Driving 6000 Miles for the Magic: A Miracle Trip

[AGPrincess]

Hey Christamae (can I say, real quick, that your name is so beautiful? It sounds like a princess name! )! I just found your TR tonight and was immediatley addicted!--I couldn't go to bed until I had read it all the way through! You are an amazing writer! The poem you posted at the beginning is beautiful, and your entire TR is incredible!

Like everyone else, I am so impressed at the way you and your whole family make your own pixie dust and don't let the unmagical moments take it away! Thank you for sharing your magic with us!

Can't wait for more!

 

[burly]

Christamae....bumping you back to the front!

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I haven't even started reading yet, but I had to pop in ASAP and say HI! I'm from Modesto!!!

 

[ansky922]

great report

 

[kathymc]

Christamae - wow, what a great report. Love your writing style and your ups and downs have me hanging off the edge of my seat! You have a beautiful family and your love for each other just shines through.

Even though you've come across some tough times (and idiotic guests and cms) I'm glad to see you've experienced some of the magic.

Wishing you continued good health and looking forward to the next installment.

PS - loved all the photos of BB - hubby said that it was a once in a lifetime for him so I havent seen it in years

 

[zigzagzerr]

Christamae,
Boy oh boy, this trip was certainly an adventure!

Glad to see that you can continue to see the good and overlook the bad. Lovin' it lots! Thanks!

 

[pixe*dst]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Your writing is beautiful & you are full of grace.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

Thank you for all your replies. It's very encouraging and you are all so kind

rushing: Thanks

Goofyluver: Everyone was a bit panicked...I sent a complimentary note to Lori when I got home...Definitely give MGM a full perusal.

jackdis: Thanks. I am very impressed with my vent. It was originally built for military transport overseas and can withstand a lot.

LeeLee2U: Thank you...The CMs attitude did surprise me but we met so many good ones...Beauty and the Beast is awesome but I can't take credit for the pics-that was Mom.

Tanya90210:

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

Thank you it's nice to know people care...

mrsksomeday: Thanks

KathyRN137: Dad did wear an Incredibles hat the whole trip-and he has a shirt. I hadn't seen B&TB since I was 11...All the pix were uploaded by Mom. I copy to my computer, modify (lighten and crop), upload to photobucket, resize, and post.

tokyodisneydad: You, jealous of my pins? Japan has an exclusive market because they don't ship to the USA

DisneyJo: Thank you. I have 39 pins and always searching for more.

nts4wdw: We often call Dad's fixability, knowledge bred of necessity. My parents have always found solutions for medical stuff whether knowing the ins and outs of my wheelchair, building a special tray for my ventilator, or Dad adding extra power supply to the house for all my new equipment. Thanks.

whogirl'smom: Yea, I thought the alarming ventilator might've been a clue At least she didn't call security. Thanks.

Backstage Gal: Yep, drama. But such are the days of our lives.

eyeheartgoofy: Thank you. I am glad that you are enjoying the view from my eyes.

lovedcookie: Thank you...the harder the obstacle, the greater the reward

wendygrace: Thanks

Echo queen: Thank you for joining and your kind words Every day is an adventure.

burly: Thank you-and thanks for the bump

AGPrincess: Thanks for coming along and those compliments My parents made up my name from Christine and Mae...I have always liked it...I see you like Belle, too.

dopeyfanatic: "it's a small world" Maybe you've seen us-we are hard to miss

ansky922: Thanks for joining.

kathymc: Thanks for coming along and those nice words...Perhaps you could break off for the show while your husband saw LMA or I won't watch LMA unless you watch B&TB

zigzagzerr: Thanks for joining and those kind words.

pixe*dst: Thank you for your kindness and for joining.

jackdis, KathyRN137, mrsksomeday, sunlvr, burly: Thanks for the condolensces for my dog...

Without further ado: Epcot: Wow! Whee! OW!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

Tuesday, July 25, 2006, we headed back to Epcot. It was a late start park day but a day filled with much anticipation.

