My son might need help...

[ljmcclendon]

My 6 year old son is diagnosed with Centronuclear Muscle Myopathy. Basically, he has low muscle tone. He isn't as strong as most kids and it's harder for him to keep up in gross motor skills only. Everywhere else, he's right on track - a 'normal' kid who is just a bit weaker. He doesn't have leg braces or a wheelchair or anything.

Well, after our two days in New York City, I realized how much my husband and I were picking him up, carrying him, and helping him.

We are going to Disney at the end of May. I know I can get a wagon for him which will help him, but I am also now wondering about their disability services and if that is something we should consider. I have no idea how to go about doing this, but I do know that you can get a special pass that allows you to bypass the long lines of standing and walking.

I don't want people to think that I am trying to 'get away' with something I'm not supposed to because my son certainly doesn't really look like he has a disability, but I am also concerned about him getting fatigued while we are there. Perhaps part of this is truly coming to terms with the fact that Ryan does have a disability and I don't want to see him or differentiate him from other kids either. He is very sensitive to that, too. He doesn't often want 'special' treatment at school or help from his teachers if the other kids aren't getting it. He's very confident and a very strong self-advocate.

Any advice on this? Both for my own issue with this and logistically how to go about getting this pass or qualifying for it, etc...

 

[livndisney]

My 6 year old son is diagnosed with Centronuclear Muscle Myopathy. Basically, he has low muscle tone. He isn't as strong as most kids and it's harder for him to keep up in gross motor skills only. Everywhere else, he's right on track - a 'normal' kid who is just a bit weaker. He doesn't have leg braces or a wheelchair or anything.

Well, after our two days in New York City, I realized how much my husband and I were picking him up, carrying him, and helping him.

We are going to Disney at the end of May. I know I can get a wagon for him which will help him, but I am also now wondering about their disability services and if that is something we should consider. I have no idea how to go about doing this, but I do know that you can get a special pass that allows you to bypass the long lines of standing and walking.

I don't want people to think that I am trying to 'get away' with something I'm not supposed to because my son certainly doesn't really look like he has a disability, but I am also concerned about him getting fatigued while we are there. Perhaps part of this is truly coming to terms with the fact that Ryan does have a disability and I don't want to see him or differentiate him from other kids either. He is very sensitive to that, too. He doesn't often want 'special' treatment at school or help from his teachers if the other kids aren't getting it. He's very confident and a very strong self-advocate.

Any advice on this? Both for my own issue with this and logistically how to go about getting this pass or qualifying for it, etc...

Wagons are not allowed at WDW. What you can do is put him in a stroller. You can also speak to guest services about using the stroller as a wheelchiar so you can bring it in lines with you.

The only way to bypass lines is by using fastpass. And the only Front of the line access Disney offers is for Make A Wish kids on their Wish trip.

What you may want to do is use a good touring plan to minimize wait time as much as possible.

 

[Diegosmom]

You said he is 6 right well I have read on here a lot of people that still bring strollers for older kids so is that an option? Also you can get a tag to use the stroller as a wheelchair. Meaning you can take it in line with you. If he is sitting in a stroller he wont feel "different" from other kids because alot of kids use strollers in the park.

Hoping others will have some more advise for you.

 

[daisyyy]

My 6 year old son is diagnosed with Centronuclear Muscle Myopathy. Basically, he has low muscle tone. He isn't as strong as most kids and it's harder for him to keep up in gross motor skills only. Everywhere else, he's right on track - a 'normal' kid who is just a bit weaker. He doesn't have leg braces or a wheelchair or anything.

Well, after our two days in New York City, I realized how much my husband and I were picking him up, carrying him, and helping him.

We are going to Disney at the end of May. I know I can get a wagon for him which will help him, but I am also now wondering about their disability services and if that is something we should consider. I have no idea how to go about doing this, but I do know that you can get a special pass that allows you to bypass the long lines of standing and walking.

I don't want people to think that I am trying to 'get away' with something I'm not supposed to because my son certainly doesn't really look like he has a disability, but I am also concerned about him getting fatigued while we are there. Perhaps part of this is truly coming to terms with the fact that Ryan does have a disability and I don't want to see him or differentiate him from other kids either. He is very sensitive to that, too. He doesn't often want 'special' treatment at school or help from his teachers if the other kids aren't getting it. He's very confident and a very strong self-advocate.

Any advice on this? Both for my own issue with this and logistically how to go about getting this pass or qualifying for it, etc...

Don't worry about what other people think. You are going to enjoy yourselves. All diabilities are not always something you can see, and people need to understand that. If we're standing in line and someone is going through, i just assume they have a reason. That's the last thing you should worry about.
Welcome to the DIS.

 

[KPeveler]

As others have said, wagons are not allowed in WDW. Strollers and wheelchairs are, however, and you can get a pass that will allow you to take a stroller in a line (something not normally allowed). Almost all lines are mainstreamed, so this will allow your family to wait in a regular line without a problem.

There is no pass to bypass any portions of the lines. The only people who get a front-of-the-line pass are the Make a Wish kids. There is a Guest Assistance Card for those with invisible disabilities, such as vision impairments. However it says right on the card that it is not designed for shortening wait times. In fact, it is not uncommon to have to wait longer with a GAC.

Disney's official policy regarding stamina and mobility issues (such as this) is to rent a stroller, wheelchair, or scooter. I would suggest either bringing your own stroller or renting a stroller or pediatric wheelchair in the area. There will be MANY children over age 6 in strollers in WDW, so there will be nothing out of the ordinary for you to have one.

Hope this helps!

 

[SueM in MN]

Post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about Guest Assistance Cards (GAC). You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature to get there.

As was mentioned already, a GAC is not meant to shorten the wait or avoid waits in line. Even with a GAC, there will still be attractions where guests wait with no where to sit - just because of how the attraction loads. You can find more information about those in post 22 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Another thing to think about is that GACs seldom/almost never shorten the distance walked - it is 1/4 mile from the entrance to the line at Soarin’ until you get to the boarding area whether or not you are using a GAC. And, then another 1/4 mile to get from the unload area back to where you started.

And, the reason that WDW recommends a mobility device for people who are concerned about stamina for walking or waiting in lines is that is a small part of a the walking guests do at WDW. Much of the walking is getting from place to place between attraction.

One highly recommended way to shorten your waits in line is to use a touring plan, such as TourGuide Mike. Each park has certain attractions that are busier or hardly have a wait at all at certain times. The touring plans help you to know which attractions in which park will be the least busy so you can go to those and avoid long waits. Many people who have used GACs in the past have found that a touring plan was more helpful because it actually did help them to see more things in a shorter time than they were able to using a GAC.