GAC and MS

[janskin]

I am a 37 year old mother of 2. My girls are 9 and 13. We are going to Disneyworld and I have purchased a cooling vest to try and keep my cool. My question is could I get a GAC to try to escape the heat and standing for long periods of time.
Or would I just get mean looks because "I look perfectly healthy"
Of course, if they aren't close enough to see the tremors and the fact I drag my left leg a little from my left side being numb.
Do I need a letter from my neuro??

Thanks for your help.

Jan

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome.
You don't need a doctor's letter to request a Guest Assistance Card (GAC). According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, they can't require that you have one, although some people feel more comfortable asking for a GAC if they have a letter. If you bring a letter, ask your doctor to avoid medical terminology and pretty mcuh state what you wrote; that you have MS and need to avoid the heat and sun. The message that is printed (or stamped) onto the GAC depends on your needs. The GAC is really just a way to make invisible needs apparent to the CMs at the rides/attractions. There actually is a stamped message for avoiding the heat and sun.

As for using it; with fastpass, people are used to seeing CMs looking at slips of paper from guests. GAC users don't "stick out" as much as we used to, since there are so many people with fastpasses, you sort of "blend it" to the fastpass users.
This website has a good explanation of the GAC and also some helpful information about beating the heat.

 

[tinkrbel]

Originally posted by janskin
I am a 37 year old mother of 2. My girls are 9 and 13. We are going to Disneyworld and I have purchased a cooling vest to try and keep my cool. My question is could I get a GAC to try to escape the heat and standing for long periods of time.
Or would I just get mean looks because "I look perfectly healthy"
Of course, if they aren't close enough to see the tremors and the fact I drag my left leg a little from my left side being numb.
Do I need a letter from my neuro??

Thanks for your help.

Jan

my husband has MS what is a cooling vest?

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by SueM in MN
You don't need a doctor's letter to request a Guest Assistance Card (GAC).

Sue is right - you do not need a doctor's note. Two weeks ago I got a GAC at the Magic Kingdom. I did not have my rented ECV yet. I just explained to the CM what my previous GACs have said. No problem! Now I realize this was a repeat GAC request for me, but even the first time, I did not need anything more than my word.

Originally posted by SueM in MN
As for using it; with fastpass, people are used to seeing CMs looking at slips of paper from guests. GAC users don't "stick out" as much as we used to, since there are so many people with fastpasses, you sort of "blend it" to the fastpass users.

I have never felt awkward using the GAC in a fastpass line. CMs have always been very nice about it. Some CMs will take more time to read the specifics (# of guests, dates, etc.), but I figure that is their job. Just besure to keep out the GAC - you need to show it twice in a fastpass line.