anyone or anything deter you from seeking any potential help to enjoy your trip.
Besides, I always say... you ll never see those people again, who cares what they think, lol

From one Survivor to another ...
Keep Being Strong, Always Advocate for yourself and Enjoy every day... especially those when you are Lucky enough to be at Disney. During my own chemo.. I also used to think ahead about ... when I got to return to Disney!

Best of Health to you and Enjoy ur visit
Pixie dust your way.

Thank you!!

 

[TammieLandry]

Hi and welcome to the DiS. I am so Happy that you will be able to go to Disney and that it sounds like you are doing well in treatment.

I think it is a great idea that you are going to use a ECV. As a PP said it is a tool that a lot of people need at disney.

As fair as the DAS card is. Some people with a Disability really do not need one. There is not list of disability that need one and do not need one. The DAS card is really need based not DX based. If you feel you need one think of thing that you will need while waiting in line, Like someone that need a ECV might need a place to sit and an ECV will give then that a place to sit.

If you go to GR and they tell you that you do not need a DAS card and you find that you are having other problems that you did not tell GR you are more then welcome to go back and talk to them about your need again ( or if things are not working for you)

Thank you so very much!!!

 

[TammieLandry]

In order to get a DAS, you need to have a disability that is not met by using a mobility device. If you feel the ECV meets your needs, then you don't need the DAS. Decde what the DAS would do for you if you got one, and then decide if you need one. To be honest, it sounds like your needs are met by the ECV. DAS may get you away from some crowding, but not all of it - so if your immune system isn't up to par, perhaps consider waiting a bit longer, if you can, to take this trip.

Thank you so much.

 

[gap2368]

Thank you all for your kind, informative, quick responses.

I feel confident that I only will need the scooter.

Ya'll are awesome!!

If this is all you need then you really do not need to go to GR at all. some rides you will need to transfer to a wheel chair and some you will have to board using an alternative entrance ( but most lines are ECV accessible ) this post has a lot of great information about disabilities

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

post 18-21 might be most helpful to you.


if you have never used an ECV ( even if you have) I would suggest driving it around the hotel or another place where there is not a lot of people for 5 to 10 minutes so that you can get a feel for how it starts stops turns.

the battier should last all day, but turn it off when not moving ( you may not have a problem with the ECV lasting longer then you)

if you need a place for a quick rest all parks have a First aid where you can rest for a bit

 

[TammieLandry]

If this is all you need then you really do not need to go to GR at all. some rides you will need to transfer to a wheel chair and some you will have to board using an alternative entrance ( but most lines are ECV accessible ) this post has a lot of great information about disabilities

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

post 18-21 might be most helpful to you.


if you have never used an ECV ( even if you have) I would suggest driving it around the hotel or another place where there is not a lot of people for 5 to 10 minutes so that you can get a feel for how it starts stops turns.

the battier should last all day, but turn it off when not moving ( you may not have a problem with the ECV lasting longer then you)

if you need a place for a quick rest all parks have a First aid where you can rest for a bit

Thank you!