Make a Wish (and other organizations) - Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume THREE! :)

[maroo]

Hi Everyone! I am starting to make plans for our trip. Our third day there is my DS's birthday and he wants to go to AK in the morning. I was assuming that we would eat at Rainforest Cafe.
Anyone have any other suggestions for lunch at AK?
That night for his B-day we are going to be at Epcot. Dinner suggestions for Epcot?

Pre-trip report for Jackson http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2518193

I love the Rainforest Cafe! Personally - it is my favorite sit down meal at the AK. You could also check out Tusker House, though - I have never been, but I think it has a character breakfast which could be cool.

Maroo, thank you so much for sharing. That top photo is the big give outfit I made for their trip : ( but it made me smile and tear up. Thank you.

That is hands down one of my very favorite pics of Noah - it is just so..."Noah!" - I saw a video last night his Mom posted on her facebook and it was so sweet - he was the happiest child - just giggling and giggling with all those tubes everywhere - like he just could not even feel them - they didn't bother him at all.

This is the first that I have heard about Noah, I just read his trip report and his family is truly amazing.....that is a beautiful smile on his little face.

Yes - We have many beautiful and wonderful families on here! I have had the opportunity to meet several of them!

Noah was a very special child as his limitations did not seem to bother him in the least - he was so happy despite his illness - truly extraordinary.

PS: SOOOOOO sorry I forgot to link your trip on the first page - I really try hard to remember to 1. subscribe, 2. post and 3. link the report...but sometimes I get interrupted and forget one of the 3...or two of the 3... I am such a nut!!

Noah and family are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you Mary for sharing his pictures.

You are very welcome!

Thanks for the tips on accessibility. That's the sort of info I've had trouble nailing down in any coherent form. I can't believe the number of books available out there, yet none seem to have the sort of info I want. I could spend days trying to find it all on DIS. I've seen a lot of youtube videos, but it's tough to judge certain things like actual speed and forces on the ride or security of the restraints. Some of the videos have scared off her sibs from certain rides, too - I don't think we'll be going on Expedition Everest, sadly. All I know for sure at this point is that Space Mountain is out because I can't sit next to Kayla and support her and the tee-bar restraint won't even begin to hold her in place on it's own. If anyone has suggestions on where to find detailed descriptions of the ride configurations and restraint systems I'd appreciate it. I'd hate to get everyone up to a ride only to find that Kayla can't be safe on it.

As a limo driver myself I would suggest that If Lauren is comfortable enough with the people she would share the ride with, a car seat may not be needed, but of course I say that without detailed knowledge of her abilities. In part because of my experience with Kayla and the company owner's own experience with a Down's kid, I often get to drive for folks with a range of disabilities. Solutions often involve a second vehicle with the assistive equipment following along. Some collapsible things can be stashed in the limo with minimal problems.

As for getting in and out and sitting up, that can be more challenging. Drivers will not be permitted to lift or generally even touch her per company policy, but if she and her friends are comfortable with it they may be able to provide all the assistance or support needed. Seat belts are not required in limos by most states so they are often difficult to find and use for a car seat. In the cars I drive the shoulder belt in the back seat by the door is often still accessible and leaning against the door is okay as long as the driver doesn't open it without warning.

I would call the companies in your area and talk to them about the situation and Lauren's needs. You may find that the issue has been handled successfully in the past. I always consider myself as the driver to be a big part of the prom experience (too self important? ) and take pains to ensure everyone has a good time. These are memories the kids will carry for many years, good or bad, so it's up to me to help make it good.

@kayrason333 - that's pretty cool that you get to celebrate a birthday on a wish trip. Was that by design or a happy coincidence? I'd like to hear about anything they do to make it even more special.

Thoughts to Noah's family. Friends of ours lost their daughter two years ago and it made a huge impact on our family in part because she and Kayla shared many similarities in their disabilities. I find it very difficult to read about a child's death on these boards and after Mya's loss I had to stay away for a while because I had followed her in near real-time. We often "anticipate" Kayla's demise and I sympathize/empathize with the families here that are in similar situations.

Wow, this is a lot for a "random" tenth post! But at least now I'll be able to post links!

I can not even imagine what it is like to have a special needs child - my heart breaks from so far away -

Mya's loss was very, very hard for me, too. I met her and she, too, had so much life in her - even in her final days. Gosh, I am crying just typing this.


