Lost respect, why are people so shady?

[StitchesGr8Fan]

These are exactly the people of whom I was speaking when I said that some form of accommodation should be made. I am ashamed that so many people who are in good health and obviously have never been in the situation some of these families live with daily, would be so selfish as to be upset about someone who may never get to return to a park, like the relative of LadyGoldenHair. Please, before you jump to the conclusion that someone is "faking" it, or doesn't deserve a little extra consideration, put yourself in their shoes and walk around for a day. It is not that much of an inconvenience to those of us who are healthy to help someone else enjoy the magic. The attitudes I have been reading make me want to cry. We are becoming an "It's All About Me" society, and it's really sad.

It is becoming an All About Me society, and it's not just the able bodied and neurotypical families that have that mentality. Some special needs families are getting that same attitude. I can't tell you how many posts I have seen from people who feel Disney owes them special treatment one week a year, because the other 51 weeks of the year suck for them. It's like a trip to WDW is a right, not a privilege.

 

[buffettgirl]

These are exactly the people of whom I was speaking when I said that some form of accommodation should be made. I am ashamed that so many people who are in good health and obviously have never been in the situation some of these families live with daily, would be so selfish as to be upset about someone who may never get to return to a park, like the relative of LadyGoldenHair. Please, before you jump to the conclusion that someone is "faking" it, or doesn't deserve a little extra consideration, put yourself in their shoes and walk around for a day. It is not that much of an inconvenience to those of us who are healthy to help someone else enjoy the magic. The attitudes I have been reading make me want to cry. We are becoming an "It's All About Me" society, and it's really sad.[/COLOR]

(again, your font makes it really hard to read)

Accommodations are not given on the basis of who's got it harder in their every day life. Period. The ADA requires nothing of the sort.

Before you decide that people are being selfish think about what you're saying. Those same 'selfish' people may also never be able to visit the parks again. They may have other things happening in their lives. Disabilities are not the only thing that challenge people, and before you call me insensitive, we deal with disabilities every day.

It's really not my job to make sure anyone's family but my own has a good time at Disney, nor is it my place to inconvenience another family. But that seems what you expect people to do. You want the supposed "able" families (whoever they are) to acquiesce to the disabled (whoever they are). Who decides these things? This is such a ridiculous argument.

 

[SmallWorld71]

1) If people cannot stay in a park for long periods, this is their issue(s). *
2) Resolution should not be born by other guests.
3) The ADA provides for "ACCESS", not "EXCESS".
. . . Guests should be able to get onto/into a ride.
. . . They should not be granted more rides than other paying guests.

* Not trying to be harsh or nasty. But the Constitution does not guarantee
fairness or happiness. As long as disabled have access to attractions, they
are being treated properly. As for getting more rides because a guest cannot
spend more time in the parks, what about
. . . older folks who can't take the sun,
. . . parents who get stressed-out with handling four kids all day,
. . . kids who get stressed out by their parents handling of them,
. . . guests who need to eat at 5:00pm, so they have to leave the parks
. . . etc
The list can get pretty long, and I am sure I can find a reason for almost
anyone to have to get more rides in a shorter time period.

You know, I've been thinking about this issue a lot since the changes, and the more I think about it, the more I completely agree with you.

This past April, I had a quick 3 day trip with just myself, DS14 and DD10. No wheelchairs, no strollers, no illnesses etc... Just my bad knee which makes climbing in and out of some ride challenging, but DS14 lent a helping hand. I was astounded by the number of rides/ attractions we were able to accomplish in just 3 days! Honestly, I didn't even know it was possible!

Now, when traveling with other family, things change. We have my mother who has diabetes and severe neuropathy that leads her to walk very slowly. We have sister-in-law whose fibromyalgia is so bad, that she can only be out for a few hours, is in constant pain and needs a wheelchair. We have my nephew with a Spectrum disorder. Throw in my nieces who need strollers/ one still in diapers and DS18 and my niece with ADHD and you have quite the group!

Why on Earth would we think that we could (or should be able to!) accomplish as much in scenario #2 as we did in scenario #1? We adjust our expectations accordingly. In reality, we would get done about 1/4 of the attractions in the same amount of time and that's OK. What is not OK is thinking another group should bear some of my families difficulties by letting me go ahead of them in line. With the exception of those with life threatening illnesses on their MAW trips, no one person deserves special treatment over another.

 

[aaarcher86]

These are exactly the people of whom I was speaking when I said that some form of accommodation should be made. I am ashamed that so many people who are in good health and obviously have never been in the situation some of these families live with daily, would be so selfish as to be upset about someone who may never get to return to a park, like the relative of LadyGoldenHair. Please, before you jump to the conclusion that someone is "faking" it, or doesn't deserve a little extra consideration, put yourself in their shoes and walk around for a day. It is not that much of an inconvenience to those of us who are healthy to help someone else enjoy the magic. The attitudes I have been reading make me want to cry. We are becoming an "It's All About Me" society, and it's really sad.

