GAC for those with severe heat/humidity intolerance issues

[DisneyBride1207]

I just wanted to post about my experience with getting a GAC for heat issues since I was wondering before my last trip to Disney.


BACK STORY ABOUT MY CONDITION:
I have Malignant Vasovagal Syndrome, a condition in which heat/dehydration, etc. can trigger my vagus nerve and in result can easily cause me to pass out and my heart stops. I usually pass out about once or twice a year.

Neurocardiogenic syncope (the common way most people pass out -- from sight of blood, blood pooling in legs, heat triggers, etc.). But I have a very strange condition where I also happen to have low blood pressure issue. This strange combination somehow makes my heart rate drop and my blood pressure drop and makes my heart stop (one time for 40 seconds while doing a tilt table test This is how we find out my issue). Now, passing out is very common so I will say that if you don't have severe health related issues that come along with the passing out -- Disney may not give a special consideration to this. My issue is that my heart also stops when I pass out, which is the uncommon part that is strangely associated with the syncope. My doc says the best way to describe why it happens is that 'the planets align'. When I pass out and my heart stops is then causes me to....use the restroom on myself The other strange thing is that if I had a pacemaker (the only known real treatment for this strange combo of health issues) it won't even really help -- since the blood is pooled in the legs, the pacemaker would have no blood to pump...I try to do everything I can to avoid episodes which is the only other way to help the issues - that and taking blood pressure meds, but slight dehydration and a little bit of humidity and BAM I'm out! I'm only hoping to help if anyone else has a similar issue - NOT to get any sort of sympathy or attention -- so please don't make fun, it is already an embarrassing issue for me...

(I also want to add that, since it's not an issue with the heart itself and just an issue of blood pumping to the heart - it most likely won't actually cause me to die...it's weird, I know...I couldn't wrap my head around it at first when they told me what was going on with my body) Just please be understand, I wanted to share my story to help others not to be ridiculed

MY TRIP TO DISNEY

To make trips to Disney less embarassing (peeing/pooing on myself) I read about a GAC which can give me an alternate waiting area. I got the necessary doctors note from my Electrophysiologist and showed it to guest services and they gave me the appropriate stamps. It's by no means a front of the line pass, it just helped me to have a different waiting area that was cooler than the May Florida heat. I don't think they would have given it to just anyone with a heat sensitivity (as I'm sure people try whatever they can to get the GAC), but I will say if you have a serious issue that causes health issues for you that people do not physically SEE as a disability, a GAC is a great way to show to CMs that you need some assistance with your park visit.

 

[livndisney]

I just wanted to post about my experience with getting a GAC for heat issues since I was wondering before my last trip to Disney.


BACK STORY ABOUT MY CONDITION:
I have Malignant Vasovagal Syndrome, a condition in which heat/dehydration, etc. can trigger my vagus nerve and in result can easily cause me to pass out and my heart stops. I usually pass out about once or twice a year.

Neurocardiogenic syncope (the common way most people pass out -- from sight of blood, blood pooling in legs, heat triggers, etc.). But I have a very strange condition where I also happen to have low blood pressure issue. This strange combination somehow makes my heart rate drop and my blood pressure drop and makes my heart stop (one time for 40 seconds while doing a tilt table test This is how we find out my issue). Now, passing out is very common so I will say that if you don't have severe health related issues that come along with the passing out -- Disney may not give a special consideration to this. My issue is that my heart also stops when I pass out, which is the uncommon part that is strangely associated with the syncope. My doc says the best way to describe why it happens is that 'the planets align'. When I pass out and my heart stops is then causes me to....use the restroom on myself The other strange thing is that if I had a pacemaker (the only known real treatment for this strange combo of health issues) it won't even really help -- since the blood is pooled in the legs, the pacemaker would have no blood to pump...I try to do everything I can to avoid episodes which is the only other way to help the issues - that and taking blood pressure meds, but slight dehydration and a little bit of humidity and BAM I'm out! I'm only hoping to help if anyone else has a similar issue - NOT to get any sort of sympathy or attention -- so please don't make fun, it is already an embarrassing issue for me...

