Special Needs Forum Introductions About This Page:

[Sandra Bostwick]

Hello, and welcome!

This is a thread where new (and not-so-new) special-needs travel members can introduce themselves and share a little bit so we can get to know you.

Welcome Blakesgma!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I am Deb, Guide here "Special Needs" I live in Texas..
You can click my Bio to learn more..

[yalibrarian]

This is a great idea, so we can feel more comfortable with each other and find folks with similar concerns.

I'm Sandra, a youth services librarian in Virginia in my early 60's, with a diabetic husband, and an adult son with autism. Both my husband and myself have mobility issues, his being more severe than mine. We have been to WDW nearly 20 times, mostly staying on site, which we prefer both for the magic and the convenience. We'll be back at WDW again November 25!

[Starclassic]

Great thread!

Hi
I'm Karen, from Long Island, NY. I'm legally blind since birth with a condition called Achromatopsia. I also have a digestive disease called Ulcerative Colitis, which I was diagnosed with in November 2006.

I've been a huge fan of everything Disney my whole life. I've been to Disney World once so far. My first trip was in February 2012, 3 weeks after my 25th birthday. And I'm going back for my second trip in February 2013.

[CinderAbby]

Hi everyone I'm Darlene and I have food intolerances which were diagnosed only a few years ago. I'm mom to Abby - who's 12 and Autistic - and married to Lenny - who has health problems which include cardiac disease and arthritis in his back, knees and hips (which he's already has surgery for). I work for one of the school cafeteria's here where we live and absolutely love Disney. Right now we're hoping to get back next summer.

[mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince]

I have four children, including DS17, who has cerebral palsy. He is in a wheelchair, has a feeding tube, is non-verbal, and has asthma. One of the reasons I love going back to WDW so often is because of my son.

I have so many wonderful stories of the way CMs have treated my son like a VIP. We are going in June to celebrate my son's 18th birthday. We recently purchased DVC, so it will be our first trip home as a family! Can't wait.

[lauriep]

I'm Laurie and I'm retired-- which gives me more time to dream, plan and go on Disney trips! I have a degenerative muscle disease and use a mobility scooter. I started going to WDW as an adult, before my mobility issues kicked in, and fell in love with it immediately. If possible, I love it even more now because it's so easy to get around and there's nothing I can't do there. I'm a ride wimp so there are lots of things I WON'T do, but I could if I wanted to!

[TuffyCO]

I'm Stefani and I am a stay-at-home-mom, and soon to be homeschooling my two children. My DD12 has sensory integration dysfunction, AD/HD, anxiety, and PDD-NOS. My DS9 has high-functioning autism, sensory integration and an unspecified mood disorder.

We have been to WDW as a family 4 times, and DLR 2 times. We love Disney because it seems to be the one and only place we can go that we can really enjoy being a family. At home it is so hectic with routines, schoolwork and chores that it can feel overwhelming. In Disney, with proper planning, we are able to have fun, laugh and play a lot more. We have tried local amusement parks, but they are chaotic and it turns into a nightmare. Disney never feels to us like we are in a park, it feels like we are in a magical world.

[Her Dotness]

My name is Dot, hence the username.

I'm gluten and dairy intolerant so adore WDW for keeping me from yielding to temptation and eating things I shouldn't.

DH is walking disabled due to badly breaking both legs some years ago, so he needs a scooter at WDW. We only go about every five years to be able to afford to stay in the monorail deluxes as a result. We both hate how long it sometimes takes to load and secure a scooter on the buses. So much easier to roll up or down the monorail ramp with a scooter.

That's our issues which make WDW truly magical for the ease of accommodating our needs that we've experienced there.

[Pretty Kitty]

Hi, I am Karen. from southern Illinois. I have two boys(22 and 16) who have/are homeschooled. My husband, Wayne preaches for a small contry church. Our upcoming trip will be our fifth time to Disney(Disney addict for years before my first trip). This will be my first trip to Disney where I am using a scooter due to a knee injury/arthritis this past summer(the injured leg is still having swelling and doesn't let me stand/walk long). I have improved to where I can walk with a cart in a regular grocery store but not a Super Walmart. Please let me say how much I have appreciated all the advice and information I have received about this. I was really at the point of cancelling our trip until I read so many of your posts.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Suddenly I wish there was a "like"button here!

I very much enjoyed hearing about all of you. I didn't realize how, after all this time together, there was alot that I didn't know!

We have a great bunch!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Suddenly I wish there was a "like"button here!

I very much enjoyed hearing about all of you. I didn't realize how, after all this time together, there was alot that I didn't know!

We have a great bunch!

Yes, I was looking for a "like" button too!'
P.S. YES that's me front & center in Sandy's sig picture

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Eeyore Tattoo

Yes, I was looking for a "like" button too!'
P.S. YES that's me front & center in Sandy's sig picture

Deb, you think Mike might let you out for another trip some time?

[Eeyore Tattoo]

As long as it's in the budget I can do what ever I want

[rella]

Hi everyone, I'm MaryLou....I am recently retired and now full time caregiver to my DH. Jack has progressive MS and is now bedridden. He is unable to take care of himself....he needs to be fed, cleaned and bathed in bed. He stopped traveling about 5 years ago. While he was mobile and able to go to WDW, he used a wheelchair (I pushed) at first and then used a scooter so to be as independant as possible...he was still able to walk but with assistance. I was diagnosed with moderate to severe arthritis in my spine in my late 30s. I used a scooter on my last trip trip to WDW in 2011. I never thought that I would ever need one. We all had to make adjustments when traveling with Jack and now I find myself in the "same place". The arthritis has traveled into my hips and legs and now I shuffle when walking...no long strides anymore. I know that next trip (hopefully, next Sept......another "girls get-away) I cannnot use any "moving walkways" as I have that mobility issue and I really am going to miss those rides with that access. But, I will be at WDW and in my "happy place"...so I can make that adjustment.