As far as rides - it may be hard to tell. I did find some youtube videos, which do give some clues. There is a good - Passporters Open Mouse or something like that - and it gives good hints on rides and how they work.

For us, though, we just had to go see it. For example - Buzz lightyear you go through the FP line with your button, then they divert you to the exit where you sort of wait again. Then they can stop the belt where they load and they actually lower the back of the cart and you can drive right up in it. There are not many forces on the ride at all - it is mostly a shooting game and if they can grab a string (I think it is a string) then they can play - which is really cool. Lauren had never been able to "ride" and "play" a game before that ride. It moves around and spins a little - but it is very slow and you control most of the turning. It really turns more than spins.


Toy Story, on the other hand - is very similar in loading (it loads away from the rest of the ride so that you don't slow the ride down at all) - but it is VERY jerky. The CM's will usually let YOU ride first and then see if it will be ok for your child - we did this with Toy Story and determined that NO - Lauren could not ride. It was just so jerky and spun you around really fast. But many would probably say that it is fine for their child - it isn't like a roller coaster or Tea Cups kind of spinning...you will just have to see it, I guess.

The main thing is to ask if you can ride first - and then you can tell first hand how it would work and how they would do.

I can't do it right now - but later I will see what pictures I have of the rides from her trip and post some. That is a project I have wanted to tackle for a while.

Lauren can't hold her head up on her own anymore, much less her upper body at all. She can't push on her hands and hold herself up at all - we would have to hold her up in a car and it wouldn't be safe.

I don't think it would be a big deal to be in the limo with her friends, because they would not care about the car seat, but it would be at the entrance to the prom that she would be embarrassed.

 

[maroo]

Popularity on the DIS - I think I should address this, because I have had a few PM's asking this and I think we could have a discussion about it...



I have tried to figure out for a while now why one pre-trip report seems to take off and have lots of posts and others are slower with fewer posts.

I know our pre-trip report was only a few pages long for a while, but then some people "saw" it and recommended it to other DISers and then people started posting.

By the time we did the TR, I had a lot of great pictures and funny stories and crazy stories to tell, that it sort of took off on its own. It was fun to write.

Here are my random observations on what seems to me to draw people to post (in no particular order):

- Lots of pictures. When they see pictures of your family, it draws them in.

- Regular updates - the more updates you post over time, the more people have to talk about and respond to.

- Encourage "banter" - ask for people's opinions and just live your life on the pre-trip report - and some will come join ya.

- Links to posts - You can put this on the first post of your pre-trip report and give them "links" to updates. This is not really hard to do, but takes a little practice and is frankly hard to maintain - I can help you if you really want to do it. I did it for Lauren's TR, if you want to see what it looks like.

- Catchy Title

- Give "updates" in the title. Most veteran trip report writers put "Updated 7/30" or "7/30 post #200" or something so that people can easily know when it updates.

- Make sure a link to your pre-trip report is in your signature

- Post on other people's TRs. Including "regular" trip reports - especially regular TR's.



Generally speaking the more someone is involved on the DIS in general, the more people tend to find and post to their reports. One of the "issues" - I think - with wish trips is that most of the wish trippers come and go fairly quickly and some past families have never started or some never finished their TR's. So long time DISers have gotten sort of "burned" - I guess - on past trips where they have gotten all emotionally involved in a family or trip and then once their big trip is over, they sort of fall away and leave us really wanting to know what happened on the trip, or if their children are ok, etc. So I think this sort of keeps some long time DISers from getting "involved" and posting on wish trip reports - if this makes any sense??

There are some REALLY good reasons that wish families do this - and I am not AT ALL saying anything bad about any wish family that comes and goes like this *REALLY* - I want that to be really clear - because I get it - it is really hard to write a trip report after you have come back because the responsibilities of taking care of your children come first and are often very time consuming and for some the trip was not what they expected or maybe it was so wonderful and now it is over that they just can't bear to write about it - so I am really, really not saying at all that this should be any different. It is what it is. I think families need to do what they need to do.

But I think that is why there are not more people posting on wish trips that are not at all involved in wish trips. Some of the "regular" posters on the DIS have also gotten very involved and fell in love with children that have passed away, and it is hard to jump in again.

