GAC Lupus and I don't want a wheelchair help

[chatterboxchick81]

Hi, Its long but worth the read. I would appreciate your help thanks.

So I am leaving for Disneyland in a few days. I just found out about the Guest assistance card. I also heard of people having problems obtaining one.. So here is my situation:

I have Lupus, I have had it for seven years. I have severe arthritis that effects both lower and upper body joints. Standing for long periods of time i.e. in line for rides "locks" my joints pretty severely and of course hurts like you know what!. Additionally due to the fact that many medicines used to ease lupus symptoms have been ineffective on me thus i have been on high doses of steroids for years. This caused a stress fracture in my hip that I had surgery for less then a year ago. Unfortunately this caused severe nerve damage in my hip and leg. Thus, Sitting for Very long periods of time ( like in a wheelchair) cause me horrible piercing pain (imagine your worst pins and needles moment, times it by one hundred and i have it go up and down your leg). It takes a good hour and a half or longer in a sitting position to cause the pain but once it is there it will effect me all day, hence I will not be using a wheelchair. Will this be enough to satisfy the GAC Gods??? I don't want any crap from the disney folks i have been through so much i am afraid i will be breaking down in tears.

 

[livndisney]

Hi, Its long but worth the read. I would appreciate your help thanks.

So I am leaving for Disneyland in a few days. I just found out about the Guest assistance card. I also heard of people having problems obtaining one.. So here is my situation:

I have Lupus, I have had it for seven years. I have severe arthritis that effects both lower and upper body joints. Standing for long periods of time i.e. in line for rides "locks" my joints pretty severely and of course hurts like you know what!. Additionally due to the fact that many medicines used to ease lupus symptoms have been ineffective on me thus i have been on high doses of steroids for years. This caused a stress fracture in my hip that I had surgery for less then a year ago. Unfortunately this caused severe nerve damage in my hip and leg. Thus, Sitting for Very long periods of time ( like in a wheelchair) cause me horrible piercing pain (imagine your worst pins and needles moment, times it by one hundred and i have it go up and down your leg). It takes a good hour and a half or longer in a sitting position to cause the pain but once it is there it will effect me all day, hence I will not be using a wheelchair. Will this be enough to satisfy the GAC Gods??? I don't want any crap from the disney folks i have been through so much i am afraid i will be breaking down in tears.

Disney's answer to mobility issues is to rent an ecv or wheelchair. What assistance are you looking for? A GAC is not intended to shorten the time in line. So if that is the goal and you really don't want a wheelchair/ECV you may want to consider a good touringplan (to avoid lines) and making good use of Fastpass.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Are you up to walking all over Disneyland? That sounds painful too.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Are you travelling alone or with somebody else? If you've got another adult with you then your best bet is likely a manual wheelchair. This would allow you to walk behind the chair as a walker for added balance and support part of the time and then it'll be a place to sit when you need it.

I'm not sure what kind of GAC you're thinking of. A GAC can not shorten distances between attractions and it can not shorten queues. Disneyland involves a lot of distance. There is no front of the line type of GAC so waits are still necessary even with a GAC. Do you have some kind of accomodation in mind?

 

[jmartinez1895]

I think that you would do best by getting a chair. I know that you don;t want one, but as others have said you can walk behind it and it would be a blessing to have if you all of a sudden needed it. They can give you GAC that would let you bypass stairs if you have trouble with them, but that would be about the only thing I can think of that a GAC could help you with. In some cases, your wait time is longer with a GAC. I hope that you have a wonderful trip.

 

[KPeveler]

I go to Disneyland constantly (3 times a week) with EDS and an AI disease like lupus. I can tell you now that a GAC (and I have a GAC and a wheelchair) will not really shorten the amount of time you will have to stand or the distance you have to walk. this is a high traffic time, so even the non-mainstreamed lines have long waits. You should expect to be standing or sitting (if you have a wheelchair) just as long as the "regular line."

There is no "front of the line pass" nor is there any way to reduce wait times.

It is also important to know what a GAC will NOT help with: character lines, shows (have to wait for the next muppets show no matter what, and there is no where to sit), street entertainment, restaurants, trams, buses, bathrooms, and Downtown disney.

Before I required a wheelchair full time, I used to bring a manual chair and switch off between walking and pushing it, and sitting. I too cannot stand without my joints locking up, and I also get sciatica from sitting too long (damaged SI joint). The best suggestion is to switch off.


