Lots of ?? on GAC Card & ECV vs wheelchair

[oshun]

We are taking my Mother-in-law with us in August. She has MS. She can't see to the sides of her and can only see straight ahead so would you suggest a Wheelchair instead of ECV? She is very independent, but I am a bit afraid she may run into people on ECV or am I being overly causious? Also, can you get either of these at your resort or just at each park? She is very independent and may want to walk a bit too. She is a large woman (just more to love & hug), so if we get her a wheelchair will we have problems pushing her or do you have any great tips? Can we park her wheelchair or ECV and walk into some rides? Do you suggest that we then get her a GAC so she doesn't have to stand in the heat long when she wants to walk or stands?

Also, my son has Muscular Dystrophy and made it all day walking in October. He has lot of determination. Anyway, should I get him a GAC card or since grandmom may have one and we are all together, should I skip it? I have been to WDW many times, but as you can tell I am new at all of this when it comes to using these devises for special needs or disabilities. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'll give you a quick reply and hopefully some other people will add to it and I can add more later.
An ecv in your case might not be the best given her visual problems. What a lot of people have done is go to a local store that has them and try one out next time she goes shopping. The store ones are a little harder to drive becasue they usually have a cart attached to them, but you will be able to figure out if it's do-able at all.
You can get wheelchairs from the resorts usually, but not ecvs. The probelm is that they are first come, first served, what ever is available. If all they have is a regular one and you need an extra wide, you are out of luck. I think you will be much happier renting from off-site. You can just park the wheelchair/ecv and have her walk inside, but one of the things to think about is that often the distance from where you go in to where you exit is pretty far. Especially in shows. I would suggest a better option is to have her park the wheelchair and walk in shops and restaurants. It's harder to manouver a wheelchair in those anyway. If you scroll down a little, you will see some other questions about wheelchairs/ecvs and GACs.
If you will all be together, just one GAC will do, as long as the 2 people have similar needs. I'm assuming that your son probably has to avoid prolonged periods out in the sun, too. If his needs mesh with your MILs and he will always be with you, just one will do. If you might split up or some days one wants to stay back at the resort and rest, then one for each would be better.

 

[Nanajo1]

I second Sue's advice to try an ECV first. People absorbed in their own vacation often don't "see" an ECV and cut out in front, ambush from the side or just stop in front of you. So if her vision is compromised to begin with it might be more of a problem. Plus size wheelchairs are available from off site vendors but please read Teri'FAQ. The pusher can get very tired. I think 2 GACs are in order . If you want to split up it would be better for each to have their own.
Pixie dust to you for a wonderful trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a list of off site places that DIS posters have reported renting ecvs and wheelchairs from:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

 

[msr709]

Forgive my ignorance but what is GAC card? I'm new to the disabilities threads but I am having a problem with my knees (arthritis). Thanks!

 

[oshun]

msr709-
I did not know what a GAC is either until entering these boards. You can find information under:
pixiedustinn/disabilitiesfaq/DisabilitiesFAQ.html

GAC stands for Guest Assistance Card which is used as a Special Assistance Pass. It is not used to get front of the line, but to help special needs travelers to get access to attractions. My son has Muscular Dystrophy & Mother in law has Multiple Sclerosis & would fall under this catagory since they can not stand for very long. Since you are having knee problems; I would think that you would be entitled to obtain a GAC.

Hope this helps.

Thanks to everyone for the information. I appreciate everyone's help!!

 

[SueM in MN]

As oshun said, a GAC is a Guest Assistance Card. It used to be called a Guest (or Special) Assistance Pass, but people thought that meant it was a "pass" that let you bypass lines. It is meant to give the assistance you need to get access to rides, not any special privileges or access. Most of the lines are mainstream access, which means wheelchair users wait in the same line as everyone else.
The GAC might mean letting someone who doesn't have a wheelchair use the wheelchair entrance so they can avoid stairs or board at the exit where there is more time and space for boarding. Or it might allow you to wait somewhere other than in line (like in a quieter place, out of the sun or a place where you can sit down).
If you are using an ecv or a wheelchair, you will probably not need a GAC. The wheelchair or ecv can come in line with you and you will be using the wheelchair entrance. Some people have additional problems that make waiting in line difficult - those are the people who might need a GAC in addition to having a wheelchair or ecv.

 

[teri]

Hmmm... I would agree with Nanajo and recommend that you go ahead and get 2 GACs, unless you are certain that your party will stay together at all times. Sounds like you have 2 ambulatory people with different energy levels and needs. If your son walked through before in October, it sounds like he is someone who will need minimal assistance - chances are that he will not need to use it much at all, perhaps only to avoid queues with stairs, uneven surfaces or inclines in areas where there are alternate ground-level or barrier-free entrances (e.g., It's Tough To Be A Bug), be allowed to use the reserved accessible seating at shows, or bypass the queue to sit and wait in the accessible area if he is wearing out (and if there is a place to sit.) Hopefully he won't need to use it at all.

Also, people with MS tend to be quite heat sensitive, and some mainstream-access queues are in direct sun. If this is an issue for your MIL, be sure to ask for the stamp that says you should be allowed to wait in a shady area. Many people do prefer to get up and walk, and that is a good thing... if she does this and gets into trouble, you can ask a CM for assistance. Having the GAC often helps in this case.

Our dear friends' son has Duchennes MD, and I have people in my family with MS and used to work with MS patients. I love to hear about families who take good care of each other. I hope you can help them have a wonderful, magical, relaxing, fun vacation.

 

[msr709]

Thanks again for all the info. It seems I would not need the GAC card since I am planning on renting a ECV. I don't want to cut in line or anything of that sort, one of the things I look forward to is talking to different people on the lines! I'll be solo this trip so I hoping this works out. Can I still get on Space Mountain with the ECV, I would be able to get on the ride but I remember its a very steep walk up. Is there somewhere I can get information on the rides and the accessibility to ECVs? Thanks for all your help.

 

[teri]

I would not characterize bypassing the queue as cutting the line. People who use the alternate entrances for legitimate reasons do so out of necessity, and sometimes wait longer than people in standby lines. I think we all need to be careful not to stigmatize those who need special assistance accomodations.

There are links to the general information pages of the official Disney site, including links to the downloadable Guidebooks, as well as links to the DIS pages on the main page of the Disabilities FAQ. The accessibility information will be found in the guidebooks and on pages that are indicated to refer to mobility disabilities.

I hope you have a nice trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

As teri mentioned, using the accessible entrance is not cutting the queue. In most cases, you will be waiting as long as someone who is using the regular entrance to get into a ride/show. You may just be waiting somewhere else.
We've often waited longer than people who could just walk on. Sometimes as we are waiting at the exit to board, we see people who were in line just ahead of us getting off after finishing the ride while we're still waiting.
For some people, the regular entrance is not safe due to steps or needing extra time to get on/off. You have a right to enjoy the ride safely.