Questions about GAC's

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I pretty much don't know anything about them but:

My sister was diagnosed with MS last year. Although her condition is usually not apparent to the casual observer - she tires very easily and sometimes has pain. We are tentatively planning a sisters trip to Disney World in December. I'm wondering if she'd qualify for a GAC and if it would be a benefit really to her?

Is there an FAQ about GAC's somewhere? I'm not even sure she'd want one if she's feeling fairly well at the time of our trip but I would like to have the info just in case.

I need a "GAC's for Dummies"!

Thanks!

 

[jamesmommy]

Hi,

If you scroll down the thread listed below, there is a posting on GACs.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

Hope this helps.

Amie

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Great! I see it

Thank you!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If she suffers from pain and endurance issues, you might want to consider renting a wheelchair or ECV (electric scooter) for her. You can:

Rent these from the parks (though ECVs often run out at busier times),

Go to an outside company (usually works out cheaper for the length of stay, means you can use it at DTD and at the resort and are often better quality / adjustable / easier to manoeuvre)

Or borrow a wheelchair from your Disney resort (if you're staying on property) for free (though you do put down a returnable deposit).

Even if she doesn't use any mobility assistance in day-to-day life, Disney is not day-to-day. You can easily wrack up 6-8 (or more) miles a day, and that's difficult even if you don't have mobility issues. If she needs some convincing, tell her it will not only make the holiday more enjoyable for her, but also for you, as it's not easy watching a loved one in pain, especially when you're on holiday.

If you want any more information on renting wheelchairs or ECVs see the FAQ or ask us any questions you like; there'll probably be someone on the forum who knows the answer, however obscure the question.

Have a great time !

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Even if she doesn't use any mobility assistance in day-to-day life, Disney is not day-to-day. You can easily wrack up 6-8 (or more) miles a day, and that's difficult even if you don't have mobility issues. If she needs some convincing, tell her it will not only make the holiday more enjoyable for her, but also for you, as it's not easy watching a loved one in pain, especially when you're on holiday

You are so right there and thanks for your post. That's exactly it, I don't want to overtax her. We did a couple of Disney trips before she was diagnosed and she ended up staying in the hotel at night and I'd go out without her. She just couldn't handle as much as I could.

We rented an ECV once for DH when he tore some lignments in his leg. I'm hoping I can talk DSis into one. I purposely picked December because although it can be warm, it won't be brutal hot like our trip last June - so easier on her in that way.

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll have more questions before December and I appreciate the assistance. Want it to be a nice trip for DSis!

 

[Dis1978]

The ECV is just great. Watch out for the cold in December though. Last year we were so cold. We needed gloves and blankets for those in the ECV and stroller. Luckily the extreme cold only lasted a few days and then it was quite warm.
I still prefer winter to summer though. Way too hot in summer.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If you need help convincing her, have a quick flick through this forum and you'll find loads of threads in this vein, either trying to convince the poster, or helping them to convince a loved one, to get a mobility device. You really will all have a much more enjoyable trip if she has one. And make sure you tell her that she'll be more of a burden out of an ECV than in one (the 'burden' one is a regular excuse, I know, I've used it myself).

Good luck, and come ask any questions you like !

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks again, I appreciate the help

 

[SueM in MN]

you already got the information I would have pointed you to.

If she is using an ECV, she very well may not need a GAC. The usual things I would think of for MS would be avoiding sun and heat. You may not have that much heat in December and many of the lines are well shaded or have the majority of the line inside of a building.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks. Yes, she has been told she should avoid getting overheated, another good reason for an ECV. That FAQ was helpful, I wanted to have the info just in case we needed it. She probably wouldn't need both an ECV or a GAC, it's good to know all the options though

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks. Yes, she has been told she should avoid getting overheated, another good reason for an ECV. That FAQ was helpful, I wanted to have the info just in case we needed it. She probably wouldn't need both an ECV or a GAC, it's good to know all the options though

Another thing to keep in mind is that if she doesn't get a GAC right away, she can go later to request one if decides after a few days that she would benefit from it.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Another good point - thanks!