groups for mentally disabled

[musicgirl]

My dbil is 26 and has Down's Syndrome. He belongs to an active group that has gone to the theater, athletic games (overnight) dinners and many other activites. They are thinking about taking a group of ten with 1 chaperone for every 2 on a cruise. The plans are just getting underway and they have not done anything even close to going on a cruise.
I was wondering if anyone out there has had a family member particpate in this kind of an outing. I know there are many families who have taken someone with them and had a great time, but he will not have a family member with him.
Dbil lives on his own with a roommate and has caregivers come to stay overnight and help with meals and finances. He also holds a job. He is pretty independent but there are times when he can get upset with certain situations.
I was wondering if they bend certain rules for the mentally disabled. The family's main concern is if he freaks out on the plane (he has never flown) or when he gets on the ship. I know they are very strict with refunds at the time of the cruise, but if he gets to the airport and won't travel is there a chance he could get his money back?
If anyone has any information or tips we'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks, Lorie

 

[PiperG]

Bump

I am eager to hear what others have to say. My DBIL 43 is developmentally disabled and lives with us. He will be joining us in '04. Although he will be with our family, I would love to hear how DCL and WDW takes care of adults with special needs.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I would imagine that starting out with a 3-day cruise would be appropriate. If he has problems adapting to the new environment, at least you wouldn't be stuck for an entire week.

 

[Cruise]

I believe someone posted a while back about being on a cruise where there seemed to be a group of metally/developmentally disabled cruisers on board. You might be able to call DCL directly and inquire about what they would suggest for getting plans underway.

As far as your BIL refusing to fly or board, you might look into different types of travel insurance and see what might or might not be covered. I haven't heard of anything like this being covered, but then again, I've never looked before... so it might be out there.

Good luck!
Julie

 

[My~Rumbly~Tumbly]

I have worked with the DD population for quite a few years and currently am a home provider and also a respite provider to a 38 year old with Downs. I would suggest that there be a plan in place to prepare this young man. How close are you to an airport? This plan might involve frequent trips to an airport to become familiar with it. Also, you might want to consider arranging for a short 'practice' flight. Sometimes, depending on where you live, you can get these really cheap. And I'm not sure if medication is an option, but I'm wondering if a sedative (small dose) would be an option to ease anticipated anxiety. I have flown to FL from CT with the two inviduals I serve and they were SOOOO GREAT! I would do it again in a heartbeat, and actually I was wanting for them to cruise with me, but money was an issue this time around. Maybe next time.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that there are agency's that do just this. They assist the DD in making their dreams comes true by providing the service of chapperoned vacations. They include vacations with the USA and also on cruiselines. I'm not sure what else they do outside of the USA, but I'm sure they exist. They are not super cheap, but I do know of people who have successfully used their services. I do not know the name of the company off hand, but if you were interested I could find out. The prices did not seem unheard of. Even if you decided not to use their services, you could at least pick their brain for some ideas and resources.

Good luck to you and your BIL. I love to see these guys livin' it up!

 

[My~Rumbly~Tumbly]

I have worked with the DD population for quite a few years and currently am a home provider and also a respite provider to a 38 year old with Downs. I would suggest that there be a plan in place to prepare this young man. How close are you to an airport? This plan might involve frequent trips to an airport to become familiar with it. Also, you might want to consider arranging for a short 'practice' flight. Sometimes, depending on where you live, you can get these really cheap. And I'm not sure if medication is an option, but I'm wondering if a sedative (small dose) would be an option to ease anticipated anxiety. I have flown to FL from CT with the two inviduals I serve and they were SOOOO GREAT! I would do it again in a heartbeat, and actually I was wanting for them to cruise with me, but money was an issue this time around. Maybe next time.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that there are agency's that do just this. They assist the DD in making their dreams comes true by providing the service of chapperoned vacations. They include vacations with the USA and also on cruiselines. I'm not sure what else they do outside of the USA, but I'm sure they exist. They are not super cheap, but I do know of people who have successfully used their services. I do not know the name of the company off hand, but if you were interested I could find out. The prices did not seem unheard of. Even if you decided not to use their services, you could at least pick their brain for some ideas and resources.

Good luck to you and your BIL. I love to see these guys livin' it up!

 

[ruvidu]

We have been on an Eastern and Western DCL cruise when groups such as discussed have been on board. Both were adult groups numbering 12-15 I would guess. I loved seeing them enjoying the ship, characters and life in general. There seemed to be just a couple of chaperones and I did not witness or hear of any problems.
I think it is great that EVERYONE has an opportunity to enjoy DCL.

Russ