GAC - different question

[tjmw2727]

My sil has MS and (thank GOD) is doing wonderfully despite a few hard years. Her major issue right now is some numbness and the lack of ability to regulate her body temperature. She lives in FL so she is pretty accustomed to the heat and humidity but dosen't always realize she is overheated until its to late. Then she just can't cool down - its scary!

Even though our family lives in MA and now DE our families are very close and have done WDW together many times - its a blast. With fast-pass and Child Swap we have been able to enjoy all the attractions without her needing a GAC. It helps to have 4 adults and older cousins (my dd's) along. The problem is with rides like Dumbo that my SIL has wanted to ride with my neice (2yo) and nephew (4yo) since she started her family. She has such fond memories of visiting WDW as a kid with her parents and wants to continue the tradition but she can't wait the line in the sun.

Wow - that's to long but....

She would never get a GAC for herself even just to wait out of the sun. She thinks its still a head of the line pass and won't do it. She considers herself lucky not to be suffering as much as others she has met along the difficult road she is on. When I or my bil (her dh) bring it up she insists that others need it more. Honestly until now it hasn't been an issue as we have done baby swap and FP so that she can keep cool in a restaurant or the shade while we do rides without FP or do use Babyswap.

Ok - to make a long post longer can someone other than the person who needs it request and get a GAC? I would never do this if dsil would do it by herself. If we were joining we really wouldn't need it either but they are doing a family trip in May, we won't be joining her and it will be to hot for her. Can her dh get a gac without her knowing or if she isn't present? I think she would use it once they had it, it if she didn't have to get it. Yes she is proud and still in some stage of denial but I am hoping my dbil can get the pass for her and then they can enjoy a ride like Dumbo (that dosen't have FP) as a family. I imagine them using it sparingly but when needed it would be of great beneift. What ends up happening is that they have one great day and then my dsil pays the price the next day and my bil takes a kid or two while dsil recovers and they do the every other day thing.

So can my bil get a GAC for my sil and do they need a doctor note?
sorry so long....

TIA
TJ

 

[SueM in MN]

Ok - to make a long post longer can someone other than the person who needs it request and get a GAC? ...............
Can her dh get a gac without her knowing or if she isn't present? ...............
So can my bil get a GAC for my sil and do they need a doctor note?
sorry so long....

TIA
TJ

The answer to all your questions is no.
The person with a disability generally has to be there to request the GAC and the GAC is issued to that person. Even for people like my DD, for whom I am guradian, as well as mom. The only exception I have heard about is an occasional child whose parent had the child in Guest Services, but did not bring the child up to the counter with them because they did not want their child to hear the conversation.
If she does decide to get a GAC, she doesn't need a doctor's note; although some people do bring one, it is not a requirement.
You can read more about the GAC on the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board. Maybe reading it would help her to see that it's not a "perk" or a front of the line "Pass". It's a tool that helps the CMs to know what sorts of assistance/accomidation is needed.

PS.
If they are able to get to the parks early (like just after opening), they will be able to ride most of the Fantasyland rides with minimal to no waits - even in busy times of the year.
Another alternative would be to go to the park later in the day when it has started to cool off and the sun is not so hot.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks, that is what I thought and it does make sense.

We do try and do EE esp with the kids up early anyway but I know her and she will try and do to much on the next trip. My nephew is a handfull and without my dd's to keep up with him its going to be a challenge. But that's just the way she is and to her accepting her limits at this piont is admitting defeat.

So while I truly admire her strength and courage I wish I could help - nothing new for some but new for me. Don't want to get into much detail but my bil he is not a hands on dad. So having me, my dh and my dd's makes WDW a much more fun trip for her. The next trip she will be pretty much in charge, if she would take break and do what she needs for herslef everyone will be happy. But I know she is going to go above and beyond to please everyone and not take care of herself. I worry so much about her - yes she is an adult and she can take care of herself -

Luckily we have a "moms and sil and sis only" trip in April prior to her family trip. Me, my sister and my dear sister in law, who would be a best friend if we had met outside of the family. Maybe I will take her and make her get the GAC for our mom's only trip even though we won't need it to see the potential benefit for her My family trip. We will be taking it easy an on her pace so that will be fun.

Is this a problem to take a GAC and not use it - do they have a max? I wouldn't want to hurt anyone by getting one for her.

Thanks -
TJ

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might point out to her that her being comfortable will make for a better vacation for the entire family. Try a small guilt trip on her that not having the GAC will make it harder on everyone, and that it is like an insurance policy to be used only of needed.

 

[ducklite]

In the summer months I get a GAC to be able to wait in the shade--sun and heat aggarvate my asthma, and only use it as needed. No problems doing so at all.

Anne