Taking your GAC from last visit?

[luvyawdw]

Hello,
We are planning a trip in Feb or Mar and I saved my daughters GAC from our last visit Dec 07 a little over a year ago. I was going to take it with me to take to guest services but my question is would they be able to add an accomodation to it? The last GAC we had I did not request that my daughter vision impairment be listed. My daughter suffered severe vision loss in June of 07, she had a complication during her spine surgery and her vision is now 20/200 with multiple blind spots. Our last trip was the first time she had been to disney since the vision loss and it was difficult. I think what made it harder was that many of the shows place wheelchairs in the mid to rear of the arena and she can not see that far. We really did not realize how difficult it would be for her, so my husband left her wheelchair at the top and carried her down the stairs at the indiana jones show, as there were many seats available up close but we saw no wheel chair access. This made me nervous (carrying her down the stairs) after all she had been through, a slip and fall after spinal fusion would have been a disaster.
Maybe Sue or Chesire could advise me. Should I take the last GAC, and ask them to add VI to it? Im sure there are safer ways then carrying her down to get a seat closer than the WC seats?
On the other hand she did not want to sit up close at the Muppet 3d show, she was not sure how eyes were going to react so we sat in the back and she was fine.
Any advice you can send our way is appreciated
Also, do they have WC assesible rooms at the AKL villas....1 or 2 bedroom?

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I am sure others will give you more information but I can tell you what we have done in the past.

We do keep our old GAC but then let them know about any new needs that have occured since our last visit. You are issued a new GAC but I think it make the CM's job maybe a bit easier in being able to see what we have needed and still need.

As time goes on our child won't have the same needs and the GAC will change, I hope.

Have a magical trip.

 

[mechurchlady]

They will issue your daughter a new GAC with the new VI added to the GAC. You will have to talk to the CM and explain that you would like to sit up front. If WC seating is not available down front then see what your options are like being let to roll her down front and dad transfer her to a regular seat. CMs are wonderful people and very accomodating.

All Disney resorts even the DVC have rooms for the disabled. Check FAQs for mroe info.
There was also a recent thread on AKL.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2048882

 

[SueM in MN]

I would suggest taking the old GAC and explain that in addition to the needs that she had last time, you also need accommodation for her vision.
Some shows have the wheelchair seating in the back, but some have additional seating in the front.
For the Indiana Jones Stunt show, there are actually a few wheelchair spots in the front row. Beauty and the Beast also has wheelchair spots in the front as well as the back. The movies and 3D shows have wheelchair spots only in the back.
If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, in post #3, there are some links to past threads that have a lot of information. One of the threads is about touring with a 4 yr old with vision impairment. Even though to OP of that thread had a 4 yr old, much of the information would be pertinent to people of any age.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We have spaces for four wheelchairs or ECVs in the front row on the house right side of the theater. Normally we will fill those spaces last. However, when you go in just tell the person at the podium that you need a "downstairs" wheelchair space and one of the hosts will escort the group.

And having the prior GAC is a good starting point. It would help to be able to discuss the needs with the person at Guest Relations; just explain what did work and what additional needs now exist.

 

[luvyawdw]

Thank you everyone.....
It seems we all just got used getting around the "world" with our daughters wheel chair, now we are learning how to best accomodate her vision loss, obviously not just at WDW, but WDW is really her escape from the stress of everyday life.....just like for all of us
Off topic, school was the largest obsacle with her vision loss, she is 9th grade and has some advanced placement classes so she had to really push herself, but she is determined!
Sue, I remember reading that you are in the medical field, have you ever heard of vision loss after spine surgery?
We have been going to Wills Eye Hosp. in Philly and her physician believes she may have suffered the complication from decreased blood flow to the head during the surgery? She has optic nerve and retina damage.......
After a year and a half we are still having a hard time accepting this happened, it seems like a nightmare
Thank you again everyone, I am hoping this trip will be so magical for her....she so deserves it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue, I remember reading that you are in the medical field, have you ever heard of vision loss after spine surgery?
We have been going to Wills Eye Hosp. in Philly and her physician believes she may have suffered the complication from decreased blood flow to the head during the surgery? She has optic nerve and retina damage.......
After a year and a half we are still having a hard time accepting this happened, it seems like a nightmare
Thank you again everyone, I am hoping this trip will be so magical for her....she so deserves it.

I am an RN.
It's late, so I can't really research it, but that does make sense.