What should we do to make trip fun even though DH has Seizures?

[Mandi0824]

Okay, me and DH has been too Disney World before but this time we are going with some more family members. Since the last time we visited my husband has developed PTSD after getting back from Iraq and suffers from seizures.

He don't suffer from normal seizures or epilepsy like seizures from flashing lights or sound or anything like. He gets them from stress mostly. Like if we go to a crowded place or standing for long times or being in a packed room. So to help with him we picked the end of January to go to Disney thinking that would be the less crowded time to go. Since he has had so many seizures this past year he now has back problems which now he has to walk with a cane.

So I plan on bringing a wheelchair for him so that way it will help some. But, he is so worry that he wont be able to enjoy the rides the same way. He can walk and get out of the wheelchair to join us on rides and shows which is what he prefers to do but he is afraid on rides where they can push the wheelchair on it that they will make him stay in the wheel chair. Does anyone know if they will let us push the wheelchair to the side and let him ride stuff normal?

Also we are worry that I know some times waiting in lines that go back and forth in a building it can sometimes get really pack and crowded in line. We are scared that, that is when it will cause a seizure. He don't wont to have one and it ruins the trip because Disney kicks him out of the park. So he is wondering if he should talk to Guest Relations when we get there or what?

Anyone has any advice? This is all new for us and the first really trip we have gone on

 

[disney david]

Okay, me and DH has been too Disney World before but this time we are going with some more family members. Since the last time we visited my husband has developed PTSD after getting back from Iraq and suffers from seizures.

He don't suffer from normal seizures or epilepsy like seizures from flashing lights or sound or anything like. He gets them from stress mostly. Like if we go to a crowded place or standing for long times or being in a packed room. So to help with him we picked the end of January to go to Disney thinking that would be the less crowded time to go. Since he has had so many seizures this past year he now has back problems which now he has to walk with a cane.

So I plan on bringing a wheelchair for him so that way it will help some. But, he is so worry that he wont be able to enjoy the rides the same way. He can walk and get out of the wheelchair to join us on rides and shows which is what he prefers to do but he is afraid on rides where they can push the wheelchair on it that they will make him stay in the wheel chair. Does anyone know if they will let us push the wheelchair to the side and let him ride stuff normal?

Also we are worry that I know some times waiting in lines that go back and forth in a building it can sometimes get really pack and crowded in line. We are scared that, that is when it will cause a seizure. He don't wont to have one and it ruins the trip because Disney kicks him out of the park. So he is wondering if he should talk to Guest Relations when we get there or what?

Anyone has any advice? This is all new for us and the first really trip we have gone on

Disney will never ever kick you or your Dh out of the park for having a seizures. Their not like that plus Their laws against that. You can go to guest relations to get a gac and yes you can bring the chair through the line and then leave it on the side. Just let the cm know he can transfer and they will be more then happy to help.

If and hope he dose not need medical help and go to the hospital.

Since he a veteran he can use the va hospital Orlando building a brand new state of the art medical center. They are behind by a year and over budget so who knows when they will open. The one they have now is small and used as an out patient and contract with winter park hospital for in patient. So if he needs to go to a hospital he can go to any the va will pay his service connection. But I am sure you know all this already and was not aiding but figured to give you more info.

Info on flying that might help

My mother works for the va as nurse manager of mental health in New York and had a vet need to get to Vegas and one of her staff members had to go with him. the va was worried to get him through security so my mother called Tsa in JFK. And asked them what can be done to make it easier to get him and the escort through security quick and easy they said they have programs for vets. so they was meet at the airport by their own Tsa agent who help get them trough security and then on the plane and when they got to Vegas they was meet with another Tsa agent who helped them on that side. Sorry if your not flying or don't think it will help but go on Tsa.gov and get the local number of your Tsa and talk to them.

 

[ttintagel]

If he's able to transfer out of the wheelchair into a seat or ride vehicle, he'll be allowed to.

Yes, you should go to Guest Relations, explain the situation, and see what they can do to help. Some rides have waiting areas that are less crowded.

