Toilet Trauma Two

[scroot]

We had a great trip prior to Christmas. It was our first time going for the holidays and we loved all of the extra decorations, shows, and experiences. As always we ate way too much and never had a bad meal. We did encounter issues (again) with the adaptive equipment at the Beach Club.
We told them what we needed when we booked. If a room with a roll in is not available we need a tub transfer bench and a toilet riser. During check in I asked if these were in the room and was told that we needed to see what was there and call mouse keeping if our needs had not been met. Nothing had been put in the room so we had to call.
On the first trip they brought a shower chair with wobbly legs (not a transfer bench). We refused it and asked for the bench and explained that we also needed the toilet riser. It was then dinner time and we had to leave in order to make our ADR.
Upon returning to the room we had the transfer bench but the riser was just a frame with a lid and no toilet seat. I called and told them we needed a riser with a seat and they brought me a bucket. What was particularly frustrating was we had gone through just about this same thing on our previous trip two years ago.
I headed to the front desk carrying toilet riser. I set it on the desk and asked how it could be delivered without a seat. After a few minutes I got to meet the mouse keeping lead who told me there was no excuse for that piece of equipment being delivered and that it would be tossed out. On the third attempt a riser with a seat was delivered.
Upon arriving back to our room the following day we were surprised to discover that the same seatless riser had been returned to our room and set alongside the good one. We put it in a corner and left a note for it to be removed the next morning.
It left me wondering why mouse keeping is charged with this particular task. Would there be some way of developing a common language or perhaps a book with pictures? You could look at it at the desk and show them what you needed. I realize that adaptive equipment is specialized knowledge and everyone’s needs are different but one would think they would see enough to have a better system in place.
The moral of the story is, if you need adaptive equipment take your own or be prepared to spend a lot of time getting exactly what you need.

 

[SueM in MN]

It left me wondering why mouse keeping is charged with this particular task. Would there be some way of developing a common language or perhaps a book with pictures? You could look at it at the desk and show them what you needed. I realize that adaptive equipment is specialized knowledge and everyone’s needs are different but one would think they would see enough to have a better system in place.
The moral of the story is, if you need adaptive equipment take your own or be prepared to spend a lot of time getting exactly what you need.

That sounds like a good idea. Are you planning on writing to them and suggesting it?

My guess is that part of the problem is that they have a multi-lingual staff. If the person who is told to bring something to you doesn't quite understand, chances are you will not get what you need.
Also, if the staff is not familiar with what pieces are part of that piece of equipment. If they also had a book with pictures, the equipment could be ordered by page number and the Housekeeper would know that the picture needed to match the item they brought to you (as in your example, if the picture had a seat, the actual item delivered should too.
They also should have a quality control check of items after cleaning them to make sure they are in good condition before being sent back out again.

I work in Infection Control in a hospital and we did something very similar for our Housekeeping staff (who are a regular United Nations in terms of all the languages represented). It did help a lot with getting the correct items in the correct shape.

Another option is renting from an off-site medical equipment company. There are some listed in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Depending on the equipment and your insurance, you may even be able to get it paid for.

 

[Disneylvr]

Just like with our disabled loved ones (my daughter uses PECS to communicate), a picture can speak a thousand words/languages!!!! I agree, there should be some kind of picture identification book with adpative equipment. I think Disney needs to hire you as their special consultant!