Does this qualify for a DAS?

[camouseketeer]

Did she have this problem then?

Yep!

How hard does she need to be hit to affect her vision?

I don't know how to answer that. More force than riding in a car but less than getting hit in the head with a ball.

 

[Aladora]

At DLR two years ago, we were given a return time for RSR. It worked beautifully. We waited out the two hours doing other things in the park, and then went through a FP line to the ride.

If she did not have a problem with RSR, she should be able to handle most of what WDW can throw at her, that ride is FAST!

Maybe an ECV might help her more than a wheelchair, it would be easier for her to get around when she is waiting by herself?

 

[camouseketeer]

Yep, it's fast but not jarring.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Gracie09]

If she did not have a problem with RSR, she should be able to handle most of what WDW can throw at her, that ride is FAST! Maybe an ECV might help her more than a wheelchair, it would be easier for her to get around when she is waiting by herself?

If she has vision issues I don't think putting her on a motorized vehicle in a crowded park is a good solution. The op has said her mother couldn't see in front of a wheelchair to push it.

 

[sukhakuli]

Yep, it's fast but not jarring.

Thanks for the suggestion.

The G forces are jarring. So, it sounds like she can pretty much do everything that everyone can do. I don't think you need any accommodations in line. Is there something else a DAS will do for her?

Edit: How long until the bubble is absorbed? Can she goes after it is absorbed? From what I understand, it takes 1-3 weeks to absorb, unless she had the silicone, maybe she could go after the remove the silicone?

 

[cjbcam]

Is this bubble placed in her eye to fix the retina or macula? If that is the case it should dissolve. I don't think you could safely fly with a bubble in the eye.

 

[marlynnp]

She has a bubble surgically created in each eye that maintains her vision. If she is knocked (hard and unexpected) the bubble could burst and she would lose the limited vision that she has.

She does not drive, but she does ride in cars, planes, and trains, and calmer, expected movements like those that happen when driving (including driving over speed bumps) are ok. It's the unexpected actions like getting run into or knocked by someone's elbow or backback or stroller that are worrysome. (You should see her anxiety at my daughter's softball games. She stands very far away. She really can't see the game, but she is afraid of getting hit by a foul ball.) Like I said, she wouldn't ride any roller coasters or most E ticket rides, but rides like Dumbo and Peter Pan are safe for her.

I was just hoping that the farther away from a large group of people she was during a long wait, the safer she would be.

I don't see a wheelchair being an option because what would she do while the rest of us were on a ride? She couldn't push it because she couldn't see in front of it. She see well enough to walk on her own, and, with her cane to create her space buffer, she has successfully shopped or walked around in lower populated areas of DLR just fine.

I agree that her situation is unique. We can only go in, explain our needs, and hope for the best! Thanks to all.

When was this surgery?? 2 years ago??

Even if she had it yesterday, there would not be a bubble left 6 weeks from now. You really need to talk to her doctor as you appear to be quite confused about the after care your mother requires.

 

[camouseketeer]

The G forces are jarring. So, it sounds like she can pretty much do everything that everyone can do. I don't think you need any accommodations in line. Is there something else a DAS will do for her?

Edit: How long until the bubble is absorbed? Can she goes after it is absorbed? From what I understand, it takes 1-3 weeks to absorb, unless she had the silicone, maybe she could go after the remove the silicone?

My use of the word "bubble" is my own layman's/non-medical term.

Something was done permanently to her eyes to stabilize her retinal pressures. It was described to me as the creation of a bubble space. There is no silicone.

 

[camouseketeer]

You really need to talk to her doctor as you appear to be quite confused about the after care your mother requires.

We've been doing just fine for two years. Nope, I am not confused. I am just not very good at giving medical information.

Maybe this is why Disney doesn't want a medical diagnosis!

 

[Aladora]

My use of the word "bubble" is my own layman's/non-medical term. Something was done permanently to her eyes to stabilize her retinal pressures. It was described to me as the creation of a bubble space. There is no silicone.

I have no further advice but yikes, that sounds frightening!!!

Anytime you are talking about eyes, surgery, retinal pressure and then flying all in the same sentence, I get all squeamish!

 

[camouseketeer]

So, it sounds like she can pretty much do everything that everyone can do.

I would strongly but respectfully disagree.

I don't think you need any accommodations in line. Is there something else a DAS will do for her?

I appreciate your opinion. My mom is very well versed in her own health and her own needs. I will see what she wants to do.

 

[sukhakuli]

My mom had eye surgery, and, as a result, cannot be bumped or knocked. In past trips, we have walked around her when we have moved through the park, and she has used a cane to keep a physical barrier between her and others. We are worried about accidently getting knocked in lines. Could we get a DAS for this? (She doesn't ride the big coasters, but she would like to ride the FL rides with her grandchildren.)

She also has limited vision. We have been able to get a GAC in the past for these issues, but I know the DAS is only given for problems waiting in line.

We are headed to both DLR and WDW in the next 6 weeks.

Thanks for any insight!

I would strongly but respectfully disagree.



I appreciate your opinion. My mom is very well versed in her own health and her own needs. I will see what she wants to do.

OK. But since she's the expert (as she should be) why ask us?

I'm just really confused. I don't understand what her medical needs are, it sounds like you can't tell us, so how are we going to know if you can get a DAS?

 

[JennyDrake]

Have you considered a wheelchair? The bumping that could occur in a ride line would be the least of my worries. It would be the thousands of people roaming the park with determination or cluelessness that would cause me concern. Plus there are the hundreds of strollers that are a BIG hazard to someone with knocking issues. Once people enter a line, there is less hurry and risk because in most lines, there is nowhere to really go but forward slowly. Best of luck!

