Make a Wish (and other organizations) ~ Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume FIVE!!

[yeti5353]

My son has night-time nursing and we are pretty sure that we will be taking a nurse with us on our trip. My question is if they expect the nurse to stay in our villa with us, or will they give the nurse her own room? With hubby & I in one room and both boys in the kids room, all that would be left is the hide-a-bed in the living room, and we don't think it would afford her much privacy. So I guess I am wondering if there has been a precedent set for this type of situation... I know I will just inevitably have to wait until the details start materializing, but for now it is just one more thing to worry/think about... Has anyone had any experience with this?

I know I have read trip reports with nursing before, I would just call or email GKTW and ask them how they handle this. seems the easiest way to get the right answer. I know they have ajoining villas...

 

[maroo]

I have more replies to do!

I got Lauren moved in the dorm yesterday! I am exhausted! When I get back to my computer today, I will post the Lauren update and make links on the first page of this thread... And I got excel for my Mac Friday - so those of u guys waiting on me for planning spreadsheets - I am getting a lot closer!!

 

[newdrama12]

My son has night-time nursing and we are pretty sure that we will be taking a nurse with us on our trip. My question is if they expect the nurse to stay in our villa with us, or will they give the nurse her own room? With hubby & I in one room and both boys in the kids room, all that would be left is the hide-a-bed in the living room, and we don't think it would afford her much privacy. So I guess I am wondering if there has been a precedent set for this type of situation... I know I will just inevitably have to wait until the details start materializing, but for now it is just one more thing to worry/think about... Has anyone had any experience with this?

I have seen in the past where the nurses have been rented a room at a nearby hotel as well, so that they and the families can have their privacy. It just depends, so I would contact GKTW or ask the wish organization about it.

 

[maroo]

I have seen in the past where the nurses have been rented a room at a nearby hotel as well, so that they and the families can have their privacy. It just depends, so I would contact GKTW or ask the wish organization about it.

That would be a really awesome thing to do for both the nurse and the family!!!!

 

[maroo]

I can't wait!!!!

I just told Lauren that you guys are throwing popcorn at her. And she cracked up laughing at me!



She says I better get on it!!

Not far at all. I'm hesitant to give our location, because i don't want to make it seem like we are ripping our chapter. They've been magnificent, and we couldn't ask for a greater pair of wish granters. We will be dealing with them again, because our daughter's wish is next summer, next week is for my son.

I was just corrected by my wife, that indeed they are supposed to come to our house to drop off the necessary items in person. If we get nothing today, then we will call. Thanks for your advice.

I hope you have a GREAT time on your trip!!

Hope you are having a wonderful trip, Does Anyone know when you check in can you all check in with the same southwest account or do you need a separate one for each person on the trip?

Ur...I think you can check in on one account and just put in the confirmation number for each person....?? You will probably be allowed to pre-board anyway as a wish family. Many of our families board first to wipe down seats before they let their kids on the plane anyway.

It's so exciting to read about everyone who is going through the same process we are. I can't wait until we have dates! We're STILL waiting on hearing back from MAW. They had to send us the paperwork again for more signatures, but now I think everything on our end is done. Now just waiting to hear from them where/when we're going. We were hoping for October, and that's coming up soon, so hopefully we'll be hearing from them shortly!
Can anyone tell me how we can get added to the list of wish-trippers in the first post? The link to Josh's PTR is below, and I will update it a lot more once I have something from MAW!
Ok - I'm off to take my Statistics final - wish me luck!
Tara

I will add you in just a few minutes!!
Good luck on the Final! Lauren was going to have to take that class this semester, but the professor retired early, so she changed her schedule.

Can any of the old hands tell me how seriousy the dress up stuff is taken for the parties at GKTW? do just the young kids dress up, teens, adults? do people bring costumes for the halloween party and pirates and princess party or is it more a just happens sort of thing? We wont be going to any disney halloween stuff.

At GKTW - you will see all types of folks! Some will have gone all out and have coordinating costumes and many will be in clothes from the parks and not know what "night" it is at GKTW - Many families don't plan at all - so don't feel like you have to plan a bunch of stuff!