(I also want to add that, since it's not an issue with the heart itself and just an issue of blood pumping to the heart - it most likely won't actually cause me to die...it's weird, I know...I couldn't wrap my head around it at first when they told me what was going on with my body) Just please be understand, I wanted to share my story to help others not to be ridiculed

MY TRIP TO DISNEY

To make trips to Disney less embarassing (peeing/pooing on myself) I read about a GAC which can give me an alternate waiting area. I got the necessary doctors note from my Electrophysiologist and showed it to guest services and they gave me the appropriate stamps. It's by no means a front of the line pass, it just helped me to have a different waiting area that was cooler than the May Florida heat. I don't think they would have given it to just anyone with a heat sensitivity (as I'm sure people try whatever they can to get the GAC), but I will say if you have a serious issue that causes health issues for you that people do not physically SEE as a disability, a GAC is a great way to show to CMs that you need some assistance with your park visit.

Actually a note is not required and generally will not be looked at. I am glad you found something that worked for you. I do wonder about your comment about "people try whatever they can to get the GAC", as I try not to do the "my disablilty is worse that yours". There are some attractions that do offer another place to wait, those attractions are few and far between. (I think Sue has them listed in the sticky at the start of this thread).

As someone with heat/sun issues what I find works well is a good touring plan and good use of Fastpass, since a GAC is only for attractions and does nothing for traveling to rides etc.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

I just meant that the people that lie, etc. to try to get the pass to skip lines -- not directed at those with disabilities.

Yes, I also do things like walking in and out of shops along the way to attractions etc. and making sure to avoid any shows during the middle of the day

 

[livndisney]

I just meant that the people that lie, etc. to try to get the pass to skip lines -- not directed at those with disabilities.

Yes, I also do things like walking in and out of shops along the way to attractions etc. and making sure to avoid any shows during the middle of the day

Since the GAC is not intended to shorten lines(as stated right on the card), I am not sure how you mean that.

I don't spend time walking in and out of shops. What I was talking about was a touring plan like the ones mentioned here on the Dis.

Like I said, I am glad you found something that worked for you.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

What is a touring plan? still new to the disAbilities forum...Do you have a link to more information on this. When we went last time I just made sure to stay cool as much as possible - going to the park only in the morning and evening.... any info on a touring plan would be great!

I just intended my comment to help ward off those that may think of it otherwise, when I had researched about accomodations for those with hidden disabilities on the internet before going I came across many people that argued about the mis-use of a GAC, so I only intended my remark to make sure to make it known that it is only for those that need alternate waiting area and not to be used as a line-skipping pass...I guess that comment is useless to those that are on the disability end of the card use and that always properly use them .... again, only well intended

 

[PatMcDuck]

With the severity of your condition, I would think touring WDW in May would be unwise??

We went in January, NYE and a few days after, it was very chilly. My daughter liked it, she has Juvenile Dermatomyositis, and should stay out of the sun. She dislikes using sunscreen all the time, hates hats, you get the idea. We used to go to WDW in August, because of school issues. She would go out at night, or early in the morning. It seemed like few rides had alternate waiting areas.

 

[livndisney]

What is a touring plan? still new to the disAbilities forum...Do you have a link to more information on this. When we went last time I just made sure to stay cool as much as possible - going to the park only in the morning and evening.... any info on a touring plan would be great!

I just intended my comment to help ward off those that may think of it otherwise, when I had researched about accomodations for those with hidden disabilities on the internet before going I came across many people that argued about the mis-use of a GAC, so I only intended my remark to make sure to make it known that it is only for those that need alternate waiting area and not to be used as a line-skipping pass...I guess that comment is useless to those that are on the disability end of the card use and that always properly use them .... again, only well intended

People like that don't often post on the Disabilities board.

I think the site used most often here on the DIS is touringplans.com. It provides information on order of attractions and best parks for each day to avoid lines.

