tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post7341740029794520508..comments2024-03-17T12:02:12.410-04:00Comments on Love That Max : Let's talk about kids with special needs and special Disney treatmentEllen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-65046197849476566142018-03-25T17:17:02.494-04:002018-03-25T17:17:02.494-04:00Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog wit...Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?<br />There's a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.<br />Please let me know. Many thanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-13744151300262096222013-11-06T22:43:37.159-05:002013-11-06T22:43:37.159-05:00Ellen, we take our 8 yr old back to the hotel by 1...Ellen, we take our 8 yr old back to the hotel by 1:30/2:00 everyday we are there too. Tamara Jacobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02963289378933345264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-58295093097896372722013-11-06T22:40:13.900-05:002013-11-06T22:40:13.900-05:00We pay more than anyone could ever imagine. I get ...We pay more than anyone could ever imagine. I get no Gov. assistance for my child and insurance doesn't cover behavioral therapy, operations like stem-cells hyperbarack oxygen ect. my daughter has 5/10 operations under anathema a year, and needs to be cared for the rest of her life. I think asking to pay extra for a Disney pass is beyond disgraceful, besides illegal.<br />Think about the burdens special needs families have to pay for beyond typically developing children's families Tamara Jacobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02963289378933345264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-13304408642816128702013-11-06T22:27:35.739-05:002013-11-06T22:27:35.739-05:00There is also so much more to the Disney experienc...There is also so much more to the Disney experience for children with CP Apraxia Cortical Visual Impairment and Autism Like my Daughter has. At Disney the characters come up to my daughter and she can feel them and hug them and see them. She can sit in the front of a show and see and hear and when its overload they are kind to let us leave in the middle. They puree her food at all hotel restaurants and some sites in the park. THey allow her therapy dog. They have gentle up and down rides they she can do over again. They let her ride with her typically Developing sisters together. Why would we bring our kids here? WHy wouldn't we?Tamara Jacobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02963289378933345264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-11124524243512679412013-09-30T18:59:40.431-04:002013-09-30T18:59:40.431-04:00Ellen, I appreciate the way you laid out the issue...Ellen, I appreciate the way you laid out the issue, and it did open my eyes more as to why you would bring children to Disney even though everything there is a potential spark that might set them off.<br /><br />However, I still don't agree that front of the line access, as was often granted under GAC is the right way to go. Yes, you paid your money, and you want (and deserve) to have a magical time with your children. But I paid my money as well, and standing in line for an hour,while dozens of people go to the front of the line and then ride the same ride over and over and over with no wait does impact my family in a negative way. There needs to be a balance, and I think Disney is doing their best to find that balance with the new system.<br /><br />I will also disagree with you on Shannon des Roches Rosa. I've followed her blog for some time, and while she does have much to offer, when something doesn't go her way, she comes off as a very bitter, angry person. She's also quite hypocritical. She DID brag about the way that Leo toured Disney. The experience she described most certainly wasn't simply accommodations, it was privileged treatment.BeeGeeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03235414328563373264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-77157581726977997792013-09-26T21:24:49.545-04:002013-09-26T21:24:49.545-04:00I am disgusted by the last 2 comments on the previ...I am disgusted by the last 2 comments on the previous post about Disney. These are innocent children who didn't ask to be born with special needs, and parents who are just doing their bes. It's disgusting that there are people in this world who would say such things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-38915438714484747972013-09-26T15:21:49.052-04:002013-09-26T15:21:49.052-04:00My son has a disability...all the trips to Disney ...My son has a disability...all the trips to Disney in the past we "made do" which meant that some things we didn't do...waiting under the tree of life is so anxiety provoking for him even tho he really wants to see the show! And last time we ALMOST made it! But by the time our turn came to enter the theater, he was in full panic attack so we ended up walking right out the exit door on the other side after we got him off the floor. I was hoping that this time we could wait by an exit and when the rest of the family got into the theater we could just join them...we would still be waiting, but in a different area. Now I am not so sure. And this is just one example. This time I had planned on getting the GAC which I avoided in the past trying to help him be as normal as possible. Now that it has changed, we will still try it, but I am not sure how much it will help. His headphones help, but being shoulder to shoulder in waiting areas on his feet for long periods is a challenge. Being a parent is not easy, being the parent of a child with special needs is even harder! Every time someone is kind makes a very special impression on us.