We dressed up in cool layered simple stuff - Richard and Lisa dressed up as Salt and Pepper, Lauren was Tink from her costume at BBB, William just dressed up in his Karate uniform and I think I was cat in the hat??

i am very newbie to this board and have no idea how it works or where to post and where to ask questions let alone where do i introduce us? lol help please?

You found us!!

Check out Post #2 on this thread - on page one under the big list of reports - there are a bunch of FAQ with answers on there!

!!

ok i made the PTR. Now how do i attach it to my posts?

i think i may have got it!

Awesome!

 

[maroo]

I messed this post up...ignore.

 

[maroo]

I am trying to fix this post...I will come back in a few to see if the pictures are regular sized.....

Finally a Lauren update!

I realize a few of you guys are new - so I will introduce Lauren first -

She has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and "something else" that is unknown as of now. They have ruled out Muscular Dystrophy and they do know she has some Mito mutations, but not sure what came first. She speaks clearly and is normal from the "chin" up. We used to say "neck" up, but she has a pretty crooked neck now!

I am trying to remember what was going on before I had to stop posting on the DIS - It was around September/October last year - so I will start there!

If you want the short version...

Lauren is doing GREAT! School has been fantastic! She has a 4.00 so far. And she is really, really happy!


For those of you guys that want the longer version...

In September of last year Lauren went through Rush, which is basically like a typical "sorority" rush experience, except that her college allows everyone who wants to be in a "Tribe" participate - which is a huge plus for the whole experience, really! The girls get to pick the one they want and then it is sort of like a lottery process rather than any type of voting. Most girls end up with their first choice - and Lauren got hers! She was so happy "Squeal Day!"

During the rush process, she got to be in a skit where a bunch of her new "sisters" did a cool dance in black lights - and she was in the dance with her wheelchair fully decorated with lights that outlined her entire chair. It was fun! I wish I had better pictures of it - but I don't have a camera powerful enough to get good pictures of a black light dance!

In October, Lauren got sick on Saturday afternoon and ended up in the hospital for a quick appendectomy!

In typical Lauren fashion - she laughed and smiled through the whole thing - and was back at school within 3 days. Crazy girl! She hates to miss class!

Lauren has had a lot of fun going to the dances and activities with her Tribe - Here are some of my favorite pics of these events...


LOVE this one! Dancing with her sweet date!

Her formal in New Orleans. This was a big weekend for her!

This is one of her amazing friends, Rachel, helping her put her makeup on for the event!

Her friends here at school have been so precious to her! They help her eat, take her places and let the nurses take a break (or do mounds and mounds of laundry!) We could not ask for a better college environment for her!

Lauren spends a TON of time doing this....

Lauren works her tail off! She studies so much - and has to work so hard to get her assignments completed. This is probably Spanish or something that she has to "write" - some of her assignments are dictated and some are typed - but she works very hard!

She does take an occasional break, though!

Like this one...

And...uh...ignore the little dog in the corner. She isn't really supposed to be in the dorm... She was...uh...ur...Photoshopped in. ha!


Over the summer, Lauren went to a camp for disabled kids and adults in Texas and had a BLAST! One of the things she did was a ZIPLINE! The full thing, from what I understand! Here she is before they let her go...

Then just a few weeks ago, Lauren met my friends precious baby and they let her hold her. The baby is really calm and Lauren actually did a great job "rocking" her - she even spun her really gently in her chair if she got fussy and did a good job pacifying little Abigail!

Then this is Lauren and her Mom...if you won't tell anyone , I will post a picture of them in my pool from this summer....

Lisa (Lauren's Mom), of course, stays with Lauren at the dorm, too - so we split the nights. The dorm is not co-ed, so her Daddy can't come up there - but he does a lot to help her on the nights during the summer and school holidays!


Lauren is a joy to be around. She is such a hard worker and is so sweet to the people who take care of her that it is not a "chore" to help her! And I have met so many of her friends and feel like a college student that never has to go to class! (All the fun, no tuition and $4.00 dinners!) I am actually having a lot of fun myself!