There are thousands of families in the park with children like this. It's not feasible.

Offering a way for someone to double the things they do in the same time period as a non disabled guest is a great accommodation. There's no reason to triple or quadruple that. That's beyond reasonable to request and the 'all about me' mentality could easy be turned onto someone requesting such a thing. In no way should something be taken from one person to give to another.

No child going through those gates is guaranteed a trip back.

 

[Mrsjvb]

So I'm just asking that before you write off me and Belle completely, you just ask yourself. If you had a kid who was really sick and physically couldn't last more than a few hours, could you tell them they only get to ride say 4 rides because there isn't time for more? Or would you pay all that money for hotels, food, and tickets, only to see a handful of attractions? If yes, then I respect your decision, but I just couldn't do it.

I do it every time I go to Mouse town. I last as long as I last and yes there have been days when I am there at 9 and collapsing at noon. I have never been able to see the 3 pm parade as I am never able to last that long. Fireworks? what are those?

My first trip to AK( my favorite park and the one that most people say is a half day at best)..I spent going from bench to bench. I missed half the rides simply because I was literally unable to stand in line( and was too stubborn back then to ask my husband to go get a wheelchair.. now I have my own) by 1 pm I was in tears I was in so much pain and it threatened to ruin the entire trip( luckily he laid down the law and forced me to rent a chair the rest of the trip).

even with my chair I still can only go as long as I can go. If I make it 6 hours total that's a long day for me. on a GOOD day if I get 4 rides in that's a LOT. and that is using FP and deliberately choosing to not get in lines that are more than 30 minutes long.

 

[Mrsjvb]

It would be silly to think a disabled person could get the same use of a full price admission as a non challenged could.

umm I have never once felt I 'missed out' on squat.. if I felt it wasn't worth the price if admission, I wouldn't pay it.

 

[Belle1386]

obviously there are more of you out there who don't feel that a very sick child should have any extra accommodations... and of course I know that no one is "guaranteed" another trip. However, I do think it is very selfish of grown people, who should know better, to be angry because a dying child might want to enjoy the park in the little bit of time he/she has left. Yes, I am very aware of the attitudes of some families with children with disabilities.... I dealt with giving out those GACS for years, so if anyone should hate it, I should, but if you can read people, you know who is sincere and who isn't. I no longer work for Disney and part of the reason is because of attitudes like these. It breaks my heart to see people treat each other this way. If you think I am a bleeding heart liberal, well you are right!!!! And I'm not ashamed of it, either. Flame me, if you want, that's your right, but it is also my right to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate than me. I am done with this thread... I can't deal with the negativity.

 

[aaarcher86]

obviously there are more of you out there who don't feel that a very sick child should have any extra accommodations... and of course I know that no one is "guaranteed" another trip. However, I do think it is very selfish of grown people, who should know better, to be angry because a dying child might want to enjoy the park in the little bit of time he/she has left. Yes, I am very aware of the attitudes of some families with children with disabilities.... I dealt with giving out those GACS for years, so if anyone should hate it, I should, but if you can read people, you know who is sincere and who isn't. I no longer work for Disney and part of the reason is because of attitudes like these. It breaks my heart to see people treat each other this way. If you think I am a bleeding heart liberal, well you are right!!!! And I'm not ashamed of it, either. Flame me, if you want, that's your right, but it is also my right to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate than me. I am done with this thread... I can't deal with the negativity.

Everyone wants everyone to enjoy the park. And they're able to do that.

There are organizations that get the privileges you're looking for. But everyone in the park with a severe and chronic illness messes with park operations. It's not possible.

 

[1girln3boys]

Yes, they/youwould be. This was the exact porpose of the "stroller as wheelchair" tag

I think you misunderstood. The PP stated that she belittles those with strollers pushing their way way into a handicapped area. Then another
poster said I would have a sticker so I was talking about those without stickers wouldn't be in a handicapped area.

 

[clanmcculloch]

obviously there are more of you out there who don't feel that a very sick child should have any extra accommodations... and of course I know that no one is "guaranteed" another trip. However, I do think it is very selfish of grown people, who should know better, to be angry because a dying child might want to enjoy the park in the little bit of time he/she has left. Yes, I am very aware of the attitudes of some families with children with disabilities.... I dealt with giving out those GACS for years, so if anyone should hate it, I should, but if you can read people, you know who is sincere and who isn't. I no longer work for Disney and part of the reason is because of attitudes like these. It breaks my heart to see people treat each other this way. If you think I am a bleeding heart liberal, well you are right!!!! And I'm not ashamed of it, either. Flame me, if you want, that's your right, but it is also my right to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate than me. I am done with this thread... I can't deal with the negativity.

A child in this kind of situation would likely qualify for a wish trip. Families on wish trips do not use a DAS. Disney does have special accommodations for kids on wish trips. We're discussing the majority of people who have some sort of reason for being unable to wait in the regular stand-by line.

