Fake MAW buttons?

[Sarah Magdalene]

In the break room we were talking all about the SG we have encountered over various work periods at WDW. One guy said that one mother went up to him, almost angrily and said, "I want one of those buttons!" When a MAW family got slipped in into the turn just before her's. He quietly said, "No, ma;am - you don't!" She insisted again,"How do we get one? How much do we have tp pay?!"
Him: "Ma'am, honest - you really don't want that button."
SG: "I do so!"
Him: (even quieter) "Your little girl there, she has to be dying. Then you will get one. If you have anything more to say, then take this to guest relations."


MAW are some of the most grateful families that we would EVER come in contact with. We friends of characters adore them and give them and their children just a little more lovin. I know that everyone is VIP at Disney but I kinda wanna make things extra nice for them. We had this fantastic family that visited Donald, Goofy, and Pluto in Toontown. They had three adorable little kids, the l boy being the wish kid. We all spent a good 10-15 minutes alone with the family, just running around the room and playing with the children. While one character was with the boy (on crutches) the other two would be up and about, dancing or playing a game with his sisters. Their parents were smiling and laughing heartily, videotaping and taking pictures.

These people were truly deserving of the extra time we happily gave to them. They thank us over and over again before leaving. I have my doubts that a "fake" MAW family would feel the same way.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Which part of "Thou shalt not steal" do you suppose is ambiguous to them? Maybe the "Thou" part?

Well, I have seen a LOT of criminals hide behind religion, and it is funny that they all seem to be innocent in their own eyes, it always seems to be someone elses fault!!! One of the axioms I have learned is that self-justification is one of the more powerful forces you can encounter! Its very sad to see, even worse when you realize that children taught something at a young age will believe it all the more!

[EeyoresButterfly]

The GKTW families are not allowed to keep their buttons because some were selling them to the people on I Drive who also sell the bad tickets. When I was an angel over there (volunteer) they reminded us that these families come from all walks of life, and your child being sick does not automatically make you a good person. It's sad that all of the families have to return their buttons just because some people would sell them. I bet some would like to keep them as a memento.

As to the people who buy them, I won't question them or anything. If they're that desperate to get on the ride without waiting, let them. Whether you call it karma or God, they'll get theirs in the end eventually.

[joanna71985]

I can't believe that people would be so sick, would stoop so low to do something like this. This ruins things for people who really need it. :mad:

[Big Wallaby]

Actually, the ones who have it legitimately also have a GAC with a special stamp that can only be obtained at GKTW Village. If you have any questions or doubts, ask to see that (although when I am working FP Return, they show it before I can size up the group and see the buttons. If they don't have that card (or a really goo excuse as to why they don't) then I would be suspicious.

Oh, and with Make A Wish, you don't necessarily have to be dying per se, as I know of one very special little girl, Havalah (a Google search brings up her page first thing) went due to the fact she had had a liver transplant due to Biliary Atresia... an awful disease. I didn't get to meet her while she and her family were here, though I tried.

Still, if you see a child with MaW or GKTW buttons, you are safe in assuming that even if they are going to go on to live a nice long life (as I hope Havalah does), you still don't want to experience what they had to.

Just went to Havalah's website, and while her mother hasn't updated recently, I hope she is continuing to do as well as she was when she came to Disney World.

[Randy B]

The GKTW families are not allowed to keep their buttons because some were selling them to the people on I Drive who also sell the bad tickets. When I was an angel over there (volunteer) they reminded us that these families come from all walks of life, and your child being sick does not automatically make you a good person. It's sad that all of the families have to return their buttons just because some people would sell them. I bet some would like to keep them as a memento.

Just as an idea I would concider creating a "comemorative button" (maybe with a family group photo on it and/or attached to a frameable certificate) that would be traded for the "admission button". This way the button is likely to be returned and they get a keepsake in return. And the keepsake could be framed and hung on a wall at home to help comfort after the imminent seperation happens. All it would take is a color printer and a hand operated badge maker (oh, and a cheap digital camera or a photopass image).

Randy

[Christine43]

Actually, the ones who have it legitimately also have a GAC with a special stamp that can only be obtained at GKTW Village. If you have any questions or doubts, ask to see that (although when I am working FP Return, they show it before I can size up the group and see the buttons. If they don't have that card (or a really goo excuse as to why they don't) then I would be suspicious.

Oh, and with Make A Wish, you don't necessarily have to be dying per se, as I know of one very special little girl, Havalah (a Google search brings up her page first thing) went due to the fact she had had a liver transplant due to Biliary Atresia... an awful disease. I didn't get to meet her while she and her family were here, though I tried.

Still, if you see a child with MaW or GKTW buttons, you are safe in assuming that even if they are going to go on to live a nice long life (as I hope Havalah does), you still don't want to experience what they had to.

Just went to Havalah's website, and while her mother hasn't updated recently, I hope she is continuing to do as well as she was when she came to Disney World.

Hi BW, went to Havalah's website, lovely little girl. I did know that children didn't necessarily have to be dying in order to qualify for MAW but you're right, you wouldn't want their illnesses. I was recently accepted into a nursing school, I start in 2009, and I'd like to work with seriously ill children. When people ask me why because it would be so sad, I say I guess it's because I can so I should. These are extraordinary kids and I think although it will be sad, and probably often, it will often be extremely fulfilling for both of us. I'm getting one of those wristbands and I am a donor.
It's horribly sad and twisted to think someone would have their child pretend to have an illness that's caused such legitimate grief to some children.

[drcorey]

Are you mad enoght to GAC a MAW?

[joanna71985]

Are you mad enoght to GAC a MAW?

What?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

What?

Kind of wondering myself.