new to forum and a few questions

[Akima]

First what is a GAC?

Second, hi I have SLE Lupus and legally deaf. My Lupus gets worse if I am in the sun and get stressed out. I also gt very tired. We are very excited to have our first family vacation in Disney World in November. I am overwhelmed with all of the information. I use a walker and/or arm crutch. Should I stick with my walker or try and pay for a chair? My husband has been on here and researching and overloading me with information. I remember something about the scooters being expensive but I can not handle the looks when I rent a chair because people think I am fine and ruin our time. It hurts my kids feelings when people do it.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post #6 is all about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards). It is basically a card that helps the CMs to know a little bit about the type of assistance someone with a disability needs.

There is a link to the disABILITIES FAQs thread in my signature. Post #2 of that thread has information about renting ECVs (power scooters).
Post #3 of that thread has some information about WDW in different conditions - to keep it a little easier for you, I am pulling off the ones from that thread that should be helpful for someone who is deaf:
WDW Official page about services for hearing impaired guests
Link to Story about Sign Language Interpretation
Link to thread about Hand Held Captioning device

For the question about using your walker, arm crutch or chair/ECV, can you walk 3 to 9 miles per day each day?
This is a link to a thread where people estimated the distances they walk in a day at WDW. You may be able to walk the distance one day, but could you do it several days in a row. I think you will find that you need a wheelchair or ECV. I would suggest also bringing your arm crutch along with you - you can get a crutch holder put on the off-site rental ECVs or wheelchairs. That way, you would have it for a change of position or to help you get into ride cars.

For the sun, most of the attractions have pretty well shaded lines and many of the lines are roofed or actually inside. So, you will need to worry more about the sun getting from place to place than actually waiting in line.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information.

Post #2 has a lot of information related to mobility, including informati0n on both on- and off-site rentals of wheelchairs or ECV. Post #3 has a lot of general information, including Guidebooks For People With Disabilities for each of the parks and links to specific information and reports related (alphabetic listing) to various needs/problems/illnesses. And Post #6 gives information about the Guest Assistance Cards.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

And, as far as people "looks", please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Hi there! I've got Fibromyalgia, which comes with all sorts of fun fatigue and pain issues . I have done Disney with it a number of times now, though the most recent was the only one with full levels of fatigue. I use a wheelchair out and about in day-to-day life, so had my own personal chair with me for the trips.

I strongly reccomend you use a wheelchair / ECV during the trip, to keep your pain levels down and to conserve your strength for the fun stuff. You're going on this trip to have fun with your family, so you certainly don't want to be in such a flare that you have to go back to the hotel after an hour or two (been there, done that, got the battle scars!).

During all the trips I've done in a wheelchair, I don't think I've had a single negative comment from anyone. I look healthy, I can stand up out of my chair for ride transfers, and I'm a young adult, so am the usual target for people trying to spot 'fakers' . I've got one or two people roll their eyes at me, because I was having far too much fun to be a real wheelchair user, but I just find those people funny! If they want to get annoyed that I'm enjoying my vacation despite having a disability, then it's their trip they're ruining, not mine!

One thing that I've found that always gets me lots of positive comments, is having my chair decorated up. I always cover it in beads, ribbons, tinsel, fairy lights or whatever else I can find to twist around the frame or wheel spokes! That way, when people look at me, they notice the chair for a positive reason, and can't help but smile . Also, you could get a sign on the back, saying something like "Lupus Suck!", just to get the point across, and hopefully stop any idiots before they speak.

One option that might be cheaper than renting at Disney, is to rent from a company close to your home, and take the wheelchair on the plane with you. You could even gate check it of you wanted, to save your strength. It may even be possible to get your doctor to write a prescription for a rental for the length of the trip, and have it covered by your insurance (I don't know much about the American insurance system, but I know others here have managed to get it allowed).

Hope this helps!