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00409397350299554588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-81332555521859639932013-09-26T14:37:56.514-04:002013-09-26T14:37:56.514-04:00It's almost as interesting to read the comment...It's almost as interesting to read the comments as it was to read the blog! Here are some of the things I thought about while reading:<br />Some people will never see the world from anyone else's perspective but their own; they don't even really try. I don't have special needs; I don't have a child with special needs. I did, however, spend a weekend as a tourist in DC in a wheelchair. I was amazed at how rude people are - I was pushed out of the way, I had people look at me and then pretend I wasn't there to crowd ahead of me in long lines just because they could. And there wasn't anything I could do about it. I'm sure they were all thinking, "Why should she get special treatment?" So in return, I waited longer than others. Many sights I couldn't see because people would pry their way in front of me at a window in a museum (of tolerance, I might add!) or other such display... In 3 days, one person offered to let me go ahead of her, and then she smiled, and offered to push me there because so many others were crowding ahead. ONE person. I wasn't looking for help, or extra consideration. ANY consideration would have been nice. So I think some people will always be angry at another person who appears to get more, they will always think only of themselves. To all of you, I hope that someday someone gives you something for free, and instead of feeling it was so well-deserved, or hard-earned, I truly hope you can just appreciate it for what it is - human kindness - and then, perhaps you will return the favor.<br />And back to the important part of the post - ALL parents experiencing a great park? It's a nightmare for all of us. We come out exhausted, hands and clothes pretty filthy, no matter how many coats of soap or sanitizer, wallets pretty empty, minds full of the attractions we missed because we our child fell asleep 3 people before we got to the head of the line or because we really needed to find an emergency peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And despite it all, we loved it! Our kids laughed harder than ever at the Toy Story ride, or hid from the princess they've been wanting to meet for years -- we witnessed unadulterated JOY on the faces of the children we'd give our lives for. Shouldn't every parent and child have the opportunity to torture ourselves into happiness? I mean really - doesn't everyone get way more than we should ever expect at Disneyland? That's the whole point of the park! And if you're upset that another kid gets more than yours - go about it the real American way - buy it, or lie until someone gives it to your kid too - that'll make you feel all better!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-87697705705316583862013-09-26T01:22:02.233-04:002013-09-26T01:22:02.233-04:00To all the people who think it is a dumb idea to t...To all the people who think it is a dumb idea to take a kid with sensory issues to Disney World... so if you had a child with autism, and he saw the commercials about Disney Land and he really, really wanted to go, would you tell him, "No, because you're different from other kids, and Disney Land is not for kids like you?" I think any "special treatment" people with special needs get at Disney and other places is not because parents think they just deserve a break more than other people, but because parents need a way to give their kids the same experience that other kids have, while trying to work around any obstacles presented by the child's special needs. <br />If anyone has a problem with that... maybe YOU are the one who should stay home from Disney!Angel The Alienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16158672957404194956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-7648781830919173622013-09-25T22:23:07.693-04:002013-09-25T22:23:07.693-04:00Happens to the best of us. :)Happens to the best of us. :)Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-55340261666308266362013-09-25T22:22:26.800-04:002013-09-25T22:22:26.800-04:00I don't know where you read that, but I don...I don't know where you read that, but I don't know many parents of kids with special needs who would ever gloat about accommodations. In any case, you might want to read more about kids with sensory issues and autism and their reactions, if you care to educate yourself. Their sensitivity to noise and crowds and their reactions are far more extreme than those of a typically-developing child's. I am, however, stumped by your line "I understand people wanting to take their children with disabilities places." WTF? Why WOULDN'T WE? Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-2876649740490910722013-09-25T22:17:27.877-04:002013-09-25T22:17:27.877-04:00Because, Sandee, that child with autism may very m...Because, Sandee, that child with autism may very much WANT to go to Disney, for reasons I mentioned above. And his parents might be willing to give it a try, especially because they know there are accommodations for that child. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-83264305562844092922013-09-25T22:14:27.279-04:002013-09-25T22:14:27.279-04:00Rebecca: I had never read that analogy and I love ...Rebecca: I had never read that analogy and I love it, thank you for sharing. And, y-e-s, it's about leveling the playing field. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-41854808481214018462013-09-25T22:12:55.496-04:002013-09-25T22:12:55.496-04:00"People wanted to run to Target and get one&q..."People wanted to run to Target and get one": [snort]. I hear you on conserving energy, Max expends so much every single day. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-89430125452544735982013-09-25T22:10:24.806-04:002013-09-25T22:10:24.806-04:00Thank you. Please know that, speaking for myself h...Thank you. Please know that, speaking for myself here and I'm sure many other parents of kids with special needs, I have never once felt that Disney or any other place "owed" me an accommodation because I otherwise have it so rough. (Which I don't so much, because Max is an awesome kid.) I just think accessibility should be a given in our society. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-53428309296202551402013-09-25T22:07:46.707-04:002013-09-25T22:07:46.707-04:00If you regularly read her blog, you'd know tha...If you regularly read her blog, you'd know that Shannon's not a bragger, and certainly not about THIS. She was sharing her experiences. And you know, given that the above family was already granted access to go through the FastPass line, it sure doesn't seem outrageous to me if they asked not to have her lift her up and put her back again only to return to FastPass. I realize I'm not objective. But even if I didn't have a kid with disabilities, I know I would still think this is the humane thing to do. