GAC for guest recovering from heavy cancer treatments

[batt01]

Hello,

I just posted regarding another situation, which made me think that I should ask you all for advice.

We are due to arrive at WDW in two weeks. My wonderful husband just finished harsh cancer treatments (chemo and radiation). I would like to request a GAC card for him.

I know that we can request an alternate waiting area for him (due to the inability to stand for long periods of time and the need to be out of the sun). Are there other accommodations on the card's checklist that I don't know about that might be helpful to us? I want to be able to request anything that might help.

I am familiar with the card as we have used one when we travel with our daughter who has autism. However, my husbands needs are a bit different than our daughter's and I can't remember what all the accommodations that I can request are.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When you request a GAC you have to indicate what the needs are. Based on these needs, a determination will be made by the CM of what accommodations to offer.

For example, the normal and official response for any stamina/mobility situation is to suggest renting of a wheelchair or ECV, as it is not just the lines but the distances involved.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including in Post #2 where people rent ECVs and Post #6 which deals with the GAC.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[PatsMom]

There is another post on this board right now about travelling to Disney while on or shortly after chemo. There has been some pretty good advice given on that one.

As I understand it, a GAC might not be of much use, other than if your husband needs to wait out of the sun or out of crowds. Talk to his doctor about how compromised his immune system might be. I worry about that sometimes when I go to Disney shortly after a round of treatments. I haven't bothered with a GAC yet - we use Fastpass and tend to travel when lines aren't long. But sometimes you can't avoid a crowd in a pre-show.

You might want to budget for a wheelchair or ECV. I haven't gotten to the point of using one yet but if the fatigue is bad, he might benefit from having it. You could push it when he wants to walk and let him sit when he needs a break. Depends on your touring style. We don't have young children so we just take a break and have a soda or snack sitting on a bench when I am getting worn out. Not so easy with children.

Other than the potential alternate wait, I haven't been able to think of anything a GAC would help me with post treatment. I hope your husband's battle with cancer is won quickly and he recovers. Cancer is tough - on the whole family. We do find that some time at Disney helps us to think about other things and just enjoy life for a little while.

 

[dclfun]

I just returned from a long weekend at Disney (staying at OKW) after a chemo treatment and despite my using a power wheelchair for another disability, I had immense issues with stamina and pain. I was literally asleep in bed by 7:30 pm each evening. I'm hoping you'll consider renting an ECV for your husband. There is a lot of distance involved just in getting around the parks and he'll probably want a place to sit and rest in the queue lines to preserve his energy. There are some attractions where you can't wait out of the sun so bring sunscreen and perhaps a big floppy man-hat if the sun is bothersome. At least the weather has been nice and I'm hoping for cool temperatures while you're here. Always remember that he can rest in First Aid at any park if he suddenly gets tired.