parents not suing

[minnie56]

Oh come on, tell us what happened.

We all got a drink and plenty of time.

I'll give you an outline - even though I know it's unpleasant and I don't like to recall it I was not told to never discuss.

Disney bus ..pulling into the contemporary resort
DD and I sitting there on the bench waiting on downtown Disney bus - it's late maybe 10 pm, just us
A gentleman had parked his minivan against the curb in a clearly marked 'buses only ' driveway to load his family one child being disabled
As the bus pulled in ...they turn the interior lights on ( which is a constant concern to my husband !)! So momentarily the driver is blinded.
The bus hits the grandmother and mother as they're climbing into the vehicle
The grandmother gets caught under the bus and the poor mother is thrown through the air

My husband happens along having given up on the monorail in the resort as we was heading back to our resort
He has on a navy windbreaker, with ' Mickey the legend ' logo on it.
There's no one here yet from Disney ..strangely ...seems ages, likely just minutes
So, the poor poor driver thinks he's Disney and I guess he sees urgency so ...he gets under the bus - omg didn't I say outline??? And has the driver back up so he can turn the grandmother onto her side so she can vomit.
The mother, is now sitting up across the other side of the driveway ..soon a helicopter lands and takes her and an ambulance the grandmother. Somewhere in there, Dr's appeared and my hubby gratefully bowed out.
The father is a mess. I am a mess. My DD approx 27 at the time calm and efficient and the police thank her profusely. When Disney people arrived...they couldn't do enough.
We were invited the following night to dinner ....at the contemporary of all places ...and told all was well. Broken bones, but everyone was fine. Whether that's true or not I cannot know.
We did what was asked of us in providing witness statements and that was that.

Now, no shooting the messenger! I merely mentioned in the first place because of the statement the police officer made about Disney settling ..

 

[kimblebee]

Losing a child in such circumstances I doubt I would be able to put one foot in front of the other for a long, long time.

I hope in time the family find some peace.

I agree with you. I'd find the nearest wall and just stare at it for a few months. Utilities and rent be damned.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I'll give you an outline - even though I know it's unpleasant and I don't like to recall it I was not told to never discuss.

Disney bus ..pulling into the contemporary resort
DD and I sitting there on the bench waiting on downtown Disney bus - it's late maybe 10 pm, just us
A gentleman had parked his minivan against the curb in a clearly marked 'buses only ' driveway to load his family one child being disabled
As the bus pulled in ...they turn the interior lights on ( which is a constant concern to my husband !)! So momentarily the driver is blinded.
The bus hits the grandmother and mother as they're climbing into the vehicle
The grandmother gets caught under the bus and the poor mother is thrown through the air

My husband happens along having given up on the monorail in the resort as we was heading back to our resort
He has on a navy windbreaker, with ' Mickey the legend ' logo on it.
There's no one here yet from Disney ..strangely ...seems ages, likely just minutes
So, the poor poor driver thinks he's Disney and I guess he sees urgency so ...he gets under the bus - omg didn't I say outline??? And has the driver back up so he can turn the grandmother onto her side so she can vomit.
The mother, is now sitting up across the other side of the driveway ..soon a helicopter lands and takes her and an ambulance the grandmother. Somewhere in there, Dr's appeared and my hubby gratefully bowed out.
The father is a mess. I am a mess. My DD approx 27 at the time calm and efficient and the police thank her profusely. When Disney people arrived...they couldn't do enough.
We were invited the following night to dinner ....at the contemporary of all places ...and told all was well. Broken bones, but everyone was fine. Whether that's true or not I cannot know.
We did what was asked of us in providing witness statements and that was that.

Now, no shooting the messenger! I merely mentioned in the first place because of the statement the police officer made about Disney settling ..

Wow!

I'm glad disney did give you a follow up and let you know that everyone was going to be ok. Hopefully it was the truth.

 

[Disney Doll]

I hope the family can find some measure of peace at some point in their life. God bless them.

 

[King Schultz]

I'll give you an outline - even though I know it's unpleasant and I don't like to recall it I was not told to never discuss.

