UPDATED: At end of thread - Advice needed re: Very Bad News

[sallybrealey]

I have found out today that my uncle has been told he only has a couple of months to live

He has an 11yr old and a 1yr old and as u can imagine my family are in a lot of shock. He is only 38. He has cancer

We would like to be able to send him to DLP with his kids if he is well enough to make it there and wondered if anyone else has took someone who is ill there before? He would probably need a wheelchair. Do I need to pre arrange this? Does anyone else have any advice about taking people of ill health to the parks. This does all depend on whether he is well enough to fly.

Also, he really needs some PD at the moment and so does the rest of my family as we try and come to terms with this.

Sal

 

[squitty]

Hi Sally,

Sorry I cant help you with the DLP questions.

Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear your sad news and to send you all loads of **PD** and lots of {{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 

[mike230652]

Sal,

Like Squitty i can't help you with your DLP questions, but send you all the **PD** in the world at this terrible time. Hope your uncle is well enough to go to DLP and that someone can give you the advice you need to make the trip.

 

[Hilary]

Another one here with loads of best wishes, but no practical help on the DLP questions, I'm afraid.

Although I don't have any answers, I would imagine that (assuming your uncle will be well enough to travel) DLP would be one of the places best used to accommodating disabled guests and their parties. Certainly if WDW is anything to go by, they should be used to that kind of situation and able to help your uncle and his family get their visit arranged to suit their circumstances.

Wishing you and your family all the best

 

[kazzie]

Sally,

Again I haven't been to DLP Paris.

I just wanted to sat how sorry I am to hear your devestating news.

Lots of Love to you and your family

Karen xx

 

[Theresa Hudson]

Our prayers for your Uncle and with the family.

My sister-in-law was disabled when we went to DLP and they hired a wheelchair over there with no problems, just needed a deposit. Also, because you Uncle is so ill, he will be able to get one of the 'disability passes' (not the proper term) which will give himself and I think it is up to 6 members access to the rides, through the disability entrance. I must say the DLP seem more relaxed about this than WDW, when my brother got one for my sister-in-law there were hardly any questions. Still something from the Doctor/Specialist might make this EXTRA special for the family.

Rather than flying I would recommend the Eurostar. I always think air travel is quite stressful if you are ill. There will be walking from the train to the underground, depending upon why way you go to Waterloo, assuming Uncle would not want to take a wheelchair with him.

Finally, I would recomment the Disneyland Hotel. It has a fantastic location, rooms with wheelchair access and wonderful breakfasts. I'm sure in these circumstances you could get a room overlooking the Castle.

Anything else, please ask.

Theresa

 

[BevS97]

Hi Sally, I've no practical help, but just wanted to offer my sympathies, what awful news - the whole family must be reeling in shock.

Thinking of you and your family

Bev

 

[Janice]

I am so sorry to hear this news Sally - I know how devastated you must all feel right now. I will keep you all in my thoughts and pray that your uncle doesnt suffer too much pain and discomfort during these last few months. {{{Hugs}}} for you, Sally - be strong, and dont forget - we are all here if you need a shoulder. PD by the ton winging its way north as I type ~~~**~~~

I have only been to DLP once, but do recall seeing a lot of Wheelchair users - in particular, one group of disabled children and the interaction between the characters and attention they received was pretty amazing. I do hope that you are able to arrange this for the family - Theresa's advice sounds good and I would perhaps try booking direct.

Dont forget - we're here if you need us.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Awful news Sally, so sorry. Have you tried contacting DLP to explain the situation and see if there is any advice or help they can offer. The following email address worked for me some time ago:

Guest.Communication.edl-admin@Disney.com

But if that is not correct DLP are usually pretty quick to respond to messages posted via the official website at:

http://www.disneylandparis.com/uk/search/contact/index.htm

Hope things work out as well as they can in the circumstances.


Regards

Rob

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

I'm so sorry, i've just lost my auntie to cancer, so terrible..
I'm so sorry ,all i can do is pray for you and your family,and send all our love out to you at such a shocking time...