DITTO! Some personal experience here - I was at WDW in late April this year after having been casted and ZERO weight bearing for 3 months (Achilles rupture.) I was reasonably sound of even ground but my strength and balance were not such that I could tolerate being jostled w/o falling and I was TERRIFIED of having the surgery site bumped by an ECV or stroller.

My dear, dear friend was willing to push me in a wc and we rented one and used it for all the looong walks and in congested areas. It was a Godsend and I would heartily recommend such.

 

[camouseketeer]

OK. But since she's the expert (as she should be) why ask us?

Why post a DAS question on the disabilities board?
I guess that one should be self explanatory.

I'm just really confused. I don't understand what her medical needs are,

I am not worried about explaining her medical needs to you or Disney. That is not, at least to my understanding, what is needed for a DAS. You need to explain what your needs are, specifically, in terms of what prevents you from waiting in line.

it sounds like you can't tell usQUOTE]

I have told you what her needs are. I just haven't been clear as to what caused those needs.

I have said a couple of times in these thread that I think she needs an uncrowded place to be during our wait time, and by uncrowded I mean a place that does not have people within 6-12 inches of her for 60-120 minutes. I don't know if this disability prevents her from waiting in the traditional line. That is why I asked here.

I purposely left out of my OP any mention of her medical issues. They are not relevant, and I am sorry that I tried to cooperate with some posters to explain them. I more I did, the more hostile some became.

I do appreciate the opinions, as they have made me think about other options.

I don't appreciate, however, the idea that I am confused about how successful we have been at Disney with this issue in the past or that I am confused about what my mother and I have been living with for over two years.

 

[Aladora]

I think the best answer to your question is this:

Since your mother's needs and circumstance is so unusual, there is likely no one here who has any actual experience with needing or getting a DAS at WDW or DL. Your best bet is to just check at Guest Services and see what they think.

 

[camouseketeer]

I think the best answer to your question is this:

Since your mother's needs and circumstance is so unusual, there is likely no one here who has any actual experience with needing or getting a DAS at WDW or DL. Your best bet is to just check at Guest Services and see what they think.

I agree!

I think I said this a page or so ago, but it got lost in all of the medical jargon!

 

[SueM in MN]

I am aware of this. I have read the FAQ's (which, BTW, are mostly about wheelchairs and autism issues that do not relate to my situation.) That is why I gave no disability or diagnosis in my OP. I said that she cannot be jostled, which means she needs a safe place to remain while waiting for a ride. I also said that I know that her limited vision is not covered with a DAS. I know that I need to talk the CM's at each ride for that. Further, I said very clearly that I knew that the DAS was only for lines.

I am aware that we would still need to go through a line. Any FP line will be shorter than a SB line, and, will therefore, offer less chance of her being bumped by others. As I said in my OP, we have done this before very successfully with a GAC. At DLR two years ago, we were given a return time for RSR. It worked beautifully. We waited out the two hours doing other things in the park, and then went through a FP line to the ride.

I am reading about several situations where families are talking to Guest Services about getting a DAS and they are being questioned very heavily, and in my mind, in a way where the CM's don't seem to believe the needs they are hearing. I am worried that her needs, which were taken care of with a GAC, will not be accepted with a DAS. I am aware that a DAS is not a "one size fits all" item. I am trying to determine if her needs, the need to be in a place where she will not be closely surrounded by a lot of people, are sufficient for a DAS.

I appreciate the suggestions. While a wheelchair does seem to provide protection, I believe it could just as easily be knocked. Mobility is not her issue, nor is stamina. I know it seems strange to have her even go to DLR or WDW with her needs, but we've done it before successfully. I am hoping we can again.

RSR is Radiator Springs Racers, correct?

I guess that is one of the things that people are getting confused about. You have expresses concern about people possibly bumping or jostling her in line, but RSR has this warning,
WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.
So, it's kind of a disconnect that people are having trouble understanding.

Anyway, this is the part of the DAS FAQs that I thought would be useful when I was not able to write a long reply earlier:
How do I request a DAS?
person the DAS card is being requested for needs to be present, even if they can't talk
- you will be asked about your/the person's needs related to disability, not your diagnosis
- you may be asked "why are you requesting it?" - this does not mean they are asking what your disability is; they want to know what your needs are.
- For example, diabetes, autism and fibromylagia are not disabilities - they (like Cerebral Palsy, that is one of the conditions my DD has) are conditions that can cause a disability.
Not everyone with a condition has a disability. So, your task will be to explain how your conditions affect you in a way that causes a need for accommodations IN LINES.
- different people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs
- no proof or doctor's note is needed, and will not be looked at
- explain your needs clearly, calmly and concisely.
- include details the CMs will need, but don't include details that are not pertinent to waiting or accessing attractions.
*posters, please do not post exactly what you said to get a DAS - people need to explain their own needs.
there will not be any different stamps like GACs had; the person will either be issued a DAS card or not
Guest (responsible person if guest is not able to sign) must sign terms and conditions on the DAS card which says they
- agree they understand how the program works
- agree to not abuse the DAS
- agree they will not use it for commercial gain (like leading tours) or give it to someone else
- DAS can be revoked if this contract is breached.

So, basically, you explain the needs and the CMs will either issue a DAS or not.
If a DAS is issued, when your Return Time comes, you will enter thru the Fastpass line.

Since this thread is just kind of rotating around the same things, I am going to close it at this time.