VIsually impaired DD and cane use in the parks

[amsafko]

My 10 y.o. is using a cane due to peripheral loss along with some central vision loss in both eyes. We may be going to WDW next month if the dr. clears her to go. How can I expect others to be around her in terms of giving her space to move with it? It will be a busy time (week after Easter) but I am hoping are courteous. This is our first time on a trip with her needing the use of a cane so I just want to be prepared. Thank you.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

To be honest, you cannot expect it. There will be massive crowds during Easter time, there will be lots of small children who do not even know what a cane means. There are many parents who don't watch their children as they should and they will run in front of and bump into your DD. I hate to be the messenger with bad news, but it is true. There will also be many with strollers too. You can stop at Guest Services and get her the GAC to help out with the attractions, but that isn't going to help with the crowds on the the streets. You will have to be her extra set of eyes in the massive crowds.
If you are going to stay for the parades and fireworks, I suggest you let the vast majority of the crowds leave before you head away from your seating/standing area. It is horrible sometimes trying to walk away from there. I would also suggest trying to get to the parks as early as possible to do as much as you can before the crowds start piling in, then maybe take a mid-day break. I have always found that when going to Disney, many seem to check their manners at the gate; in other words, many forget them then again, there are some very nice people too...

 

[clm10308]

I have only seen a handfull of people using white canes in my several trips to the parks, and only a couple were children. A few of them were traveling independently when in lines, but between attractions I have only ever seen them traveling using a sighted guide, but I have always been at more crowded.

On our last visit, the were times that it was so crowded that I made my DS9 hold hands with someone so we didn't loose him.

I would suggest that you talk with your son's O&M instructor about your trip. He/she can show you some special sighted guide techniques that are helpful in crowded situations.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Yes, have her hold onto you.. when in very large crowds, I hold onto the person I am with.. that is when I have someone with me or I don't end up near them. I have low vision and really only have problems in the dark. At night after the fireworks, I have to hold onto someone. If I am alone, I cannot stay at the parks after dark, even when it isn't crowded.. it is going to be hard for your DD, but you will have fun!

 

[seashoreCM]

Yes, have her hold onto you.. when in very large crowds, I hold onto the person I am with.. that is when I have someone with me or I don't end up near them. :

Yes, hold onto her ... when in very large crowds ... (nitpicking)

Any chance you can just do your trip when it is less crowded? This would be for safety's sake.

From your description, it seems that there is a good chance she may eventually lose all of her sight. Although this trip might not qualify as a Make A Wish trip, it could still be a one and only trip for her to enjoy, and thus be worth designating as the most important activity for that week you choose.

Probably worth being a poll question (I'm too lazy to set one up) -- How effective (or how abhorrent) would it be if a parent faked being blind by also carrying a cane while accompanying the child with cane; with the intent that two canes would be make her "more visible".

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Yes, hold onto her ... when in very large crowds ... (nitpicking)

Any chance you can just do your trip when it is less crowded? This would be for safety's sake.

From your description, it seems that there is a good chance she may eventually lose all of her sight. Although this trip might not qualify as a Make A Wish trip, it could still be a one and only trip for her to enjoy, and thus be worth designating as the most important activity for that week you choose.

I was going to suggest that, but some with children can only go during crowded times due to schooling. I think that may be the case with OP as her DD is 10. I know with me, I work for the school district and must go when it is crowded

 

[gilesmt]

I think you will find people weather busy or crowded will be themselves, if they are going to be rude and impatient it will not matter if it is busy and crowded, if they are going to be patient and helpful it will not matter if it is busy and crowded or empty. I have been going to the parks for more than 16 years, visually impaired, crowded and not busy,I have had good and bad experiences in both. With a child I would hope most people would be kind and helpful.

Two things, when I was younger I always felt more comfortable being able to hear my mother, if your child is like that but does not like to stand out, my mother would put bells on her purse so that I could hear even if she got out of my sight. Also, I know by 10 I would not do this, but by then I was blind for 6 years so maybe your child would not mind and find it more comforting, I would ask, those elastic pull cords that you can hook on a toddlers wrist and your own, my mom used it in crowds when I was younger, but as I say by 10 I would not but another child may still find it comfortable.

As for a GAC, you can get one for shows, but for rides the cane works and you will not need a card, when there is an alternative it is usually less crowded and easier on her.

I hope she has a wonderful time, my last suggestion is to do things real early in the day and real late at night, spend the afternoon when real crowded back at the hotel, swimming.