 

[blessedmom4]

Oh my gracious Maroo, THANK YOU for updating us on the amazing Lauren! What a beautiful talented young lady!! We should all emulate her and what a sweet spirit she has. She looks like she is having the time of her life and working hard on top of it all and I am so thankful she is continuing to show that incredible sprit to so many!!!

 

[carebearkidney]

Loved the Lauren update - what an amazing and beautiful young woman! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Lilfoot93]

What a wonderful update on Lauren!! She is an amazing young lady!

Jackie

 

[Rx774]

I will eventually post a trip report, it's just the way we feel now... not really looking forward to it.

We are at Disneyland for our 6YO's wish. Flight was bad, 2/3 of the bathrooms didn't work, which means 1/2 hour lines in the middle of the aisle, waiting for the potty. Arrive almost an hour late, rental went smoothly. Drive just about an hour to get to Paradise Pier (traffic). We get there, with reservation confirmation in hand, and realize right away there's a problem, since PP way no clue we are supposed to be staying there. We spend over a 1/2 hour in the lobby, observing other families check in. Long story short, there was some type of mix-up and despite our confirmation, we were never meant to stay at PP. I'get done EXTENSIVE research on MAW trips to DL, and just about everytime the MAW family stays insure at PP, or Grand Californian. We were embarassed and saddened upon our understanding that we wouldn't be staying there. Our kids were exhausted, frustrated and also deeply disappointed that we had to pack our van up and leave.

Anyone else ever experience or hear of a situation like this??? Hard to plead one's case to the emergency hotline without sounding ungrateful to what should still amount to a wonderful experience.

 

[Lilfoot93]

I will eventually post a trip report, it's just the way we feel now... not really looking forward to it.

We are at Disneyland for our 6YO's wish. Flight was bad, 2/3 of the bathrooms didn't work, which means 1/2 hour lines in the middle of the aisle, waiting for the potty. Arrive almost an hour late, rental went smoothly. Drive just about an hour to get to Paradise Pier (traffic). We get there, with reservation confirmation in hand, and realize right away there's a problem, since PP way no clue we are supposed to be staying there. We spend over a 1/2 hour in the lobby, observing other families check in. Long story short, there was some type of mix-up and despite our confirmation, we were never meant to stay at PP. I'get done EXTENSIVE research on MAW trips to DL, and just about everytime the MAW family stays insure at PP, or Grand Californian. We were embarassed and saddened upon our understanding that we wouldn't be staying there. Our kids were exhausted, frustrated and also deeply disappointed that we had to pack our van up and leave.

Anyone else ever experience or hear of a situation like this??? Hard to plead one's case to the emergency hotline without sounding ungrateful to what should still amount to a wonderful experience.

Sorry to hear that the trip did not get off to a great start Did the hotel let you know where you were suppose to be staying? Hoping the rest of your trip is magical!

Jackie

 

[sarsop524]

Hopefully the bad is over now and only a wonderful trip will be in front of you! Sorry that it started out so crappy, I will pray for the rest of the trip to smoothly for you!

I will eventually post a trip report, it's just the way we feel now... not really looking forward to it.

We are at Disneyland for our 6YO's wish. Flight was bad, 2/3 of the bathrooms didn't work, which means 1/2 hour lines in the middle of the aisle, waiting for the potty. Arrive almost an hour late, rental went smoothly. Drive just about an hour to get to Paradise Pier (traffic). We get there, with reservation confirmation in hand, and realize right away there's a problem, since PP way no clue we are supposed to be staying there. We spend over a 1/2 hour in the lobby, observing other families check in. Long story short, there was some type of mix-up and despite our confirmation, we were never meant to stay at PP. I'get done EXTENSIVE research on MAW trips to DL, and just about everytime the MAW family stays insure at PP, or Grand Californian. We were embarassed and saddened upon our understanding that we wouldn't be staying there. Our kids were exhausted, frustrated and also deeply disappointed that we had to pack our van up and leave.

Anyone else ever experience or hear of a situation like this??? Hard to plead one's case to the emergency hotline without sounding ungrateful to what should still amount to a wonderful experience.

