Rides with Epilepsy

[DISNEY1975]

Hello!

My 17 year old son was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 15. He had grand mal seizures approx 1 - 3 times per month until he was up to a good dose of meds for his height and weight (That took approx 5 months). Since medication, he has had 3 more seizures, in 2 years. Last one was 8 months ago, but he has gone 8 months in the past and had another seizure. Not out of the woods, but very controlled. Drs. can not find rhyme or reason for the seizures.

My fear is that he will be on the Tower of Terror / Space Mountain and have a seizure.

Has anyone known someone with epilepsy going on the rides?

 

[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. In Post #3 there is a section with links concerning epilepsy at WDW.

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

 

[kaytieeldr]

I know me, if that helps

There is no known cause for my epilepsy (granted, only two seizures in my life and both in adulthood), but it controlled by medication... as long as I take it

I have been on, let me think... every ride at Walt Disney World, Disney Land Resort, Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure, Universal Hollywood, and almost every ride at SeaWorld - at least once each since first diagnosed and have NEVER had a problem. Oh, and the Big Shot in Las Vegas, and a couple of the roller coasters there as well.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I know me, if that helps

There is no known cause for my epilepsy (granted, only two seizures in my life and both in adulthood), but it controlled by medication... as long as I take it

I have been on, let me think... every ride at Walt Disney World, Disney Land Resort, Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure, Universal Hollywood, and almost every ride at SeaWorld - at least once each since first diagnosed and have NEVER had a problem. Oh, and the Big Shot in Las Vegas, and a couple of the roller coasters there as well.

Thanks! I was hoping nothing would trigger a seizure on the rides. His are not caused by flashing lights. He has been put through every trigger test imaginable and they still came up with nothing. At 17, its hard to hold him back from doing fun things.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks! I was hoping nothing would trigger a seizure on the rides. His are not caused by flashing lights. He has been put through every trigger test imaginable and they still came up with nothing. At 17, its hard to hold him back from doing fun things.

If he has no known triggers, I would not worry about specific rides.
My DD has epilepsy and and also is physically disabled. She has been on everything at WDW that is safe for her because of her physical disability.

The things that we are careful about are avoiding dehydration, avoiding getting overtired (not necessarily walking too much, etc. but things like staying up un-usually late and then getting up early), making sure that medications are taken on time. Those things all lower the seizure 'threshold' (or how easy it is to trigger a seizure) and they are going to be more important than anything that happens in rides.

 

[RetroMom]

Hi!

I've had seizures my whole life, which went from one or two a year until I was about 30, when they increased to daily, sometimes multiple until we found the right medication, and I've been seizure free for a while now. I've had all the trigger tests too and no one has ever been able to pinpoint what starts mine up. Even with the medication, I can tell if I'm not taking care of myself, particularly with drinking plenty of fluids and getting the right amount of sleep. I will start getting headaches and I just seem to slow down, my kids say it seems like I'm really in a fog or incredibly distracted. But... just to give some feedback from my personal experience. We just came back from Disney and I rode everything there with no problems. Two years ago we went to Universal. I rode everything there but the Hulk. My sister said it really banged her head around and I made the decision not to try it. Of course, I may have been just fine and it might compare to rock n roller coaster! Since flashing lights are not triggers, I would say let him ride. I would just pay attention and stress that he has to pay attention to his body. Everyone should do this, but especially for me and maybe for him... lots of hydration, plenty of sleep (even if it affects his touring plans), and just pay attention to what his body is telling him. Hope this helps!

 

[I Love Pluto]

I have very well-controlled epilepsy. I do NOT do heights (TOT), coasters, or any ride with the word "mountain" in it. I also cannot do 3D stuff. I guess it all depends on your type of epilepsy, and what triggers your seizures.

 

[toodycat]

I've had epilepsy most of my life (37 of my 45 years) and nothing at Disney has ever triggered a seizure. But what did cause the seizures I did have was hunger, fatigue, and/or forgetting my medication. It's easy to be tired, hungry or skip your meds when you're on an exciting and active vacation like touring WDW. Just make sure your son eats, gets enough sleep and takes his medicine and all should be OK. Have a great time.

 

[SueM in MN]

I've had epilepsy most of my life (37 of my 45 years) and nothing at Disney has ever triggered a seizure. But what did cause the seizures I did have was hunger, fatigue, and/or forgetting my medication. It's easy to be tired, hungry or skip your meds when you're on an exciting and active vacation like touring WDW. Just make sure your son eats, gets enough sleep and takes his medicine and all should be OK. Have a great time.

We have already looked at our watches, thinking it was about 1pm and found out it was 3pm

 

[RetroMom]

The timing of the medication was something I had to really watch on this last trip also. I am on a once daily dosage that I take at bedtime. But my normal range of bedtime and Disney bedtime were definitely not the same!