Faking a disability

[Jodi]

Well, not really a DS topic, but I'm still ticked-off about this...

I went with the family to Disneyland this weekend. We had Fast Passes (tickets you can get in advance for a ride - like a reservation... when you use it hours later, your "fastpass" line is much shorter than the regular line) for the Space Mountain ride.

My Josh (12) and I reach the podium where you give up your pass and continue in line, and in front of us is a family of four - a dad in his early 40s, a daughter maybe 18, a son about 15-16 and another son that is about 9. The 9 yr old is being held by the 15-16 yr old in line and his eyes are closed. The dad showes the attendant their Special Assistance Pass - and I realize that the 9 yr old must be blind because he's moving - he's "awake" but his eyes remain closed. I was thinking how cool it was that they were carrying him a long way so he could enjoy the ride.

As soon as we are out of site of the attendant, the older son says "it's okay" and the 9 year old opens his eyes and they start talking about the ride. Josh knows I'm ticked off at this point. So I'm watching for more visable signs - and there are none... maybe there was something I couldn't see but I REALLY doubt it. They are laughing and having a great time. I look the dad straight in the eye with the older son watching and said "That is just so wrong". Now, if they had the pass legitimately, what I said would have offended them, or maybe not... but they all got a little quiet and avoided making any further eye contact with me.

I don't know what they heck I was doing, but after the ride, I walked out and Ryan gave me a hug. I picked him up and turned (on purpose) and the guy was walking by me. He looked at Ryan and then me and I again said "Just wrong..." I don't know why I did that - I feel like I "used" Ryan to get my point across which was probably wrong - but I was just so ticked!!

We have used the pass sometimes. I sometimes feel guilty - especially when I see a mom with an eleven year old son with CP who must be lifted into and out of his chair. Ryan can wait in line, just like everybody else. I get so ticked off when I see it being abused... not an hour later there were two young couples who had rented wheelchairs and taking turns pushing eachother around - and using the pass. UGH!!!!!

Jodi

[Many]

Jodi..

That is just so...sad. Sometimes people just don't think about what they're doing! What is that dad teaching his kids??!? Some people are just so...selfish these days. They are only thinking of themselves. Hopefully, they will change one of these days, you know?

[momofrussell]

I am just thinking of the message that dad is sending to his children... so sad.

A.

[Chester]

So sad....good for you for saying something.

[Emilysmom]

Jodi, I'm glad you said something!!!! When we went to Six Flags last month I had a similar thing happen and I keep wondering if I went overboard in my reaction to it.

Emily and I were standing in line to ride a roller coaster. It was like 99 degrees and NO shade whatsoever. The line was going to be about 45 minutes. In front of us were 2 teenaged girls who seemed to be around 18.
A guy walks by who worked at the park (CUTE guy) and the one girl says to him "hey....can you get us moved up to the front of the line"?? (flirting big time!) He says to her "well, actually I can!!! Here you go. Put THIS on your arm and just go to the front of the line".

She looked confused and asked him what it was and he said while rolling his eyes "It's a HANDICAP bracelet. If you wear it, you go to the front of the line"!!!! When I leaned forward to see it, not believing he was giving it to her....he said to me "if you are with her, YOU can ride first too"!!!!
By that time, I was SO annoyed! I said "actually, if I wanted to do that.....I'd just go to guest services and get a bracelet for my daughter" and nodded toward Emily. LOL I decided it was worth being kind of snotty to see the expression on their faces!!!!! He went on and on to me about how I should get one and avoid the lines, blah blah blah. The girls quickly told him they didn't think they wanted to use the bracelet. There are so many really GOOD reasons to use the special needs bracelet, but in Em's case..........she can stand in line (sweating!) just like her brothers.

Susan

[CC]

Hmmmm, JODI just a thought here and I have nooo idea if this was the case in your story, but sometimes disabilities ones have are NOT always seen on the outside you know I have noooo idea if this was the case with this boy you are talking bout BUT I will share with you that when Chris was very tiny my PED approached me and said you should get a handicap parking thing. Now to most it would appear why on earth would I need one BUT in all honestly when Chris was little his behavior was just the worst ever and he was a total handful, he would just run off and such and it was very hard for me to say carry a bag of groceries and keep control on him when it was just us two. Once my boy walked which turned into running immediately, he NOOOO longer would tolerate a stoller he wanted to move on his own, sooooo yes I applied for it at my Ped's idea and OMG I can't tell you this one time I used it and this lady gave me looks to kill and then said I can't believe you are parking there I guess cause she saw Chris and I both walk she couldn't figure out when on earth we had that handicap parking. Now in all honestly when I had Colin or Kodi or someone with me Yes I did not use it, I would park where ever I could and walk like the rest BUT I just thought I would throw it out there that not all disabilities are visually apparent

WE also have been given what we call the "Golden Pass" thats our name for it not sure what Disney's real name is and yes I agree Chris can usually wait on line like the rest of the world BUT when we were last at Disney over the Christmas/New Years Holiday OMG it was just jammed and for Chris who BTW is a very very active young boy to wait on a line of an hour or so just put him right into a melt down and since the pass is available to him I see nooooo reason not to use it and make the trip for all a much much happier experience ;D

Hey they say Disney is the Happiest Place on Earth right well honestly it wasn't for my guy till we got that special pass ;D

K, just sharing my thoughts...