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-56927755573340779892013-09-25T22:02:15.776-04:002013-09-25T22:02:15.776-04:00If you say "accommodations are fine" but...If you say "accommodations are fine" but in the same breath you say it is not OK if a child who can't wait on lines gets to go directly into a ride, then you clearly don't actually think accommodations are fine. Should the new system entail lines, it will be a challenge for many families, ditto for the transitions involved. Also, If you read through comments on this blog and others where people have written on this, you'll see parents noting that their children with special needs actually do not get to go on double the rides. A lot of our kids have less stamina then other children, and we end up leaving the parks far earlier than other families. Last time we were at WDW, either me or my husband had to take Max back to the hotel room at around 3 or so, he was done for the day. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-509889607705695902013-09-25T21:53:03.829-04:002013-09-25T21:53:03.829-04:00Right... It's an interesting thought, Matt, bu...Right... It's an interesting thought, Matt, but even if it were legal I think it would be wrong to make parents of kids with disabilities or people with disabilities pay for accommodations. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-53229581354496027142013-09-25T21:50:36.101-04:002013-09-25T21:50:36.101-04:00This may sound harsh, but if the parents of typica...This may sound harsh, but if the parents of typical kids who are complaining about accommodations could spend one week parenting a child with special needs then they would change their views. My child has CF and sometimes needs accomadations to do things other kids do. I wish he didn't! But why make life even harder and watch him miss out because ignorant people have no clue what it's like to have his medical needs. And yes, I know how typical children have trouble waiting, with crowds, etc. but please, give our kids a break!Ginger LAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16095312036345100898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-77973031755799829922013-09-25T21:06:48.883-04:002013-09-25T21:06:48.883-04:00My youngest son (in a wheelchair) had the best Dis...My youngest son (in a wheelchair) had the best Disney experience in 2009 using his GAC. We are a family of 5 and were treated so well. I hope it still remains a good system even in this new incarnation. The sad part is, celebrities can still get the VIP treatment when they arrive, just because they are celebrities. Sad. Deirdre Largenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-89944326064872636462013-09-25T20:53:20.830-04:002013-09-25T20:53:20.830-04:00We are very disappointed with this change... espec...We are very disappointed with this change... especially since we are planning to take our Autistic daughter to Disney in October when the change takes place. She, like most kids, LOVES Disney ("my favorite place in the world!"). I agree that the current program needed some adjustments, but the new program is definitely going to cause problems for our daughter. I would much rather prefer a system where you could slide a pass to go on a ride ONCE (without much of a wait), but then not be able to go on that same ride AGAIN for a specific amount of time (for example, one hour). That may prevent both anxiety/meltdowns from our special needs children AND "multiple ride" abuse. Just a thought... Hoping (and praying) that we still have a "magical" experience at Disney this time around without the pass... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-10726220317034352062013-09-25T20:36:11.194-04:002013-09-25T20:36:11.194-04:00Shame on all the people who are whining because th...Shame on all the people who are whining because their neurotypical child doesn't get to skip line too. I have two disabled children, Aspergers and CP. I would love to not have to "skip line" at theme parks. I'd be thrilled if my children didn't have the struggles that they have to endure, every single day of their lives. Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00075033775780048055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-44453886180621790132013-09-25T20:28:03.043-04:002013-09-25T20:28:03.043-04:00Great point! I have two children with disabilities...Great point! I have two children with disabilities, one has CP and sensory issues, with his leg braces and special stroller his disability is very visible. My seven year old with Aspergers, not so much!! I'd much rather get dirty looks for using the card, then those "control your child" looks when he has a meltdown in a crowded place. Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00075033775780048055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-63204282299142289382013-09-25T20:00:02.514-04:002013-09-25T20:00:02.514-04:00Good to know because the band I'm in has a Dis...Good to know because the band I'm in has a Disneyland band trip. I'm autistic, but I am fine with lines. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10616282351291824392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-58280628420496114742013-09-25T18:11:02.610-04:002013-09-25T18:11:02.610-04:00You were upset that your daughter wanted to go on ...You were upset that your daughter wanted to go on the ride a second time and the staff *gasp* made her get off (just like everybody else) instead of letting her stay on, seriously?? Really?? To you, that was a reasonable accommodation-type request, rather than a demand for preferential treatment?<br /><br />(That's not unlike Shannon of Squidalicious who merrily bragged her boy with autism went on Star Tours 5x in a row, then Nemo 4x in a row and a ton of other rides without having to spend a single second waiting in line. Because his life is so very difficult that getting treated like a rock star at Mouse House is his due).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com