Originally Posted By MinnieSummer Actually a wheelchair makes the comments and looks worse. Since she looks normal, people think we are using it to get to the head of the line. We've tried heeleys which work quite well -- she just flips up her feet and we pull her around but CM's have told us they are not aloud. Oh well, we'll continue with the stroller until she just doesn't fit (the ones at the Studios are already too small) and hope she will go into remission again.
Originally Posted By bloona I saw someone taking, what I presume you would call a wagon into MGM, and the CM told her they werent allowed in any park other than Epcot, that was in April, I dont know if the rule has changed.
Originally Posted By kennect You know I am very sorry your daughter has this problem but I just don't get rationalization here....You prefer a stroller over a wheelchair just because she looks normal? What is she going to look like when she is twelve and you are still using that stroller? I am not trying to sound mean but I realize that any device used will get comments out of some people...Why do you care what others say? I just seem to think that a stroller would create more trauma for an older child than a wheelchair would regardless of what the public thinks or says.....
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys ^^ Realize that unless you have walked in another persons shoes it is sometimes hard to understand their actions or decisions.
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer kennect, I hope they weren't smelly shoes. As to the comments, we are trying to take as much of the humiliation away from her as we can. She wants to be normal, and we try to let her do as much as she can without being in pain but we have to set limits. You would be surprised how rude people can be and how upsetting theier comments can be to a child who is already frustrated by her situation. It would be nice if she could ignore the comments, I can, but my daughter isn't oblivious and some of the remarks hurt. Although, the comment she made to a particularly rude person made my day. A lady, waiting in line for iasw, told me we couldn't take the stroller in line. I explained we were using it as a wheelchair and had a pass to do so. She looked at my daughter, actually got down to her level, and said "You look like a healthy little girl, are you sure you're not just being a little bit of a lazy, pampered princess?" I was ready to hit her but my daughter just looked at her and said "Not that it's any of your business but I am a Princess and you are bothering me." in the most Princesslike manner. I almost died laughing. It was priceless and I was so proud of her but the next day she refused to ride in the stroller and suffered a swollen knee for the next two days.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I hear you Minnie - I broke my leg in 42 places and my arm when I was 8. Even looking poorly, I got funny looks and jibes for not using crutches (not going to happen, I have cerebal palsy and actually broke my arm when trying to us crutches (lol). Everyone has to make their choices, but personally, I preferred the wheelchair to the stroller my parents tried. But I found it to be a real opening experience. What I would say is to not worry about others - they only point out the differences because the are different, and they are jealous that nobody notices them. MinnieSummer - I support whatever choice your family makes. I have a severly disabled mom - Cardio Myapathy and Emphazema. On a good day, it looks like nothing is wrong. Talk about having to put up with lashing tounges. Well as a result, my mom doesn't go to theme parks anymore at all as she hates the jibes she gets when in a wheelchair. I miss going out with her. Please don't deny yourselves the pleasure of enjoying Disney because of the other jerks in the world. God knows the earth is populated with them. But without them, we could not enjoy the good spirits of this Earth and it sounds like your little princess is one.
Originally Posted By brotherdave MinnieSummer, my heart goes out to you and your daughter and your family. I contracted RA when I was 25, and have been suffering in pain from it for 20 years now. I'm facing a total hip replacement within the next few years (still working up the courage to go through with it, as well as trying to save the money for not only the operation, even with health insurance, as well as for the time needed to take off from work for the lengthy recovery). I need to walk with a cane, and may seriously consider renting an ECV on my next WDW visit as the stress on my hip this last June of 9 days in theme parks (Universal, Cypress Gardens, and Busch Gardens were part of itinery as well as 5 days at the 4 WDW parks) was nearly unbearable for me. Our next trip will most likely focus strictly on Disney (and possibly Sea World which we had to cut due to time), so maybe I won't suffer as bad as this past trip. I've also noticed that it's been increasingly difficult getting in and out of ride vehicles, most notably Space Mountain due to my hip. (Does your daughter have a similar problem?) In fact, I couldn't even ride the Scorpion coaster at Busch Gardens due to the tight constraints and lowness of the seat. I just couldn't bend my hip enough to fit safely to ride! I have RA throughout my body (hands, fingers, feet, and shoulders are the most troublesome after my left hip) and notice more pain all the time that wasn't there before as I get older. Even with medication that has me in a 'moderate' state of remission with the disease, it's becoming more and more difficult for me to function. I just can't imagine a child as young as yours suffering the same fate. (I'm the father of an 8 year old boy and pray every day that he'll never contract this!) My prayers are with you and her that a cure may be found soon. I was in my 20's when it started and I'm now in my mid 40's, but at least I had a healthy childhood, which I am very thankful for. I truly hope that she does not suffer greatly from this terrible condition and that she can lead a relatively 'normal' lifestyle.