Many of us, though, stay around and post - and the more people that do stay, the better it is for all of us and all of those that come after us. Many families have posted pre-trip reports and trip reports and have finished them and left us all feeling so fulfilled! It is so awesome to plan with a family and then "live" the TR with them and then watch it unfold in all of it's glory (or not!) - good or bad - we love it. And I hope that everyone that joins us over here will join in with both feet and get involved on the DIS and with each other - and we can support each other and help each other along the way.

Some of my closest friends are on the DIS and I hope that everyone finds that here. It takes a lot of work to maintain friendships in cyberspace - but it is so worth it, in my opinion.

 

[rcq925]

Popularity on the DIS - I think I should address this, because I have had a few PM's asking this and I think we could have a discussion about it...



I have tried to figure out for a while now why one pre-trip report seems to take off and have lots of posts and others are slower with fewer posts.

I know our pre-trip report was only a few pages long for a while, but then some people "saw" it and recommended it to other DISers and then people started posting.

By the time we did the TR, I had a lot of great pictures and funny stories and crazy stories to tell, that it sort of took off on its own. It was fun to write.

Here are my random observations on what seems to me to draw people to post (in no particular order):

- Lots of pictures. When they see pictures of your family, it draws them in.

- Regular updates - the more updates you post over time, the more people have to talk about and respond to.

- Encourage "banter" - ask for people's opinions and just live your life on the pre-trip report - and some will come join ya.

- Links to posts - You can put this on the first post of your pre-trip report and give them "links" to updates. This is not really hard to do, but takes a little practice and is frankly hard to maintain - I can help you if you really want to do it. I did it for Lauren's TR, if you want to see what it looks like.

- Catchy Title

- Give "updates" in the title. Most veteran trip report writers put "Updated 7/30" or "7/30 post #200" or something so that people can easily know when it updates.

- Make sure a link to your pre-trip report is in your signature

- Post on other people's TRs. Including "regular" trip reports - especially regular TR's.



Generally speaking the more someone is involved on the DIS in general, the more people tend to find and post to their reports. One of the "issues" - I think - with wish trips is that most of the wish trippers come and go fairly quickly and some past families have never started or some never finished their TR's. So long time DISers have gotten sort of "burned" - I guess - on past trips where they have gotten all emotionally involved in a family or trip and then once their big trip is over, they sort of fall away and leave us really wanting to know what happened on the trip, or if their children are ok, etc. So I think this sort of keeps some long time DISers from getting "involved" and posting on wish trip reports - if this makes any sense??

There are some REALLY good reasons that wish families do this - and I am not AT ALL saying anything bad about any wish family that comes and goes like this *REALLY* - I want that to be really clear - because I get it - it is really hard to write a trip report after you have come back because the responsibilities of taking care of your children come first and are often very time consuming and for some the trip was not what they expected or maybe it was so wonderful and now it is over that they just can't bear to write about it - so I am really, really not saying at all that this should be any different. It is what it is. I think families need to do what they need to do.

But I think that is why there are not more people posting on wish trips that are not at all involved in wish trips. Some of the "regular" posters on the DIS have also gotten very involved and fell in love with children that have passed away, and it is hard to jump in again.

Many of us, though, stay around and post - and the more people that do stay, the better it is for all of us and all of those that come after us. Many families have posted pre-trip reports and trip reports and have finished them and left us all feeling so fulfilled! It is so awesome to plan with a family and then "live" the TR with them and then watch it unfold in all of it's glory (or not!) - good or bad - we love it. And I hope that everyone that joins us over here will join in with both feet and get involved on the DIS and with each other - and we can support each other and help each other along the way.

Some of my closest friends are on the DIS and I hope that everyone finds that here. It takes a lot of work to maintain friendships in cyberspace - but it is so worth it, in my opinion.

Very well said Maroo! Thanks for taking the time to write all of that and for all you do!!!

 

[twinmum]

Thanks for the tips on accessibility. That's the sort of info I've had trouble nailing down in any coherent form. I can't believe the number of books available out there, yet none seem to have the sort of info I want.

Hello! First, I should apologize because I haven't had a chance to check your first posts to learn more about your daughter's situation. Still, I thought this might help. When we were planning our son's Wish Trip (Nov 2008) I was also concerned about which rides might be too much, etc, although Mark does sit quite well - but even my husband admitted to being freaked out on Space Mountain because he could barely reach for ward and hold Mark's shoulders "just in case." I didn't attempt it when I took the boys back to WDW on my own this February.

