Where do you store your GAC for safekeeping while touring?

[P&B's Mom]

Before you read this, first time trip and ultra-planner. I need to be with ASD DS and diabetic/heart condition/ECV using DGF. I have a couple of questions because will be getting GAC for DS this June.

1. How big is the GAC?
2. Where do you put it while touring? Do you put it on a lanyard? Do you put it in some kind of tag? I want it handy, but protected.
3. Will my dad need one if he is in ECV?

I thought that if I had it somehow "attached" to my son, then we would have it handy and would be in plain sight for CMs and for the "uninformed" guests that I am sure we will encounter during our trip. I just want to put a big sign on us that says, "We have issues. Be nice to us, we are not trying to cut in line!"

Thanks, beginning a rant....

 

[scojos]

Before you read this, first time trip and ultra-planner. I need to be with ASD DS and diabetic/heart condition/ECV using DGF. I have a couple of questions because will be getting GAC for DS this June.

1. How big is the GAC?
2. Where do you put it while touring? Do you put it on a lanyard? Do you put it in some kind of tag? I want it handy, but protected.
3. Will my dad need one if he is in ECV?

I thought that if I had it somehow "attached" to my son, then we would have it handy and would be in plain sight for CMs and for the "uninformed" guests that I am sure we will encounter during our trip. I just want to put a big sign on us that says, "We have issues. Be nice to us, we are not trying to cut in line!"

Thanks, beginning a rant....

Hi I am far from an expert but i will try.
The GAC is a piece of card , 12cm by 8 cm (ish) which we put a copy of in ds lanyard, and we kept the original.
cant help with ecv but lovely people on here will.

as for the big sign thing, i have been on the disigners site, and they have some lovely autism t shirts with stitch which i am going to get printed for the whole family.
i would post a thread but im not that clever

we only experienced 1 ugly incident at WDW when we were accused of queue jumping when were showed into an alternative wait area for POTC (if only they knnew 1. we waited longer than them but we were away from crowds 2. they could try and do wdw with an asd kid and i would wait....
however the CM defended us, as dh was ready to thump gy in question. not good in magic place
hope you enjoy your holiday,
Tracy

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The GAC is, as stated above, about 3" by 5". A lot of people will put it, folded, into a clear card holder of some sort and either keep it in a pcket on on a lanyard.

A person with mobility or stamina issues who is in an wheelchair or ECV does not need a GAC unless they have some additional needs, such as a hearing impairment. Normally anyone in an ECV or wheelchair is expected to go through the regular attraction lines, most of which are accessible, or if the line is not accessible through an alternate entrance.

 

[pumpkinboy]

I keep my son's GAC in my back pocket or in a pocket of the backpack attahced to his wheelchair. The plastic protector on the lanyard sounds like a good idea, but my way works for me.

BTW, scojos, you have very cute kids!

 

[mechurchlady]

A person in an ECV does not need a GAC but if they are part time ambulatory and plan to walk onto rides or into shows then they would need one. I am a part time ambulatory person when up to it so i used to get one.

One problem with the GAC is that sometimes a CM will demand a GAC from a person in a wheelchair or ECV. They may be wrong but it is too much hassle getting a lead or going to get one.

As for guests accusing you of cheating or being treated specially, pshaw. They are the type who complain because the guy at the next table got more french fries, that their kid did not get as much confetti in the parade, and that they waited to long for a dumb show. Some of it is lack of education on disabilities, some is from prior experience and some is just them letting off steam. Never let what other people think about you ever interfere with your day.

 

[scojos]

BTW, scojos, you have very cute kids! [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

yeah, try having them for real
this photo is old, iwill try and update with a new one, have printed some autism t shirts for him to wear in aug, so will see if i can get them to model for you later!!!
ps dd 5 is a real diva
tracy

 

[scojos]

Some of it is lack of education on disabilities, some is from prior experience and some is just them letting off steam. Never let what other people think about you ever interfere with your day.

you are a very wise lady

tracy

 

[scojos]

here is josh now with his new t shirt

grown a bit hasn t he!!!
Tracy

 

[AG CASWELL]

In Mom's purse with everything else.

 

[afnaechiquita]

As for guests accusing you of cheating or being treated specially, pshaw. They are the type who complain because the guy at the next table got more french fries, that their kid did not get as much confetti in the parade, and that they waited to long for a dumb show. Some of it is lack of education on disabilities, some is from prior experience and some is just them letting off steam. Never let what other people think about you ever interfere with your day.

We never experienced guests at DW giving us attitude, but often heard from people in line "Oh they have that special pass."

We did experience attitude in the Orlando airport going home with people not understanding while wheelchairs were escorted through security separate from everyone else. It's too much to worry about what they think in addition to worries of traveling with someone who has a disability, yaknow?

 

[ecki]

Never let what other people think about you ever interfere with your day.

Oh, I so needed that wise advice! The other day we were at McD's. I have a handicapped parking tag for my DD since she has Down syndrome & Autism and is VERY fond of the old "stop and drop" or running into traffic and it's a pain in the butt carrying her from the far end of the parking lot!