Disney bus ..pulling into the contemporary resort
DD and I sitting there on the bench waiting on downtown Disney bus - it's late maybe 10 pm, just us
A gentleman had parked his minivan against the curb in a clearly marked 'buses only ' driveway to load his family one child being disabled
As the bus pulled in ...they turn the interior lights on ( which is a constant concern to my husband !)! So momentarily the driver is blinded.
The bus hits the grandmother and mother as they're climbing into the vehicle
The grandmother gets caught under the bus and the poor mother is thrown through the air

My husband happens along having given up on the monorail in the resort as we was heading back to our resort
He has on a navy windbreaker, with ' Mickey the legend ' logo on it.
There's no one here yet from Disney ..strangely ...seems ages, likely just minutes
So, the poor poor driver thinks he's Disney and I guess he sees urgency so ...he gets under the bus - omg didn't I say outline??? And has the driver back up so he can turn the grandmother onto her side so she can vomit.
The mother, is now sitting up across the other side of the driveway ..soon a helicopter lands and takes her and an ambulance the grandmother. Somewhere in there, Dr's appeared and my hubby gratefully bowed out.
The father is a mess. I am a mess. My DD approx 27 at the time calm and efficient and the police thank her profusely. When Disney people arrived...they couldn't do enough.
We were invited the following night to dinner ....at the contemporary of all places ...and told all was well. Broken bones, but everyone was fine. Whether that's true or not I cannot know.
We did what was asked of us in providing witness statements and that was that.

Now, no shooting the messenger! I merely mentioned in the first place because of the statement the police officer made about Disney settling ..

Thanks for sharing the story. . . what a traumatic thing to witness!

 

[minnie56]

Thanks for sharing the story. . . what a traumatic thing to witness!

It truly was

 

[TLSnell1981]

What would you have them do if their grief prevented them from returning to their job(s) for an extended time?

I think, there's a difference in being reimbursed for expenses. I also know, many people MUST (and do) continue to work and care for their families.

 

[fly girl]

Sounds awful @minnie56.

I hope they were telling you the truth.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think, there's a difference in being reimbursed for expenses. I also know, many people MUST (and do) continue to work and care for their families.

I think the family should have the financial support to choose what works best for them (without using their pre-existing savings). Sometimes that requires cash. Sometimes a lot of it.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Well, many people who lose a dear loved one feel the same, but they have to use the insurance money anyway. It's there to help. Money doesn't eliminate grief.

I know...and agree.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree with you. I'd find the nearest wall and just stare at it for a few months. Utilities and rent be damned.

Sure I get the "utilities and rent be damned" feeling. But the amount owed would continue to mount up and have to be dealt with at some point in time. Why should this family need to deal with that, either now or months from now when they come up for air?

 

[jevs]

I'll give you an outline - even though I know it's unpleasant and I don't like to recall it I was not told to never discuss.

Disney bus ..pulling into the contemporary resort
DD and I sitting there on the bench waiting on downtown Disney bus - it's late maybe 10 pm, just us
A gentleman had parked his minivan against the curb in a clearly marked 'buses only ' driveway to load his family one child being disabled
As the bus pulled in ...they turn the interior lights on ( which is a constant concern to my husband !)! So momentarily the driver is blinded.
The bus hits the grandmother and mother as they're climbing into the vehicle
The grandmother gets caught under the bus and the poor mother is thrown through the air

My husband happens along having given up on the monorail in the resort as we was heading back to our resort
He has on a navy windbreaker, with ' Mickey the legend ' logo on it.
There's no one here yet from Disney ..strangely ...seems ages, likely just minutes
So, the poor poor driver thinks he's Disney and I guess he sees urgency so ...he gets under the bus - omg didn't I say outline??? And has the driver back up so he can turn the grandmother onto her side so she can vomit.
The mother, is now sitting up across the other side of the driveway ..soon a helicopter lands and takes her and an ambulance the grandmother. Somewhere in there, Dr's appeared and my hubby gratefully bowed out.
The father is a mess. I am a mess. My DD approx 27 at the time calm and efficient and the police thank her profusely. When Disney people arrived...they couldn't do enough.
We were invited the following night to dinner ....at the contemporary of all places ...and told all was well. Broken bones, but everyone was fine. Whether that's true or not I cannot know.
We did what was asked of us in providing witness statements and that was that.

Now, no shooting the messenger! I merely mentioned in the first place because of the statement the police officer made about Disney settling ..

That is just awful

 

[kimblebee]

Sure I get the "utilities and rent be damned" feeling. But the amount owed would continue to mount up and have to be dealt with at some point in time. Why should this family need to deal with that, either now or months from now when they come up for air?

I agree with you. I'd take money if offered just so I COULD check out for a while. No way could I go to work.

My grandpa died about ten years ago and my mom did just what I said I'd do, stare at a wall for a while.

She's pretty social and is the typical 50s housewife..always the hostess and making sure everyone is taken care of. She was very close to my grandpa and they talked every day. He died suddenly and she really did a 180. She stopped talking unless spoken to and even then it was just a yes or no. She would sit in a room with you but would either stare into space or just look out the window. My dad was a hero for talking care of her through it. He did all the cooking, cleaning and anything that she needed.

