GAC card for food issues?

[Aneille]

I am confused.

My mother has Leukemia. She had her transplant back in March and is doing great. Her Dr. said she clear to go to WDW next week but he would like her to try to stay clear of buffets. He said "its okay if you eat from them but not too often".

So I called WDW months ago and asked about special handling of food in a situation like this and was told I would need to call the restaurants about a week before. So I just called Dining to get the numbers and I was told she needs a Guest Assistance Card.

This doesn't seem right to me, but is it what I need to do? She doesn't need any assistance in the park. She only needs assistance at our 3 buffet meals that all take place at resorts.

She doesn't want to miss out on the grandkids at the character buffets so that is why we went ahead and booked them.

Anyone know who is right?

I will need to go out of my way to get the GAC since we will not being go to a theme park before our first buffet.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILTIES!

The person who gave you the comment about needing a GAC was wrong. The GAC is only used for attractions (shows and rides), not for restaurants.

Did the doctor give a reason to avoid buffets? If so, what is the reason? What is the special food, or special handling that is needed?

WDW is wonderful about handling special allergy or food requirements. However, if you could give a little more detail we could probably be able to help you much better.

On a side note, she might need a wheelchair or ECV. Don't forget there is a lot of walking to be done at WDW; once around the World Showcase Promenade is 1.2 miles.

 

[Aneille]

I thought it was incorrect info. I will call back tomorrow.

She can't eat at buffets due to the germs. Its a precautionary thing. She had chemo and a transplant so her immune system is still recovering. She also hasn't had any vaccines since the transplant.

She was cleared to eat in restaurants 2 months ago I think. It wasn't that long ago that she had strict restrictions due to germs and food borne illnesses. Now she is free to eat anywhere and just about anything but can't eat salads unless prepared at home.

She's doing great and she's been to WDW back in 2004. She was going with us in December 2006 but found out about the Leukemia the last week of October 2006.

This year they are both looking forward to coming.

My Dad actually has less stamina than my Mom in the parks. In 2004 he got an ECV one day and we will do that if its a problem again and if they both need it at times they can share it.

Thankfully my family has been there quite a few times since 2004 and we take it pretty easy now.

Our costumes came in the mail today and we will be shipping them out this week to the resort. We are all very excited.

Thanks for the help.

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides what Cheshire Figment wrote, I think the people you talked to probably did not know what was meant by "special treatment for buffets".
I am an Infection Control Nurse and I am not sure what expectations you might have. You might need to get some clarification from the doctor because I think the stumbling block will be that no one will know what to do.
This is a link to a cancer article that includes information on neutropenic precautions, including foods to avoid. In the hospital when we have someone on neutropenic precautions (which would mean they have a much lower chance of fighting off infections than she does right now), their diet would be arranged to avoid the foods listed on that website. It's not been proven to prevent infections, but certainly can't hurt.
Unless the doctor has some other clarification for you, I'd suggest she avoid those foods for the buffets and possibly ask your server if she can talk to the chef regarding ingredients in case she is worried about any of the buffet food including them.

 

[mechurchlady]

You will need to check the FAQs posted on disABILITIES on how to contact WDW about dining.

Explain to them that her condition and that because of her low immune system she cannot eat from buffets because of potential germs left behind by other guests. Ask them if they will make her a special plate. Be prepared with medical documentation such as a clearly written explanation from a doctor say why she cannot eat in a buffet.

I have celiac and for me my buffet dining problem is people dropping croutons in salads or dropping allergen laden food into something I will think is safe but is not. For your mother all it would take is one person who did not wash up after visiting the bathroom or who has a cold.

 

[Aneille]

Mechurchlady has it correct.

She can eat anything. She can even eat from the buffet. Her Dr actually said just try not to eat too often from the buffet. I suggested she get a special plate to be more safe. She just needs the food to come from as few hands as possible.

When I called orginally, a few months ago, dining told me the chef or someone in the back will make her a plate of food that hasn't gone out onto the buffet, where kids sneeze on it, touch it, drop it and then put it back etc.

She has no other restrictions besides salad which is avoidable all on her own and she doesn't need WDW to do anything for her in that sense.

SueMN - In the past she did have all kinds of food precautions, as listed on that website, exactly it appears but they have been all lifted for at least 2 months. She still can't eat salad outside of the home, and is okay to only drink certain bottled water, which is completely avoidable without WDW help.

Hopefully today I'll get it straightened out.

She is doing really well and unless you knew, you would never know she is sick. We hope it continues going this way.

Thanks again guys.

 

[SueM in MN]

Mechurchlady has it correct.

It was late and after I went to bed, I thought about the same things that Mechurch wrote. That makes a lot of sense and should be 'doable'.

 

[Aneille]

Well I finally have it straightened out and we are good to go.

I did a search on the Dis and found a pt of contact for WDW Foods. I called and 2 minutes later it was all set!

She doesn't need a physicians note, just needs to remind the hostess when we arrive.

Thanks again for the help. I don't know how upset I would be if I hadn't known what a GAC was and ended up trying to get one for the food issue.

 

[mechurchlady]

It was late and after I went to bed, I thought about the same things that Mechurch wrote. That makes a lot of sense and should be 'doable'.

You can call me Churchy. I love to eat but can spit a crouton 100 yards. I love food but at the sweepstake convention I had to eat out of a food line. People poking and leaning in to figure out what was what. I was lucky to be one of the first to get some food and did not get sick thankfully. I ate at Souplantation bout 4 years ago and asked clearly what food had soy, egg, and wheat. HUH, no al the food has not bread in it. They did not understand gluten and celiac. Does the salad dressing have soy? HUH.

I think one of my favourite meals was at Ackerhaus but I had not been diagnosed then. ANyhow I am glad to help and if you have allergy and food sensitivity questions I am pretty smart from experience. Sue I often sleep post, lol.

I hope you have a fun trip and could you send me a doggy bag.

 

[livndisney]

I thought this might come in handy to some

www.allergycards.com

You can print up a card for your allergies. Mine also explains the risk of cross contamination (which I find some people have a hard time understanding). It also lists an emergency contact. I know sometimes I get frustrated explaining my food allergies so maybe having this will help.

 

[mechurchlady]

That type of card would work with disabled kids also. Hand someone a card and they read that the kid has autism, CF, cancer or what ever. The card could list any special information like what the kid likes or triggers to be careful of. I saved that and hope to get to doing those cards.

Thanks.