What's the best way to go about this?

[bouncycat]

There will be 5 of us going for my birthday in January, the friday before the holiday weekend My dad REALLY wants to go with us, but has both knees that are pretty much shot, and he's waiting word on getting them replaced. Is that a good reason to get a GAC card? We'll probably be there all day, and he wants to walk...dang stubborn old man He has pain pills, and I also qualify for a GAC card, since I have a rare type of Muscular Dystrophy. Will that help our day go smoother without dad having a lot of pain? He absolutely REFUSES and ECV Just wondering the best way to go about this day...I'm doing some good planning, so we can use fast pass, and get thru fantasyland first....that one I know fills up quick. Thanks for the help!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm sorry but I have bad news for you. The normal (and official) response when a person asks for a GAC for stamina and/or mobility problems is to recommend rental of a wheelchair or ECV.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Posts #2 and 6 would probably be most useful for you.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

Please ask him the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[Mary976]

Fastpass will probably help you a lot. Plus, one person can take everyone's tickets and get all the fastpasses. On the downside, the parks are all HUGE so it can be a lot of walking between rides, although there are plenty of benches and nice places to sit. If your dad is happy to hang out on a shady bench for part of the day, then he might be alright. If he's determined to hit all the rides with the rest of the family, then he might want to reconsider the ECV. I have a FIL who absolutely refuses any type of wheelchair, but he agreed once when we were all at the zoo, mainly because he wanted to be able to stay with (and keep up with) the rest of the family. Also, we've been over MLK weekend and while it's busy, it's nowhere near as busy as Christmas.

Good luck!
Mary

 

[bouncycat]

He'll walk with us, and keep up, but we'll hear it the next day! We are only going for one day, and my mom told him that this is all I want for my birthday, basically suck it up and take a pill. I just didn't know if the GAC would have been easier on us, or to just have a plan and use the fastpass system. I know my way around the MK, and know where the benches, bathrooms, etc without a map, so I'll plan it out good for him. He probably won't do the bigger rides, space mtn, etc, because of his back. He MIGHT do BTMRR, but SM is definedly a no. Splash will be closed that day, so we don't have to worry about that. Being from FL, I won't go on that in the winter anyways, so that's not a huge deal for us. I just want a good day for us all around, since it will be the "celebration" for my birthday. For me, I usually pop pain pills, and bear the walk. And believe it or not, I feel pretty good the next day if I walk it with the pain pills, I'm just very concerned for my dad. He definedly won't complain during the day, but you can usually tell how he's feeling with the look on his face. Thanks for the replies, I'll just use good planning, and take it slow. I'm not a fast mover anyways, so that's not a problem. My DH is a smoker, so we'll stop periodically also. Thanks again, and if I'm missing anything, please let me know!

 

[SueM in MN]

Post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread which Chechire Figment pointed you toward is all about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs)

the parks are all HUGE so it can be a lot of walking between rides, although there are plenty of benches and nice places to sit.............

That is the reason that the answer for mobility/stamina concerns in a wheelchair or ECV. The distance walked between attractions is much greater than the distance walked in line.

He'll walk with us, and keep up, but we'll hear it the next day! We are only going for one day, and my mom told him that this is all I want for my birthday, basically suck it up and take a pill. I just didn't know if the GAC would have been easier on us, or to just have a plan and use the fastpass system. I know my way around the MK, and know where the benches, bathrooms, etc without a map, so I'll plan it out good for him. He probably won't do the bigger rides, space mtn, etc, because of his back. He MIGHT do BTMRR, but SM is definedly a no. Splash will be closed that day, so we don't have to worry about that. Being from FL, I won't go on that in the winter anyways, so that's not a huge deal for us. I just want a good day for us all around, since it will be the "celebration" for my birthday. For me, I usually pop pain pills, and bear the walk. And believe it or not, I feel pretty good the next day if I walk it with the pain pills, I'm just very concerned for my dad. He definedly won't complain during the day, but you can usually tell how he's feeling with the look on his face. Thanks for the replies, I'll just use good planning, and take it slow. I'm not a fast mover anyways, so that's not a problem. My DH is a smoker, so we'll stop periodically also. Thanks again, and if I'm missing anything, please let me know!

