Eating Disorders/anxiety

[Mom2twogals]

Although I am an annual Passholder and travel to Disney often, my youngest daughter hasn’t traveled there with me since her diagnoses and we are bringing her for a quick trip this fall. She was diagnosed with anorexia and hospitalized in July 2018 for medical stabilization. She was also diagnosed with extreme anxiety and ocd which tend to be counter issues with eating disorders . Although she is actively working towards recovery, she still suffers from anxiety and ocd because we took away coping mechanisms associated with her eating disorder. We took her to universal studios last December and it was a disaster. Any long line made her ocd (the need to wash her hands often is a big ritual)increase which in turn increases her anxiety and she would lash out. The brain suffers damage during malnourishment and it can take years to heal. Also she is on a strict meal plan, 3 meals 3 snacks daily, requiring between 3200-4000 calories daily and it was difficult to keep her meals on track and we had to substitute a lot of her in take with pediasure 1.5 cal while waiting in lines and we try really hard to avoid supplements while we work to tackle fear foods and get her back on track. Someone suggested the DAS for her so we could keep stress down, use time waiting for rides to eat all her needed intake and try to keep her ocd and anxiety at bay. I hate to say it but I feel like Disney may not understand enough about eating disorders to not think we are just trying to skate some rules to get her a pass. She has a 504 plan for school and even with her teachers having met with her team of doctors at the hospital where she receives treatment , didn’t seem to help them understand the seriousness. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental health issue but by all accounts if you look at my girl, she looks healthy so her disorder is often brushed under the rug. It is classified as a disability pertaining to her education and she receives modifications at school for it to relieve stress and keep her safe. Is the DAS pass something I should consider or just do our best to tackle the park with her without trying. I typically would avoid an amusement park due to her triggers but her big sister and I attended Passholder previews for Galaxy’s edge and she really wants to build a droid and ride some rides she once enjoyed so much prior to her diagnosis

 

[Bjkandma]

You could try! Guest Relations may ask questions and you will need to explain why your daughter cannot wait in the trAditional line.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disney does not need to understand eating disorders. They need to, and do, understand why the guest can't wait in the standard line. You explain her needs, not her diagnosis.

And absolutely use FastPass as well. With just the DAS (if given), you could be waiting hours between attractions. Also have a plan in case it's denied. Also, read the WDW DAS FAQ thread pinned at the top of this forum - just the first post.

 

[Mrsjvb]

why can't she wait in the line? that and ONLY that is what you will need to articulate. not 'we can do this this and this instead of waiting in Line" but a actual real explanation s to why she cannot do lines. and don't forget that even the FP+ line can still be 20 minutes long.

you can rent a wheelchair or stroller( based on age/size) to give her a space to retreat to when she gets overwhelmed.

 

[gap2368]

Disney does not need to understand eating disorders. They need to, and do, understand why the guest can't wait in the standard line. You explain her needs, not her diagnosis.

And absolutely use FastPass as well. With just the DAS (if given), you could be waiting hours between attractions. Also have a plan in case it's denied. Also, read the WDW DAS FAQ thread pinned at the top of this forum - just the first post.

This 100% just let the CM know your ( here) concerns for the line and why waiting out side the line will help her.

 

[mukorasirish]

If the droid is something that she wants to do - have you made an appointment for her yet?

I would definitely go for a DAS - just explain why she can not wait in a line. Then create a good plan for touring the park.

Good luck.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

OP I don't have any advice, just want to send you good vibes and let you know I'm praying for your daughter's continued recovery and your peace of mind.

 

[bopper]

And remember...you aren't "getting away with something"...you aren't "skipping the lines"...you are just waiting the same amount of time as others...just in a way your daughter can handle. You are giving her the ability to do what every kid wants...to ride the rides.

 

[SG131]

Because you can bring snacks in line, I wouldn't necessarily stress that when you go to Guest Services. I would more so mention why with her anxiety the line is very difficult. It's issues like that that DAS is made for.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I would more so mention why with her anxiety the line is very difficult. It's issues like that that DAS is made for.

Actually, no. The DAS is made for any issues related to a disability that make it very difficult or impossible to wait in the line itself. There are tons of valid reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with anxiety.

 

[gap2368]

Actually, no. The DAS is made for any issues related to a disability that make it very difficult or impossible to wait in the line itself. There are tons of valid reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with anxiety.

OP the DAS is need based not DX based there are a lot of different needs for the DAS you just have to exsplain why you need it

 

[SG131]

Actually, no. The DAS is made for any issues related to a disability that make it very difficult or impossible to wait in the line itself. There are tons of valid reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with anxiety.

That’s what I meant by my post. That DAS is meant for people who can’t wait in line. I certainly didn’t mean that it was only for anxiety, just that since something like needing to eat at certain times could be helped by bringing something in line it may be harder to get DAS for that reason. Just like for mobility issues they say no often. Focusing on the anxiety issues out of all of her daughters issues would give her the best shot.