Have you seen this site: http://allears.net/tp/gal_ride.htm ? There are lots of pictures of the seats and restraints.

Also, this thead on the DIS : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713, courtesy of Sue has an incredible amount of information.

But you're right...all this just helps you plan and there is no substitute for being there, seeing the ride and possibly trying it yourself.

Happy planning!
Alison

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Hi Kris! I'm sorry I haven't been to your PTR yet. I've been trying to get some momentum back on my TR from April. I promise to heed over to yours next!

The best way to get people to read yours is to leave comments on others pages. That seems to be where I got many of my readers. It's fun because you get to know their stories as they get to know you too. Welcome!

I do post on everyones PTR and Tr reports. That's the fun part of it. You get a lot of ideas.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

We're trying the Rainforest Cafe for the first time this year. I've heard its great. We're going it at lunchtime to give us a mid day break. We've eaten at Tusker House. Its really good and the charactesr are there in their safari gear.

As for Epcot, there are many places there that we like. The kids really enjoy Coral Reef because of the aquarium. We like the food in LeCellier, the atmosphere in Biergarten and although its not a favourite of lots of people, the kids love eating at San Angel Inn because of the pyramid. You could also check out the menus to see where he'd like the food best. They're all online here http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningmain.cfm

When you make your reservations, make sure to add the birthday celebration to it. The restaurants often do special things for birthdays. You can also order a cake to be delivered to your table (book in advance for custom design or at the podium for non customed) Also, when you get to the park, go to guest services and get a birthday button (you can actually do this well before your day there if you want to speed things up a bit that day). He may get a bit of pixie dust with that button.

We're celebrating DS7's bday while there (and mine too!)





Hi Kris. My PTR hasn't been very busy lately either. I think its a summer thing. I have to say that for me, I've been so bogged down with planning myself that although I read new posts on those I'm subscribed to, I haven't posted on any. I'm going to keep up more once we get back.

I bet you are all getting so excited. Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Leaving on Tuesday for Michigan (home state) to visit friends and family. Lots of fun activities planned. Can't believe that by the time we get back, it will almost be time for school to start (Aug 23rd) then the countdown will be on till the trip. My mom is going to help me with the t-shirts while I am there. I will try and post a picture of them when I get back. I say "try" becuase for some reason I always have a problem with posting pictures.

I wanted to post a picture of the trip countdown calender the kids made, but it does not seem to work

[/URL][/IMG]

Do you have a photobucket account? That's how I post pictures.
My kids go back to school on the 9th. I'm so not ready for them to go back. Have fun in Michigan. Can't wait to see the t shirt pics.

 

[jen-y]

I did some research on the Universal website. I am surprised that the hours are only 9am-6pm on the days we will be there. That seems like an early closing time/short day to me, but I think they have a Halloween thing afterwards that is like MNSSHP (which is probably why they close early). Also, I could not find any listing for parades or fireworks or specific places to find characters.

I am going to have to lurk on the Universal forum.


PS. I have photobucket, and I copied and pasted the URL, but it still did not pull the picture over????


PSS. My ptr following is 4 pages. But I think part of the problem is that I may not be doing it right, that is posting right and also I have a hard time getting pictures on there, so I have not added much that is new.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Popularity on the DIS - I think I should address this, because I have had a few PM's asking this and I think we could have a discussion about it...



I have tried to figure out for a while now why one pre-trip report seems to take off and have lots of posts and others are slower with fewer posts.

I know our pre-trip report was only a few pages long for a while, but then some people "saw" it and recommended it to other DISers and then people started posting.

By the time we did the TR, I had a lot of great pictures and funny stories and crazy stories to tell, that it sort of took off on its own. It was fun to write.

Here are my random observations on what seems to me to draw people to post (in no particular order):

- Lots of pictures. When they see pictures of your family, it draws them in.

- Regular updates - the more updates you post over time, the more people have to talk about and respond to.

- Encourage "banter" - ask for people's opinions and just live your life on the pre-trip report - and some will come join ya.

