Help Me Help You!

[teri]

This thread is related to the "Yellow Card topic. Thought it deserved a bump.

 

[Figaro]

I don't know that I have a whole lot to add to all of the wonderful posts here. I need to use a wheelchair at WDW, and am finding that I am needing it more and more often in other places. I have mostly dealt with wonderful cast members, and I really don't remember every having anyone treat me badly. I have found that when I am kind and polite to people, they usually return the favor(smile).

I still feel kind of sorry for the cast member who remarked that my shoes (a pair of fragile sandals) didn't look very practical for touring the parks, and when I laughed and told him that I could get away with wearing those kinds of shoes because they didn't get all that much use, he turned bright red and was so embarassed. I have not gone to get a GAC, as the wheelchair assistance is usually all I need, although I may have to do this in the future, as my sun sensitivity (medication caused) is getting much worse, and I'm afraid I'll poke my spouse in the face if I use a parasol to keep the sun off(smile).

The one thing that I do wish, is that Pleasure Island had accessible restrooms that my spouse can come into with me and help me. The nearest one is way on the far end of Downtown Disney, and it is pretty difficult for us to make it there and back very quickly. We've been reduced to having to find a darkened area for me to inject medication, and wondered how on earth I was ever going to explain what I was doing if a security guard showed up (smile).

 

[SandraC]

WOW! Great thread!

We are going next week and dd looks forward to all the wonderful CM's! We have had all great experiences with CM's related to dd's disability and with two exceptions. 1st was in 1998 a CM loudly told us all about the people he thinks misuse GAC's and went over dd's with a fine tooth comb. 2nd was 2001 a CM didn't know what the GAC was.

But those are two examples of the hundreds of incredible experiences we have had with CM's.

We have more good stories than bad! THANKS! Sandra

 

[magicmaker]

Hi Everyone -

I haven't posted a message in while, but I am an avid reader of the board. Sandra - I'm glad to hear that you have been having positive experiences. I have certainly learned a lot from everyone here and have been incorporating your comments into my guest interaction at the Walt Disney World Resort.

I also think that the new Yellow Access Cards are another major step forward in our efforts to provide assistance for guests with dissabilities and their families. As with any new system, there are always some kinks to work out, as well as a lot of information to communicate to the cast. Even so, I'm sure that very soon the problems will be worked out and the Access Cards will be one more tool availble to make your Walt Disney World Vacation a magical one.

Best!

 

[Safari Steve]

Watch out for red-haired ladies covered in green ribbons.

 

[Talking Hands]

Steve am I really that bad? I hope not. I try to be nice.

 

[Safari Steve]

Only a joke, Lisa. No need to worry.

 

[Wheelsie]

Yellow access card? please tell me about them in case I've miised something! thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a thread that should help de-mystify the yellow card.
It got discussed while you were busy, so you missed it.

 

[Talking Hands]

Magicmaker I think guests must remember that CMs are human not animatronics. They have good and bad days too. Plus there are some people that we just do not mesh with or feel comfortable with. It happens. I know that there is one interpreter that I definately do not mesh with. He isn't a bad interpreter. Disney has no bad interpreters. It is nothing against him. It just happens. Actually I think it is pretty good out of all the interpreters I have met that I only have one I don't care for.
With all my fussing, 99% of my experiences at Disney have been great. Of the !% bad ones I would say that 95% of those have been with bus drivers over my wheelchair. And I am really picky about how my wheelchair and myself in it are treated. It's my safety.