Using a GAC would not shorten the distance walked compared to not using a GAC. Another thing to think about is whether or not you plan on seeing any shows. For those, he would need to stand for the preshow (which is usually one 'show' long). If he has an ECV or wheelchair, he would be able to sit while he waits. Without one, most of the shows don't have anywhere to sit.

 

[merryweather20]

He'll walk with us, and keep up, but we'll hear it the next day! We are only going for one day, and my mom told him that this is all I want for my birthday, basically suck it up and take a pill. I just didn't know if the GAC would have been easier on us, or to just have a plan and use the fastpass system. I know my way around the MK, and know where the benches, bathrooms, etc without a map, so I'll plan it out good for him. He probably won't do the bigger rides, space mtn, etc, because of his back. He MIGHT do BTMRR, but SM is definedly a no. Splash will be closed that day, so we don't have to worry about that. Being from FL, I won't go on that in the winter anyways, so that's not a huge deal for us. I just want a good day for us all around, since it will be the "celebration" for my birthday. For me, I usually pop pain pills, and bear the walk. And believe it or not, I feel pretty good the next day if I walk it with the pain pills, I'm just very concerned for my dad. He definedly won't complain during the day, but you can usually tell how he's feeling with the look on his face. Thanks for the replies, I'll just use good planning, and take it slow. I'm not a fast mover anyways, so that's not a problem. My DH is a smoker, so we'll stop periodically also. Thanks again, and if I'm missing anything, please let me know!

Tell him to suck it up and use a chair or an ECV. In short if he could do a whole day at the Magic Kingdom he wouldn't need new knees in the first place. If he's not willing to take care of himself tell him he can stay in the car with the window cracked.

I'm all for the tough love approach.

When we went as kids my grandma didn't want to go, because she was afraid of flying. My Dad told her if the plane went down, we were all she had in the world so she might as well be on it. She had a fantastic time

 

[Talking Hands]

Tell him to suck it up and use a chair or an ECV. In short if he could do a whole day at the Magic Kingdom he wouldn't need new knees in the first place. If he's not willing to take care of himself tell him he can stay in the car with the window cracked.

I actually saw that one day in medical parking. Whole family got out and headed off to MK and grandma stayed in the car with the windows cracked. Crazy.

 

[merryweather20]

I actually saw that one day in medical parking. Whole family got out and headed off to MK and grandma stayed in the car with the windows cracked. Crazy.

Thats when it doesn't work

 

[Mary976]

Most people are concerned about stamina over a week long trip. If you're just doing one park over one day, that could work in your favor.

Mary

 

[mechurchlady]

He is stubborn and you will have a hard time changing his mind. He knows what is best even if he or others suffer.

My friend online has had MS a long time and stress can cause problems for you though very unlikely that dealing with a stuborn old man would cause a flare up. You can fight with him until the day of the trip with is not good for you so don't. Maybe a third party can drop some hints and get him to come up with an ingenious plan where he uses an ECV.

At the park have fun with the family and if necessary go on without him. There are comfty benches, restaurants and shows he can park his aching bones while you are having fun. Dont worry, he will cave in probably.

Big hugs and good luck

 

[bouncycat]

That's what i'm hoping, is he'll cave in. My mom has the same mentality as a pp, and suck it up. He does have pain pills, so with a good touring plan he should be okay, and an early lunch, so he doesn't feel "rushed" when eating. Like I said earlier, my dh smokes, so we usually have strategically located smoking areas that he always hits. His knees are bad too, but not nearly as bad as dads, but enough to ruin a day. My mentality was since my mom told him to "do it for your daughter" I was trying to make it as pain free as possible, so I'll come up with a good touring plan, and go from there. Thanks again for all the advice!!