You may also want to look at posts 3 and 6 of this thread-
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I have Neurocardiogenic Syncope actually, there's a few Dis-er's that do too as I learned when I first posted asking about it and Disney. My blood pressure drops to nothing and my heart slows waaaay down when I faint. I'm surprised you were willing to try Disney in May. I went in January, specifically because of my issues with heat tolerance. I just pass out and I was worried about it, so I can't imagine having..let's call it "control issues", and risking it in May. I contacted Disney about it and it was considered to be a stamina issue and I was advised to use a wheelchair or ECV. I know some people have used GAC for out of the sun type wait areas but so many lines are covered or indoors I never found it to be a huge issue. My bigger problem was pre show areas, where everyone was packed in and there was so much body heat and I couldn't move around, that's when I started feeling like I'd faint.

 

[livndisney]

I have Neurocardiogenic Syncope actually, there's a few Dis-er's that do too as I learned when I first posted asking about it and Disney. My blood pressure drops to nothing and my heart slows waaaay down when I faint. I'm surprised you were willing to try Disney in May. I went in January, specifically because of my issues with heat tolerance. I just pass out and I was worried about it, so I can't imagine having..let's call it "control issues", and risking it in May. I contacted Disney about it and it was considered to be a stamina issue and I was advised to use a wheelchair or ECV. I know some people have used GAC for out of the sun type wait areas but so many lines are covered or indoors I never found it to be a huge issue. My bigger problem was pre show areas, where everyone was packed in and there was so much body heat and I couldn't move around, that's when I started feeling like I'd faint.

Oh aren't those awful? There are so many shows we can't do because of the pre show area.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Honestly going in January was probably my saving grace with this. Nothing was too packed, and I could usually find a chunk of wall I could at least lean against and there was a bit of room to move. I could never do peak season. The worst thing for me was the line to Backlot Tour! I'd forgotten what that thing was like (this was my first trip since the syncope started), so 20 minutes standing still around tons of people and on an incline to boot! Ugh, so not worth it and never again.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

again, I quickly realized that those types wouldn't be from within the disabilities thread! maybe just on-lookers that are googling things...? anywho...

I just started looking into the touring plan thing!

Regarding your syncope's, have you ever gone for testing to make sure your episodes don't have other accompanying issues? After one episode of passing out in which I poo'ed on myself (sorry for sounding gross), I was frustrated and went to doctor after doctor because I felt that there was something more serious to it --- finally a neurologist did some tests, one test showed that I have 'seizure-like activity' and a tilt table test that instantly triggered a syncope in which my heart stopped -- this was the only way they found out about the whole heart stopping aspect! up until then they just thought I had regular neurocardiogenic syncope....so if you think there may be more to your episodes, look into it!

We had planned the trip before finding out my diagnosis back in 2009 and went along with the plans to go to WDW ... after realizing how manageable it was we haven't ruled out May....I will, however, not go to FL in summer months! I am used to humidity as it gets pretty bad here in VA in the summer. I just do the same thing here - I avoid going outside during the middle of the day as much as I can avoid it. I miss many summertime BBQs and outdoor gatherings because of this

 

[peemagg]

Why not look into a cooling vest like they make for those with MS? It might make things more open to you that are outside. I also like those cooling collars in the summer.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

Why not look into a cooling vest like they make for those with MS? It might make things more open to you that are outside. I also like those cooling collars in the summer.

Wonderful suggestion, thank you I will look into that!!

 

[bidnow5]

I have a friend with MS and she loves the cooling vest she didn't like going to Disney because of the problems she had now she goes all the time She uses the cold pack type it lasts about 4 hours

 

[Piper]

My cooling vest is one that you soak in water for 15 minutes and wring out. I like it because it isn't heavy. When it starts drying out, I just duck into a restroom and get it wet again! I wear it over an old T shirt.

 

[KPeveler]

At the OP's request, this thread will be closed.

I am glad the OP found the GAC to be helpful.

To clarify, a doctor's note is NOT needed to get a GAC. Most CMs will not look at one.

And please everyone, let's try very hard not to play the "whose disability is worse" game, nor try to guess who is lying to get a GAC. We're all just here to help give information to people who need it.