Today I would fly a hang glider-I was riding Soarin’!

Before Soarin’ we watched an impressive display of balance and acrobatic skill. Kristos.

After taking the picture, the cast member asked if we were on the disboards. Finally our LGMH were noticed. We exchanged a few words with moosiesmom and then we watched one of the hidden attractions-the fountain.

The fountain at Epcot performs these great synchronized routines to music. We always have to watch this water dance at least once.

The wait was almost over. I was getting more and more excited for Soarin’. This is the only ride I transfer to. It’s an easy transfer and the ride movements are smooth. Dad puts an arm behind my back and an arm in front of me while Grandma sits on my other side and holds my arm for extra stability. The first time I rode at Disneyland the tightness of the seatbelt had made me out of breath. I read here on the dis on a “pooh size” thread about stretching the seatbelt all the way out and wrapping it around the armrest before fastening. I did this and it really helped! I also used the extra loop between the legs. Securely in place, I was off!

I just love this ride! It is so realistic. Like nothing I have ever experienced. I find myself raising my feet so they won’t get wet or to avoid kicking a golfer. From the wind to the smells to the jolt of the seat from the fireworks, Imagineering at its finest.

I came off with a smile on my face. Mom looked relieved…That morning she broke down at the thought of me riding. She was afraid something would happen with my airway. I reasoned that the ride was only 4 ½ minutes. Dad could put a suction catheter in his pocket and he could reach me to blow through my trach. I rode it before. I would keep my vent on all morning before I rode. I had really been looking forward to this. It was really important to me…Reluctantly, Mom said I could ride…

And boy, was I glad I did!

After our flight, we ate.

Then we were off to Japan.

On the way to Japan I see Belle but the line is about to close. I remember my missed encounter from MGM. I ask the CM when Belle comes back. Seeing my excitement, she promises a magical moment if I come back at
5:40.

We then continue on our way to Japan for pick a pearl. We take a pit stop at the Companion Bathroom in Morocco. Pretty good.

I was excited to Pick a Pearl. The process looked fun. I wanted a white pearl and that’s what I got. I mounted it on a ring and when I got home had the ring sized to 2.5. Mom got a silvery blue one- very rare- and it earned her a drum beating. Danielle got white, too. While Mom got in line for the mounting, Danielle and I ran back to greet Belle.

When we arrived the CM handler was different and Belle looked different, too…They weren’t quite sure what to do with me. I just grabbed a picture and autograph and skeedaddled.

Mom finished up the mounting and the rest of us watched the Japanese drummers. Dad really liked them…They are quite dramatic.

Some of us cycled through the restroom during the show. We watched them beat to their own drum before heading off to China to see the acrobats.

continued below

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

continued from above

We have watched these acrobats on every trip. Very talented kids.

The guys moved very fast so it was hard to get pics of them...

After the show, we headed to one of the stores. Mom wanted to get Robert, my brother, a dragon souvenir and Danielle wanted something, too. I just browsed, paying special attention to details on the year of the Ox, my year.

Well, today had been pretty good. Got to ride the best ride ever, Soarin’, got a cool souvenir (I wear the ring everyday), and saw a favorite attraction. Come to think about it, every Epcot day had some really fun things…

Turned around to head for the entrance. Pushed my throttle forward for a nice acceleration, let it fall back for a walking speed…

Oh, crap, I am not slowing down.

There’s Danielle –oh, this is going to hurt. Time seemed to freeze, then WHAM.

Ow, ow, ow. Stop you stupid chair. The impact jarred my chair where it froze and I couldn’t back up to get the pressure off my foot that was being crushed in Danielle’s chair.

“Danielle, move, move, move!” Danielle quickly shifted and then the pain. Why? Why was my chair in cruise control? Why my foot???