- Links to posts - You can put this on the first post of your pre-trip report and give them "links" to updates. This is not really hard to do, but takes a little practice and is frankly hard to maintain - I can help you if you really want to do it. I did it for Lauren's TR, if you want to see what it looks like.

- Catchy Title

- Give "updates" in the title. Most veteran trip report writers put "Updated 7/30" or "7/30 post #200" or something so that people can easily know when it updates.

- Make sure a link to your pre-trip report is in your signature

- Post on other people's TRs. Including "regular" trip reports - especially regular TR's.



Generally speaking the more someone is involved on the DIS in general, the more people tend to find and post to their reports. One of the "issues" - I think - with wish trips is that most of the wish trippers come and go fairly quickly and some past families have never started or some never finished their TR's. So long time DISers have gotten sort of "burned" - I guess - on past trips where they have gotten all emotionally involved in a family or trip and then once their big trip is over, they sort of fall away and leave us really wanting to know what happened on the trip, or if their children are ok, etc. So I think this sort of keeps some long time DISers from getting "involved" and posting on wish trip reports - if this makes any sense??

There are some REALLY good reasons that wish families do this - and I am not AT ALL saying anything bad about any wish family that comes and goes like this *REALLY* - I want that to be really clear - because I get it - it is really hard to write a trip report after you have come back because the responsibilities of taking care of your children come first and are often very time consuming and for some the trip was not what they expected or maybe it was so wonderful and now it is over that they just can't bear to write about it - so I am really, really not saying at all that this should be any different. It is what it is. I think families need to do what they need to do.

But I think that is why there are not more people posting on wish trips that are not at all involved in wish trips. Some of the "regular" posters on the DIS have also gotten very involved and fell in love with children that have passed away, and it is hard to jump in again.

Many of us, though, stay around and post - and the more people that do stay, the better it is for all of us and all of those that come after us. Many families have posted pre-trip reports and trip reports and have finished them and left us all feeling so fulfilled! It is so awesome to plan with a family and then "live" the TR with them and then watch it unfold in all of it's glory (or not!) - good or bad - we love it. And I hope that everyone that joins us over here will join in with both feet and get involved on the DIS and with each other - and we can support each other and help each other along the way.

Some of my closest friends are on the DIS and I hope that everyone finds that here. It takes a lot of work to maintain friendships in cyberspace - but it is so worth it, in my opinion.

Thank you Mary for writing all that out. I was just wondering if I was doing something wrong. I love meeting new people. especially families that are also dealing with medical conditions. All my friends don't really know what's it like taking care of a child with a medical condition on a daily bases. I will be one that will be here after the trip hoping that I can help others.

 

[balloondoggle]

Have you seen this site: http://allears.net/tp/gal_ride.htm ? There are lots of pictures of the seats and restraints.

Also, this thead on the DIS : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713, courtesy of Sue has an incredible amount of information.

But you're right...all this just helps you plan and there is no substitute for being there, seeing the ride and possibly trying it yourself.

Happy planning!
Alison

The allears link is EXACTLY what I need - thank you!! Lots of good stuff in that thread, also.

I just knew someone would have that stuff easily at hand (or just have more time to search than I did!)

 

[jen-y]

OK - I posted some new pics on my PTR. The countdown calendar, Nicky in his new bathingsuit get up, and the T-shirt design.
I'm on a roll today

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37612168&posted=1#post37612168

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I did some research on the Universal website. I am surprised that the hours are only 9am-6pm on the days we will be there. That seems like an early closing time/short day to me, but I think they have a Halloween thing afterwards that is like MNSSHP (which is probably why they close early). Also, I could not find any listing for parades or fireworks or specific places to find characters.

I am going to have to lurk on the Universal forum.


PS. I have photobucket, and I copied and pasted the URL, but it still did not pull the picture over????


PSS. My ptr following is 4 pages. But I think part of the problem is that I may not be doing it right, that is posting right and also I have a hard time getting pictures on there, so I have not added much that is new.

When we were there...The Simpsons were by there ride. We meet Barney at his concert. Woody was by his roller coaster. Curious George was outside before going in. We missed Sponge Bob. No clue where he is. Shek, fiona, And Donkey was by the theater of Shek 4D.

on photo bucket you need to copy the IMG tag than paste it on here.

 

[xanphylus]

Popularity on the DIS - I think I should address this, because I have had a few PM's asking this and I think we could have a discussion about it...