I've encountered CMs who could "tell" we weren't sincere. Thank goodness my DD doesn't read the social cues/facial expressions/body language that made this obvious because she would have been in tears. A couple times she did catch it and we had to leave the park. What qualifies you to judge?

 

[SmallWorld71]

obviously there are more of you out there who don't feel that a very sick child should have any extra accommodations... and of course I know that no one is "guaranteed" another trip. However, I do think it is very selfish of grown people, who should know better, to be angry because a dying child might want to enjoy the park in the little bit of time he/she has left. Yes, I am very aware of the attitudes of some families with children with disabilities.... I dealt with giving out those GACS for years, so if anyone should hate it, I should, but if you can read people, you know who is sincere and who isn't. I no longer work for Disney and part of the reason is because of attitudes like these. It breaks my heart to see people treat each other this way. If you think I am a bleeding heart liberal, well you are right!!!! And I'm not ashamed of it, either. Flame me, if you want, that's your right, but it is also my right to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate than me. I am done with this thread... I can't deal with the negativity.

I'm sorry you are upset. I thought we were talking about individuals with disabilities, not dying children. While one can, of course, fit into both categories, the overwhelming majority of individuals with disabilities are not gravely ill.

 

[andipanda]

yes this exactly

 

[Sparkly]

obviously there are more of you out there who don't feel that a very sick child should have any extra accommodations... and of course I know that no one is "guaranteed" another trip. However, I do think it is very selfish of grown people, who should know better, to be angry because a dying child might want to enjoy the park in the little bit of time he/she has left. Yes, I am very aware of the attitudes of some families with children with disabilities.... I dealt with giving out those GACS for years, so if anyone should hate it, I should, but if you can read people, you know who is sincere and who isn't. I no longer work for Disney and part of the reason is because of attitudes like these. It breaks my heart to see people treat each other this way. If you think I am a bleeding heart liberal, well you are right!!!! And I'm not ashamed of it, either. Flame me, if you want, that's your right, but it is also my right to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate than me. I am done with this thread... I can't deal with the negativity.

Sorry, but NOBODY was talking about dying children here. Stop being so sanctimonious.

 

[buffettgirl]

obviously there are more of you out there who don't feel that a very sick child should have any extra accommodations... and of course I know that no one is "guaranteed" another trip. However, I do think it is very selfish of grown people, who should know better, to be angry because a dying child might want to enjoy the park in the little bit of time he/she has left. Yes, I am very aware of the attitudes of some families with children with disabilities.... I dealt with giving out those GACS for years, so if anyone should hate it, I should, but if you can read people, you know who is sincere and who isn't. I no longer work for Disney and part of the reason is because of attitudes like these. It breaks my heart to see people treat each other this way. If you think I am a bleeding heart liberal, well you are right!!!! And I'm not ashamed of it, either. Flame me, if you want, that's your right, but it is also my right to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate than me. I am done with this thread... I can't deal with the negativity.

Could you cite the portion of the ADA that requires the "sincerity test" before accommodations be given?

 

[Disfanx4]

I know reading the Disboards sort of makes it seem like most people are going to disney constantly, but you do realize that there are many families in the world who never go to Disney...ever. Or who go once in their lifetime. Their children may go once, and never again. They go to MK for the one and only day they'll be in MK, hike up splash mountain for their one and only ride, because Fast Passes are gone for the day and ride, and never ride again. Do they deserve accommodations? And you're forgetting that those families might also be dealing with difficult situations as well, every day of their lives. A parent's death. A deployment. A death of a child. And time is fleeting for all of us. Some of us have less time, some have more. None of us know. Some have difficulties that are visible, some have difficulties that are are not. By your standards, are they not also deserving of accommodations? Providing accommodations isn't about who has it harder, or walking a mile in someone else's shoes.

I know o will probably be flamed for this and expect it, but I believe there is a fundament lack of human compassion these days. There are a lot of people dealing with problems I agree but are those problems as long lasting as a life of someone with special needs?? I totally understand the concept of how the make a wish program started and here comes the flames but a lot of those kids survive and go on to live happy "normal life's" last time I checked there isnt a cure or a pill for a child/adult with Autism. Still not saying they should get what is called special treatment but if you want to talk fair then let's talk what's really fair. My compassion goes out to everyone dealing with special accommodations whatever they may be

 

[aaarcher86]

I know o will probably be flamed for this and expect it, but I believe there is a fundament lack of human compassion these days. There are a lot of people dealing with problems I agree but are those problems as long lasting as a life of someone with special needs?? I totally understand the concept of how the make a wish program started and here comes the flames but a lot of those kids survive and go on to live happy "normal life's" last time I checked there isnt a cure or a pill for a child/adult with Autism. Still not saying they should get what is called special treatment but if you want to talk fair then let's talk what's really fair. My compassion goes out to everyone dealing with special accommodations whatever they may be

And here comes the 'who has it worse' comparisons.

We are really going to compare autism to life threatening illnesses now?

 

[SueM in MN]

And, I think this thread has gone far enough and is headed nowhere good.

So, ending it now.