Us special needs families just can't catch a break - even in the most magical place on Earth!
Disney recently announced that they will be overhauling their policy on special treatment for visitors with disabilities. No more "please pass go, head to the front of the line" for us - we will now be treated like all the other families.
In fact, an investigation by an NYC newspaper revealed that wealthy families from Manhattan have bragged about hiring a "disabled" person to chuck into a motorized wheelchair and schlep through the parks as if they were a member of the family - just to be eligible to receive these passes for the whole group. One wealthy mom was even quoted as saying "This is how the 1% does Disney..."
I will pause while you swallow back down your lunch...
Let me go on record here and state that I have not one speck of interest in taking my autistic son to Disney. I have three children, spread apart over a 13-year span. We took the oldest when he was almost six...he was an only child - he had a blast. We will take the 2-year old in a few years so that she can "share the magic" too. Truthfully, I have yet to feel the urge to return. I have always found the words Disney Vacation to be a contradiction in terms. It is hard work, especially if you are a Type A Psycho like me (I had a binder - with tabs - and daily laminated sheets of our events and activities...). Of course, autism has stripped me of much of my Type A-ism over the past few years, so I am not really sure how I would even survive the planning and execution.
My Luke is eight years old...do I think he is missing out by not going to Disney? Nope. But, he is very low-functioning, and while he does remain in constant motion all day, I have no way of knowing if he would love or loathe the rides. And in his case, it would be about more than just waiting on line. Once the ride ENDED, he would not want to get off of it if he DID happen to enjoy it. Just the thought of the plane ride has me reaching for the Zoloft as I type this. I envision nothing but horrific nightmares when I think about bringing him to the place where dreams come true.
HAVING SAID THAT...I will still stand up for the families that have special needs children that would benefit from the joys of a Disney vacation. Those children who are cognizant of the fact that this magical place is out there, and just need a little help to make the experience a successful and enjoyable one. Is it really that much to ask that they be allowed to avoid the sensory overload of a long line in order to get this little piece of happy in a life full of daily challenges and hurdles that many don't even comprehend?
I am fully aware that there are a number of people out there that take exception to any preferential special treatment afforded those with special needs. There are also people out there that think autism is simply a discipline problem. If you are one of those people, I am not sure there is anything that I can say to you to change your mind. But I am extending an open invitation to you...come over anytime! Spend a Saturday in my home...you will leave with a new perspective on what it really means to live with special needs...and you may even realize that you don't have it so bad.
So because a large number of families that have been blessed with healthy, regular-functioning children have decided to take advantage of a system that was put into place to help those with special needs, they have ruined it for everyone, including themselves. I am sure that Disney will put a new policy in place to replace the old. That is the type of company that they are - they don't like bad press. But how unfortunate that this overhaul is even necessary - those parents that brought about this action should be ashamed of themselves. I would give my right arm to wait in a long line with a "regular" kid.
Count your blessings people...
