What not to do at Disney?

[Chloesmom]

I think this attitude is just as sad as the breastfeeding discussion which I stayed out of because I no longer breast feed nor did I have to do it at Disney... Not everyone was blessed with a disease free life... believe me we would much rather not have to give a shot or test sugar. Life is not fair and unfortunately for some its even more unfair to the most innocent souls on our planet. This is my daughters life.. how she lives moment to moment.. day to day... everyday. We arent afforded the convenience of waiting to test " somewhere private" esp. at Disney. The heat and excitement can drop a blood sugar in minutes to dangerous levels.
A common topic on this thread has been the challenges disabled people ( children esp) face at Disney. When we encounter a person who has a special need I think the world would be abetter place if we could all take the time to learn a lesson from that person. Be thankful for the health you have and learn to be a little more compassionate to those who do not have that blessing.
My daughter is a wonderful ,beautiful ,strong ,brave little girl who never complains about her disease. She has taught me what true strength is and she is my hero... I wish I was half the person she is and I cannot wait to see how she will change our world.. because she will. Her laugh is infectious and she is always smiling. Sadly its people who are narrow minded and make comments to her about what she MUST do to stay healthy who make her feel abnormal and sad about her struggles...and its a true shame... its one of the biggest flaws in humanity...

 

[Chloesmom]

I'm not freaked out by needles or blood but I still get annoyed when my father whips out his insulin pen at the dinner table and injects himself. I wouldn't want to watch someone change a bandaid when I'm eating either.

In a place like Disney where would you suggest someone go when getting ready to eat to give a shot? The restroom? Dirty nasty restroom? Good place to do what should be a relatively sterile procedure. Needle is sterile and the skin is cleaned.. lets go to where the germs are..Or outside? People out there too and you would most likely draw more attention going outside and back in then just sitting at a table and being discreet.
BTW my DD is on a pump as well.. but hasnt always been.. she was on shots for 3 years. In 3 years I estimate she took almost 6000 shots... and probably 8000 blood sugar tests.

 

[livndisney]

Sorry you can not have it both ways. It is just as legal for some one to take care of a MEDICAL need as it is for a baby to be breastfed.

If people can't complain that they don't like breastfeeding because it "makes them uncomfortable" that how can you argue that someone cannot save their own life by administering insulin/testing because it "makes you uncomfortable"?

 

[livndisney]

Can we maybe agree that if you CAN do things like bloodtesting or whatnot in a private setting that you should? Certainly if it's an epi pen shot or something that needs to be done immediately by all means, do it, but I'll agree that it might be weird to see someone give an injection at the table in a restaurant. And before anyone freaks out or flames me, I grew up with a type 1 diabetic, I've given injections, I'm not freaked out by needles or blood but I still get annoyed when my father whips out his insulin pen at the dinner table and injects himself. I wouldn't want to watch someone change a bandaid when I'm eating either.

No we can't agree to test in private, we also can't agree to treat in private. Are service animals required to stay hidden? Are wheelchairs? If everyone that was "werid" was required to stay home WDW would go out of business.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

Sorry you can not have it both ways. It is just as legal for some one to take care of a MEDICAL need as it is for a baby to be breastfed.

If people can't complain that they don't like breastfeeding because it "makes them uncomfortable" that how can you argue that someone cannot save their own life by administering insulin/testing because it "makes you uncomfortable"?

I think some folks need to realize that they don't have the inalienable right to never feel "uncomfortable" or feel offended. Frankly I think those folks need to spend more time minding their own business than worrying about what other people are doing. If someone is *that* upset or offended by little things like diabetic testing or breastfeeding I personally think they are waaaay too sensitive. It's easy enough to look the other way.

 

[danagirl]

I think some folks need to realize that they don't have the inalienable right to never feel "uncomfortable" or feel offended. Frankly I think those folks need to spend more time minding their own business than worrying about what other people are doing. If someone is *that* upset or offended by little things like diabetic testing or breastfeeding I personally think they are waaaay too sensitive. It's easy enough to look the other way.

I was just going to say this!!! No matter what someone is doing is it so hard to turn your head?

 

[JoShan1719]

I think some folks need to realize that they don't have the inalienable right to never feel "uncomfortable" or feel offended. Frankly I think those folks need to spend more time minding their own business than worrying about what other people are doing. If someone is *that* upset or offended by little things like diabetic testing or breastfeeding I personally think they are waaaay too sensitive. It's easy enough to look the other way.