Originally Posted By brotherdave One last thing, except for the cane (which I only use for long distance walking), I, too, look 'normal'. When my RA isn't flairing up too greatly, I've actually gotten 'looks' for parking in the handicap zones, even though I have a legal placard allowing me to do so. I actually had an elderly gentlemen tell me once while leaving my car that the space I was using was only for "cripples" (his word) and the elderly, and how DARE I take a space away from them! (I guess he thought I was using a family member's placard). I simply replied "Sir, I am 'crippled'. I have RA." and continued on my way. Whether he believed me or not, I really couldn't care less! I also had a police officer stop me as I was getting out of my car at our grocery store while parking in a handicapped space. I actually had to produce the ID card issued by the state that I was indeed "Permanantly Disabled". Once he saw it, he thanked me and said that he had to ask and was sorry since I physically looked ok to him. (I guess he didn't notice my limp and cane!) He told me that he's encountered a number of healthy people utilizing a disabled family member's placard just to get a good parking spot!
Originally Posted By kennect Minnie, I find your comment very funny...The only stinky feet I know of are my own...But I do understand the concept of doing something that doesn't fit what the general public feels is the norm...You already know what my aggravation is here regarding this topic but you know best....I just want to hope that your daughter goes through the least amount of trauma from the public as possible....But then again we know what that means for the most part....The story you told above about the lady stooping down wasn't cute or clever...The woman was extremely nasty and I think your daughter let her off way too easy...Of course that was the polite thing to do which is correct...I would have said "screw off you old buzzard"...My next trip to WDW is coming up within the next few weeks...It will be the first time I have visited the resort with my socalled new health restrictions...It is going to be interesting to see how it plays out...Due to the warning signs it seems that I could easily die on any of the attractions that I have ridden many times in the past!!!
Originally Posted By Kimrue I haven't read all of these posts thoroughly but I'm sure if someone's child has a medical condition in which it is more helpful for her to be in a wagon, I'm sure they could make an exception. As for the op, my kids walk most of the day, but they are still (thankfully) young enough to sport a stroller when they need a lift. Kids that normally tucker out easily get a suprising adrenaline (sp?) kick of energy when in WDW, so you should be good. I find it funny that many find it odd enough to carry on about a 6 year old getting a lift in a wagon while mom pulls it along, yet it's fine for perfectly healthy yet overweight people to hitch a ride on those ridiculous scooters while chainsmoking. My kids are extraordinarily healthy and active, and while we are in WDW rules change, bedtimes are put on the backburner and the over indulgence is ridiculous. A quick run back to the hotel for baths and jammies then hop in the stroller for some post bedtime fireworks makes the vacation *special* for a child...if that makes my kids look lazy or me like a bad mom for keeping my kids out late, so be it. I don't like to speak for someone else but I'm sure the op was probably looking to do something like what I've stated above and not put her five kids in a wagon and pull them around the parks for 10 hours while they ring bells when they need a potty break while eating endless supplies of junk food...
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Strictly addressing the wagon aspect, this is my take. A wagon is pulled behind you. You cannot see exactly where it is or if someone is coming towards it, without looking, or any number of obvious safety hazards connected with it. Even your own precious cargo is at risk when you cannot see what is going on back there. That is why coolers on wheels and rolling backpacks are not allowed in the parks. It is because of the accidental damage that can be done by not having it directly in front of you where you can see exactly where it is headed. Even with that many, many shins are run into and people hurt. I can completely see why it wouldn't be allowed. Not a safe thing for anyone.
Originally Posted By KachinaBear I was actually surprised they don't allow wagons, because I've been to other amusement parks that not only allow them but rent them to guests. I guess Disney is different because of the crowds it gets -- I can imagine how difficult it would be to maneuver one through all those peopel at the end of the night, and imagine having to find parking for a bunch of wagons outside the rides.
Originally Posted By kennect Actually Kimrue, pajamas and fireworks sound like a fun way to end a day!