Nervous about getting a GAC for lung & anxiety issues

[Cindyrellablue]

I have been to WDW countless times and this will be my first time with a need for a Guest Assistance Card. I unfortunately needed urgent abdominal surgery that also involved my lungs, diaphragm and heart. My lung collapsed during surgery and has been giving me trouble since (1 month out) with my existing asthma, making it very difficult to be mobile for long distances. I also have been having anxiety attacks brought on by frequent esophageal spasms and have to carry meds to calm that down.

My doctors have advised me that using a wheelchair could help me get around in the parks but that I should not use it until I am tired as I should walk as much as I can to help strengthen my lung. I have my own wheelchair now, but I was hoping to not bring it but to rent one if I felt I needed it there.

I have read multiple angry articles about the GAC cards and am now worried about needing one. I don't want people to say negative things to me as by looking at me, you would not be able to know something was wrong. I spoke to my husband about it and he told me I shouldn't mind what others think or say...but it makes me very anxious.

I have several Disney vacations planned and I am hoping that by the time they come around I won't need assistance, but I am thinking I may have to come to terms with the fact that it is a good possibility.

I also don't know if I should bring along my medical information with me to give to Guest Services. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wishes Count]

Guest Relations does not need any type of documentation. In fact even if you tell the CM your condition they most likely wont know what it is or what types of symptoms or issues you may have. All you need to do is explain what you need or what your concerns are for visiting the parks. Guest Relations CMs are there to help you. Not embarrass you or make you feel gulity for needing assistance.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[SteveMouse]

Don't worry! Especially about other people's perceptions!

You don't need a GAC to use a wheelchair- a GAC is usually used for "invisible" disabilities.

A couple of things you MIGHT want to consider- for all parks, wheelchair/ECV rental is pretty near the front of the park (Epcot has the available at both the main and IG entrances). It can be quite a ways from the back of the park to a rental location. You might want to rent one early and take it with you. It is possible, but relatively unlikely, that a park will run out of wheelchairs. Note that the park wheelchairs are really designed mostly for someone pushing the chair, not for the seated person to move themselves (you can, it's just not optimal). If you park hop, save your receipt-show your receipt at the next park- you don't pay twice! (I don't know whether this works on a park<-->DTD trip).

You might consider a rollator- it is kind of like a walker with wheels- still allowing you to ambulate but taking some of the stress off.

There's also quite alot of walking outside the parks- you might want to bring your own and have it available to you at your resort- each hotel has a few loaners, but they're not in too good a shape.

Have fun!

 

[lanejudy]

As others have mentioned, if your only need is to use a wheelchair then a GAC is not necessary as the wheelchair itself shows the CMs. Most lines are mainstreamed so the wheelchair will go through the regular lines, or use a FP when possible. If you have other needs that cannot be met by the wheelchair alone, then you'd want to stop by Guest Relations to discuss a GAC.

I also second the idea of either bringing your chair from home or renting one from offsite so you have it outside of the parks. Depending on your travel to FL, a wheelchair can be gate-checked on all airlines for free. Or an offsite rental will likely cost less than in-parks and a manual wheelchair is relatively inexpensive rental - plus you'd have it for use outside of the parks. There is a lot of walking after you leave the park - to the bus/monorail/ferry/tram to parking lot and then around your resort, and at the end of a long day it's magnified.

You are welcome to push the wheelchair (use it to carry bags) at any time when you want/need to stretch your legs or get some exercise. No need to sit and ride in it all day. If you choose to park it and not take in a line with you, it can be parked in stroller parking. But keep in mind that some lines can be long (up to 1/4 mile in and then the same back out again).

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread (you can also find it near the top of this board).
Post 6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) and should answer all your questions. There is also a post on page 2 of that thread which lists attractions where all guests will be standing for a period unless they have a mobility device with them.

Post 2 of that thread is about renting equipment, such as wheelchairs and ECVs. Some of the offsite companies also rent rollators ( as mentioned by mother poster, they are walkers with wheels, but they also have a fold down seat).
Advantages of renting from an off site vendor:
- less expensive
- you will know for sure you have one before arrival at the park
- you will have it to get into the park
- you will have it to use at your resort

If you have any kind of mobility device, you don't need a GAC to use it in lines. So, if using the mobility device meets your needs, you probably will not need a GAC at all.

Now some things to think about for the different mobility devices.
ECV gives the most independence, but sort of the least options. You can drive it, you can park it or another adult member of your party can drive it.
All attractions are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding, but some are not ECV accessible. For those, the ECV is parked and you can either walk in line or ask o use an attraction wheelchair (no need for GAC - just ask the CM for the wheelchair before parking the ECV).

Wheelchair is least independence, but most options. You can be pushed in it, you can propel it yourself (for limited distances since they are not really set up for that). You can walk behind it and push it or someone else can push it while you walk. You would be able to use it in any lines without a GAC or could choose to park it and walk in lines.

A rollator would give the most opportunity to walk with some support, which will help most people with fatigue. You can also flip down the seat for a place to sit when needed.
It is possible to be pushed by someone while you are sitting in it, but it's not designed for that, so it only works well for short distances. You could bring it into all lines without needing a GAC.

 

[Earstou]

As someone who has lung issues and asthma, I just wanted to mention a couple of things.
Florida's high humidity bothered me at times, mostly right away in the morning, before the dew has burned off. Sometimes while getting to the parks in the morning, I was really having difficulty breathing. So I was very happy to have the ECV at the hotel.
Some attractions have stairs, and if you aren't using a wheelchair, you might consider getting a GAC to help for that.

 

[Cindyrellablue]

Thank you all for your help with some excellent information. I will definitely read the posts and learn all I can. Thanks so much!