Exactly. My grandfather, grandmother and stepbrother have diabetes. In the amount of time it takes me to respond to a post they have pricked their finger, tested their sugar, and injected their insulin. It's so quick I don't even notice it anymore, and I can't imagine it being enough to cause someone hardship.
Generally people with diabetes try and be descreet. They don't stand up on their table and announce that they are about to stick a needle in there arm or abdomin. They do it quietly at their table. And I imagine they do it quickly since they're probably just as hungry as you and I are. Why are you watching them?
We should be thankful we don't have to take these steps before every meal, and we don't have to wonder about what life has in store for us later. My grandfather ended up having to have both legs amputated because of poor circulation directly related to his diabetes. At 38 my stepbrother is already seeing the affects on his body.
Insulin injections, breastfeeding, these things aren't big enough for me to worry about. I can turn and look the other way. That would be my advice for those who are bothered by these things... look the other way.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Why are we worried about diabetics/allergic people giving shots? I hope all of you who are offended by this practice speak up the next time you see someone cursing, spitting, urinating, scratching/drawing graffiti or littering- those are the things that really offend my "visual enjoyment" of WDW! I can't believe how many people (some CM's included) ignore this behavior but are worried about behavior that isn't illegal or against any park rules!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

So by trying to be the voice of reason and trying to suggest a middle ground, I get jumped on? Thanks guys. Don't you think it's just as inconsiderate to say "Too bad for anyone who may think this is gross/wrong/rude/inappropriate for me to be doing this where everyone can see" as it is for someone to have a freakout because you ARE doing it? All I said is maybe you could make an effort to be discreet about these things, not that you need to hide in shame or test your blood sugar after rolling around in the bathroom. If you're going to do it out in the open, people are going to see. You can't expect that everyone will be ok with it. Are you going to tell everyone "OK turn your backs so I can test"? It makes just as much sense for someone to say "I wish you wouldn't do that here" as it does for someone to say "I wish you wouldn't watch''. Neither of you is more in the right or in the wrong than the other person.

 

[skiingfast]

Don't try to take a stroller on the bus with a child still in it. They won't allow it so don't try it.

 

[livndisney]

So by trying to be the voice of reason and trying to suggest a middle ground, I get jumped on? Thanks guys. Don't you think it's just as inconsiderate to say "Too bad for anyone who may think this is gross/wrong/rude/inappropriate for me to be doing this where everyone can see" as it is for someone to have a freakout because you ARE doing it? All I said is maybe you could make an effort to be discreet about these things, not that you need to hide in shame or test your blood sugar after rolling around in the bathroom. If you're going to do it out in the open, people are going to see. You can't expect that everyone will be ok with it. Are you going to tell everyone "OK turn your backs so I can test"? It makes just as much sense for someone to say "I wish you wouldn't do that here" as it does for someone to say "I wish you wouldn't watch''. Neither of you is more in the right or in the wrong than the other person.

WOW!.

Never saw where you said anything about being "discreet". I saw where you said "Can we maybe agree that if you CAN do things like bloodtesting or whatnot in a private setting that you should?"

Sounds like hiding to me. You CAN'T ask someone with a medical condition to treat themselves "in private". There are laws to protect people with medical needs.

I have yet to see anyone on this thread ask ANYONE to not look while they are treating themselves. Consider it about education. If people see people caring for themselves then maybe Diabetes won't be so "scary". It won't be a "secret". Think of the doors that would be opened if more people UNDERSTOOD Diabetes. Think of the lives that may be saved. The lives made better by communication.

People with medical needs should not have to "hide" just because it makes someone "uncomfortable".

 

[tinkermom23]

Please, when on a ride, even when it's your absolute, favorite of all time ride, shut your mouth!!

I'm not talking about "Por favor..." monorail guy...I'm talking about the people who are standing in the room at Haunted Mansion and say, WORD FOR WORD, the whole introduction. When you look at him, he says" I love this attraction." and continues saying the whole thing. He apparently is the HM expert and informed me that they are "doombuggies" not clams and the cobwebs are real...blah blah blah.... he was so very annoying! Asking him to stop only encouraged him more.

Then we go to IASM and have the people behind us in the boat sing the whole way, out of tune, not really knowing the words. As if that song doesn't stick in my head already, now it's missed lyrics and out of tune!

 

[Mrs. D]

My dd11 is type 1 diabetic.. yep.. she needs to test her blood sugar and give herself insulin... We can never tell when we will need to check her sugar.. sometimes in line for a ride.. sometimes waiting for a parade.. and always before she eats. The amount of blood used for this is literally a drop and the needle used in concealed in the lancet. In the amount of time it would take us to go to the " infirmary etc" my Dd could be in a siezure due to low sugar...then you would get to see THE BIG NEEDLE I would have to jam in her thigh to keep her alive and then on her way to the emergency room...sounds like a fun ending to vacation to me. Oh and if I gave her insulin in the " infirmary etc" and then treked to whatever place we were eating.. and then waiting for food... guess what? By the time she got food in her the insulin would be taking effect and we could very well be back in the whole big needle scenario.
My 2 bits of advice...(1) mind your own business and dont watch other people do thier business and (2) be thankful you dont have to deal with this awful disease that affects literally every aspect of my little girls life.
I have had people make comments to me in Disney.. and frankly it never fails to surprise me. We are very discreet mainly because DD doesnt want her business broadcast so anyone who sees it is plain nosey. This is a little girl who has a disease that will effect her life until the day she leaves us. She didnt ask for it.. she didnt cause it... have a little compassion and stop being so selfish.

