Have you ever had a shock?

[SpectroMagic*o*]

The thread on these DIS Boards entitled "Do People Really...???" is a complete shock (although truly fascinating and a guilty pleasure)...I suggest you check it out...it's amazing what some people will stoop to to make their point (you'll see what I mean if you check out the thread)...

 

[bumperlove]

Well I have a shocker from, I guess you could say, another point view....

My sister now 16 and doing wonderfully, was at the height of her problem years at 12. She is 14 years younger than me and a bi-polar schizophrenic.

We were at MGM behind the Great Movie Ride, when my sis had a complete melt-down. She was fixated on my step-mother at the time and calling her every swear word in the book...and my sister has a huge book. When she is in her "zone" she becomes very creative and, well, drunken sailors would blush at her language.

So here we are...at the happiest place on earth and my sweet 12 year old blond haired, blue eyed sister is screaming at my step-mother. Well what do my dad and I do...well we do what we have been trained and counseled to do...we walk away. Yup, and the comments of disbelief that I heard from fellow Disney Travelers were many, though I never blamed them...the scene was not of the norm.

My dad and I sat on the steps behind the Great Movie Ride and watched my poor step-mom as my sis wore herself out, both emotionally and physically. She wasn't hurting herself or anyone else physically and that's what would have happened if we intervened. After about 3 minutes (or what seemed like 3 years), my sister came back down to earth and we were able, at that point, to scoop her up quickly and bring her back to the resort.

The thing that amazed me was that not one cm approached any of us. We had notification and information from her doctor and therapist and we had one of those medical pass things from Disney, but we didn't need any of that since no one ever approached us. I guess it was pretty awful sight. I know we were all horribly embarrassed including my sister once she calmed down.

Anyways, there's a story from those of us on the other side of the fence.

 

[lyzziesmom]

The most shocking thing that I can remember happened last September during the boat ride in Epcot from Future World over to World Showcase. The boat was not full, and my DD7, her father (my ex) and I sat on the outside part of the boat, along with an elderly couple and a young couple. The young woman was wearing what appeared to be a white crocheted bikini top, and let's just say... well... it was a cool day, add to that the chilly breeze from being on the back of a boat, and she left absolutely nothing to the imagination! (Chilly day + top full of holes!) My ex loved the view. , luckily DD was too distracted to notice.

 

[DebIreland]

Well I have a shocker from, I guess you could say, another point view....

My sister now 16 and doing wonderfully, was at the height of her problem years at 12. She is 14 years younger than me and a bi-polar schizophrenic.

We were at MGM behind the Great Movie Ride, when my sis had a complete melt-down. She was fixated on my step-mother at the time and calling her every swear word in the book...and my sister has a huge book. When she is in her "zone" she becomes very creative and, well, drunken sailors would blush at her language.

So here we are...at the happiest place on earth and my sweet 12 year old blond haired, blue eyed sister is screaming at my step-mother. Well what do my dad and I do...well we do what we have been trained and counseled to do...we walk away. Yup, and the comments of disbelief that I heard from fellow Disney Travelers were many, though I never blamed them...the scene was not of the norm.

My dad and I sat on the steps behind the Great Movie Ride and watched my poor step-mom as my sis wore herself out, both emotionally and physically. She wasn't hurting herself or anyone else physically and that's what would have happened if we intervened. After about 3 minutes (or what seemed like 3 years), my sister came back down to earth and we were able, at that point, to scoop her up quickly and bring her back to the resort.

I know it was years ago but still you deserve a big hug I firmly believe (whether it's logical or not!) that people with extraordinary needs are often 'put' (be it by God or by nature) with families who can handle those needs and do the right thing like you and your Dad did at that moment. It just goes to show we never know what's really going on in people's lives and people can be too quick to judge.

 

[DebIreland]

I have a nephew who has Tourettes. He will be starting high school in the fall. He was diagnosed several years ago and sees a specialist. He has been put on medications to control the symptoms. For him, it has completely stopped the involuntary actions, both verbal and physcial. His doctor has told him and his parents that so long as he remains on his medications, and does not consume alcohol or drugs while taking the medications, he should not have any noticeable symptoms as an adult. They have made great advances in this area.

That's wonderful. I'm so pleased that it can be treated! Good luck to your nephew for his venture into high school.

 

[BamaFan121s]

When we were there last week, we saw an older lady in one of those rascals/weasles (?) get caught up in a crowd. She reached out and started pushing people so she could get by. No sorry, excuse me, nothing!