 

[LindaBabe]

Maroo, THANk you so much for the Lauren Update! She is beautiful clean through and I'm so glad she's having a wonderful time - she has earned it!

I will eventually post a trip report, it's just the way we feel now... not really looking forward to it. . . . We were embarassed and saddened upon our understanding that we wouldn't be staying there. Our kids were exhausted, frustrated and also deeply disappointed that we had to pack our van up and leave.

Anyone else ever experience or hear of a situation like this??? Hard to plead one's case to the emergency hotline without sounding ungrateful to what should still amount to a wonderful experience.

You poor poor people That's TERRIBLE. Where in heaven's name did they send you? (Hoping there's an upturn coming for you guys soon!)

 

[Momtokcc]

Hi there. I am new to DISboards, and hope I am posting this correctly. My little Mia was granted a wish trip and our family can't wait. I am excited to get my feet wet and read all about previous wish trips. This thread is so wonderful... thank you to everyone who is willing to help out us newbies.

I wrote a tiny bit of Mia's story on a pre-trip report. Thanks for the help on being able to post a picture. I will hopefully get the hang of this.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45797860#post45797860

I hope that link is right.

Mimi- Mia's mom (wish kid)

Hi and welcome!! I read your report so far, can't wait to read more! We will be going on Oct. 20th.

 

[Momtokcc]

Maroo,
I loved reading the update about Lauren and seeing the pics. She is a beautiful young lady! Thanks for sharing the update with us!!

 

[maroo]

Oh my gracious Maroo, THANK YOU for updating us on the amazing Lauren! What a beautiful talented young lady!! We should all emulate her and what a sweet spirit she has. She looks like she is having the time of her life and working hard on top of it all and I am so thankful she is continuing to show that incredible sprit to so many!!!

You are so welcome! I totally agree! If I could emulate Lauren I would have a much better attitude in life!

She is having so much fun!!!!! In fact...I need some help in here in a minute - ideas...I need to make her a crazy costume.

Loved the Lauren update - what an amazing and beautiful young woman! Thanks for sharing!

I am so glad to share Lauren with the DIS world - The world could do with some more Lauren!

What a wonderful update on Lauren!! She is an amazing young lady!

Jackie

Thank you!

She is Amazing!!!!

I will eventually post a trip report, it's just the way we feel now... not really looking forward to it.

We are at Disneyland for our 6YO's wish. Flight was bad, 2/3 of the bathrooms didn't work, which means 1/2 hour lines in the middle of the aisle, waiting for the potty. Arrive almost an hour late, rental went smoothly. Drive just about an hour to get to Paradise Pier (traffic). We get there, with reservation confirmation in hand, and realize right away there's a problem, since PP way no clue we are supposed to be staying there. We spend over a 1/2 hour in the lobby, observing other families check in. Long story short, there was some type of mix-up and despite our confirmation, we were never meant to stay at PP. I'get done EXTENSIVE research on MAW trips to DL, and just about everytime the MAW family stays insure at PP, or Grand Californian. We were embarassed and saddened upon our understanding that we wouldn't be staying there. Our kids were exhausted, frustrated and also deeply disappointed that we had to pack our van up and leave.

Anyone else ever experience or hear of a situation like this??? Hard to plead one's case to the emergency hotline without sounding ungrateful to what should still amount to a wonderful experience.

Oh my gosh!!!!!!

What did they do?!?

I really, really hope it gets better for you guys very soon!

Maroo, THANk you so much for the Lauren Update! She is beautiful clean through and I'm so glad she's having a wonderful time - she has earned it!

She is a beautiful princess!!!

 

[maroo]

Maroo,
I loved reading the update about Lauren and seeing the pics. She is a beautiful young lady! Thanks for sharing the update with us!!

Thank you! I always love talking about Lauren! She is an amazing young lady!

 

[taniabsn]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45901527#post45901527

Here is my link and I wanted to get it on the first page of "Waiting for our Dates".

I read the instructions but I just don't get it. I think I'm tired.

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

We received our flight plans this week The kids are counting down the days. Thanks Maroo for the plans. It really helped