I am 26, so I understand the frustration of dealing with all of this so young, and I get not wanting a wheelchair, but I can tell you now that it may be well worth it. There are a lot of things which require you to stand for the length of the attraction or for a preshow (neither of which a GAC would help with). Some things require you to sit on the ground, like the Pirates movie preview.

Yes, a wheelchair is not an all-out solution, but I am telling you now from experience with autoimmune problems and arthritis, plus other issues, a GAC is not going to be nearly as much of a help as you think.

Hi, Its long but worth the read. I would appreciate your help thanks.

So I am leaving for Disneyland in a few days. I just found out about the Guest assistance card. I also heard of people having problems obtaining one.. So here is my situation:

I have Lupus, I have had it for seven years. I have severe arthritis that effects both lower and upper body joints. Standing for long periods of time i.e. in line for rides "locks" my joints pretty severely and of course hurts like you know what!. Additionally due to the fact that many medicines used to ease lupus symptoms have been ineffective on me thus i have been on high doses of steroids for years. This caused a stress fracture in my hip that I had surgery for less then a year ago. Unfortunately this caused severe nerve damage in my hip and leg. Thus, Sitting for Very long periods of time ( like in a wheelchair) cause me horrible piercing pain (imagine your worst pins and needles moment, times it by one hundred and i have it go up and down your leg). It takes a good hour and a half or longer in a sitting position to cause the pain but once it is there it will effect me all day, hence I will not be using a wheelchair. Will this be enough to satisfy the GAC Gods??? I don't want any crap from the disney folks i have been through so much i am afraid i will be breaking down in tears.

 

[brat]

Would a rollator/4 wheel walker help? I have a friend with Lupus, she has not made up her mind if it helping her.She just got hers today, after her Dr thought it might help. She is also done in by sitting too long unless she borrows my gel-cushion.She will get her own gel cushion Monday her Dr wrote a scrip for one after she told him mine helped her.

I do not know enough about the GACs to be of help there.

 

[chatterboxchick81]

Thanks for the speedy comments you guys rock! I absolutely appreciate all opinions given, i just feel like my question wasn't really answered.. merely if you kind and knowledgeable folks thought it was enough for a staff person to issue a GAC, felt like there was more wheelchair talk.


A wheelchair is not an option due to my fractured hip and nerve damage in my leg, period. due to this i cannot climb stairs either (something i failed to mention earlier), which in combination for not being able to stand in one position for long periods of time seems to me more then adequate for a GAC. ( just wanted to know if others thought so too) It has nothing to do with "not wanting to" although i have gone my entire disease period with not needing one , starting now seems crazy. I can regulate how much i walk to control pain, in fact sometimes walking helps and i can rest when needed, it is STANDING, in combination with climbing stairs that does it. and although i heard it is not an issue, direct sunlight can flare my disease. sitting in a wheelchair wondering when the nerve damage hits and when it does it will ruin my entire trip it may get to the point where i would have to leave the park. I have never abused any system, i have even fought my doctors on giving me a handicapped plaque because i want to fight through it. but walking further for groceries is different then standing in line for 45 min or longer and i don't go to any grocery stores with stairs lol. I just thought it was important to note that. I have no intention of taking away from an special needs child in any way by getting a card but if i can be accommodated just a little my beautiful daughter will enjoy herself as well instead of seeing her mother in pain. looking in the FAQ section of the thread about GAC (something i read after my post) it says the GAC may be helpful for people who cannot stand for long periods of time...

 

[crashbb]

I think that something you are missing is that there is not "A GAC". The GAC is merely a card that shows your needs (for example, no stairs or needing to sit near the front of the show) to the CMs.

The reason that people are mentioning wheelchairs or rollators is that there isn't really anything provision that would help you. It isn't about taking anything away from a special needs child (there is not a limited number of GACS issued), it is just that a GAC may not help you as much as you think.

 

[chatterboxchick81]

I am sort of confused, my dear friend with a disability who has scoliosis doesn't use a wheel chair and has gotten GAC every time she goes. ( except for a short period where they didn't give them) two busy times of year including spring break and in july she absolutely ( although it is frowned upon to talk about) says wait times are expedited tremendously. I am not trying to start a commotion, just saying what she has told me in the past. and I do think avoiding stairs would be helpful, and other attractions or events that a GAC wouldn't be helpful for i plan on sitting out and letting my MIL take my daughter to. thanks again for all your advice!

