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There are other changes as well.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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I tried reading the sticky but found it confusing for my particular situation. I'm not sure if I need to get one or not and thought my fellow passporters with experience in this area would be able to help me.
As you know from my previous posts, I have stress fractures in my legs, 3 in total. It happened at the start of October but I didn't actually get the diagnosis until the end of October. I have one in my right leg which isn't too bad and I can put weight on it without issue. I have 2 stress fractures in my left shin bone. 1 in the upper third, which is further along in the healing process, and 1 in the lower third, which is the more painful of two and the one which is the worse fracture. It is for this reason that I have a walking cast on my left leg. I have had the cast since the end of October and I will have the cast until just after I return from my trip to WDW which takes place December 1 -9, 2009.
It is because of the cast that I have opted to rent an ECV for the entire length of my stay to assist me in getting around WDW. The cast not only adds about 5 - 10 additional pounds to the weight of my left leg but it stunts the way in which I walk which puts pressure on my knees and hips after an extended period of time. So the ECV will assist me by allowing me to get around WDW without the need to walk.
My question is will I need to get a Guest Assistance Card as well? I have needed one in the past as I have no issues that would require the use of one. Even though I am renting an ECV, I am more than able to transfer out of it into the ride vehicles, with assistance from my mother, who is travelling with me, when necessary, like if I have to step down into the ride, as I cannot bend my ankle when wearing the cast and my foot turnover is not very good. It is obvious that I am wearing a cast on my leg, especially if I am in shorts, but even if I am wearing long pants, as it doesn't look anything like running shoe. But then I know that people tend not to be very observant of things, as I've noticed in the few weeks of wearing the cast.
Would having a cast on my leg/foot warrant the use of a Guest Assistant Card?
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So when we hit MK on our first day there, I should go to City Hall (this is where I would get it right) and get the Guest Assistance Card? Would I need the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities as well or just the GAC?
Yes, go to City Hall when you arrive at MK. Let them know you need a GAC because you have mobility issues & will need to use the handicapped entrance on some rides..
I use my GAC on the rides where I have trouble in the ques on my ECV.
Like finding Nemo & Peter Pan & Toy Story Mania.. Those are just too tight & twisty for me
Yes, go to City Hall when you arrive at MK. Let them know you need a GAC because you have mobility issues & will need to use the handicapped entrance on some rides..
I use my GAC on the rides where I have trouble in the ques on my ECV.
Like finding Nemo & Peter Pan & Toy Story Mania.. Those are just too tight & twisty for me
In theory mobility aids such as canes, crutches, walkers, and chairs as well as obvious disabilities like casts, splints, and braces should allow a person use of the disabled entrances. Some CM may disagree so ask clearly why you are not allowed to use the designated disabled entrance.
Toy Story Mania in DCA is fully disabled accesible so you have to wait in line. They will tell you NO. Some people take that as NO you cannot enter even though it is accessible.
You will not need the GAC because you have an obvious disability as well as the ECV. If a CM gives you guff then ask for the lead. You would need a GAC if you were a waddler like me who uses the ECV only for transportation and can do the rides. I get one if I am with other people or if I am planning on stretching my limits. Sometimes I can show my ECV key or point to the ECV but for me I should get the GAC if I am planning to be away from the scooter.
GAC is only a piece of cardstock intended to let CMs know that a person has a disability that is hidden. It also makes people stand before a CM and affirm they have a disability thus reducing the number of fakers. It is to make things easier and more uniform.
__________________
Mom calls to check on me and reminded me to pay the gardener. I love her so much.
Disneyland was fun with flag retreat and pickles. I have a home here, thank you. GAC is NOT a "front of the line pass".
She is gone but keeping signature. Laundry is getting done. My purpose in life is to help poor people in FL. Farewell, will miss you.
Definitely get a GAC. You might want to have them note that you can transfer, but will need assistance, especially for those rides where the vehicle does not stop. (HM and Nemo come to mind.) If you feel like you want to walk around without the ECV for a bit, you might also want it noted on the card that you will need somewhere to sit while you wait so that you are not putting all wyour weight on your fractures during a long wait time.
Definitely get a GAC. You might want to have them note that you can transfer, but will need assistance, especially for those rides where the vehicle does not stop. (HM and Nemo come to mind.) If you feel like you want to walk around without the ECV for a bit, you might also want it noted on the card that you will need somewhere to sit while you wait so that you are not putting all wyour weight on your fractures during a long wait time.
