Is it worth it to get a GAC for DH?

[disneymarie]

My DH has severe back issues (along with many other medical issues). He does not have a problem walking (we take plenty of breaks throughout the day and an afternoon break at the resort) but if he stands for long periods of time his leg goes numb and the pressure gives him severe back pain.

My question is, would it be worth it to get a GAC for him? Is there many rides where he could sit and wait for us to get to the front of the line and then join us? I have never seen any "sitting" spots so I am not sure if it would be of any help in our situation.

As a side note, due to his condition, he does not ride any of the thrill rides (which generally have the longest lines ), but I am talking about rides like POTC or Peter Pan or Haunted Mansion.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Does your husband find relief with leaning on thing like a shopping cart? After a stroller, that I could rest onto, I purchased a rollator. This allows me a place to sit also. Mine is a Lumix, and a Duramed product that faces forward like a push cart instead of the bar in the front. Much easier with the back strain to lean and have a seat.

 

[camper06]

OP, if I were you, I would go to guest services and explain your situation to them and see what they can do to help you. None of us here on this board are qualified to determine whether your husband qualifies for a GAC or not, only they can decide that at WDW. So honestly, I think your best bet after reading thru the stickies that Sue (the mod) has referenced in her post I think your best bet is to talk to the 'professionals' at Guest Services and see what they have to say regarding your circumstances.

It is true that there is no GAC out there that will provide your husband with a place to rest while the rest of you are in line, but Guest services may have an alternate GAC stamp that may work for your situation. Then again they may not. In the meantime, it probably would be a good idea to work on a touring plan and look at some of the other tips in Sue's sticky notes. But again, I suggest Talking to Guest Services because they are the ones who decides who qualifies for a GAC and what type of accomodations each person qualifies for. Best of Luck finding a suitable way for your husband to tour WDW and enjoy your trip together.

Thanks for the advice. Our plans seem to work pretty good, very rarely do we leave WDW without doing everything we wanted to do. We try to go during off peak times and use fastpasses as much as we can. The good thing is that my husband doesn't go on any of the "Mountains" in MK (which is what the rest of us use our fastpasses for!) so he sometimes will get a fastpass for something like peter pan, etc and the rest of us will just go in the standby line to coordinate with his fastpass time (standby line 30 minutes and fastpass good for the next 10-70 minutes, etc). it has been working pretty well.

SueM - thanks for the links. I did read over the information - lots of good info, not just for disabilities but also for planning purposes.

I guess we will just wait till we get there and see how its going. DH just had a nerve block in his back last week, so if that works, the standing may not be as bad. And if it's not that crowded, that will help too! If he is having problems, we may check with Guest services as you suggested.

Thanks to all for the replies. I am new here but find most of the folks are very kind.

 

[disneymarie]

Thanks for the advice. Our plans seem to work pretty good, very rarely do we leave WDW without doing everything we wanted to do. We try to go during off peak times and use fastpasses as much as we can. The good thing is that my husband doesn't go on any of the "Mountains" in MK (which is what the rest of us use our fastpasses for!) so he sometimes will get a fastpass for something like peter pan, etc and the rest of us will just go in the standby line to coordinate with his fastpass time (standby line 30 minutes and fastpass good for the next 10-70 minutes, etc). it has been working pretty well.

SueM - thanks for the links. I did read over the information - lots of good info, not just for disabilities but also for planning purposes.

I guess we will just wait till we get there and see how its going. DH just had a nerve block in his back last week, so if that works, the standing may not be as bad. And if it's not that crowded, that will help too! If he is having problems, we may check with Guest services as you suggested.

Thanks to all for the replies. I am new here but find most of the folks are very kind.

I also had an epidural the week I left and when I walked in could not stand upright, so much pain. By the trip, I was so happy, not pain free but mobile. But fighting long ago about using. The rollator, I know now I am much happier. It is a difficult day taking care of others with disabilities in my family, but this device I can put a small cooler, I have a back pack on the handle bars too.

Duramed, or Lumix rollator
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0047JNTY4/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=3760901&s=hpc

http://www.amazon.com/Lumex-Bariatr...UTF8&qid=1350432614&sr=8-76&keywords=rollator