Neice With Downs WDW 2006

[mushumadness]

Hiya

Well we are all booked for walt disney world in september 2006, I have told my neice where we are going, but unfortunatly we dont know exactly how much she understands. I hope she knows (She will know when we reach the airport though). She has downs syndrome (thankfully she has no heart problems with it) but she can not talk (apart from the odd word ie. poppop) and can not walk distances, so has a wheel chair.

The first time we took her we got some sort of pass for the rides (she didnt have a chair then we carried her) I was wondering what they were called and if they are still available?

She is fully registered as disabeled over here and has a parking pass, will this work in the usa?

I have sorted carrying her wheel chair with the airline (you wouldnt believe how long that took).

I am hoping this will be a fantastic holiday for her and help appreciated

 

[LisaBi]

Welcome! I just posted a few days ago about my son's first trip to Disney. He has Down's and is now 12. He was 6, and didn't understand anything other than we were going to stay at a hotel. It was also his first plane trip. In Disney, he didn't comprehend what we would do next, or tomorrow, but he thouroughly enjoyed each moment. He didn't talk much at the time (usually just one word). But when we came home, he kept asking "Go Di'neywold 'gain?"

I'm interested that you have a wheelchair for your daughter. We rent one at Disney, or any such place, but don't find a need for it on a regular basis. Is her muscle tone a significant problem for her?

LisaB

 

[LisaBi]

Sorry - I didn't answer your question! What you are referring to is Guest Assistnace Card, or GAC. They are still available. Just go to Guest Services in any park and explain your neice's needs. However, with a wheelchair, you shouldn't need a GAC to be able to bring the wheelchair thru lines, or go thru alternate entrances if the main queue isn't wheelchair accesable. You would want a GAC if you have other needs.

LisaB

 

[mushumadness]

hi lisa

jordan had a wheelchair because she suffers from soft bones, they tend to go bendy instead of break (shes always throwing herself around acting out the jungle book) its a specially made childs one, she also wears special boots (unfortunatly only one pair a year is provided and they are not available for sale) and unfortunatly she goes through a pair of shoes a month dragging her feet when she does walk.

I really hope shes going to know alot about it when we go, seeing her with minnie mouse or "itch" as she calls stitch will make my year

 

[SueM in MN]

I was gone over the weekend, so I wasn't able to answer before, but just wanted to point you to the disABILITIES FAQs near the top of the board.

As was already mentioned, the card you were talking about is the Guest Assistance Card (which we usually abbreviate as GAC on this board to not have to type so much). The GAC is a tool that lets the CMs (cast members) know what accomidations are needed by someone with a disability. Someone with a wheelchair or ecv doesn't usually need a GAC unless they have other needs besides a need for the accessible entrance. Because the CM can see the wheelchair/ecv, they know you need that entrance. (The exception would be someone with a special needs stroller that looks like a stroller).
You should also look into Fastpass; it can shorten your wait in line by quite a bit. Here's a link to the DIS page about Fastpass.

 

[shelle45]

I Took My Son When He Was 9. He Also Did Not Talk Much And Used A Chair For The Majority Of The Time As He Gor Tired Quickly. He Had A Brilliant Time His Face Lit Up At Everything. We Watch The Videos Over And Over. We Also Came Accross A Chipmunc (chip/dale) (cast Member) Who Could Sign Back To Him .he Uses Makaton Sign Language. I Cried He Was So Thrilled. On Our Return His Speach Improved As He Was Desperate To Tell Anyone Who Would Listen About Whar He Had Experienced. His Teachers And Specialist Said It Was The Best Thing We Could Have Done For Him And Were Totaly Surprised At His Rapid Progress Afterward With His Attempts/progress With Communication. He Is Now 15. He Has Come To A Bit Of A Standstil Again So We Are Off To Wdw This Novemebr. He Is Very Excited And Watching Our Home Videos Of Our Last Trip Over And Over Again. We Are Already Seeing Improvements Again And We Havent Even Got There Yet.
We Are Also Surprising Him With A Swim With The Dolphins At Discovery Cove.
You Will All Have A Great Time But Keep A Hanky In Your Pocket Because Your Joy Can Make Your Eyes Leak A Little.

Enjoy