 

[lanejudy]

They will actually prefer if he can transfer out of the wheelchair to ride - it makes one less person in line for the accessible car. If he needs assistance entering/exiting the ride, someone in your party will need to assist him as the CMs are not allowed (I'm thinking moving walkways and such with him using a cane). If you take the wheelchair through the line, they will direct you where to park it while riding. If the line is short and he'd like to walk through the line, the w/c can be parked in stroller parking - or if he wants to take a break from it at any point during the day you can park in stroller parking and walk for a bit.

January should be a good time to go with low crowds. Also try checking out some of the touring plans and you can further determine which park might be lower crowds than another park on any given day. But in general that is a low crowd season.

If he has a seizure, they may require him to seek medical attention but they would not kick the family out of the park. There is a First Aid location in each park where he can go to rest and de-stress if needed - they even have cots in relatively private rooms.

Enjoy your vacation and a big thank you to your husband for his service!

 

[ReadingRainbow]

I think one important thing worth pointing out is this:

He has a condition that makes it difficult for him to process stress.

He has seizures when under stress.

He is starting to feel stress now at home, worrying about having a seizure at WDW. This kind of what-if worry is a trademark of his PTSD. It isn't going away in the next month.

Knowing this, it is important that your husband knows you will not push him to do anything he doesn't feel completely comfortable doing. If he wants to turn back at any point, you will do so. Let him know that he is not committed to doing anything and you are perfectly OK with whatever he's up to doing once you're there. Tell him as many times as it takes for him to accept it.

This will remove a lot of the what-if stress he's experiencing now and will help him to be in better control of his fears. He might not be able to do 1/10 of what he accomplished on his last trip. Make sure he knows that's OK. You accept him as he is now and you value his presence and respect his willingness to challenge himself and to keep going.

He's stressing now over what will happen if he has a seizure. It will get him in a cycle that is sure to produce a seizure. Re-focusing to remove the what-if stress by letting him know you're OK with him as he is, seizures and all, will be the biggest thing YOU can do to help him enjoy this trip and experience the most from it, in my humble opinion.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Disney is THE most understanding place when it comes to disabilities of any kind. They stay true to Walt's wish of having everyone, young & old alike, enjoying the parks together.

Ways to prevent a seizure - Get enough sleep, avoid becoming overtired, overstressed, overexcited, etc

When you first enter any park, go to Guest Services & pick up a brochure for Guests with Disabilities for that park. It will help a lot in explaining the rides & what to do with the wheelchair, whether or not he can ride in the wheelchair if he wants, or instructions that he has to switch to the ride car. Disney has done this so cleverly that they have little stick figure pictures explaining what to do in the brochure.

The Cast Members are usually quite good in answering any questions you might have about an individual ride. Don't be afraid to ask them, they answer peoples' questions all day long.

Good luck to you. Enjoy your trip!

 

[pbrim]

How much or how little he uses the WC is strictly up to him. I need to use an ECV at times as I am limited in how much I can walk, but I am always free to park it and walk into a store, or walk through a short line.

When you come up in a WC or ECV, the CMs always ask, "Can you transfer?", meaning, can you transfer to a regular ride seat on your own. If you say yes, they tell you where to park your WC and if you exit the ride other than where you get on, it will be waiting for you. If you say no, they will figure out how to get an accessible seat. Since accessible seats are fewer, they would prefer if you can transfer, but whether your answer is Yes or No, no-one is going to question it. And every question is independant from the next, so you can say Yes one time and No another, and no-one is going to bat an eye.

Disney goes out of their way to make handling of people with special needs as smooth and seamless as possible, and to treat everyone alike as a valued guest, no matter what the special circumstances. I have never been treated as a problem, or a freak, or an annoyance, but as just another guest, to be given the best possible time.

And if you are cynical, and start thinking that's just hype to make them look good, understand there is considerable self interest in this as well. They are a top destination with families with special needs members, because of this attitude, and they know it. They guard that reputation zealously.