It also amazes me everytime a see a kid who *thinks* they are going to be able to outsmart a duck or rabbit and *catch* it. (Like, what do you plan on doing with it if you did actually catch one? )

 

[tinkerbellmom31]

The thread on these DIS Boards entitled "Do People Really...???" is a complete shock (although truly fascinating and a guilty pleasure)...I suggest you check it out...it's amazing what some people will stoop to to make their point (you'll see what I mean if you check out the thread)...

Could you post the link please? I can't seem to find it. TIA

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Could you post the link please? I can't seem to find it. TIA

Is this what we're looking for?

Do People Really...

 

[Joanna71985]

I guess we have been lucky. We have seen some of these things happen at other parks, but never at WDW. We have been twice, one 11 day trip and one 9 day trip. The only shocking thing that we saw happen actually happened to us and involved a CM.

My DD has had a history of complicated medical problems, and to make a long story short, at the time of our first trip to WDW had difficulties which included weakness and fatigue of the muscles in her arms and legs. She could walk fine, but tired quickly. I rented a stroller for her. Thanks to these boards, I knew that if we wanted a good spot for Spectro Magic we would have to find a spot early. We grabbed snacks and picked a spot along Main Street a full hour before the parade. I pushed DD's stroller right up to the edge of the curb, behind the rope. As the parade time approached, it became quite crowded. We were a feet from one of the places where there was a gap in the rope to allow people to cross the street and get up on the curb. Poeple began blocking this cross. CMs kept coming over and asking them to clear the walk way that it had to remain open, and the people would leave, only to return when the CMs walked away. One lady and her two children did this several times and were very rude about it. Just as the parade started the woman and two children came again, a CM came over and told them that they had to step to the side and pushed them right in front of me, my DD, my DM and DDad. I actually feel backwards and a man behind me caught me. I looked at the CM and said, we have been standing here for an hour to make sure that my DD had no one in front of her. She said, "I can't help it. Your daughter should be standing if she can't see." I said, "She was able to see until you put them in front of us and she can't stand through the entire parade." The CM interrupted me and said, "She looks perfectly capable of standing to me" and walked off. My DD cried the whole time saying she couldn't see anything. To make it worse the woman who was put in front of us made sure that she put her head, arm or something in every picture that I took. She made sure that I knew she was doing it on purpose to.

Other than this one incident, we have experienced nothing but true magic at WDW.

That is so sad. I am sorry that happened to you. And that was a totally rude thing the CM said.

 

[gssmks]

That is so sad. I am sorry that happened to you. And that was a totally rude thing the CM said.

Yea! I wish I had gone to guest services and complained. At the time, I just didn't want it to ruin our trip. The truth is that we had a wonderful trip other than this one incident. Once I arrived home and thought about it, someone should have been told so that Disney can make sure that the parade is ruined for another family. That was almost two years ago and from time to time my DD still mentions it.

 

[mikymouse]

During our recent visit in March 2006, the kids fell asleep in their strollers during the fireworks so we were in the unfortunate position of trying to catch the bus back to AKL with the crowds. The line was LONG and we had waited for several buses before we reached the beginning of the line. Buses kept passing us for other resorts so the whole line was getting a bit grumpy. When we finally ready to board the bus, the driver went to help a man in a wheelchair who just arrived to the line before letting the rest of us board. There was some equipment glitch... Then here is the shocker the man in the wheel chair stood up and LIFTED his wheel chair on the bus! The whole line was shocked as most of us had tired/sleeping children and had been standing in line so long we felt like we needed a wheelchair. There were a whole lot of nasty comments but I just thought... maybe this person has problems that were not obvious. Why did this person take advantage of special privledges when he obviously didn't need them!

EDITED TO ADD
Gosh, I am sorry I posted this even though I found it shocking and it must read differently than I intended. Just so you know, I was reminding my DH and the rest of my line neighbors not to judge a book by it's cover. I am sure this person required needed the wheelchair and most likely has some very serious conditions that I am thankfully unaware. I am sure the man felt very badly as the crowd was VERY mean and he might have used to last ounce of energy to move his chair to speed up the process.

Anyways not trying to get anyone upset but it was rather shocking... not just the lifting of the wheel chair but the complete nasty level of the crowd. I don't care how great "Wishes" are I will NEVER try to exit after the fireworks the whole crowd thing was really ugly and not at all magical. A real mob mentality that I found almost to be frightening, kinda like posting an unintentional "unkind" remark on the DIS... scary. On a side note, others have invisible illnesses but still wait in line so life is not fair no matter what your challenges.

