Tyler's Wish Trip - Nov. 20-25, 2009 / Dream Factory

[kdzbear]

After he exited the ride Chip, Dale, Goofy, Donald and Pluto were trying to pull the sword out of the stone. The small group of guests remaining in the park was cheering for their favorite character by name. When all of a sudden one of the cast members said, “Look! Here comes our boss”. We turned to see Mickey and Minnie strolling up hand in hand. Then they joined in the fun!

 

[kdzbear]

I took a few more not so clear pictures of the park on the way out. Look at the time on the castle. It is 3:08 AM!

I also stopped to take pictures of the store windows without guests in front of them.

Then on the bus ride back to the resort we met the driver, Cranbiz. He stopped by earlier in the pre-trip report to give you an update about our trip while we were still there! He saw the lime green Mickey heads on my backpack and stroller. It was great to chat with him even if it was almost 4:00 AM when we arrived back at All Star Sports!

So, you now have the end to our magical third day at the parks!

Next up is Day 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but you will have to wait as today I need to take Tyler to the Orthopedic Specialist for his quarterly check-up this afternoon.

 

[kdzbear]

Great updates as usual! I think my favorite picture is the one where Tyler was protecting his food! Too cute!!

Thank you! He does have to protect his food as Hayley will eat all of his and then hers. She is sneaky!

 

[kdzbear]

Update: Posts prior to #320 will not have photos restored until the 17th of December! Sorry for the inconvenience!

Yesterday, I was at 8GB of bandwidth used of the allowable 10GB and I quit adding photos, but I guess that over 75 people looked at each of the photos, which caused me to exceed my bandwidth for the month. The photos will be restored on the 17th. All photos after post #320 are on my husband's photobucket account and I will be more careful with it!

 

[maroo]

OH!!!!!! Woo hoo!!!

Just simply MAGICAL!!!!!!

I wonder if they do that every late night? I would think there are not many children out that late...so seems like it would be a fun thing to do!

I am so glad that you guys lasted that late. I think I would have just fallen out!

 

[kdzbear]

OH!!!!!! Woo hoo!!!

Just simply MAGICAL!!!!!!

I wonder if they do that every late night? I would think there are not many children out that late...so seems like it would be a fun thing to do!

I am so glad that you guys lasted that late. I think I would have just fallen out!

It was very magical. I did not think the kids would make it either, but they took 3 hour naps and it was only 2 AM back home. Both of those things helped a little!

 

[kdzbear]

Tyler went and visited with his orthopedic doctor today. We received some more bad news. The tendons and ligaments in his heels / lower legs are too tight. The doctor thinks that his bones are growing faster than his tendons and ligaments causing them to tighten and reducing his flexibility from his legs to his feet and ankles to zero. He will have to go back to casts on both feet and legs that are changed out every two weeks. This process will last at a minimum of 6-8 weeks. They will not be walking casts so he will have to be carried. I am not sure what this will do to this school situation or anything else for that matter. I know that God won't give me more than I can handle, but right now I am just wondering how we will get through this. He will be so miserable. I know that it is best for the long run so he will be able to walk and run without tripping. It is just so hard to go backwards with treatments when we thought we would be done with all of his foot stuff when he was three. I just needed to ramble where people would understand!

 

[maroo]

Tyler went and visited with his orthopedic doctor today. We received some more bad news. The tendons and ligaments in his heels / lower legs are too tight. The doctor thinks that his bones are growing faster than his tendons and ligaments causing them to tighten and reducing his flexibility from his legs to his feet and ankles to zero. He will have to go back to casts on both feet and legs that are changed out every two weeks. This process will last at a minimum of 6-8 weeks. They will not be walking casts so he will have to be carried. I am not sure what this will do to this school situation or anything else for that matter. I know that God won't give me more than I can handle, but right now I am just wondering how we will get through this. He will be so miserable. I know that it is best for the long run so he will be able to walk and run without tripping. It is just so hard to go backwards with treatments when we thought we would be done with all of his foot stuff when he was three. I just needed to ramble where people would understand!

Oh no!

I am so sorry...

And especially following such a magical trip. It stinks even more when life hits ya in the face like that.

Many hugs!!

