GAC abuse

[Syndrome]

When I lived in IL, the spa in our town had that crap pulled on it. It was located in an old house, as were most of the businesses in that district. The house was a bungalow so of course it had stairs at the front and back door. A troublemaker who didn't even want to actually use their services sued. They paid tall bucks to put in a ramp...really, really tall bucks since the house and lot were not set up to accommodate a ramp with the proper dimensions. Do you think they ever actually got any wheelchair using clients? Literally not one in the years they remained open (they closed down a couple years later after getting ripped off by a contractor, but that's another story).

[dhcalva]

For the last several years that my family and I have been going to Disney, we've had to put my father in a wheelchair as he just can't walk very much any more. It was so bad that he was using a walker to go from his bed to the bathroom. Forunately, now, he's only using a cane to get around the house and around hotel rooms. However, he can not walk around the resorts or parks any more.

That being said, I'm fat. Yes Fat. not husky, big boned, biscuitious, or tubby. Fat. Part of that is that I like to eat. Another part is that I have a desk job.

Last September I injured my knee. Bad enough that I missed several days work because I couldn't even walk from a car parked at the door in to my office. Even now I still walk with a severe limp.

December was the first time I've ever used an ECV (or wheelchair for that matter) anyplace.

When we went on vacation this year, the first day at WDW and in the MK, I managed to walk the entire park, though I was in enough pain by the end of the evening that I had to take a vicodin, neither Excedrine or Naproxin Sodium were doing the job.

The rest of the trip I used an ECV to get around the parks, though I did park it outside to go on rides. The only rides that I even took the ECV through the queue on were ones that had LONG queues, Killimanjaro Safari for example. The only attractions that I took the ECV into were 'shows', such as The Country Bears and Festival of the Lion King. The rides/attractions that I accessed through the handicap queue, we were taking my father on anyway.

I will probably be doing the same thing this year. Using the ECV to get around the park itself saves my knee for the attractions themselves and helping my father in and out of the restrooms. And lets face it, the ECVs are somewhat of a ride in and of themselves. I found riding around World Showcase on one quite enjoyable. :)

Is there any problem is using the ECV in this manner?

[DragonFox98]

Hey, guys! I must say, I originally started reading because I love hearing your SG stories, but this thread has really helped a lot.

xtinkerbell84x, I can totally relate to your friend: My DH is diagnosed with agoraphobia; he has a fear of crowds and being out amongst people. That being said, prior to this affecting him, we used to go to Disney all the time. It has been two years since we went and I am planning a trip for late Sept/early Oct. Now, we do have trip insurance, should he decide he just can't go. However, he wants his children (and wife) to have this vacation and is willing to hurt a bit in order for it to happen.

I was already planning to bring documentation with me in order to procure a GAC for him. I have letters from both his psychiatrist and therapist as to his conditions and limitations (for those in the know, his GAF is 50). We do not plan to bypass lines if there is a wait, we mainly want to have it so he can be seated near an exit in shows (such as Muppet 3D) or, when we go to meet the fairies, see if he can wait in the back (where the exit actually is), while I stay in line with the kids.

Goofynermost, your comments were a bit hurtful to someone who has watched her beloved struggle with this issue for over a year now. We don't know what happened; he had a massive panic attack one day that put him in the hospital (I thought he was having a heart attack) and now he rarely leaves home (only when accompanied by me) and has cotinually had smaller panic attacks throughout the year. If you do not live with a particular disability, please don't judge others. As I said, we're not looking to be in the front of all the lines, only to be able to be "apart" from others during shows. We believe he'll do okay in the queues because I will be there with him. And we even have a plan for when we are riding the thrill rides and he has to wait for us.

Also....I have lurked for a long time on the board and feel like I know you all. Can I just give a shout-out to Churchy and the marsupials??? (and can I ask for you guys when we visit?) :)

[BRWombat]

Hey, guys!... Also....I have lurked for a long time on the board and feel like I know you all. Can I just give a shout-out to Churchy and the marsupials??? (and can I ask for you guys when we visit?) :)

Well, Churchy is, shall we say, inactive on the board, and you can ask for me when you visit, but only when visiting the Dallas area... other than that, thanks for the shout out! And...

to from :wallaby: and !!! :D: :D: :D:

[joanna71985]

Is there any problem is using the ECV in this manner?

I don't think there is a problem. :)

[Syndrome]

{hugs} to you, Dragonfox. I am a professional therapist so I know what you mean and how quickly a condition like that can manifest itself. That reminds me of my former boss's brother-in-law. He was in the Army and had never had any issues...then one day they found him huddled in a fetal position in his bunk, and he has has problems ever since. It's scary how things can change in the blink of an eye, but I'm glad your DH is getting help and getting out and about.

Is he gettings meds from the psychiastrist? Xanax can be very helpful and the good thing is, it can be used situationally vs. having to be taken every day (although some people do that too). I have a fear of flying that was triggered by a specific incident. I know I could try to handle it cognitively, but a mega-dose of Xanax is so much easier and makes flying so much for pleasant for me and all those around me.

[crash]

As a new Cast Member in the Monorails I get to see a lot of people who like myself hide their disability. I was in the USAF for 5 years almost 6 when I was injured in Afghanistan. I have both my License plate and VA service connected disability ID card. However I do my best not to use it. I prefer not to park in Handicap parking because I know that there are people out there who are more deserving of it than myself. I have an 80% rating from the VA and have my placard for my truck. When ever I go to the park as a guest at WDW I do not get the GAC card because I have a problem with people seeing someone who appears normal using one. I know that many families take advantage of them because they have learned how to cheat the system and take advantage of what people really need. One my latest trip to the park I met up with a few of my friends who are disabled. I went and had one of my friends get one since she lost both of her legs while deployed. She tries her best to walk as much as possible but there are times where she cant. while we were in line for the briar patch log ride (after 3 hrs in the park) she needed to sit since her legs were hurting. We entered through the wheel chair line, when we reached the ride a SG that had waited a while in line yelled at the CM for allowing us to board before him. Seeing the cast member with the red earning my ears badge on I walked through the line held up my VA ID card and yelled at the top of my voice you see this card this means I fought in Afghanistan and was injured so that you could stand here and whine when we come back after each and everyone of us fought and lost something or someone over there. At which point each member of our group of 6 got up and took off the prosthstetic's that they were wearing. My friend took off both of her legs and held them up.( I dont have one I am just missing a few key parts from inside my body) I then went on to explain to him that some people try to hide the disability because of people like you. I then went back to the log got in and went on the ride. after returning to the load/unload and walking out we started to go to another ride when the man ran up to us and said he was sorry. I know that this doesn't happen often but I know that most people find out that the only reason people enter in those points is because we actually have a disability. I know that the ADA does allow companies to ask about a disability and to ask for documentation as long as it is phrased correctly. I think Disney could do it as long as they do it the same way Six Flags does it. The phrase they use is "May I see a form or other documentation so that I can make sure we help you get the most out of your stay with us today. This will also allow us to ensure your safety on all of our rides and in the park." As soon as I find the Actual ADA guidelines on asking guests this question I will post them here and a link so that someone might be able to approach management with it. This way we can stop any and all abuse of the system. Sorry for the long rant but it angers me when people with out a disability abuse the system set-up to help those that actualy need it.

[felinefan]

Good comeback! You sure showed him! Since he came back and apologized, I guess that doesn't make him a stupid guest, just a poorly informed one. Real SGs would've come up with a stupid comeback.

To you and your buddies--thank you for serving!

[Whazzup]

for your sacrifices.

[joanna71985]

Crash, thank you so much for serving in the USAF.