 

[crashbb]

Yes, hold onto her ... when in very large crowds ... (nitpicking)


Probably worth being a poll question (I'm too lazy to set one up) -- How effective (or how abhorrent) would it be if a parent faked being blind by also carrying a cane while accompanying the child with cane; with the intent that two canes would be make her "more visible".

To your first (nitpicking), I disagree. My friends who are visually impaired MUCH prefer to hold onto me than to have me hold onto them. I agree with the original poster and not your "correction".

To your final suggestions - that's probably one of the worst ideas I've heard. First, yes, it is abhorrent for someone to suggest that someone "faked being blind". Second, having to juggle a cane is going to make helping her daughter much harder than otherwise. I see no benefit - only problems.

 

[catra121]

I may be totally off base here...but it seems like a good option for you might be to get her a wheel chair to get around the parks if you are going during a very crowded time. I only say this for safety reasons as in a very crowded park it might be very difficult for her to safely get around. People may also be willing to give you guys some extra space with the wheelchair. I don't know if this is a possibility, if you would be able to push her in a manual wheelchair, but I thought it might be an option worth considering. Or even to have as a backup plan once you get there in case you try using the cane and it becomes too difficult.

 

[amsafko]

Thank you for your input. We are in education so the only time we get to go is during busy times. She is a VERY independent child who doesn't like to hold onto anyone but we will see. In normal lighting situations she may be ok aside from the peripheral loss issues but the sunlight, even with sunglasses, really blinds her and she can't see a thing in dim/dark lighting. I think we will try the cane and see how things go but will be prepared to perhaps get a wheelchair. If people are not respectful, we may have to have to change plans in terms of the cane.

Again, thanks for the input. I am praying the doctor clears her so we can go...we won't know until the Thursday before Easter.

 

[catra121]

I really hope that you guys get to go. Even if you have limitations and have to take it easy I know Disney is a real boost to my spirits and makes me so happy. When you have restrictions I think it is always best to think about how you CAN do something instead of focusing on what you cannot (which it sounds like you are both doing so good job). I will be sending good thoughts your way in the hopes that you get the clearance to go.

 

[dclfun]

I also hope she is cleared to go on this trip. I can imagine how stressful it must be to wait and wonder it it will be a go or not. If it were my child, I'd probably rent a wheelchair and then let her bring the cane and use it whenever the crowds are fewer. She'll probably want to practice and feel more independent whenever possible, but her safety is #1 and I do worry about people not noticing the cane and knocking into her. At this point if her condition is declining it's a hard adjustment to come to terms with and I would point out to her that the goal of this trip is for her to have the most fun possible and that you're wanting to accomplish that goal in whatever way is necessary, which may mean that she'll need to use the wheelchair. If you set her up with this expectation and get there and find out the crowds are less, then you can exceed her expectations by letting her get to use her cane.

 

[Piper]

I also want to add that the chairs you rent from outside companies are in much better condition and easier to handle than those from WDW. You can also get smaller sizes from the outside companies. Riding in a WC that is too large for you just isn't comfortable!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I've been to Disneyland several times over the past couple of years with some people from another message board, and one of the members is there with their partner who is blind, most of the time they are gilding them around as the parks tend to be very crowded and the walk ways are very wide.

 

[Belle94]

I too have peripheral and center vision loss, and I also use a cane at WDW. We usually visit during Spring Break and have had no trouble with the crowds. It is true that after a parade or crowded show I will rely on the help of my family to navigate through the crowd. Definitely get a GAC, it will make your trip easier. I wish you and your family the best trip.

 

[Aerorea]

I use a white cane at WDW (and most places these days) due to similar low vision (RP). I would recommend using whatever sighted guide technique works best for your child when you are together at the parks. It really is the easiest way to get around. It's not convenient, but let's face it - nothing's going to be. I generally take my husband's arm and he guides me. We have our own methods for sticking together in crowds (like walking behind him with a hand on his shoulder, etc.). We go to a lot of crowded events, so it's not a big deal at all to us.

Beyond that, I would recommend practicing in crowded situations and talking to the O&M instructor about your concerns. There are different cane techniques for crowds (grip/swing adjustments). Also, work on navigational skills so she'll be comfortable asking for directions should you get separated.

I will say that, IMHO, using a wheelchair in this scenario isn't a good idea. That just introduces a whole other plethora of issues to deal with. I've been in a wheelchair in a crowd and I'd take the sighted-guide approach over it.

Above all else, enjoy your trip!