 

[Jenvenza]

Tyler went and visited with his orthopedic doctor today. We received some more bad news. The tendons and ligaments in his heels / lower legs are too tight. The doctor thinks that his bones are growing faster than his tendons and ligaments causing them to tighten and reducing his flexibility from his legs to his feet and ankles to zero. He will have to go back to casts on both feet and legs that are changed out every two weeks. This process will last at a minimum of 6-8 weeks. They will not be walking casts so he will have to be carried. I am not sure what this will do to this school situation or anything else for that matter. I know that God won't give me more than I can handle, but right now I am just wondering how we will get through this. He will be so miserable. I know that it is best for the long run so he will be able to walk and run without tripping. It is just so hard to go backwards with treatments when we thought we would be done with all of his foot stuff when he was three. I just needed to ramble where people would understand!

Oh, I am so sorry! I was just so happy seeing all those pictures of Tyler riding with Goofy and Donald and now there is this news. Poor little guy. I hope he doesnt have to keep them on too long and hopefully it will make everything better.

 

[p00h4me]

An awesome end to day 3! I don't know how Tyler and Breanna stayed awake until the park closed. Even if I had a three hour nap in the afternoon, I couldn't stay up that late. Awww! To be that young again. We were so tired by the evening that we left the park before SpectroMagic and the fireworks the last time we were there.

Oh, so sorry to hear the news about Tyler having to wear casts again. Maybe the school can send someone to the house to tutor or homeschool during this time? A for you and Tyler.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Im so sorry to hear Tyler will be back in the casts. Im thinking good thoughts that it only lasts a few weeks and he's back to normal.

 

[pipersmom]

So sorry to hear that Tyler has to go back into casts! Not that it helps, but I'm glad you got to go to WDW before that came about..and at least it's winter so he won't be sweating so badly as he would be in the heat of summer. Call the special svcs section of your school division and you should be able to work something out.

 

[yinyanggirls]

I'm sorry he's going back in the casts. Phoebe did serial casting once and it was a pain. It added several pounds to her and was much harder to lift and carry her. I feel your pain! A friend of mine has a daughter with CP, caused by a virus in utero. She has one leg that is tight and has done serial casting on it as well. Recently her nuero (?) did Botox treatments to help loosen it and she said it definitely helped. Maybe you could ask about that as an alternative or in addition to lessen the time in casts?
In terms of the school situation, definitely let them know what his needs will be during this time period. Ask the doctors if you can get an equipment loan for a child's wheelchair/stroller. If they can't get one for you Phoebe's first school used a wagon to pull her and another child around until they both had their own chairs. Just a few ideas floating around in my head. I know you'll get it all figured out!

 

[kdzbear]

Oh no!

I am so sorry...

And especially following such a magical trip. It stinks even more when life hits ya in the face like that.

Many hugs!!

Thanks for the hugs and support!

Oh, I am so sorry! I was just so happy seeing all those pictures of Tyler riding with Goofy and Donald and now there is this news. Poor little guy. I hope he doesnt have to keep them on too long and hopefully it will make everything better.

Thanks. It looks like right now 6-8 weeks!

An awesome end to day 3! I don't know how Tyler and Breanna stayed awake until the park closed. Even if I had a three hour nap in the afternoon, I couldn't stay up that late. Awww! To be that young again. We were so tired by the evening that we left the park before SpectroMagic and the fireworks the last time we were there.

Oh, so sorry to hear the news about Tyler having to wear casts again. Maybe the school can send someone to the house to tutor or homeschool during this time? A for you and Tyler.

I was surprised they were both up and wide awake!

Im so sorry to hear Tyler will be back in the casts. Im thinking good thoughts that it only lasts a few weeks and he's back to normal.

So sorry to hear that Tyler has to go back into casts! Not that it helps, but I'm glad you got to go to WDW before that came about..and at least it's winter so he won't be sweating so badly as he would be in the heat of summer. Call the special svcs section of your school division and you should be able to work something out.

I'm sorry he's going back in the casts. Phoebe did serial casting once and it was a pain. It added several pounds to her and was much harder to lift and carry her. I feel your pain! A friend of mine has a daughter with CP, caused by a virus in utero. She has one leg that is tight and has done serial casting on it as well. Recently her nuero (?) did Botox treatments to help loosen it and she said it definitely helped. Maybe you could ask about that as an alternative or in addition to lessen the time in casts?
In terms of the school situation, definitely let them know what his needs will be during this time period. Ask the doctors if you can get an equipment loan for a child's wheelchair/stroller. If they can't get one for you Phoebe's first school used a wagon to pull her and another child around until they both had their own chairs. Just a few ideas floating around in my head. I know you'll get it all figured out!