So, we park in the handicapped spot and these old ladies who were in McD's sitting by the window kept looking out at us, pointing and shaking their heads. I'm assuming they thought that the parking tag is just for the driver or something. Or since Kayla doesn't use a wheelchair they didn't think it was for her. It really ticked me off.

 

[5dwarves]

Before you read this, first time trip and ultra-planner. I need to be with ASD DS and diabetic/heart condition/ECV using DGF. I have a couple of questions because will be getting GAC for DS this June.

1. How big is the GAC?
2. Where do you put it while touring? Do you put it on a lanyard? Do you put it in some kind of tag? I want it handy, but protected.
3. Will my dad need one if he is in ECV?

I thought that if I had it somehow "attached" to my son, then we would have it handy and would be in plain sight for CMs and for the "uninformed" guests that I am sure we will encounter during our trip. I just want to put a big sign on us that says, "We have issues. Be nice to us, we are not trying to cut in line!"

Thanks, beginning a rant....

I had the same concerns you had when we were preparing for my son's wish trip last year. I was very concerned about the other guests and their perception of what was going on with us. More often than not, we were taken to a whole different entry. We didn't have any issues with other people. My son has high functioning autism and I chose to wear the GAC in a lanyard with a plastic pouch. I wasn't sure if it would get lost or destroyed if he was wearing it.

If your dad is the one with heart issues and diabetes, I would definitely have him get his own GAC. Especially if there is a chance you will be seperated and go on different attractions.

~Elisa

 

[mechurchlady]

you are a very wise lady

tracy

aw shucks and thank you

 

[5dwarves]

Oh yeah, one more thing P&B's mom....make sure when you are at Guest Services getting your GAC to tell them it is your first time trip so that your kids will get the 1st visit button....free and cool at the same time! What's not to love.

~Elisa

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I just zip it into a zip loc bag and put it in my back pack....and off we go!

 

[P&B's Mom]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I already have a lanyard for him (The Incredibles are his fav!) and as long as it will fit in a regular clear/plastic lanyard id holder, it should be fine.

I will also make sure that my dad gets his own card. I had read so many places that if someone is an ECV, you don't need one. I think it is a good precaution.

 

[lucigo]

I kept ours in a fanny pack, but it did get a little worn, so the protective cover would be a great idea!

 

[mechurchlady]

GACs can be replaced at Guest Relations. I have learned the hard way to make sure nothing of value is in exterior spots of my purse and to make sure any documents, coupons, etc are in a waterproof area. I usually shove mine in the outside coin zipper on my purse or in my pocket. For water rides I used to keep it in my purse.

I have lots of wet purse memories including the trip to Universal Studios for an Alison Krause concert. I accidently dumped a cup of ice water into my purse. At least the tickets were not in the purse. lol.

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I love all the ideas on here! For our part, we got frustrated with trying to carry medical id cards, and GAC, and room key cards so we finally found a clear plastic sealable pouch in animal kingdom that attached to a lanyard and thats where I put my medical information. I had my medic alert on one side and the GAC on the other, though I did have to fold it some to make it fit. But it was convenient that way and if I had any trouble my medical id would be accessible also. I am going to try to find one that is a little bit bigger for this year so I don't have to squeeze anything in!

Since I am on certain medication the rheumatologist insisted I make sure that anyone attending me could identify what I was taking quickly. So if that is something you are concerned about also, you might try the clear pouch for ease of use. When I used a fanny pack the GAC got squashed like another poster has said, and if you have to dig for it for every ride it can become a hassle, especially if you're trying to keep kids rounded up.

Good luck and I hope you find something that works well for you!

 

[5dwarves]

I love all the ideas on here! For our part, we got frustrated with trying to carry medical id cards, and GAC, and room key cards so we finally found a clear plastic sealable pouch in animal kingdom that attached to a lanyard and thats where I put my medical information. I had my medic alert on one side and the GAC on the other, though I did have to fold it some to make it fit. But it was convenient that way and if I had any trouble my medical id would be accessible also. I am going to try to find one that is a little bit bigger for this year so I don't have to squeeze anything in!

Since I am on certain medication the rheumatologist insisted I make sure that anyone attending me could identify what I was taking quickly. So if that is something you are concerned about also, you might try the clear pouch for ease of use. When I used a fanny pack the GAC got squashed like another poster has said, and if you have to dig for it for every ride it can become a hassle, especially if you're trying to keep kids rounded up.

Good luck and I hope you find something that works well for you!

The other thing I would put in the plastic pouch were our photo pass cards.
Everything was right where I needed it. The pouch we were given by GKTW (Give Kids the World, an offsite resort for children who are in Orlando for a wish trip) was big enough to fit the GAC from Disney and the GAC from Universal. I think it may be something from Avery (the label people). They may have gotten them from an office supply store. Anyway, everything fit perfectly without any special folding.