Disney Mom's panel "answers"

[livndisney]

Did I miss something? I just read several answers from Disney's new "Mom's Panel" telling people they should bring a note from their Doctor to get a GAC.

Has the policy changed recently?

 

[SueM in MN]

No, nothing has changed.

WDW can't legally ask for proof of disability; under the ADA, no one can be forced to provide proof that they have a disability that they need accommodation for. In fact, CMs usually won't want to look at the note from a doctor if someone does bring one because of that and because most of the letters are not very helpful.

I know there are websites that make it sound like you have to present a doctor's letter to get a GAC. Sometimes people read those, bring a letter and then assume from that you have to have a letter. That is not correct though.

The Disney Mom's panel people are really no different than people on the DIS Boards. Some have more experience than others. I don't read the Mom's panel often, but I did do some searches about GACs and found a fair amount of incorrect information like the 'need for a doctor's note' that you found.

The information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about GACs in post #6 is correct and my family goes to WDW usually twice a year for 10 days at a time, so I am able to keep things pretty well updated. Besides that, I get PMs from people updating me when things change (including from CMs who work in Guest Relations).

 

[livndisney]

No, nothing has changed.

WDW can't legally ask for proof of disability; under the ADA, no one can be forced to provide proof that they have a disability that they need accommodation for. In fact, CMs usually won't want to look at the note from a doctor if someone does bring one because of that and because most of the letters are not very helpful.

I know there are websites that make it sound like you have to present a doctor's letter to get a GAC. Sometimes people read those, bring a letter and then assume from that you have to have a letter. That is not correct though.

The Disney Mom's panel people are really no different than people on the DIS Boards. Some have more experience than others. I don't read the Mom's panel often, but I did do some searches about GACs and found a fair amount of incorrect information like the 'need for a doctor's note' that you found.

The information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about GACs in post #6 is correct and my family goes to WDW usually twice a year for 10 days at a time, so I am able to keep things pretty well updated. Besides that, I get PMs from people updating me when things change (including from CMs who work in Guest Relations).

That is what I thought. I know you do a great job keeping things updated.. I was just surprised to read recent answers from the "panel" suggesting a note. I guess it is time for you to apply for the panel Sue

 

[SueM in MN]

That is what I thought. I know you do a great job keeping things updated.. I was just surprised to read recent answers from the "panel" suggesting a note. I guess it is time for you to apply for the panel Sue

I did.
They didn't choose me though.
And, it's probably for the best, since I am busy enough here anyway.

 

[mechurchlady]

They did not take me either, lol. Basically all you had to do was fill out the application and lie if need be. I have seen mistakes there before or answers that were not as in depth as here. This site has lots of people like Sue watching out for mistakes.

 

[livndisney]

Ok, Next year when they announce the Mom's panel thing-we are going to launch a "write in" campaign for Sue!

 

[SueM in MN]

My take on the Mom's panel is the same as my take on most DIS posters:
Most are well meaning, but well meaning people with more experience are usually able to give better advice. Some people with little experience assume that what they experienced was the usual. Someone with more experience may recognize that what they experienced this time as the exception,not the rule.

 

[mykidsintow]

I applied for moms panel too. Didn't get it...

 

[hematite153]

I applied for moms panel too. Didn't get it...

Wow! That makes two regular disboard posters that I would have thought perfect for the panel who didn't get in...how does that selection process work?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I always thaought the "moms" panel was nothing more than a publicity stunt. I have seen much better info and advice about all things Disney here on the board from various posters, than anything that they have put out. plus the posters often give you different opinions and/or viewpoints so that you can make your own decision.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I think some ppl might say on the Internet that a doc's letter is recommended/imply that it is required to help keep down cheaters/fakers. They likely assume that ppl who are disabled know the laws already and those who just want to try to cheat the system (i.e. those who think it is a front-of-the-line pass) may not know the laws.

 

[BeckyScott]

I think the guide books still have this in them- I know our UG did, the 2008 one, it even has a sample letter in it. So if the mom's panel people didn't include anyone that has actually dealt with this before, if they were relying on whatever resources they had... obviously not using the DISboards in their research, duh... but just grabbing their UG or Fodor's...

However, Ms_B, I think you have a valid point too. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a dr's note, because I know we have a legit situation. If someone is not being honest, the thought of having to get a note from their doc might stop them. Might. Depends on how determined they are and how ethical their doc is.

 

[mechurchlady]

Another thing is that it is a Disney site. I doubt the panelists would want to put down Dsiney and Disney would want happy campers. Here you hear the good, the bad and the ugly without Disney or any company coming down on you. Also you get a wide base of people who have different viewpoints. Even on other boards you have cliques of people who know things and will keep the facts straight. At least Sue does not use the Black Friday edition of the newspaper on me, yet, lol. I use the internet to check my facts as the parks can and do change. Also where are the other panels as some kids, fathers, and barren broads like me have good advice.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think the guide books still have this in them- I know our UG did, the 2008 one, it even has a sample letter in it. So if the mom's panel people didn't include anyone that has actually dealt with this before, if they were relying on whatever resources they had... obviously not using the DISboards in their research, duh... but just grabbing their UG or Fodor's...

