Driving 6000 Miles for the Magic: A Miracle Trip

[eternaldisneyfan]

This installment will be in 3 posts because even without emoticons, I have 59 pictures.

Monday, July 24, 2007

Today was another trip to MGM. I had high expectations because our last day had been so good. As we entered the park we received Mickey Mouse stickers. A good omen perhaps?

Our first stop was Beauty and the Beast…I loved it!! All the singing and acting was fantastic and the expressions were awesome! We sat at the wheelchair seats down front. Really good seats. The CMs were asking all ECV users and park rented wheelchairs if they could transfer to make more seats available. I had read on jamal’s trip report that sometimes you can meet Belle, Prince, and Gaston after the show. I had Dad ask a CM if this was possible. She said she would check…I thought the show was incredible! I even got a little teary-eyed when the Beast died. Beauty and the Beast is probably my favorite movie. I identify with Belle. I love to read, I don’t fit in and people think my lifestyle is strange, I feel limited by my situation. One of the songs Belle sings is how I feel- “I want adventure in the great wide somewhere, I want it more than I can tell. And for once it might be grand to have someone understand I want so much more than they've got planned...”

I have so many things I want to do. What I need to achieve my goals is a nurse. I have been searching for four years without luck…

Okay-don’t want to make this gloomy-it is The Happiest Place on Earth! We have an insane amount of pictures. I am including a lot that will give you the basic gist of the show:

The Prince showed the witch his true nature so he was cursed.

Belle in her own world

Gaston bragging

Trying to convince Belle to marry him:

Belle arriving at the castle:

Be Our Guest:

Furious Beast

Getting closer:

Gaston in Kill the Beast:

Gaston begging for his life and Beast telling him to leave:

Gaston attacking!

I love you

The transformation:

The Prince is back and true love prevails!

The celebration:

continued below

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

continued

As we were coming out of the show, it started to sprinkle. We started to make a mad dash to the nearest building. But within 30 seconds there was a torrential downpour. Or “the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down in rushing, rising rivulets.” We scattered to the closest covering-tables with covers. I was able to cover my head. Dad threw a cover on me and Mom and went to try and find Danielle and Grandma. Now it was really coming down. Little streams on the ground that carried French fries. Thunder and lightning that caused screaming. In all the confusion Dad forgot to cover my ventilator and inverter. Not only was it being rained on but all the rain from my sun shade/rain cover was pouring down onto it. The ventilator started alarming. Mom rushed over,

“Dad didn’t cover your ventilator! That’s the most important part!” Mom said incredulously.

The ventilator screen was flickering, the inverter screaming, alarms going off like crazy. Mom was frantically trying to cover the back of my chair with the specially cut poncho. Then the vent turned off. Mom quickly pulled the vent off so I wouldn’t have to breath through all the tubing. At this time, Dad showed up. Danielle and Grandma were about 20 feet away. Some very kind people had given them ponchos. My inverter wasn’t working. The heated plate for my humidification was water logged and overtaxing the invertor causing it to turn off. Normally my vent would just switch to internal power but with the malfunctioning it cut out. Dad unhooked the inverter and restarted my vent. Hooray! It worked! It was acting wacky, the screen flickering and changing breathing modes but it was still working. We needed to get to a bathroom fast so we could dry things off. We ran to the nearest bathroom to check my alarming life support equipment. I can breathe off the vent for periods of time (varies depending on different factors-fatigue, congestion, and other stressors like pain, anxiety, excitement, and heat).

Dad starts wiping and sopping up the water on the heated humidification plate. He also went to work on the vent display and inverter. He left the vent on to see if the display was correcting and to occasionally have me try it to see how it was working.

A CM comes out of a bathroom stall and says offendedly, “This is a woman’s bathroom.”

Dad, nervously: “I know-I am helping my disabled daughters.”

CM: “There is a Companion bathroom by…(she then named two companion restrooms that were a long way away).”

Mom, firmly: “My daughter’s life support equipment is malfunctioning because of the rain and we need to fix it.”

CM, authoritatively: “You can’t be in here. You will have to leave.” Then she left, huffily.

I was shocked and flustered. I mean when people see Dad come into a bathroom they look shocked until they see me. Then they usually get an expression of understanding or at least tolerance. There are rarely companion restrooms at regular establishments and I can’t just not go to the bathroom… Poor Dad was embarrassed. I use Companion Bathroom’s as often as I can, even planning bathroom stops around them. But sometimes I can’t find them or they are a long way away or like this time-it was an emergency! And, at least in California and some other states (there was a sign at some rest stops), it is the law that someone of the opposite sex is allowed to assist in the restroom. Another CM came in-sent by the first. Mom explained the situation kindly but firmly. Although this CM seemed flustered by Dad’s presence, she was apologetic. We decided to turn the vent off while everyone went to the bathroom (with Dad still drying) to see if the vent would recover. If not, we would have to return to the house, get the other vent, and switch it from chair to bedside for the remainder of vacation. Not to mention that I was getting quite out of breath between the anxiety and anger. If we had to return to the house Dad would probably have to bag me while Mom drove. Needless to say, we were hoping the vent recovered.

