ashley5nc
Micky
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2014
- Messages
- 1
Disney has truly been magical for our family! We have 2 kids with cerebral palsy, nonverbal, seizures, sensory issues, "autistic tendencies", and this that and the other 
. We first went to WDW on a Make A Wish trip in 2011. We were really scared to death to be honest. Neither child could tolerate crowds and DD could not take loud noises. And neither of them understand waiting. We were expecting total meltdowns but we actually had an awesome time. (So much so that we went back in 2012 and 2013 and are heading back again now.)
The kids did great with the crowds, with the exception of a couple incidences (there were a couple times when you had to really cram in with people in waiting areas and both kids MUST have their personal space). And DD did amazing with the noise. She was jumpy but to the astonishment of all, she even tolerated the train whistle with only a little startle. (The year before we had ridden the train at Tweetsy Railroad and OMG the child was in hysterics the entire time.) Now she loves the train just about as good as anything.
DS is 18 and doesn't particularly do a lot of eye contact or spontaneous interaction w/ strangers. By the end of the first day he was shaking the princesses hands and grinning at all the ladies' attention! They were just amazing with the kids! He was even poking Mickey Mouse in the nose and giving him hugs and kisses. And last year DD was hilarious, she'd go up to a (costumed) character and when they would reach for her, she would scream terrified and turn away, only to turn back to them laughing her head off, and then hesitantly edge closer and hug them and then try to run again.
Anyway, our super Magical Disney Moment was on the first trip in 2011, DD was 6. She has cp and had never taken any independent steps. She could hold on to furniture to step, or hold on to your hand and step and she could use a walker. But no independent walking. When we got to the head of the line to see Mickey, I parked her wheelchair and helped her to stand in preparation to walk over to him (holding my hands). Imagine my surprise when she lets go of my hand and walks herself right over to the middle of the room and gives Mickey a hug!! They were slow and wobbly steps , and one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen in my life! It was surreal. Mickey Mouse was the impetus for my baby to finally take her first steps at the age of 6! And I will be forever grateful to Disney World and Mickey Mouse.
For now, she's back in her wheelchair. She had to have reconstructive foot (feet) surgery in August. She's not gotten her strength or confidence back up enough to walk. She's not really even weight bearing much, though she is improving slowly and will start aquatherapy in a couple weeks. We leave for WDW in 4 days. I'm hoping and praying for some positive results!! But if not, that's okay too. I know we're going to have an awesome time, we always do.
. We first went to WDW on a Make A Wish trip in 2011. We were really scared to death to be honest. Neither child could tolerate crowds and DD could not take loud noises. And neither of them understand waiting. We were expecting total meltdowns but we actually had an awesome time. (So much so that we went back in 2012 and 2013 and are heading back again now.)The kids did great with the crowds, with the exception of a couple incidences (there were a couple times when you had to really cram in with people in waiting areas and both kids MUST have their personal space). And DD did amazing with the noise. She was jumpy but to the astonishment of all, she even tolerated the train whistle with only a little startle. (The year before we had ridden the train at Tweetsy Railroad and OMG the child was in hysterics the entire time.) Now she loves the train just about as good as anything.
DS is 18 and doesn't particularly do a lot of eye contact or spontaneous interaction w/ strangers. By the end of the first day he was shaking the princesses hands and grinning at all the ladies' attention! They were just amazing with the kids! He was even poking Mickey Mouse in the nose and giving him hugs and kisses. And last year DD was hilarious, she'd go up to a (costumed) character and when they would reach for her, she would scream terrified and turn away, only to turn back to them laughing her head off, and then hesitantly edge closer and hug them and then try to run again.
Anyway, our super Magical Disney Moment was on the first trip in 2011, DD was 6. She has cp and had never taken any independent steps. She could hold on to furniture to step, or hold on to your hand and step and she could use a walker. But no independent walking. When we got to the head of the line to see Mickey, I parked her wheelchair and helped her to stand in preparation to walk over to him (holding my hands). Imagine my surprise when she lets go of my hand and walks herself right over to the middle of the room and gives Mickey a hug!! They were slow and wobbly steps , and one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen in my life! It was surreal. Mickey Mouse was the impetus for my baby to finally take her first steps at the age of 6! And I will be forever grateful to Disney World and Mickey Mouse.
For now, she's back in her wheelchair. She had to have reconstructive foot (feet) surgery in August. She's not gotten her strength or confidence back up enough to walk. She's not really even weight bearing much, though she is improving slowly and will start aquatherapy in a couple weeks. We leave for WDW in 4 days. I'm hoping and praying for some positive results!! But if not, that's okay too.
I know we're going to have an awesome time, we always do.
