Why do you get a GAC?

[Bete]

I don't want to get too personal here, but I would like to know what causes you to get one.

 

[Piper]

This is very like the other thread you started. Please don't post information that can help others abuse the GAC--I for one do not want it taken away because too many people abuse it!

 

[clanmcculloch]

We started getting a GAC because without it I'm not sure if my autistic daughter would last more than an hour in a park without a meltdown. In fact, some days even with it we've had to leave that early. With the GAC we can generally make it as long as 3 hours in a park. We spend a lot of time at our resort during our trips.

Of course now that I've discovered and fallen in love with TourGuide Mike, we really don't use our GAC nearly as much as we used to. A good touring plan is priceless.

 

[KPeveler]

This is not a terribly helpful question, as a diagnosis is not what helps you get a GAC. Also, we do not want the accommodation listed explicitly on this board.

For example, I could say I got a GAC because I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, but that does not tell you (or CMs) anything. EDS has many manifestations, and strangely, my reason for needing a GAC has nothing to do with the usual disease, but the unusual/rare neurological manifestations I have.

And I will not post what stamps I got, nor what they did for me. This would not only allow less honest people to abuse the system more easily, but also it varies so greatly from person to person that it would be misleading.

Notice to all posters:
I will see where this thread goes for the moment but there will be NO posting of stamps and NO posting of what that stamp did for you. If we start seeing that, this thread will be closed.

 

[Bete]

we have started to take yearly WDW trips with my mom, who is 89 years old and she has Alzheimer's. She's in a wheelchair when we are at the parks. She has bladder issues, too. This is just for starters and the list can go on.

Alzheimer's in my mom's instance can act very much like Autism. She has had a few meltdowns the last time we went in Dec. 2009.

If you go back to some of my posts you will see that I've asked questions to others about taking someone with Alzheimer's. I was very concerned my first time out and I wasn't even sure we should do it. Because of this discussion board we decided to try and we've been a couple of times now with her.

Now, I'm wondering if a GAC could help us further. I appreciate everyone's opinions here and this is why I'm asking, here.

I'm not pulling a scam, here. I think others can be equally helped with this discussion. For a few rotten apples, do we all have to suffer? I need guidance and this is what I'm trying to do, here.

 

[KPeveler]

I am in no way accusing you of trying to cheat the system - we all know you've been on the board a while and we know you.

I just wanted to post what the forum rules were, before anyone got into any issues. You may have noticed, Sue (and now I) go into posts where someone posts their stamp on the GAC or what it did for them and remove the specifics. This has been the policy, and I am not just picking on you in this thread.

I am honestly not sure if a GAC will help your situation, just because I do not know your mother. Your best bet is to come up with a short list of things which would make your touring the parks possible. For example, my grandmother with dementia dislikes people touching her. Speaking to a CM about the best way to avoid mobs in lines may be helpful. I cannot wait in a mob for different reasons, and I always ask the CMs at rides like Test Track and RnR if I can skip the preshow - I wait until then, so I am not skipping lines, but I do not get run over in the mob. Just to note, I do not need a GAC to do this.

I just wanted to post the rules early. I know it is annoying to be restricted because other people are not honest, but we are just trying to reduce abuse.

 

[clanmcculloch]

What you really need to do is think back to your past trips and think about what problems you encountered due to your mother's issues. Discuss this with Guest Relations so that the CM there can best determine what help, if any, is available. None of us can tell you what kinds of accomodations will best help you because we simply don't know your family's specific needs.

TGM really has help us quite a bit in ways that a GAC simply can't do, and in ways that I suspect could benefit you as well. Being in the least crowded of the parks and in the least crowded area of that park each day is HUGE because there is just so much stimulation around even without huge crowds that adding in a lot of people will only make it that much more stimulating and that much more overwhelming. There is nothing that a GAC can do for this. Such a stimulating place will likely be extremely overwhelming for your mother. Keeping her out of crowds will likely be extremely helpful. I'm partial to TGM for a touring plan service because it does a lot more than just write a touring plan. It teaches you how to tour so you can go with the flow easier when problems creep up. We've had to make adjustments on the fly and the knowledge I've gained from TGM has been invaluable. It's the best $20 we've spent on a Disney vacation (you can get a $3 discount if you go through the ad on the Theme Parks board; TGM is that board's sponsor).

 

[maroo]

Generally - and I think this applies to anyone - I would just go to Guest Services and explain your situation. I normally bring a list with me of all issues the person I have with me is dealing with - this helps me to not forget anything that may be important.

Then the CM will take care of your needs the best way that your specific needs can be addressed -

For some, they will recommend that the person get a wheelchair and give you a special map that will show you the entrances to use (which are usually the regular entrance through the regular line).