Turned back on the vent.

The panel was okay now.

Inverter seems to work.

The humidity plate is still out of commission but I can manage without that for a few hours.

Put on the vent…

It was breathing properly!

We came out of the bathroom, in rain gear with the vent securely covered and headed towards ABC Commissary to eat and compose ourselves. On the way there was a man in a rented ECV having trouble. His chair kept cutting out, especially on inclines. Dad offered to help. The lever to take the chair out of gear wasn’t fully in the driving position. Dad fixed it, the man and his wife thanked Dad, and they motored away.

Nothing remarkable about the food. We did the usual look at the preprinted menu and choose. While we were eating I asked Dad about that request to see the characters after Beauty and the Beast. It turns out that she told Dad to wait after the show until everyone had left and she would try to work things out…Uh, then why didn’t we wait?! I was a little upset about this. We could’ve missed the rain crisis and had a magical moment!

I know we used a Companion bathroom and it was good. But I can’t remember if there was one by the restaurant or if we used the one by Narnia/across from the Flatbread Grill.

Our plan was to ride Backlot Tour. We had tried to ride this the first day but it had closed (it closes early, I believe 5:30). But it started raining again. So went over to the Narnia exhibit. We had tried to do this on our first MGM day but all the wheelchair spots were booked for several hours.

Today we got in. I took a look at the CMs pins and asked if he had any cast member pins. He apologetically said he didn’t and I didn’t see anything I really liked so I didn’t trade. At first he said that only 3 wheelchairs were allowed per showing. A bit problematic since we had four. Then he said that if all four wheelchairs could fit between two points (the width of the movie screen) than we could go together.

We fit!

While everyone was loading into the theatre, the CM rushed over to give me this pin:

A kid had just traded him for it. The actual show was good. The white witch did a good job. The props were nice. I like.

Backlot Tour was pretty good. This was one ride that we all went on together. Danielle and I were in the wheelchair seats and Mom and Grandma transferred.

Pre-show:

Some pics from the tour:

Used in LMA

Walt's private plane:

Catastrophe Canyon:

Herbie!

From Pirates 2:

Post tour:

The dump shop had a lot of cool stuff. I traded for my first Belle pin.

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[eternaldisneyfan]

Our next stop was The Great Movie Ride. I had last ridden this when I was nine. I had a longer wheelchair on other trips and wouldn’t fit. But now my chair was shorter. I took off my footplates, tipped down, made a tight turn and fit! Hooray!

What can I say, I like this ride! I like the different scenes and being hijacked and the hijacker’s demise. Just fun.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/LDSpeaker/vacation%202006/100_0563-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

After the ride, I did some talking and trading with Lori. I tried to trade one pin but she insisted that mine was better and then gave me said pin! Then she said, “Hold on, let me get my other lanyard.” She spotted the treasure chest from the Narnia CM and proceeded to give me the rest of the set-the flag and the wheel! Wow! I know she gave Danielle some pins, too…Thank you, Lori!

Our final stop of the night was Fantasmic. I enjoy this night time spectacular with all its effects. Getting seated was a bit crazy. If you are a wheelchair party you are directed by a CM who guides you through the crowd, “Excuse us, wheelchair party coming through, clear the way.” Then the CM directs you to park in the first available seat. I appreciated the help navigating but thought wheelchair parties should have more control of where they sit like regular patrons. I usually enjoy the pre-show music and watching the wave. But there were these tour groups from Brazil that started yelling this cheer for their country and competing with another group for volume. Soon all I could here was the cheer and not the music. This grated my nerves a bit…Five minutes before the show, this family breathlessly plops down on the special needs back row bench-excited that they found seats after the standing room only announcement. A CM approaches them to inform them that the bench is for special needs guests and that they would need to get up. An argument ensues about the unfairness. The CM solves the conflict by saying that the family will have to stand until the show starts. If no other special needs guests need the bench then they can sit. If a special needs guest approaches they will have to move. The family reluctantly agreed to this (they got the seat).

I enjoyed watching Mickey take control of his dream and beat the bad guys. I love the music…

This day wasn’t perfect but it had some great moments. The super nice pin CMs overthrew the rude bathroom CM. I loved Beauty and the Beast, The Great Movie Ride, and Fantasmic. The good outweighed the bad. Making it overall a good day.

Next update:Saturday July 21-Epcot: Soarin'!

Epcot: Wow! Whee! OW! w/pix- Page 26, Post #389, 390

 

[rushing]

I've enjoyed reading your TR. You're a great writer.

 

[Goofyluver]

OMGosh Christamae! I panicked with your vent! I'm so glad everything worked out! And I am so sorry about the rude CM---but you're right! Lori saved the day!

I wish we got to do more at MGM. I have to go back now though...of course!