CC ~

[Jodi]

CC ~

I completely understand what you are saying. I have a 17 yr old nephew with epilepsy, and unless he's having a seizure - well... no visable signs. They use the pass to by-pass stairs.

I'm not 100% certain that the kid didn't have a disability. Judging their reaction to me, I really don't think so. I kept playing over the whole thing in my mind - was just too strange how the kid was acting on the shoulder - eyes shut like he was blind. Then waiting until they are out of sight of an attendant to put him down and all the sudden he's all smiles, eyes open acting fine.

The fact is there are people who do that. There are adults out there who enourage their kids to pretend to have a disability in order to get special treatment. Rent a wheelchair + get a pass = more rides = more fun for the group.

Disneyland recognized there was a problem but had a difficult time coming up with a solution. About a year ago they tried to stop issuing the passes altogether. We had asked for one, with Ryan there, and they asked why we needed one. Our answer wasn't good enough, and we were declined. A couple of months later, we tried again in the evening (Ryan was getting pooped - we got a stroller) and talked with a manager. We did get one that time. I can see where they run into trouble - how do you decide who gets one and who doesn't? It's too bad there are people out there that make it a difficult process (not to mention what kind of lesson it teaches the kids).

Jodi

[Jackie]

well I am going to fess up something here....(SUSAN...now you dont have to post about me...LOL).

Emily spent the day at Disney with Chris Devlin....now Chris is a big strapping guy.....His mom had us try and get the passes which like you say...they declined to give us....BUT we did cheat with our Fast Passes a bit.

On two of the rides....we arrived way too early....and Chri's mom said.....lets just let them try it on their own...(she and I weren't riding that much).....and so they got in the Fast Pass line and before we knew it ....they were inside! Don't know if they didnt check very well or were intimidated at the thought of turning away two adults with DS who apparently had no one else with them.....Later Chris alone did the same thing at Space Mountain....and when he finally came out (like almost an hour later) told his mom he liked it so much he rode it twice. Our assumption is...that when they told him to get out...he just refused and no one tried to remove him....he's a pretty big guy.....LOL...but dont think this hurt anyone really. They certainly weren't "faking" their disability....LOL.

We were there the day before the accident on the California Screamer which was a lot worse than reported around here. But no one seriously hurt. The thought of having to be taken down by walking the catwalk just turned my stomach....LOL. Needless to say my family was not the least bit worried that I might have been on it when they heard the breaking news.

Jackie mom to Emily 25

[Chris]

Jodi,

I also wondered if this boy had an invisible disability like autism. You are probably correct in you assumption that this family was just abusing the special assistance pass but you never know. I just wondered if this kid just had a weird aversion to ride attendents.

I am careful not to get cross with people who don't appear to have a disability and park in a handicap space since not all disabilities are apparent. I know many people who have heart failure or respiratory problems have handicap stickers.

Chris

[ALLISA]

ggrr.....parking in handicap spaces is my biggest pet peeve......if you are lucky enought to have functioning legs....USE THEM !!

I only say this because I know some people ( all right....I'm actually related to one) who "use" other people handicap placard that hangs from the mirror ALL THE TIME....even when the legitimate person is not with them !!

I can't tell you how much it bothers me !!

[paulinemjc48]

We just got back earlier today from Eurodisney in Paris. I got a pass for Nicky who obviously has DS and also a pass for Ryan who is 8 and looks like any other 8 year old boy BUT he isn't! He has a hidden disability, fragile X, he is also ADHD and has ASD. when he is good he is very good and no one would ever know there was anything different about him but when things get too much for him he explodes! He will bite, scratch, hit and generally attack any one close to him so a pass is essential for him as he can't cope with crowds and waiting in line. I expect we got quite a few disapproving looks when we jumped the line but if these people would like to take Ryan round Disney then let them have a go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pauline UK

[ALLISA]

Jodi....just curioous.....but after the attendante left, did the boy get out of his brothers arms...or did he continue to carry him ?

[Jodi]

Allisa ~ the older brother gave him "the coast is clear" and put him down. They were all quiet going towad the attendedant, but then full of laugher and energy once past her. If he had a disability, I think it was fear of attendants, because the kid seemed fine. Again - I'm not 100% certain that he didn't have a disability, but the actions were bizzare.