For some, they will provide a stroller as a wheelchair tag, which may help a child with issues or maybe the Mom that can't lift the child to carry them in line?

And for others, they will issue a card that will tell the CM at each attraction (without saying your specific disability or issue) what needs to happen so that your issue can be addressed.

I don't think it hurts to ask at Guest Services and they will be happy to help anyone. I think the needs are so vast and each case is handled differently at each attraction that it really doesn't do much good to discuss specifics anyway.

 

[dclfun]

Bete- what problems did you have during your past trips? I have to say, for most issues such as you're describing, there really is nothing that can be done to guarantee you the same experience as someone travelling without a disability. I know I can never have the same experience either due to my own limitations and I don't have expectations that WDW can make things any better for me, so I do what I can to give myself the best experience I can have. For me, it's not pushing on in pain and napping every afternoon. Having a good touring plan in place, as others have mentioned, may be your most helpful option. Does your Mom have "twilight" issues where she gets worse in the evening? Does she have trouble getting up and ready in the morning? Thinking of issues like that- does it make more sense to get to the parks early and leave early, or would she do better resting late or going back to take a break and then returning to the parks? Does she need small, frequent meals or snacks and hydration or does she do better with a longer, sit-down lunch out of the crowds and heat? Would it be helpful for her to rest in First Aid during the day? These are all things to consider. Again, looking back on prior trips, when did she start to have a meltdown and why? Was it crowds and overstimulation, confusion in unfamiliar surroundings, noise, being tired, thirsty, hungry, having physical discomfort, etc? Do you know cues from her that make you realize that she needs to leave the park, rest, have some liquids or get a bite to eat? You may need to really customize how you visit the parks with her and be prepared with a backup plan since Alzheimer's can be unpredictable. I hope you have a great trip this time around.---Kathy

 

[Bete]

some of which is behaviorial issues. As as others have stated it's unpredictable. What will get her off one day may not be a problem on another day. She can swear while we are in a ride line queue, for example. Maybe, someone was too close to her proximity; maybe, a kid bumped her wheelchair, etc. In this regard I'm more concerned about the kiddys in line waiting for the ride; so, I thought, maybe, an alternate ride route for a ride would be a splendid idea. She can have loud outbursts about certain situations, too. Crowded line queues may be triggering some of these episodes. She may not be feeling so good with so many people before her and so many people after her in a line queue. KIt's sort of being trapped like a rat. She'll enjoy the attraction; so, I don't want to give up on it.

Even with sunglasses she can still be eye sensitive if outside exposed to the sun too long. If there's cover inside it's not a problem. Again, I don't know if an alternate route might be available for such rides.

These are a few examples and as I analyze more about it I'll post again.

I do take standard precautions with her and 80% of the time we are okay. I'm just trying to see if I can make the 20% any better through the use of a GAC.

 

[ireland_nicole]

This may sound harsh, and that is not my intent, but in regards to Alzheimers and some other dementias one is looking at a progressive condition. There does come a point at which any potential joy or benefit for the affected individual is far outweighed by the trauma of removing them from their familiar environment. Only you, your mom, and her caregivers know when she is at that point; but once she is, I would have to compassionately recommend that you enjoy the memories of the trips you have been able to take together, and allow simpler pleasures to become the focus of the time that you have remaining.

 

[Faldred]

We have autistic boy/girl 3-year-old twins. We didn't get a GAC on our trip last year, primarily because we didn't know about them.

Next trip, however, we will likely try to get one for our son, so that if we do decide to risk any type of show/theater setting, we can hopefully be seated where we can easily get him away if he has an issue; frankly, I'm not even sure we'd get a GAC for this or if we'll ever need it, but we'll check anyway to be sure. Our daughter has no "accessibility" issues at all that I think a GAC could help with. (Just an example of how two people with the same diagnosis can have different needs!)

Both of them are fine (controllable enough at least) in lines and on rides; we avoid long lines anyway (through judicious use of fastpass) so we don't really worry about "long line" issues for them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

For the proximity issues - if there are several of you, you could 'buffer' her. Stand a couple of feet in front and back of her to greatly reduce the chance of someone accidentally bumping her, and be alert for active children.

Eye sensitivity? Truly, except attractions like Dumbo and Aladdin, and the similar ride in Animal Kingdom, most of the lines are indoors or shaded. In fact, in the one instance where I used the alternate entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean (which has steps, if I remember correctly), you wait OUTdoors - while the Guests in the mainstream queue are inside in the cool, dark theming. Will she wear a brimmed hat? There's a lot of traveling in the sun between attractions.