 

[jackdis]

Another great report. Your reports are so interesting. I'm glad the rain didn't completely ruin your equipment. For all the nice CM's, there's always bound to be a doozy!!!! Looking forward to more of your report!
Jackie

 

[LeeLee2U]

Oh! My heart is still beating fast over your vent!!! I thank God everything worked out o.k. Sorry about the rude CM. I think anyone would've been shocked at first seeing a man in the womans B.R. But I'm sure the situation was self explanatory as your Dad was trying to fix your vent. It's not like he was just standing there watching every woman who walked in the door! I just can't believe a CM would act like that especiallyafter having the situation explained. Oh well as my mom says "It takes all kinds to make the world." Although we could sure do without some of the attitudes!!!
I'm so glad everything worked out for you and I LOVE your pics We are going to HAVE to see Beuaty and the Beast. I've loved the story as long as I can remember!
You are an awesome writer Christamae! I will be waiting for the next installment! And I will be praying for you to find a good nurse!!!!

 

[Tanya90210]

Great update... I love your pictures of the beauty and the beast show.... I missed it the one year we tried because DD was having a hissyfit... we never made it last time....


and you fit in here... We dissers are big fans of you and your family

 

[mrsksomeday]

Wonderful installment. So sorry you had problems with the vent, then had to deal with the rude CM. I love your writing, thanks for posting all those pics too.

 

[KathyRN137]

Wow! Dad should wear a red shirt with a little "i" on it.....he's a real-life Mr. Incredible!!

And I enjoyed your pix so much! We missed B&TB two trips in a row and we're definitely going to see it this year. Your pix brought all the memories flooding back.

You must spend so much time uploading them all... I really appreciate your efforts.

Such a scary moment with the vent shutting down....I'm glad your guardian angel was looking out for you!

That was a great chapter and well worth the wait!

Kathy

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Pins!!Pins!! Pins!! Glad to see some more pins. I'm so jealous. I have the wheel and treasure chest, but not the flag. Also glad your vent worked out ok. I was sitting on the edge of my seat for just a moment.

 

[DisneyJo]

OMG Christaemae you should really write professionally as I felt as though I was with you in the bathroom, so pleased your Dad fixed your vent and how rude of the CM! Loved your Beauty and the Beast photos. How many pins have you now got?

 

[nts4wdw]

You had me scrolling quickly through the second part to see if you would be alright!! So glad you are OK! Your dad is Mr. Fixit, isn't he? Quite handy to have around!
The pictures were awesome! I felt like I was right there at the Beauty and the Beast show with you. Thanks for another great post!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Great installment; I love Beauty and the Beast, too!! I think it's my favorite show, along with Dream along with Mickey in MK! Ok, that rude CM story in the bathroom had me fuming for you--what did she NOT understand about "life support"? Your dad is just incredible!

Can't wait until next weekend for more of your trip!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Christamea,

You had me slighly panicking with the vent incident too (even though I know that obviously survived, DUH!).

Glad you had some good times in spite of the bad, loved your report as always. Awesome pictures too!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Wow - I cannot believe the bathroom CM behavior ! I can see how she could have an initial "that man should not be in the bathroom" moment, but the minute she realized what your Dad was doing, it seems to me she should have offered asssitance, not snippiness. I mean, if she were that concerned about a man in a bathroom, she could have just stood outside the door and informed entering ladies that a man was assisting his disabled daughters - then, any incoming ladies could make a decision regarding their own entrance. Anyway, I'm constantly amazed by the obstacles you face in your day to day life. This trip report has been (and continues to be) a real eye opening experience for me - it should be required reading for CM's.

But, man, I could feel your disappointment when you found out that waiting around after Beauty & The Beast might have presented you with an opportunity to meet the cast! And prevented all the rain related fallout. ARGHHH!!!

Thanks for the report! Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[lovedcookie]

Christamae -
Thank you soo much for writing another GREAT installment in your trip report!! You have a wonderful gift for writing. I'm so glad you enjoyed MGM and that you and your family were able to overcome setbacks to have a magical time. Can't wait to read your next post!!
Erica
ps - your pictures of B&TB are cool, I can't wait to see the show with my DF!!

 

[wendygrace]

Thank you for the update. so glad the vent kicked in. I know so well that panic you get when equipment gets wet or goes crazy. Glad the day overall went well.

 

[Echo queen]

This is a great story, I loved it just read the whole thing. The dinner dishes are not washed but so I just had a disney adventure .
I am from Illinois and my dh from NC, we live in TX, we fly for most trips including disney (Sept) I will not flinch at the thought of driving to these places again with my dh and 2 healthy ds's 12 and 8. We should all count our blessing no matter how many or few You inspire me as I'm sure you inspire others May you have many more adventures

 

[burly]

Christamae!!! OMG, i was certainly panicked while reading this! So glad your dad is so handy. What a rude CM. Great pics! thanks for this installment, and can't wait for more.

sorry to hear about your dog.