Gac ?

[J'aime Paris]

I find out later this afternoon from the ortho if I have to have a second surgery on my shoulder. And we leave for WDW in just under 3 weeks. I'll post-pone the surgery if I can, but the pain is wanting me to just get it done!

Would the GAC benefit me?

I'm mostly worried about waiting in pre-show areas where there is no roped off lines. My arm would be in an immobilizing sling, but what if I got bumped by people rushing, pushing to get to their seat.

 

[SueM in MN]

The is a section about Guest Assistance Cards in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread that tells how to request one. You would explain your needs to the CM. Depending on how busy it is, you may find that waiting in those areas is not necessary, but it would be helpful to at least have the option.

Ifyou look in the EPCOT FAQs thread near the top of this board, page 2 has some pictures of an example of one of the chained off waiting areas.

 

[J'aime Paris]

Thank you for the information.

Surgery will most likely take place AFTER our vacation. I go back in 10 days for another evaluation.

 

[lunapnp]

Personally, I don't think that situation would warrant a GAC. However, having had two shoulder surgeries (same shoulder) in the last year, there is NO WAY I would go to Disney in an immobilizer. I'm sure your ortho would agree, too. It's not the waiting in lines you would need to be worried about, it's walking in the parks among the masses. I have a child in a wheelchair, and I can tell you firsthand people are oblivous to her and we've almost had people literally fall in her lap. So, I think it's safe to say people would be bumping into your immobilizer all day. Also, how do you plan to do any of the rides in that? I know it would not be comfortable at all.

Good luck with your surgery, though.

 

[SueM in MN]

Personally, I don't think that situation would warrant a GAC. However, having had two shoulder surgeries (same shoulder) in the last year, there is NO WAY I would go to Disney in an immobilizer. I'm sure your ortho would agree, too. It's not the waiting in lines you would need to be worried about, it's walking in the parks among the masses. I have a child in a wheelchair, and I can tell you firsthand people are oblivous to her and we've almost had people literally fall in her lap. So, I think it's safe to say people would be bumping into your immobilizer all day. Also, how do you plan to do any of the rides in that? I know it would not be comfortable at all.

Good luck with your surgery, though.

My DD has also literally had people fall into her lap. She was driving by in her wheelchair, they were taking pictures and the person with the camera backed up. Right into DD's lap.

There are relatively few attractions that have a separated out waiting space - mostly shows where the preshow has a chained off area.

 

[hematite153]

My DD has also literally had people fall into her lap. She was driving by in her wheelchair, they were taking pictures and the person with the camera backed up. Right into DD's lap.

My DW has had people actually climb onto the armrests of her chair. So, even if they notice your shoulder, don't expect that to mean that they will respect your need not to be bumped.

Can you arrange things such that a member of your family is always on your injured side to provide a buffer zone?

 

[SueM in MN]

My DW has had people actually climb onto the armrests of her chair. So, even if they notice your shoulder, don't expect that to mean that they will respect your need not to be bumped.

Can you arrange things such that a member of your family is always on your injured side to provide a buffer zone?

I agree.
My DD has had children sit in her wheelchair footrests ( when her feet were on them) and one person used DD's wheelchair headrest for a stand to put his toddler on during Fantasmic!!
So traveling companions as a buffer zone ID a good plan.

 

[KPeveler]

I agree.
My DD has had children sit in her wheelchair footrests ( when her feet were on them) and one person used DD's wheelchair headrest for a stand to put his toddler on during Fantasmic!!
So traveling companions as a buffer zone ID a good plan.

At a club once, I had someone using my push-handles as a "pole" to "pole-dance!"

I started having people walk around me so people would not bump me. I am hypersenstive (so a light bump feels like a punch), and I have had people lean on me, climb on me, and (most commonly) fell on me by accident...

I dont see how a GAC can help, but it is always worth talking to a CM at guest services...