Tyler originally had casts for the first 15 weeks of his life. We would go in and have them changed every week. We did do botox on his neck at one point to help with the torticollis. His doctor thinks that about 3 sets of casts that are changed every two weeks should work. I did contact the school and they have to get back with me. I have thought about a wheel chair and I think we will go that route. It just did not come to mind at first since the last time he had casts we carried him everywhere. I know that this is for the better in the long run. Here is Tyler the last time he had casts:

Thank you for all of the support and well wishes. I will get back to the trip report soon!

 

[kdzbear]

It is now Monday and the parks are crowded! We arrived at the park at about 10:30 AM after sleeping in from our late night at the Magic Kingdom. When we arrived, I checked out the holiday décor at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I could not wait to see the Osbourne Spectacle of Lights this evening.

First, everyone was hungry so we went to eat at the ABC Commissary, but they no longer serve breakfast and did not open until 11:00 AM so we headed over to ride Toy Story Mania.

On the way there were some Army Men trying to convince one another to scale the guest rope line. Finally the last one had a huge build up of how he would leap and then he unhooked the chain, went through and re-hooked it. They were funny.

Tyler saw Buzz and Woody so we stopped to say, “Hi”.

Then we all rode Toy Story Mania. Tyler loves this ride and I think he could ride it all day long if we would let him. On the way out we stopped to take a picture with the Green Army Man and had him sign our autograph pages. I was not aware that they signed!

On the way to lunch we stopped to see Mike and Sully.

Then the ABC Commissary was open! I had a vegetarian salad with edamame and it was really good. It had an Asian dressing. I just could not do more chicken nuggets or hamburgers.

Next up are some new frustrations and a surprise!

 

[kdzbear]

We walked over to the Star Wars area to discover that the next show had already been picked. Since we were there in September the way kids are picked had changed. There is now a queue line to line up in and hope you are selected. It was almost an hour to the next show and Tyler could not wait that long. So, we decided to go and see the Indiana Jones Show. Guess what? They were out of handicapped seating. There was nowhere for us to sit so we did not see the show. Did I mention it was crowded!

We walked back over by Star Wars and I decided to try again to get Tyler in the show. I explained that he was on his Wish trip and showed the cast member our guest assistance card. The cast member asked if I had my voucher from GKTW. I looked at him clueless as I really had no idea what he was talking about. He conferred with another cast member and reluctantly gave me a little card to give to Tyler. It guaranteed that he could be a Jedi in training! He had green writing on his card.

Then we watched the next Jedi Training Academy so he would know what he had to do. It was a different Jedi Master than the one that told him he was too little in September and I was relieved. After the show was over it was time for Tyler to line up. I took him over to the cast member and showed his card. A second cast member led us to where he was supposed to sit. I stood there with him for about five minutes until I was told I needed to go back to the crowd as I was setting a bad precedent. The cast members here were not friendly. Right before I went back over by the rest of my family the cast member did switch out his green card for a red card. It turns out that now they have 15 kids with green cards that fight Darth Maul on the lower level and the 15 kids with red cards fight Darth Vader on the stage. He was going to fight Vader! I was so nervous. I was worried he might get scared, but it turns out I had nothing to worry about!

The Jedi Trainer came out and removed his hood and it was the Jedi Trainer from September that told Tyler he was too small! I wanted to laugh since Tyler was now on the stage with him, but I was still nervous. He made fun of Tyler’s Handy Manny outfit too!

More Star Wars photos are in the next post!

 

[kdzbear]

Hayley was blowing kisses to Darth Maul no matter how hard he tried to scare her. His contacts were a glowing yellow. His red and black face paint did not scare her. She is fearless, unless a princess comes near her!

Next I decided to take Tyler on the Star Wars ride. He did not want to go. I showed him all of the neat Star Wars friends in the cue.

He was crying so bad that he did not want to get on the ride and the cast member could not let him on if he did not calm down. She showed him the surveillance video from the ride and then he got on. He was still upset on the ride, but he calmed down enough to ride. After the ride was over we took him to the store to build his own light saber. After that I did some Christmas shopping!

Then we got in line to see the Muppets 3-D show, but the line was over an hour long so we found an opening in one of the chain dividers and exited the line. I found this neat prop that I had never seen before.

Then we snuck in the back entrance (with permission) to see Prince Caspian as we did not want to see the Narnia show and walk through again. He was great with the kids and even let Tyler hold on to his sword!

More from our day at Disney Studios is up next!

 

[pipersmom]

Sounds like another good day so far..I wish the Jedi training CMs had been a little friendlier though! The kids looked like they were having a really good time

 

[yinyanggirls]

Hayley's adorable! Blowing Darth Maul kisses.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Sounds like a good day but sorry the CM werent the best. The Toy Story pics were great Gavin got so excited when I showed them to him.