 

[KPeveler]

They actually prefer he transfer so no worries there.

Be aware that there is a First Aid in each park where he can go for quiet time to regroup. I too have ptsd, though not seizures, and I frequently go to FA to calm down and relax

Avoid parades and be aware of when they are. These are even worse than fireworks when it comes to crowds

Switch off between intense or crowded rides and more laid back shows. There is almost always room to relax away from people in HOP and American adventure.

I use a GAC in the parks and it helps a lot. Stop by guest relations and ask about it.

If I were you i would rent a car rather than risk getting crammed in a bus and risking a seizure there.

 

[peemagg]

Another thing that might help to calm some of his fears, is to get the book "Open Mouse" by Passporter's. It is a awesome book dealing with all sorts of disabilities and how each can be handled and suggestions of what to do to make the trip easier. I find myself reading this book before each trip just to refresh myself with what I need to do to make my trip better.

It is a book that is well worth the money!

 

[jmartinez1895]

You should have no real trouble touring the park. You can tell him to relax and not stress because many people with seizures go and enjoy the parks every day. If he should have one while in the park be prepared that if a CM sees it, they will call the medical team. They will want to look him over, but they will not make you leave and all you have to do is tell hem that you do not want further medical treatment and they will have you sign there clip board and you will be on your way. Most people that I know with seizures do nto want to go to the ER every time one happens ( including my son). This is a common thing a Disney and they have much experience with treating seizures and having people not want to leave the park.

 

[lovethattink]

Okay, me and DH has been too Disney World before but this time we are going with some more family members. Since the last time we visited my husband has developed PTSD after getting back from Iraq and suffers from seizures.

He don't suffer from normal seizures or epilepsy like seizures from flashing lights or sound or anything like. He gets them from stress mostly. Like if we go to a crowded place or standing for long times or being in a packed room. So to help with him we picked the end of January to go to Disney thinking that would be the less crowded time to go. Since he has had so many seizures this past year he now has back problems which now he has to walk with a cane.

So I plan on bringing a wheelchair for him so that way it will help some. But, he is so worry that he wont be able to enjoy the rides the same way. He can walk and get out of the wheelchair to join us on rides and shows which is what he prefers to do but he is afraid on rides where they can push the wheelchair on it that they will make him stay in the wheel chair. Does anyone know if they will let us push the wheelchair to the side and let him ride stuff normal?

Also we are worry that I know some times waiting in lines that go back and forth in a building it can sometimes get really pack and crowded in line. We are scared that, that is when it will cause a seizure. He don't wont to have one and it ruins the trip because Disney kicks him out of the park. So he is wondering if he should talk to Guest Relations when we get there or what?

Anyone has any advice? This is all new for us and the first really trip we have gone on

My son uses a medical stroller and transfers for all the attractions.

Definately talk to someone at Guest Relations when you arrive at a park.

Stress and anxiety are one of my son's triggers. We drive ourselves to the parks because he does not handle a crowded bus very well.

We eat at off times, lunch around 10:30 and dinner between 3:30 and 4 to avoid a crowded restaurant.

 

[Nevada Jen]

My Daughter has had seizures at Disney and we have never even been stopped and questioned. We just wait for it to end and go on our merry way. Disney is actually a pretty good place to have a seizure (as long as you have a wheelchair so you cna get the person sitting after). You can use that out of it state after a seizure to walk to the next ride. And its like the wait between rides didn't even happen. If he has the ability to tell when one is coming on, you might want to work out a code word with him that means get him into the wheelchair and out of the way NOW.

With PTSD and my guess as to what will set it off in him, make sure you think through the fireworks and know the schedule for those. It is sometimes a little odd in the winter. You might want to read through descriptions of the rides and see which ones have fire or crashing noises also. I suspect if you talk with him about the rides and remind him of those features, he will be fine on the rides.

Even with the rental car, you might have to ride a vary crowded monrail. SO I think the wheelchair will be your good friend, even if you do not end up using it much in the parks.