There will definitely be times when I want to be without the ECV, like I'm thinking of leaving it at the hotel for the party but being up and about for long periods of time puts added pressure on my knees as walking in the cast throws my normal way of walking off. I spent a lot of time walking around in it this past Monday (a good 6 hours or so) and my knees were definitely feeling it afterwards.
My concern is if it is on the cooler side and I'm in jeans, people tend not to notice that I'm in a cast as the jeans pull right down over top of the cast. This is the type of cast that can be removed so that I can shower, it is not a plaster cast where you have to wear jeans that have been cut up to the knees. So if I have pants on, they are pulled right down over the top of the cast as I get dressed, then put the cast on and pull the pant leg down over top and people just think it's a pair of shoes I'm wearing and ignore the fact that I might actually need the bus lowered to get on/off or I might actually need to sit down on the bus/subway. So I'm concerned that CMs won't see the fact that I do in fact have a cast on my foot, seeing as it may not be fully visible beyond the part that is showing below the bottom of my pants.
So while having a cast on my leg/foot is a "visible" disability, this type of cast tends to be the "invisible" kind as it can go unnoticed depending on the type of clothing you have on and how observant people are around you.
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So while having a cast on my leg/foot is a "visible" disability, this type of cast tends to be the "invisible" kind as it can go unnoticed depending on the type of clothing you have on and how observant people are around you.
My DD has an invisible disability that no one ever notices. Even with me and other family, we don't notice it much until she gets really tired. She will have her wheelchair, which will make things more obvious. However, those times that she wants to go without the chair, she does need a place to sit to lessen the wear and tear on her legs and knees.
So if I have pants on, they are pulled right down over the top of the cast as I get dressed, then put the cast on and pull the pant leg down over top and people just think it's a pair of shoes I'm wearing and ignore the fact that I might actually need the bus lowered to get on/off or I might actually need to sit down on the bus/subway. So I'm concerned that CMs won't see the fact that I do in fact have a cast on my foot, seeing as it may not be fully visible beyond the part that is showing below the bottom of my pants.
So while having a cast on my leg/foot is a "visible" disability, this type of cast tends to be the "invisible" kind as it can go unnoticed depending on the type of clothing you have on and how observant people are around you.
I'm so sorry that ignorant people can be so insensitive. SO annoying! But I'm glad that there are answers to make it easier. With a GAC, you tell your story one time to guest relations, then ask guest relations to write, for example, that you can't step up with your knee, so you'll need the lift lowered. If that is the only way you can do it, having it written on the GAC should be all the explanation you need.
IF your doctor says it is OK (And I mean IF...ask first!) here is one suggestions to ask your doctor or therapist about. (Did I mention ask first?)
Let's call the knee that you can't bend the hurt one, and the one you can bend the OK one.There is a possibility that you might be able to step up with the OK leg, lift the hurt leg up to meet it without bending it, step up again with the OK leg, bring the hurt leg up to meet it again without bending it, and so-on.
Check it out, and remember that the steps on the bus can sometimes be more steep than standard steps. If you have any doubts, don't risk it!
Please try not to worry about what others will think.
I know it's hard to do, especially if you feel like you shouldn't be in a wheelchair/ECV and others may think you are "cheating the system." Just remember why you need one and concentrate on having a great vacation. You will probably never (I say probably because you never know!) see these people again!
If you are worried that the CMs wont be able to notice the cast, get the GAC card as everyone has mentioned. You could always proceed without it and have it ready if necessary.
Once you get to WDW & are totally involved in having fun you will not even think about or worry about what others may think & the same goes for them..
It's easy to have worries now, But trust me your worries will melt away with your first glimpse of this;
Well still not sure if I should get one or not. I can transfer onto and off of the ride vehicles so that's not an issue since my mom can help me if necessary but my biggest issue is getting up and down stairs. I can do it but not quickly, mainly because with the cast on, my ankle doesn't bend. I figure I'll head into City Hall the first day (MK is our first park) and talk to guest services and see what they say.
Well still not sure if I should get one or not. I can transfer onto and off of the ride vehicles so that's not an issue since my mom can help me if necessary but my biggest issue is getting up and down stairs. I can do it but not quickly, mainly because with the cast on, my ankle doesn't bend. I figure I'll head into City Hall the first day (MK is our first park) and talk to guest services and see what they say.
I think that is a great plan. The only thing you HAVE to do is tell us how it went when you get back!
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