Question about signs

[staceyhzoo]

First of all I want to thank everyone on this board for so much wonder advice, hints, and mostly the positive stories I've read. They not only make me cry, but make my heart smile.
I have rarely posted, but I read almost everyday.
We are going to DW in Oct (we normally go in Dec so we're excited for MNSSHP!!)
My dd is spd and has severe anxiety. She suffered a lack of oxygen at birth and is about a year behind in speech, motor skills, etc. Adding spd on to that and she can throw some massive fits when she's overwhelmed or frustrated (and can't explain why)! Thankfully, we have finally gotten started with therapy and have started seeing improvements!
We are using a stroller and getting a GAC. If she's calm, she appears 'normal'. We got a lot of stares last December using her stroller as a wheelchair to contain her and give her a 'safe place'. I have seen few people mention signs on strollers or tshirts on kids giving a quick explaination. She gets really upset in crowds, if people or older kids stare at her it makes it so much worse. Disney is her happy place and I want to make our Oct trip the best it can be for her and ds.
What do you think of the signs and what should it say?
Thanks!

 

[hellokittiemama]

a 4 year old in a stroller at Dis shouldn't be out of place. We actually put my son in one when he was 6 (almost 7) and I saw plenty of bigger kids in them.

IMO a sign draws more attention to it - people will be looking to read the sign and that may make it harder on your daughter and cause more anxiety. Are you using your own stroller or a rental?

I have one child who doesn't look visibly "disabled" (hate that word) - my son who has autism and my daughter has a visual impairment but often wears highly tinted thick lenses and/or a patch and it is more noticeably differently abled. The reality is people stare. People do look and wonder - hey why are they going through a different entrance or seeming to bypass a line, etc. Ultimately though, they need to mind their own business! I've often been tempted to wear a shirt that says "Didn't your mama teach you that its not polite to stare!" I don't though because then I think that would make people look more.

Personally, I wouldn't do a sign. We put my son's GAC on a puzzle piece lanyard around his neck and felt that was enough.