However, Ms_B, I think you have a valid point too. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a dr's note, because I know we have a legit situation. If someone is not being honest, the thought of having to get a note from their doc might stop them. Might. Depends on how determined they are and how ethical their doc is.

It never was a requirement to have a doctor's letter, but some people who were not really familiar with the ADA thought it was.
I know on allearsnet.com for a long time, it said you needed a letter to get a GAC. They also had a sample letter that they suggested using.
Because allearsnet is well known, I think a lot of other sites/people just copied that information as fact without checking it out. If they had actually used a GAC or read the ADA, they would have known that was not true.

Even now, allearsnet says it's not required to have a doctors letter, but they recommend it because they say it will be helpful to the CMs.
I have had conversations and email discussions with Guest Services CMs who have told me that doctors letters are seldom helpful because most of them are so general, giving no information at all and say things like:
"My delightful patient, Miss M, has XXXXXXXX which makes it difficult for her to wait in lines. Please extend every possible assistance to her."

CMs have said that guests with the letters often don't want to answer questions about what assistance they need (because they have a letter, they think they don't need to do anything else and don't understand why the CM is asking).

 

[PrincessMom4]

I have a child with a condition that makes her not handle crowds well.... They have not "formerly" put a name to it, but she does has a poor working memory, no/little social skills and a noise sensitivity. We thought it might be autism but she doesn't score in the test they do for it. She has meltdowns (imagine a teenager being stuck in a young child's body) and even her younger brothers are scared of her. My younger 3 have no problems at all. She had a brain injury as a young child while at a "supposed good daycare" and this has caused major problems otherwise. If people really understand when a child has a real medical condition and don't blame the parents for their efforts when they have tried everything and still are waiting for complete test results. She goes in for a CAT scan soon too so hopefully that will show us more. People stare at us while we are at WDW because my child has a meltdown and we are discipling (basically trying to get her out of the park and back to the resort so she can rest/relax). ANy other suggestions??

 

[hematite153]

People stare at us while we are at WDW because my child has a meltdown and we are discipling (basically trying to get her out of the park and back to the resort so she can rest/relax). ANy other suggestions??

You could try taking her to first aid for a rest. It would be closer and allow you to get her out of the crowds more quickly.

 

[SueM in MN]

You could try taking her to first aid for a rest. It would be closer and allow you to get her out of the crowds more quickly.

good suggestion

Also, there is information about Guest Assistance Cards in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, in post #6. The GAC is not meant to shorten or eliminate waits in line, but may be helpful in avoiding some of the triggers for meltdowns.

 

[blondietink]

I applied for the mom's panel twice now. Twice rejected, too!

 

[mechurchlady]

I have a child with a condition that makes her not handle crowds well.... They have not "formerly" put a name to it, but she does has a poor working memory, no/little social skills and a noise sensitivity. We thought it might be autism but she doesn't score in the test they do for it. She has meltdowns (imagine a teenager being stuck in a young child's body) and even her younger brothers are scared of her. My younger 3 have no problems at all. She had a brain injury as a young child while at a "supposed good daycare" and this has caused major problems otherwise. If people really understand when a child has a real medical condition and don't blame the parents for their efforts when they have tried everything and still are waiting for complete test results. She goes in for a CAT scan soon too so hopefully that will show us more. People stare at us while we are at WDW because my child has a meltdown and we are discipling (basically trying to get her out of the park and back to the resort so she can rest/relax). ANy other suggestions??

It could be SID or a myriad of other things or a combination of things.

First you need to know her triggers and end the day before she is so tired that she gets cranky. A tired person is more likely to react to a trigger. Some people make business or recipe sized cards that explain things like "My son has autism. Loves ice cream and Pooh. Fears loud noises and does not do well in crowds" People will react when they think a kid is suffering. They cannot tell the difference between a spoiled brat and a kid who is having a meltdown usually. They probably don't understand that the kid comes out of a meltdown faster if swaddled. They just do not understand so ignore them or politely explain.

For me the only way to avoid or get out of a meltdown is to avoid the triggers, self awareness of what is going on, and for the trigger to go away. Are the meltdowns from something instant like seeing a snake or hearing loud noises? Or is it a build up from stress and/or exhaustion? Kids are not like cars in that there is not a red line saying when they have had too much.

Read the autism threads for great tips for kids which I have used on my 80+ year old mother. They may be for autistic kids but they do apply to all kids. I have learned a lot about myself and how to combat my SID through them.

There are quiet places you can try to go before a meltdown occurs if the meltdown is from a build up of stress or tiredness. Just remember that your child comes first and ignore strangers. Big hugs and good luck and prayers.

 

[PrincessMom4]

Thank you all for the excellent words. Some days I (we-hubby and I) feel sooo alone out there. We have asked for help and it took us a very, very long tine to get her.

What is SID?? (not SIDS)