Some of my closest friends are on the DIS and I hope that everyone finds that here. It takes a lot of work to maintain friendships in cyberspace - but it is so worth it, in my opinion.

Great response Maroo! Another thing- I think lots of people read the trop reports, but don't tell you that they are. I know on my TR, I saw lots of views, but rarely anyone writing back. Lots of people are just lurkers, but if you pull them out of hiding- they can be very nice and even helpful! (I know- I used to lurk lots and still do, but now I post more often.... this wish thread is just addicting!!! )

Another thing I just thought of- I bet some people don't know what to say. They don't feel like they can say anything since they don't have a wish kid and don't really understand what it entails and really don't want to say the wrong things. I don't have a wish kid- but I have a sister-in-law who is a wish kid, so that makes it easier to connect. I think some people just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by saying the wrong thing or asking a question they might feel is stupid or maybe they just don't know how to respond to some of these highly inspirational and moving stories of real kids and their real problems.

Ok..... I'm done!

 

[that's nice]

Popularity on the DIS - I think I should address this, because I have had a few PM's asking this and I think we could have a discussion about it...



I have tried to figure out for a while now why one pre-trip report seems to take off and have lots of posts and others are slower with fewer posts.

I know our pre-trip report was only a few pages long for a while, but then some people "saw" it and recommended it to other DISers and then people started posting.

By the time we did the TR, I had a lot of great pictures and funny stories and crazy stories to tell, that it sort of took off on its own. It was fun to write.

Here are my random observations on what seems to me to draw people to post (in no particular order):

- Lots of pictures. When they see pictures of your family, it draws them in.

- Regular updates - the more updates you post over time, the more people have to talk about and respond to.

- Encourage "banter" - ask for people's opinions and just live your life on the pre-trip report - and some will come join ya.

Banter? BANTER? I have no idea what that could be.... (j/k)

I totally agree with all of the above.

- Links to posts - You can put this on the first post of your pre-trip report and give them "links" to updates. This is not really hard to do, but takes a little practice and is frankly hard to maintain - I can help you if you really want to do it. I did it for Lauren's TR, if you want to see what it looks like.

I can help with this too Maroo... if anyone needs help doing this let me know.

- Catchy Title

LOL the hardest part of the whole report- IMO! LOL

- Give "updates" in the title. Most veteran trip report writers put "Updated 7/30" or "7/30 post #200" or something so that people can easily know when it updates.

Doing this also helps stick out in the user CP (control panel- top left of the screen. This is where you can find your subscribed threads). When I see a TR that I'm following is updated, I try to get there ASAP to read the new update.

- Make sure a link to your pre-trip report is in your signature

I can help with that too.

- Post on other people's TRs. Including "regular" trip reports - especially regular TR's.

This is the biggest draw to get people to your report... and is the best part of the DIS. Learning about other people from all over the world. With Wish reports, I feel people (and myself included) get more emotionally attached to the reports. I guess you covered this below.

Generally speaking the more someone is involved on the DIS in general, the more people tend to find and post to their reports. One of the "issues" - I think - with wish trips is that most of the wish trippers come and go fairly quickly and some past families have never started or some never finished their TR's. So long time DISers have gotten sort of "burned" - I guess - on past trips where they have gotten all emotionally involved in a family or trip and then once their big trip is over, they sort of fall away and leave us really wanting to know what happened on the trip, or if their children are ok, etc. So I think this sort of keeps some long time DISers from getting "involved" and posting on wish trip reports - if this makes any sense??

I agree that there aren't too many regular DISers that follow the Wish thread. It takes time to get to 'know' someone, and it is hard with the Wish Trip thread because the turnover is quite high. I agree that following any (P)TR, not only Wish reports, when someone leaves kinda makes you feel abandoned (for lack of a better term) in a way. Then the readers are left wondering what happened.

There are some REALLY good reasons that wish families do this - and I am not AT ALL saying anything bad about any wish family that comes and goes like this *REALLY* - I want that to be really clear - because I get it - it is really hard to write a trip report after you have come back because the responsibilities of taking care of your children come first and are often very time consuming and for some the trip was not what they expected or maybe it was so wonderful and now it is over that they just can't bear to write about it - so I am really, really not saying at all that this should be any different. It is what it is. I think families need to do what they need to do.