Good luck,
Luv Beth xx

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

What terrible news. Having recently lost my father to cancer, plus aunt and uncle, it's a terrible thing for families and friends to deal with. There are wonderful people out there who can be of enormous help (like the Macmillan nurses). Do take any help they can give you - not only on the practical side, but most importantly emotional.

When my father died, he (thankfully) spent the last few weeks of his life in a most wonderful hospice - Oakhaven - here in the New Forest. The people who work there can only be described as angels.

My DD, now 9, was 5 at the time and they were so good to her. There are anumber of books around that might help his children come to terms with his illness both now (one marvells one Katie had was all about the family and she had to draw pictures on special pages of the person who was ill, where their illness/pain was - sounds really cold here on paper, but marvellous book).

One of the best ones - and still brings tears to my eyes even now - was a story for "after" the person had gone. It was all about Old Badger who, realising he was coming near to his time, decided to prepare his friends. The story is just soooooo wonderful.

If you'd like to know the names of the books, send me an email and I'll dig them out (bashing this away at work currently).

Thinking of you all at this time - hope you manage to arrange the DLP trip, which will be great for everyone.

Lots of {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} and sprinklings of ~~~PD~~~~

Annie x

 

[Allin]

Oh Sally,
How heartbreaking.Both you and all your family are in our thoughts and prayers.I`m sorry
but I have`nt been to DLP yet but as everyone else has already stated,I`m sure that this is the one place within travelling distance that could help.Please,if you need any sort of help then remember WE ARE HERE for you.

ALAN

 

[TracyK]

I'm so sorry to hear this dreadful news. I can't really add anything to the advice about DLP but I'm sure as others have said that the CM's will help as much as possible.
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers over the coming months.
Tracy

 

[CarolynU]

Sally there is nothing that I can say which will soften the blow, but I really am most dreadfully sorry. The book that has been mentioned is called Badgers Parting Gifts ( I think.) It is a very well written story, and may help a little tiny bit to comfort the children. I will keep you all in my thoughts at this difficult time. Carolyn

 

[Sue's Mum]

Dear Sally, this is so sad. Lots of love, PD and cyber hugs to you and your family.

Jan

 

[KarenUK]

Sally

My heart goes out to you all. This is such a heartbreaking situation for you all. I am sending you Pixie dust by the cartload.

With reference to DLP I can only say that when we went to DLP on our very firs trip over 5 years ago my mother was in a whellcahir having broken her kneecap. We hired a whellchair there with no trouble but I had heard that they are tightening up on it now as people were abusing it by using a wheelchair to try to get privilages. I beleive it may be a good idea to take a doctors letter with you just in case you experience any problems. We were actually able to hire the chair at the resort.

I have also seen large parties of disabled children and adults in the park on subsequent visits and can only say that the way the CMs and chaacters respond to them is wonderful. There are special viewing areas for parades etc for wheelchair users and characters go out of their way to come over.

I would strongly recommend contacting DLP in advance - I am sure they will do whatever they can to help and advise you.

My thoughts and prayers are with you

Karen

 

[sallybrealey]

Thank you for all yours nice words, PD and advice.

Things are quite tough at the moment, my uncle - Chris is being very brave but it is really starting to hit him what the doctors have said. I am just being strong for my family.

Thanks Again, its nice to be have my DIS family here for me

 

[sallybrealey]

Update:

Just to let you know that my Uncle has died. It all happened very quickly which although at the moment feels horrible I am sure was for the best. My family are very tired now and need to get some sleep as they have been at hospital with them for the last few days. I don't think it has really hit any of us.

The last thing he did before going into hospital was come to birthday party, I am so glad that he was there and that my family was able to get together like that for one last time.

I only really accepted he was going to die today when I realised the miracle cure wasn't going to happen, he was so brave - when the doctor told him he didnt have long he just smiled and said 'ok, no problem' - his favourite saying.

I must get some rest now as I have an exam in the morning.

Sal

 

[UKDEB]

So sorry, Sal. I'll be thinking of you and your family. Stay focussed for your exam.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 

[squitty]

Sally,

Just to say we are thinking of you and your family at this sad time.

Like Deb has said try and stay focused for your exmas.

Love