 

[SueM in MN]

And, depending on conditions, boarding and accommodations may be different each time you come to an attraction.
For example, Turtle Talk at the Seas, has a separate waiting area for guests with disabilities. On some trips when it is not busy, we are just told to wait to the side of the 'regular' waiting area and the CM takes us in just in front of the other guests.
On some trips, we have been directed to the separate waiting room and then are taken into the show area just before other guests. Sometimes, we are waiting in that room all by ourselves. On our last trip, there were many people waiting in there. I can't remember the count, but I think it was 28 people.

That is just one attraction, but your experience waiting can be different each time.

 

[Bete]

If you saw all the hundreds of pictures with smiles from end to end on her face, you would understand why we go. She never had the finances to take trips when we were younger; so, these trips are something she looks forward to doing.

Especially nice moments are when a character takes an extra moment to come by her and shake her hand, etc. She lights up for a while after those experiences.

There's more good that comes from these trips then bad for all concerned in our family of 3 and sometimes extended family. I've heard husbands and wives with so called perfect families at Disney not talking nice to each other and loudly; it happens. All I'm trying to do is help my mom enjoy the Disney experience better if I can and help others around me, as well. You can't avoid crowds at DIsney; all you can do is see if there's a better way to keep everything calm for all concerned. If a GAC won't help me then I will seek another road, if possible. I will definitely be talking to guest services and I will let them tell me or not what's available to help our circumstances.

I love the suggestion about one person being in front of my mom and then I'll be in back pushing the wheelchair for her. Somehow, we've always done it with my mom first; because, it seemed more natural with pushing the wheelchair to do it that way. I think this technique may help some. I would not have thought of it I don't think; so, once again, the boards have helped me. Thank-you.

Also, I don't want my mom to totally lose her social skills any more than necessary. Just staying home except for doctor appointments is like living in jail. I've been practicing calming effects with her at home; so, we can cope better on trips and at home.

I like to be pro active and it's why I seek out the info on these boards. This topic has more controversy than I realized.

Alzheimer's unfortunately is going to be affecting baby boomers in grooves. I'm part of that generation. I will tell you right now you will not keep us all at home or at a nursing home, etc. locked up as Alzheimer's starts progressing for this generation. There has to be answers out there for all of us to cope. When it hits you personally you will understand more of what I'm saying to you, now. I'm not saying towards the end that there isn't a need to stay put, but that's true of a lot of sicknesses, not just Alzheimer's. Sorry, for the preaching but a previous poster just got to me.

 

[ireland_nicole]

If you saw all the hundreds of pictures with smiles from end to end on her face, you would understand why we go. She never had the finances to take trips when we were younger; so, these trips are something she looks forward to doing.

Especially nice moments are when a character takes an extra moment to come by her and shake her hand, etc. She lights up for a while after those experiences.

There's more good that comes from these trips then bad for all concerned in our family of 3 and sometimes extended family. I've heard husbands and wives with so called perfect families at Disney not talking nice to each other and loudly; it happens. All I'm trying to do is help my mom enjoy the Disney experience better if I can and help others around me, as well. You can't avoid crowds at DIsney; all you can do is see if there's a better way to keep everything calm for all concerned. If a GAC won't help me then I will seek another road, if possible. I will definitely be talking to guest services and I will let them tell me or not what's available to help our circumstances.

I love the suggestion about one person being in front of my mom and then I'll be in back pushing the wheelchair for her. Somehow, we've always done it with my mom first; because, it seemed more natural with pushing the wheelchair to do it that way. I think this technique may help some. I would not have thought of it I don't think; so, once again, the boards have helped me. Thank-you.

Also, I don't want my mom to totally lose her social skills any more than necessary. Just staying home except for doctor appointments is like living in jail. I've been practicing calming effects with her at home; so, we can cope better on trips and at home.

I like to be pro active and it's why I seek out the info on these boards. This topic has more controversy than I realized.

Alzheimer's unfortunately is going to be affecting baby boomers in grooves. I'm part of that generation. I will tell you right now you will not keep us all at home or at a nursing home, etc. locked up as Alzheimer's starts progressing for this generation. There has to be answers out there for all of us to cope. When it hits you personally you will understand more of what I'm saying to you, now. I'm not saying towards the end that there isn't a need to stay put, but that's true of a lot of sicknesses, not just Alzheimer's. Sorry, for the preaching but a previous poster just got to me.

I know that I am the previous poster you are referring to. And trust me, you have absolutely NO idea how much I know, or to what extent my life has been affected. Especially on this board, try to understand that you are not the only one experiencing disability. I speak from experience, and I spoke from a place of compassion, which I made clear. I would love for there to be a cure for Alzheimers, I do the memory walk as part of a team (on the years I can actually walk). I cared for my grandfather until he died of Alzheimers. I care for my father with Parkinsons. I care for my children with multiple special needs. I am a home care/hospice nurse. So I see all stages of Dementia/Alzheimers every single day. I guess you could say I have been "hit personally."

