Hi & (re) intro

[1Disneyite2]

Hello Everyone! It's been awhile since I've been on the Boards,
but want to say hi to everyone. We are frequent guests at DW and
DVC'ers. We have a child in a wheelchair who also has some significant
medical issues (trach, g-tube, orthopedic issues, etc.) I can empathize
with all the IEP issues and other things others have posted recently. After
12 years and IEP's, yep, it's something to contend with for sure, although right
now our program for our son is really awesome. Anyway, just wanted to check in,
hello and glad this forum is here! I am wondering if anyone has had any recent
experience with the special assistance pass? That was a hot topic a while ago.

 

[Wheelsie]

Hiya and welcome back...

Believe you me...its STILL a hot topic..... SAP (or GAC as they are now called) is one of disABILITIES most asked about threads

 

[1Disneyite2]

Thanks for the Welcome back! What is a GAC? It will be interesting to see
how things develop ... we are heading back down in April. Any tips?

 

[teri]

Click on the disABILITES FAQ link in my signature - there is a whole section in there about the GAC (Guest Assistance Card - the new version of the SAP). Feel free to ask questions!

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome back.
teri has sort of the "distilled knowledge" about Guest Assistance Cards in the link that she provided. They changed the name from Special Assistance PASS to Guest Assistance CARD because many guests felt the card was a "get to the front of the line pass" and it is not meant to be that at all.
We were last to WDW in March of 2000 and did have a GAC for our DD. She uses a wheelchair and is non-verbal, but understands well and likes to go on anything she can convince us to take her on. We did not have a problem getting a GAC (very different to a few years ago) and we used it sparingly. Even though we were there over Spring break, we found we didn't usually need it more than once or twice pers day. By getting fastpasses and going on things with short lines, we were able to manage fairly well without using it.

 

[1Disneyite2]

Thanks. I will check out the FAQ section. Good to know for sure. We need the extra help
not just to "get out of line" but because of our DS's overall medical needs and inability to wait
in long lines (particularly in the heat). He has so many medical issues, but they are generally well-managed as long as we plan it out well. DIsney has always been great at helping us out
which is much appreciated. THe Fast Pass thing can be helpful too. I am just hoping that they
do continue to consider the people with medical issues and do not fold to pressure from people who appear to dislike seeing anyone get "special" treatment. I have seen this thread on other lists, where people trash wheelchair users and feel that they can decide who is and isn't disabled. On one list someone was livid because the person in the wheelchair actually got out of it! Therefore, the person felt this person was "faking" and she was all mad about it and was saying Disney shouldn't give special privlidges, etc. Also, she was saying something about the buses and how DIsney goes "all out" for the disabled with the busses but is not fair to people with strollers (how one can compare the two is beyond me, but hey whatever). My reply was fairly restrained considering my opinion of people who want to judge those in wheelchairs. I realize there is some abuse of the system and am the first to say that's wrong, but it's just as wrong to "judge" if someone is indeed "disabled". I responded that some people in wheelchair do actually *gasp* get out of the chairs. I guess some people take the term "wheelchair bound" literally LOL! As with people, there are many types of disabilities. My son can transfer out of his chair but it's getting more difficult with his hip situation and weight. I just wish people would save their judgements. I think Disney's on the ball.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are people whgo think they have the ability and the right to judge other people's ability or disability. We've heard people whisper (loudly) that our DD isn't "really disabled" because they saw her with her legs crossed and swinging the top leg. Well, that's about all she can do with her legs. She can't walk with them and she even has trouble crossing them herself, but she can swing them once they are crossed. On that information, some people feel they have the right to judge her "not disabled". We've always said that anyone who doesn't think she is disabled can gladly spend an hour with us. If they did, they would see just how little accomidation we get compared to the amount of difficulty we have.
Our most frustrating WDW vacations were the years when WDW was not giving any GACs to people in wheelchairs. Our DD has multiple handicaps and waiting in one hour lines was just not an option for us. And, at any time, we can lose a whole day if she has a seizure. She had one at noon today and just woke up about an hour ago (6:15pm).

 

[s&k'smom]

Hi, welcome back.