 

[MareQ]

During our recent visit in March 2006, the kids fell asleep in their strollers during the fireworks so we were in the unfortunate position of trying to catch the bus back to AKL with the crowds. The line was LONG and we had waited for several buses before we reached the beginning of the line. Buses kept passing us for other resorts so the whole line was getting a bit grumpy. When we finally ready to board the bus, the driver went to help a man in a wheelchair who just arrived to the line before letting the rest of us board. There was some equipment glitch... Then here is the shocker the man in the wheel chair stood up and LIFTED his wheel chair on the bus! The whole line was shocked as most of us had tired/sleeping children and had been standing in line so long we felt like we needed a wheelchair. There were a whole lot of nasty comments but I just thought... maybe this person has problems that were not obvious... like being selfish. Why did this person take advantage of special privledges when he obviously didn't need them! He could have at least sat in the comfort of his wheel chair until the lines were thinner!

WOW!!! First off - how on EARTH would you know that the man was being selfish @@ Seriously - are you suddenly judge and jury for all people with medical conditions - obvious or not? Just because the man could stand and lift his wheelchair doesn't under ANY circumstances mean he didn't need that wheelchiar and doesn't mean he didn't have a disabilty or health condition of some sort. Are you honestly under the impression that the only people that should be in a wheelchair are people that cannot stand and lift things

 

[LindsayDunn228]

During our recent visit in March 2006, the kids fell asleep in their strollers during the fireworks so we were in the unfortunate position of trying to catch the bus back to AKL with the crowds. The line was LONG and we had waited for several buses before we reached the beginning of the line. Buses kept passing us for other resorts so the whole line was getting a bit grumpy. When we finally ready to board the bus, the driver went to help a man in a wheelchair who just arrived to the line before letting the rest of us board. There was some equipment glitch... Then here is the shocker the man in the wheel chair stood up and LIFTED his wheel chair on the bus! The whole line was shocked as most of us had tired/sleeping children and had been standing in line so long we felt like we needed a wheelchair. There were a whole lot of nasty comments but I just thought... maybe this person has problems that were not obvious... like being selfish. Why did this person take advantage of special privledges when he obviously didn't need them! He could have at least sat in the comfort of his wheel chair until the lines were thinner!

Heh, I'm not even gonna touch this one.

 

[mikymouse]

Gosh, I am sorry I posted this even though I found it shocking and it must read differently than I intended. Just so you know, I was reminding my DH and the rest of my line neighbors not to judge a book by it's cover. I am sure this person required needed the wheelchair and most likely has some very serious conditions that I am thankfully unaware. I am sure the man felt very badly as the crowd was VERY mean and he might have used to last ounce of energy to move his chair to speed up the process.

Anyways not trying to get anyone upset but it was rather shocking... not just the lifting of the wheel chair but the complete nasty level of the crowd. I don't care how great "Wishes" are I will NEVER try to exit after the fireworks the whole crowd thing was really ugly and not at all magical. A real mob mentality that I found almost to be frightening, kinda like posting an unintentional "unkind" remark on the DIS... scary.

 

[Deluzy]

Actually, I must agree with you MQuara. My SIL has severe fibro myalsia and lupus (sorry, I'm a bad speller). She needs a wheelchair in the parks and resort just so that she can get around and enjoy WDW like the rest of us.

She couldn't get over what a blessing it was to be able to enjoy the parks and "keep up" with all of us! Only a year before, we thought that there was no way for her to be able to join us in her condition.

However, there were a couple of times where we encountered bus problems such as the ones described and she would get out of the chair and either help the CM load it, or we would. (Normally, we were able to help, but when it was busy, we would wait in line because we didn't want people to feel critical of us for getting on through the back door.)

So, it suffices to say, that not everything is as it appears. My SIL "looks" very healthy when the reality is that she can only walk a few yards a day.

 

[Poohnatic]

During our recent visit in March 2006, the kids fell asleep in their strollers during the fireworks so we were in the unfortunate position of trying to catch the bus back to AKL with the crowds. The line was LONG and we had waited for several buses before we reached the beginning of the line. Buses kept passing us for other resorts so the whole line was getting a bit grumpy. When we finally ready to board the bus, the driver went to help a man in a wheelchair who just arrived to the line before letting the rest of us board. There was some equipment glitch... Then here is the shocker the man in the wheel chair stood up and LIFTED his wheel chair on the bus! The whole line was shocked as most of us had tired/sleeping children and had been standing in line so long we felt like we needed a wheelchair. There were a whole lot of nasty comments but I just thought... maybe this person has problems that were not obvious... like being selfish. Why did this person take advantage of special privledges when he obviously didn't need them! He could have at least sat in the comfort of his wheel chair until the lines were thinner!

FYI, people who need wheelchairs CAN stand and walk for short distances. Not everyone in a chair is a para or quadraplegic. SIL now has an ECV-she can walk,but due to congestive heart failure, a disintegrating hip and foot issues, she can't walk all day. I guess it's bad that you see her walk around her van to load and unload hers and my MIL's ECVs.

