Nervous

[Talking Hands]

Jim promised me a trip to WDW to celebrate my successful cancer surgery and we leave tomorrow.

I have my schedule for sign language and my power wheelchair but I am nervous about getting the DAS for my other issues. I have panic attacks when in tight lines and when I do I can completely melt down. Makes me dangerous to others in my powered wheelchair as well as too myself. Plus I have a definite problem with guests who decide to go around my wheelchair and line jump as they hit my left handed controller and will move the wheelchair in unpredictable ways that may hit others feet and heels. I freak when people accidently touch me or hit the wheelchair. Makes staying in the standby line scary.
Let you all know how it goes. Must dos are Candlelight and the Christmas Parade.

 

[Twende]

Try not to over stress! The new system needs to get fixed but all we can do is try to enjoy the attractions as best as we can.

I missed many attractions on our last two trips. It made me very sad and down right depressed at times. Because of the difficulties I had, I may not renew my PAP. It expires in March. I will probably try one more trip and if things do not improve, then we will find some place else to vacation.

But I made the most of these last two trips and I am still happy I went. Go! Enjoy! And make happy memories. Remember a bad time in Disney is usually still better than other times on the outside!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Try your best to stay calm, explain things as clearly and concisely as you can and don't be afraid to ask for someone else if a CM isn't listening. You know there's likely going to be issues so just be prepared for the worst, then figure whatever works is a success. Crappy way to deal with it but doesn't seem like there's much choice at the moment. You know it's going to be busy, plan your days as much as you can and take breaks when you need them which I'm sure you've already thought of.

 

[Talking Hands]

Try your best to stay calm, explain things as clearly and concisely as you can and don't be afraid to ask for someone else if a CM isn't listening. You know there's likely going to be issues so just be prepared for the worst, then figure whatever works is a success. Crappy way to deal with it but doesn't seem like there's much choice at the moment. You know it's going to be busy, plan your days as much as you can and take breaks when you need them which I'm sure you've already thought of.

So far all has gone well. Got my DAS easily at AK. I have an app that I can write out cards so I used that and showed it to the CM and I was good to go Waiting for Soaring now. 90 min wait but not waiting is not a need

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[disney david]

So far all has gone well. Got my DAS easily at AK. I have an app that I can write out cards so I used that and showed it to the CM and I was good to go Waiting for Soaring now. 90 min wait but not waiting is not a need

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

That good hopefully the rest of the trip goes good.

 

[Talking Hands]

Well we arrived home a few minutes ago and most of the trip went well.
DAS was easily used. No problems at all. No attitude from CMs. Parks were very crowded so we mostly did interpreted shows. Fantasyland was ridiculously crowded and people kept hitting the controller of my wheelchair.
Food service people were awesome with my dairy, shellfish, mango and cashew allergy. Wow. Service was quick and efficient. I did try to choose meals that were easily adapted and I think that helped.
Negatives were handicapped stalls by City Hall in MK are still impossible to close if you are without a companion. Had to ask strangers for help. Restrooms in AK have very heavy doors and are hard to handle on your own. Getting out of MK after the light parade was horrible and dangerous. CMs telling you to go places where you can't see the curb cuts as they are not lighted but you are expected to go that way without hesitation.
Most problems though were caused by other guests. One man decided that my controller box was a great place to rest his head during a show. UGH! Other guests insisted on walking so close to the wheelchair I was afraid I would run over their feet. It wasn't that they didn't know where it was as I had put a flashing red band on the side where the controller is located. Green on the safe side to go around plus a flasher on the back so they knew I was there.

 

[pampam]

I'm glad to hear most things went well. There is not too much we can do about the actions of others, but you know that already.

I must add, I always enjoy reading your posts, no matter what the topic. You have a perspective that encourages me.

 

[design_mom]

Other guests insisted on walking so close to the wheelchair I was afraid I would run over their feet. It wasn't that they didn't know where it was as I had put a flashing red band on the side where the controller is located. Green on the safe side to go around plus a flasher on the back so they knew I was there.

I am glad to hear that your trip was (mostly) good. I am sorry you had problems with other guests.

Regarding people walking near your chair, I do not know anyone with a power wheelchair. I am sure I would have tried to avoid walking so close to your chair that I might bump it (although that's easier said than done in super crowded places like Main Street at the holidays.) However, I am not sure I would have understood your red light-green light system for indicating the "safe zones" to pass your chair. I probably would have thought you had your chair decorated for visibility in "holiday colors". I would not have taken any more information from it than that. So, while your system made sense to you -- and to me, once you explained it -- I'm not sure that the average park goer would understand what you were trying to tell them without more info than just the red and green lights, especially at Christmas time. (So I am willing to bet most of them weren't trying to be annoying and/or ignoring your signals on purpose... they probably didn't understand what you were trying to tell them and/or couldn't comply due to the crowds.)