 

[chatterboxchick81]

I thought it would allow me to use the disabled entrance to certain attractions, which may allow me to avoid stairs, and even possibly give me more room to "pace around" instead of standing still, also in some instances avoiding direct sunlight when needed because no matter how cool it is UV rays from the sun flare my disease. but i do plan on staying covered as much as possible, sunscreen, hat etc. if i am wrong then you are 100% correct it wouldn't be much help at all. Like i said, i merely wanted to know of those things seemed to be qualifying.. not trying to get feathers ruffled

 

[livndisney]

I am sort of confused, my dear friend with a disability who has scoliosis doesn't use a wheel chair and has gotten GAC every time she goes. ( except for a short period where they didn't give them) two busy times of year including spring break and in july she absolutely ( although it is frowned upon to talk about) says wait times are expedited tremendously. I am not trying to start a commotion, just saying what she has told me in the past. and I do think avoiding stairs would be helpful, and other attractions or events that a GAC wouldn't be helpful for i plan on sitting out and letting my MIL take my daughter to. thanks again for all your advice!

So you want something to help you "expedite" your wait in line?

Few attractions have stairs, so that should not be a huge problem.

 

[Sunnywho]

I have MS and from what I know of lupus, it is similar and is exactly the sort of hidden disability for which the GAC is intended. The wheelchair would be Disney's answer to mobility impairments, but if you explain that you cannot functionally use a wheelchair, that should be enough. I've been to Disney without a GAC and I've been to Disney with it and it made a huge difference.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the speedy comments you guys rock! I absolutely appreciate all opinions given, i just feel like my question wasn't really answered.. merely if you kind and knowledgeable folks thought it was enough for a staff person to issue a GAC, felt like there was more wheelchair talk.


A wheelchair is not an option due to my fractured hip and nerve damage in my leg, period. due to this i cannot climb stairs either (something i failed to mention earlier), which in combination for not being able to stand in one position for long periods of time seems to me more then adequate for a GAC. ( just wanted to know if others thought so too) It has nothing to do with "not wanting to" although i have gone my entire disease period with not needing one , starting now seems crazy. I can regulate how much i walk to control pain, in fact sometimes walking helps and i can rest when needed, it is STANDING, in combination with climbing stairs that does it. and although i heard it is not an issue, direct sunlight can flare my disease. sitting in a wheelchair wondering when the nerve damage hits and when it does it will ruin my entire trip it may get to the point where i would have to leave the park. I have never abused any system, i have even fought my doctors on giving me a handicapped plaque because i want to fight through it. but walking further for groceries is different then standing in line for 45 min or longer and i don't go to any grocery stores with stairs lol. I just thought it was important to note that. I have no intention of taking away from an special needs child in any way by getting a card but if i can be accommodated just a little my beautiful daughter will enjoy herself as well instead of seeing her mother in pain. looking in the FAQ section of the thread about GAC (something i read after my post) it says the GAC may be helpful for people who cannot stand for long periods of time...

I think you may have misinterpreted something in the section about Guest Assistance Cards because the parts in post 6 about GACs is pretty much saying the things that KPeveler detailed in her post on this thread.

A GAC could help you to avoid things like stairs, but will seldom shorten the distance walked and there are many attractions which do involve a wait while standing unless you have brought something you can sit on with you. Those attractions are mostly shows, but also rides that load in ‘batches’ of guests at the same time (such as Haunted Mansion, where the line moves when guests are entering the first preshow area, but then stands still for about 3 minutes at a time while the first group goes thru the Stretching room.) Another similar example is Soarin’ where the line moves as people are ‘loaded’ into the preshow area and then stops while the group that was just put into the preshow area watches it.

 

[Singledad]

okay, here is the deal: anyone who has a medical need such as avoiding stairs, "qualifies" for a guest assistance card. This does NOT shorten lines. Period. You may end up on the ride faster, and you may end up waiting LONGER than a stand by line. It depends on your needs, and the current use of the ride. A GAC will not be treated the same at every attraction, nor will it nessarily be treated the same at the SAME attraction on the same day.

Now your need to not stand for long periods of time is NOT covered by a GAC, they WILL tell you to get a wheelchair. I think the point you keep missing is that we are NOT suggesting you use that wheelchair until you are in pain. use it as a walker, sit when needing to sit. There is no where in lines to sit outside of the ground, and even perfectly healthy people do not want to do that!