MIL has arthritis of the spine. She could walk all day, but it'd leave her bedridden for a couple of days.

Then there's me. In the past couple of years, I've had occasions where, in the efforts of being able to work, I spent my day off in a chair in the parks. You would look at me and not know I had a problem-and most of the time, my problems are not an issue. Once in a while, though, I've got to admit defeat and take the chair. so that my kids don't miss out on a promised day in the parks.

Never presume because someone can stand, walk or lift, that they are not in need of that chair.

Suzanne

 

[LVE_HBRDN]

Had a rather comical shock at DL a few years back. I was walking near Splash Mountain when I felt a weight on my jacket that was tied around my waist. I looked down and somebody's car keys (with a remote control door unlock) was hanging on the draw strings. I couldn't believe it. I was rather embarrassed to hand the key's over to the CM.

 

[deany]

We are going to WDW this October and I have really mixed feelings. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and my joints get so sore and swollen. I am going to have to use a wheelchair in the parks - and I just hate the thought. But what the heck, at least I get to go. I can still walk, up to 1/2 mile on some days, but I am really sore for days afterwards and I will do permanent damage to my joints.

Now the funny part:
And this was a shocker! I was with my DH and 3 kids for our first ever visit to Epcot in 1994. I was outside the Japan pavilion, totally enjoying myself when SPLAT!! someone threw something at my shoulder. What the heck?? I guess there must have been a huge bird flying by and did he ever let loose! All over my nice clean white t-shirt. My family just broke up in hysterics and I was fuming mad. What to do?? Still half a day left for the parks. Well, I did the only possible thing. I went inside to the closest washroom, took off my t-shirt and washed it out completely in the sink, rinsed out the sink VERY well with soap and water, then put it back on soaking wet. (Yes, I could have bought a new one, and would have but it would have been so embarrassing going into a store looking like that). It has taken a long time to be able to laugh at this story!!

 

[jann1033]

During our recent visit in March 2006, the kids fell asleep in their strollers during the fireworks so we were in the unfortunate position of trying to catch the bus back to AKL with the crowds. The line was LONG and we had waited for several buses before we reached the beginning of the line. Buses kept passing us for other resorts so the whole line was getting a bit grumpy. When we finally ready to board the bus, the driver went to help a man in a wheelchair who just arrived to the line before letting the rest of us board. There was some equipment glitch... Then here is the shocker the man in the wheel chair stood up and LIFTED his wheel chair on the bus! The whole line was shocked as most of us had tired/sleeping children and had been standing in line so long we felt like we needed a wheelchair. There were a whole lot of nasty comments but I just thought... maybe this person has problems that were not obvious... like being selfish. Why did this person take advantage of special privledges when he obviously didn't need them! He could have at least sat in the comfort of his wheel chair until the lines were thinner!

i read the other comments and
i'm sure you did not mean any harm, it's just like others, i have an invisible illness and we get sick of hearing comments about how lazy etc we are right now i know our nov trip will not be doable for me with out some type of vehicle and i dread the insinuations, mean comments etc...( which has always kept me from using them before but this time unless something drastic changes it won't be a possiblity)

just live and learn..these boards can be eyeopeners and hopefully make us all a little more aware everyone doesn't live in our same bubble. i know some of the autism threads have been eye openers to me since i never dealt with that, now i'll think twice before i think some kid "is a spoiled brat having a temper fit".
and if you hear a shocker after Nov about some nutty woman who mowed down someone with an ecv, it might be me...driving well is not one of my attributes

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

When I was in the FP line for EE, there was a woman in an ECV ahead of me...she was a REALLY bad driver. Her daughter was in front of her, oblivious to how much trouble she was having. People kept cutting through the line to walk by, and she was trying to go forward and it was just a mess. So I put my DS on one side and I took the other to block people so this poor lady could try to pull the thing forward. We both had our feet run over, but the 3 of us ended up laughing our butts off through the queue.

We get to the end, and I swear, she gets up to transfer and asks the CM, "Couldn't I just have walked in here?" We were !!! She sat in front of us on the ride and was just a riot the whole time.

My DS asked why she had it if she could walk and I explained to him that she probably could not walk for a long time or stand in line for a long time.

I think the man lifting his WC on the bus was just trying to move things along for everyone waiting, rather than make them stand there longer. ANd he may have spent the night in pain from lifting that chair. A good friend of mine had back surgery and "helped" the WC van driver lift his chair because he felt bad......well, he ended up in bed for 3 days just from that 1 action.

So my rule is not to judge things I know nothing about.