I agree 100% with this.. your family and kids come first. Writing a TR can turn into a full time job. I have read many reports and honestly not only are the kids amazing, but the parents are too. Our first responsibility is to our kids. If they need help, forget what some people might think on a Disney forum.

But I think that is why there are not more people posting on wish trips that are not at all involved in wish trips. Some of the "regular" posters on the DIS have also gotten very involved and fell in love with children that have passed away, and it is hard to jump in again.

Unfortunately this is sad but true.

Many of us, though, stay around and post - and the more people that do stay, the better it is for all of us and all of those that come after us. Many families have posted pre-trip reports and trip reports and have finished them and left us all feeling so fulfilled! It is so awesome to plan with a family and then "live" the TR with them and then watch it unfold in all of it's glory (or not!) - good or bad - we love it. And I hope that everyone that joins us over here will join in with both feet and get involved on the DIS and with each other - and we can support each other and help each other along the way.

Couldn't of said it better.

Some of my closest friends are on the DIS and I hope that everyone finds that here. It takes a lot of work to maintain friendships in cyberspace - but it is so worth it, in my opinion.

Mary, thanks for this great write up.

 

[that's nice]

Another thing I just thought of- I bet some people don't know what to say. They don't feel like they can say anything since they don't have a wish kid and don't really understand what it entails and really don't want to say the wrong things. I don't have a wish kid- but I have a sister-in-law who is a wish kid, so that makes it easier to connect. I think some people just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by saying the wrong thing or asking a question they might feel is stupid or maybe they just don't know how to respond to some of these highly inspirational and moving stories of real kids and their real problems. ]

Great points!!!! I'm sure this happens quite often.

 

[twinmum]

The allears link is EXACTLY what I need - thank you!! Lots of good stuff in that thread, also.

I just knew someone would have that stuff easily at hand (or just have more time to search than I did!)

You're very welcome! I remembered finding a link to those pictures on the DIS and where else but the wonderful "Disabilities" thread - Sue and the gang to a tremendous job. Our son can transfer easily (either he can walk holding our hand(s), or we can lift him, he's still quite small. On the rides, his head,neck and trink control is pretty good, but not great when it's jerky.

Happy research!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I posted some pictures of Kylee MAW trip if anyone is interested. Sorry they are not in order.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Great response Maroo! Another thing- I think lots of people read the trop reports, but don't tell you that they are. I know on my TR, I saw lots of views, but rarely anyone writing back. Lots of people are just lurkers, but if you pull them out of hiding- they can be very nice and even helpful! (I know- I used to lurk lots and still do, but now I post more often.... this wish thread is just addicting!!! )

Another thing I just thought of- I bet some people don't know what to say. They don't feel like they can say anything since they don't have a wish kid and don't really understand what it entails and really don't want to say the wrong things. I don't have a wish kid- but I have a sister-in-law who is a wish kid, so that makes it easier to connect. I think some people just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by saying the wrong thing or asking a question they might feel is stupid or maybe they just don't know how to respond to some of these highly inspirational and moving stories of real kids and their real problems.

Ok..... I'm done!

That is so true..I know it's hard for family and close friends, so I can imagine it is with a stranger.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Great response Maroo! Another thing- I think lots of people read the trop reports, but don't tell you that they are. I know on my TR, I saw lots of views, but rarely anyone writing back. Lots of people are just lurkers, but if you pull them out of hiding- they can be very nice and even helpful! (I know- I used to lurk lots and still do, but now I post more often.... this wish thread is just addicting!!! )

Another thing I just thought of- I bet some people don't know what to say. They don't feel like they can say anything since they don't have a wish kid and don't really understand what it entails and really don't want to say the wrong things. I don't have a wish kid- but I have a sister-in-law who is a wish kid, so that makes it easier to connect. I think some people just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by saying the wrong thing or asking a question they might feel is stupid or maybe they just don't know how to respond to some of these highly inspirational and moving stories of real kids and their real problems.

Ok..... I'm done!

Good point. I know its hard for family and friends to understand, so I can just imagine what it's like with strangers.

 

[livndisney]

To follow up with what Maroo said,

I have been blessed to meet several families from this board, I have also been blessed to help create some magic for them. But when it comes to trip reports, I read a bit and make sure everyone is having a good time, but rarely post. I do usually read the pre trip reports