Hi Chloesmom...we chatted a little while back in '07 when I was planning a trip. Well said ma'am! My son is 8 years old, and a type 1 diabetic...unfortunately (moreso for him than any observer) testing his sugar and administering shots are the kinds of things that have to be done when they have to be....

Someone else said "if you wouldn't do it outside of Disney you shouldn't do it in Disney"....well even though Disney is called Disney World....it's not really the world. We do wayyy more living and eating out out side of WDW in the real world than we do in....and my son tests his sugar and admins his shots in restaurants, very discreetly alll. the. time. I've never in 4 years ever had anybody say anything to us, or even make any kind of weird gesture. I'm thankful for that....

I mean generally when I'm in a restaurant or wherever w/ my little family, I am so involved in our lives and experience and convo, I'm hardly scouring other tables or booths trying to figure out what's going on in another....and if we're honest, that's really what you'd have to be doing to even know most diabetics are checking sugar or administering insulin...

 

[Chloesmom]

So by trying to be the voice of reason and trying to suggest a middle ground, I get jumped on? Thanks guys. Don't you think it's just as inconsiderate to say "Too bad for anyone who may think this is gross/wrong/rude/inappropriate for me to be doing this where everyone can see" as it is for someone to have a freakout because you ARE doing it? All I said is maybe you could make an effort to be discreet about these things, not that you need to hide in shame or test your blood sugar after rolling around in the bathroom. If you're going to do it out in the open, people are going to see. You can't expect that everyone will be ok with it. Are you going to tell everyone "OK turn your backs so I can test"? It makes just as much sense for someone to say "I wish you wouldn't do that here" as it does for someone to say "I wish you wouldn't watch''. Neither of you is more in the right or in the wrong than the other person.

No one jumped on you.. they just expressed thier opinion as you did yours. The difference in someone needing to test/treat is that there is a medical need for it that is in fact protected by law. You seem to have lumped it in with the likes of changing a band aid at a dinner table. I would hope that as an adult a person would see that someone who needs to test or treat isnt doing it for giggles, attention or to be a rebel but because they have to to stay alive and that even tho you may be disgusted or uncomfortable this is when you, as a compassionate adult, just go about your business without giving your opinion to someone who already struggles enough without your input. I have yet to see a diabetic announce they are going to test or give a shot.. most are discreet for thier own sense of privacy and honestly anyone who does see it is truly being nosey.
As far as being in the right.. I disagree.. I think someone who is on a medically required medicine is always in the right when they need to take it.. be it a pill, a shot, or an inhaler...
Perhaps you should spend more time on your vacations focusing on your own party then on what everyone else is doing...

 

[Chloesmom]

I mean generally when I'm in a restaurant or wherever w/ my little family, I am so involved in our lives and experience and convo, I'm hardly scouring other tables or booths trying to figure out what's going on in another....and if we're honest, that's really what you'd have to be doing to even know most diabetics are checking sugar or administering insulin...

EXACTLY!
Good to " see" you again! Hope all is well with your son!

 

[LisaCat]

Plan ahead, get to the parade routes early....Don't sit in front of people that were there first. Taller people can always stand behind and lets the kids and moms sit.

I am tall - just shy of 6'. I get my parade spot EARLY. Sometimes 2+ hours. I have issues with people that arrive AFTER I do and expect that I should move back and let them in front of me because they or their kids can't see over me. I didn't sit on the concrete for 2 hours saving THEM a spot. Sorry. I usually choose a spot where I can sit. They can stand behind me and see over me just fine. Why am I expected to give up a place "in line" to someone else just because I'm taller than they are? The last time it happened, the family that wanted in front of us had a dad that was as tall or taller than I was. Um, NO.

 

[LisaCat]

I'll mention one: Do not bring your mug from 3 years ago and fill up at the fountains.

Filling up your own container at a drinking fountain is a no-no? Since when?

 

[gatormommy07]

Filling up your own container at a drinking fountain is a no-no? Since when?

I believe the pp was talking about REFILLABLE mugs(the kind you can buy at the resorts), and the soda fountains, not water fountains.

 

[baileysp]

some of these are pretty funny.

 

[LisaCat]

I believe the pp was talking about REFILLABLE mugs(the kind you can buy at the resorts), and the soda fountains, not water fountains.

OK. THAT makes sense. I don't think of soda coming from "fountains".