As for if it will help with having more space to possibly walk around because of it being a wheelchair entrance, nope. I've been more crowded in the wheelchair/alternate entranceway than the normal line, as they plan for more people to use those main lines.

either way, yes, you can get a GAC, but will it do what you want? most likely not.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The official and normal response for any question dealing with mobility and/or stamina is the suggestion that the Guest rent a wheelchair or ECV. Most attraction do not have a special waiting area, and for many there is actually no way to bypass the queue.

 

[chatterboxchick81]

Thanks so much for the wonderful responses. they were very helpful

I am sorry if I misinterpreted some wheelchair comments, I just know my body and conditions and knew it wouldn't work out.. even pushing it that is one more thing i have to worry about but your comments had made me possibly rethink them. This is a last minute trip and so if i had more time i would try and get an rx beforehand for one.. but the cost of rental plus deposit ( if they would put a hold on my card) would severely deplete our "fun" money for our daughter during our visit. and i would feel guilty for that.
none the less i will try and possibly work something out since many of you with chronic illnesses think it is worth it. I do absolutely appreciate all those of you who wrote about your experiences and I will happily re post after my trip to let you and others know if it helped. A big hug and Thanks

and No i do not want to expedite my time in line, my comment there was more a frustration comment because I thought there were constant reminders about it. that is all, my bad, shouldn't have snarkly remarked don't know why i even went there lol.

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

I would request a GAC to keep you out of the sun if possible, since I know what a problem that can be with Lupus. More than likely, the CMS are going to encourage you to rent a wheelchair for your other issues and suggest you use it to alternately stand and sit, like people have suggested here. I've got similar issues to you and Kpeveler (she and I have the same genetic condition actually) and I'm afraid what she originally suggested is probably what's going to work best for you given your particular issues regarding your hip and joints.

I too can't stand for long periods of time, but I can't sit either! Unfortunately, there really isn't anywhere to move around in the accessible line for the majority of attractions (I wish there was, because that would make things much easier on me too). So you're either going to be standing in the accessible line, or you're going to be sitting if you happened to bring a mobility device with you. Having a mobility device will allow you to use the accessible line on those attractions that have it, however, and will automatically have you avoid stairs. It will also give you somewhere to sit when you need to because it is way harder to find a bench or chair at the parks than you may realize!

All attractions that don't have an accessible line have been mainstreamed and there's really nothing that's going to reduce your wait. And, yes, sometimes you do wait longer in the accessible line than the standby line (TSM is really bad about this sometimes) and sometimes you don't. It's really random, depending on how the CMs happen to be handling the accessible line that day (or that hour, or that minute).

I have a rollator, which is a walker on wheels, with a seat that allows me to either sit or stand and allows me to use the accessible lines for those rides that have them. When I can't stand any longer, I sit. When I can't sit any longer, I stand. I also have a basket that sits underneath the seat where I keep a gel cushion I can plunk down on top of the rollator's seat if my hips start hurting too bad.

A wheelchair can do the same thing for you. You can walk behind it when you need to stand, and sit in it when you need to sit. You can also get a gel cushion to lessen in the impact on your hips from sitting. Or you can get a rollator with a seat if you want something similar to what I have.

EDIT - I was apparently typing my response the same time you were typing yours, so it looks like I don't have to convince you of anything, but hopefully some of my information is still helpful so I'm leaving it up.

 

[brat]

Chatterbox

Wishing you the best trip.

 

[Mary976]

Where it could definitely be helpful is in helping you bypass stairs. Also, some attractions may have alternate waiting areas for out of the sun, but some may not. Also, I don't know how the scheduling would work out, but on the last trip to WDW, DD and I did the "vampire" touring plan most nights. We would try to get a few rides in early, then chill out at the hotel or make a reservation for lunch at a sit down (air conditioned) place and then we'd stay up super late when it was cooler and DD didn't have to be stuck in the sun. Fastpass helps too of course. There may be some ride where the GAC would help with either an alternate waiting area, or possibly you might even get on faster. Then there are some where the special needs line waits longer than the standby, depending on what kind of assistance you need for the ride. We had that problem last time at Small World. The regular line was 5 minutes and we waited WAY longer. And then there's no helping the wait/line for shows.

I do hope that whatever you figure out will work well for you!

Mary