It took a few years of therapy and medication before she was truly herself again.

 

[smokeyblue]

I think the family should have the financial support to choose what works best for them (without using their pre-existing savings). Sometimes that requires cash. Sometimes a lot of it.

I agree. It's about coping. It's hard to move on when the overwhelming circumstances are weighing you down. Financial help in whatever area one needs or wants to apply it in such circumstances can alleviate burdens that impede coping.

 

[jevs]

I agree with you. I'd take money if offered just so I COULD check out for a while. No way could I go to work.

My grandpa died about ten years ago and my mom did just what I said I'd do, stare at a wall for a while.

She's pretty social and is the typical 50s housewife..always the hostess and making sure everyone is taken care of. She was very close to my grandpa and they talked every day. He died suddenly and she really did a 180. She stopped talking unless spoken to and even then it was just a yes or no. She would sit in a room with you but would either stare into space or just look out the window. My dad was a hero for talking care of her through it. He did all the cooking, cleaning and anything that she needed.

It took a few years of therapy and medication before she was truly herself again.

for your mum.

 

[North of Mouse]

The article I read said that Disney is continuing to help the family cope in any way they can.

Am confident Disney settled with a very large sum. It was in their best interest to 'not' be in the media for however long a suit would take. Also, in the advantage for the family 'not' to have to go through this over and over with a trial.

Just a very terrible accident, and 'nothing' can make it all better - Disney, and those close to the family can only try to help in the only ways they can. Time will also 'help' heal 'to a degree'. Just so sad for them.

Some have mentioned not going to work for a long length of time - that would probably be one of the worst things to do - best for the human mind to get back to normal (the new normal) as quick as possible, even if you are 'limping along' for the near future. Doesn't mean you are 'over' it, just helps to have your mind 'need' to turn to other things also. Life does go on.

 

[aristocatz]

I strongly sense that they gave them a large sum of money - so much that they can't even spend it in their liftimes, hence the foundation they set up in their son's name to give some of it away. Typically people don't just set up foundations for loved ones who die unless they have donated money they no longer want/ need to hold onto.

If I remember correctly, the foundation was set up the week they returned home. It was in response to the many donations & gifts that kind strangers were sending from all over the country. Their minister linked and "advertised" it to the media as an outlet to the public to donate instead of bothering the family. I assumed the foundation was an idea from their minister as a way to help the family start to cope & heal.

 

[Bluestars]

I would not have thought poorly of this family if they had pursued a lawsuit. I think many lawsuits are without merit and are made by greedy people, but if a child dies and the family perceives negligence, then I see nothing wrong with pursuing a lawsuit. This is such a nightmare for the family and my personal opinion is that it never would have happened had there been a sign warning that creatures were running loose in the lake that could eat people. I hope they received a good settlement, although it will never come close to replacing their sweet child.

 

[mummabear]

The article I read said that Disney is continuing to help the family cope in any way they can.

Am confident Disney settled with a very large sum. It was in their best interest to 'not' be in the media for however long a suit would take. Also, in the advantage for the family 'not' to have to go through this over and over with a trial.

Just a very terrible accident, and 'nothing' can make it all better - Disney, and those close to the family can only try to help in the only ways they can. Time will also 'help' heal 'to a degree'. Just so sad for them.

Some have mentioned not going to work for a long length of time - that would probably be one of the worst things to do - best for the human mind to get back to normal (the new normal) as quick as possible, even if you are 'limping along' for the near future. Doesn't mean you are 'over' it, just helps to have your mind 'need' to turn to other things also. Life does go on.

I take it you haven't lost a child. I can tell you it takes months and months before you are even capable of limping along, and that is with months of preparation that it was coming and being able to hold them while they passed. I can't imagine the added "complication" (sorry can't think of a better word) of it being so sudden and violent.

 

[North of Mouse]

I take it you haven't lost a child. I can tell you it takes months and months before you are even capable of limping along,

No, thankfully, I haven't and sorry about your loss.

But, I did lose a dear sister suddenly, and my other sis lost a child - both in horrific accidents. It was horrible, but all stayed as strong as possible and tried to get on with their lives as well as they could. Yes, there were bad days, and never far from theirs/our minds, but giving up was not an option, nor would it have helped heal, only make it worse.

Everyone grieves differently, but getting into a 'new normal' is shown to be best for the mind and body - definitely not saying this happens quickly - there is always bad/very bad days, but putting forth the effort to move even a little at a time is helpful.

This family has a little girl, and they must, for her sake as well as theirs, not forget her needs of normalcy as well as their own.