You might have noticed in the pictures that I don’t wear shoes. That is because I have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in both my feet. Basically my feet are extremely sensitive and any pressure is painful. So an injury to my foot is 3x more painful than anywhere else.

We inspected the damage. Dad fixed my bent footplate…Oh, it hurt. Stabbing and grabbing. No, no, no don’t let it hang. Why is the pavement so bumpy? Dad applied an ice pack and kind of tied my foot to my foot plate with some trach tie material.

I hobbled home for further inspection.

When Dad tried to take off my sock it was stuck. The cloth was wedged under my toenail. Oooh…okay, it’s off. My toenail was quite loose.

Oh that toenail has quite a history. When I was nine, it almost got ripped off when it got caught on a piece of clothing. Dad gave a mighty yank and the toenail followed. I went to the doctor to get it removed. He removed it and then applied a special medicine,

“Now, only 2% of toenails grow back and only 1% with a fungus.”

Mine grew back…with a fungus. I began calling myself the one percenter. A resident later named me, “A beautiful unique snowflake.”

A couple years later, I ripped it off again when it got caught on something while I was driving my wheelchair.

It grew back-with a fungus.

Now here it was again, barely hanging on. I smiled through my tears at the sheer irony. And the offending sock was none other but Eeyore.

Mom set to cleaning the toenail. My foot and ankle were both very sore. When I was carried and the foot hung…Oh, not good. Dad carefully propped it in bed. But man it really hurt. I broke out the Dilaudid and took half a pill…That’s better…

We were supposed to go to MK tomorrow but should we get x-rays? What will we do?

Find out on Saturday, July 28, 2007

Where did it go? w/pix- Page 28, Post #409

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Christamea, OUCH!!!!!!!!!! Boy, that hurt even me!

Glad to got to ride Soarin' though, my all-time favorite ride ever!

A whole other week to wait for an update now?

 

[Goofyluver]

Ouch Christamae! I hope your foot came through okay. And don't you looooove Soarin'! This is probably my favorite ride in WDW...or close to it anyway! I love the smells...and going over those snowy mountains! Love iT!

 

[Tanya90210]

Just the thought of it sounds painful... I can only imagine the real feelings... ouch!

 

[MissMichelle]

Christamae! Your poor foot. I hope you didn't have any extreme pain the next morning and got to go without XRAYS.

I adore this TR. It has so much realness and it keeps me laughing. You have a great hand for writing and I am having lots of fun reading.

I love the acrobats in China! I have only caught the end of 2 of their shows, but after the photos you posted I WILL be checking showtimes and making sure I catch a whole show next month.

Can't wait to read more ;0)

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Still lovin the trippie. But what an owwee. The crash sounds awful, but I can really sympathize on the toenail falling off. I had both big uns fall off the same day. That was over 40 years ago and I still remember the problems. Both grew back.

Christamae said,

I just love this ride! It is so realistic. Like nothing I have ever experienced. I find myself raising my feet so they won’t get wet or to avoid kicking a golfer. From the wind to the smells to the jolt of the seat from the fireworks, Imagineering at its finest

The golfer is Eisner, feel free to kick.

 

[jlcd]

Here's hoping you didn't need to go for X Rays! I continue to enjoy your report and be amazed by your spirit!

 

[KathyRN137]

Oh...oh...oh...such joy and such pain all in one day!

Through your writing you have the gift of being able to take us along as you negotiate all the hills and valleys on this trip. I am amazed.

Until next week,

(Boy, this is kind of like those old-time weekly serials they used to show at the movie theater!)

Kathy

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

What?! You've left us with a cliffhanger? Your poor foot - OUCH!!!

So glad to hear about your Soarin' experience! I can smell the oranges and feel the sea breeze!

 

[wendygrace]

Ouch! You poor thing. I sure hope there's no break or sprain!

I teared up with your experience with Soarin'. So glad you were able to do that.

 

[Echo queen]

Love the epcot photos the last time we were there it rained buckets so we retreated early missing alot So until next week