I don't know you or your mother, but I do know that sometimes family's want to preserve experiences long after they actually benefit the individual. And no, I didn't tell you to lock yourself in your house; I merely said that there comes a point at which major road trips and massive changes in routine, while a family may want them, are not in the best benefit of a person with Alzheimers. As far as socialization is concerned, I would recommend you investigate out an adult day program in your community. I'm not saying you personally should or shouldn't go to Disney, but a trip isn't what is going to promote socialization, but rather ongoing therapy and opportunity on a regular basis. Caregiver support is also vital. I wish you and your family strength for this journey that no one should have to take. Know that there are resources and supports for you. And if you do get to enjoy Disney as a family, I wish you a wonderful trip.

 

[Bete]

I know that I am the previous poster you are referring to. And trust me, you have absolutely NO idea how much I know, or to what extent my life has been affected. Especially on this board, try to understand that you are not the only one experiencing disability. I speak from experience, and I spoke from a place of compassion, which I made clear. I would love for there to be a cure for Alzheimers, I do the memory walk as part of a team (on the years I can actually walk). I cared for my grandfather until he died of Alzheimers. I care for my father with Parkinsons. I care for my children with multiple special needs. I am a home care/hospice nurse. So I see all stages of Dementia/Alzheimers every single day. I guess you could say I have been "hit personally."

I don't know you or your mother, but I do know that sometimes family's want to preserve experiences long after they actually benefit the individual. And no, I didn't tell you to lock yourself in your house; I merely said that there comes a point at which major road trips and massive changes in routine, while a family may want them, are not in the best benefit of a person with Alzheimers. As far as socialization is concerned, I would recommend you investigate out an adult day program in your community. I'm not saying you personally should or shouldn't go to Disney, but a trip isn't what is going to promote socialization, but rather ongoing therapy and opportunity on a regular basis. Caregiver support is also vital. I wish you and your family strength for this journey that no one should have to take. Know that there are resources and supports for you. And if you do get to enjoy Disney as a family, I wish you a wonderful trip.

I'm not saying you are right and I'm not saying you are wrong. If your techniques work for you God bless. I, too, have other stories to share, but I want to stay on topic. I go to a hospital, Alzheimer's support group and the stand for many nursing homes, hospitals, etc. is that you need to do what's good for the masses; so, they need to handle situations in a different way, too. I know many people in this field and most of them feel like me when it comes down to their own relatives in these circumstances. What they need to do for work is not necessarily what they believe for their own family.

I'm very strongly determined to give my mother quality of life, not just quantity of life. I believe what I'm doing is right for us. I don't have to take my mother with me; I choose to take her with me on trips and such. Believe me, it's a lot more work for me to take her with on a trip then leave her home or at a day care facility. In my mom's case she has been a shy person and a quiet person all her life; so, dealing with strangers would not be a good answer for her. Also, I'm convinced she would be overlooked in the typical environments for her circumstances. There are other issues like incontinency that makes taking trips with her really tough, too. As long as she continues to want to go (she's asked about it) and has the mind to process most of it, we will keep taking family trips.

I think we will just have to agree to disagree, here.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I love the suggestion about one person being in front of my mom and then I'll be in back pushing the wheelchair for her. Somehow, we've always done it with my mom first; because, it seemed more natural with pushing the wheelchair to do it that way. I think this technique may help some. I would not have thought of it I don't think; so, once again, the boards have helped me. Thank-you.

Especially when the lines move slowly, or relatively so, if the person in front could walk backwards so they're facing your mom and you - instead of having their backside to her - that would probably make her happier as well.

Plus, it makes conversation easier.

 

[LGH1946]

What is a gac?

 

[KPeveler]

What is a gac?

A GAC is a Guest Assistance Card, which helps CMs know how to accommodate an invisible disability. For example, there is a type of GAC which allows a stroller to be used as a wheelchair, which allows a person to take a stroller into lines. This is often used for children too young or unable to use a "standard looking" wheelchair, or for a child who would not require a wheelchair in daily life.

The card does not allow people to skip, bypass, or shorten lines, and it even says that right on the card. But it does help with invisible problems and keeps a person from having to explain their needs over and over at every attraction.

To obtain a GAC, you go to Guest Relations in the park and explain your needs. Just naming a diagnosis will not help, as needs can vary widely within a single diagnosis.

You do not need a dr's note.

THere is more about the GACs in the FAQs at the top of the page.