The Happiest Place on Earth...For Most People

 

This picture was taken at Disneyland a few years ago. Isn't this the most perfect image of a very happy little man? Well, let me give you a little back story.

The first time our family decided to visit Disneyland, Joshua was 4. Most 4 year olds would be SO excited to go to Disney! Honestly, Joshy WAS excited for weeks and weeks before we left. He could not wait to meet Mickey Mouse! He was excited on the plane ride. He was even more excited when we finally arrived at our hotel. But the moment we actually entered the Disney gates, he completely lost it! The park was swarming with people. It was noisy and busy and simply a lot for anyone to take in, nonetheless someone with sensory issues. On this trip we had the joy of meeting up with my aunt and uncle, cousins and their kids for a day. My cousins children were younger than Joshy, but had done Disney before and were amazingly well behaved.

I will never forget, however, deciding that we all wanted to ride the Peter Pan ride. The line was over an hour long, but we thought it would be worth it so we waited. Literally the minute we entered the line, Joshua COMPLETELY lost it. He cried, screamed, squirmed and was all together freaked out. It was just too much. After having spent the time, money and effort to take the kids to Disneyland, I knew that it was likely money wasted, as my son simply could not deal with the overstimulation. Upon returning to the hotel a while later, I posted an update on Facebook discussing the disappointment I was feeling about the utter failure of our Disney trip. By the grace of God, a high school friend messaged me almost immediately. She said that she was living in California and had a son with sensory issues as well and that she had successfully taken him to the park many times.

I was stunned! How on EARTH did she make that happen? Well, it was then that she told me about the Disability Pass that Disney offered to people with disabilities. The next day, I went immediately to the guest services office, explained that my son had Fragile X Syndrome and Autism and was given this pass. The cast member gave me excellent instructions about how the pass could be used. Honestly, it was a complete vacation saver! This pass allowed us to wait in quieter areas and sometimes for less time. It made all the difference in the world for my son. He was able to enjoy Disneyland like a "normal" kid, and it really was the happiest place on Earth for him. We visited Disneyland again the next year and then Disney World 2 years ago. Joshua has told me many times that he plans to LIVE at Disney World when he grows up, and we were planning another trip to Disney World for this coming summer.

Well, here's the kicker. It was recently announced that Disneyland, California Adventure and Disney World will no longer be offering this service to people with special needs. Why, you may ask? Because people have abused the system. There are people out there that have gone so far as to "rent" children with disabilities so that they can use the Disability Pass. Can you believe that? I was floored when I learned that people are that selfish! And because the system has been abused, people with real disabilities will no longer be assisted by use of this pass.

For us, that means no more Disney. No more rides and treats and visits with Mickey. It will also mean broken hearts, because until now, there was no place that my son loves more. But I know him. I understand that lots of people, noise, movement and overstimulation is just too much. We've lived it and it wasn't fun...not for us, not for him, and not for anyone else waiting in line.

So, what can we do? I am asking a gigantic favor of you, for the sake of my son. Please go to http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/disneyland-discontinues to sign this petition. We don't know if Disney will hear our pleas for assistance. I don't know if it will change anything! But, I DO know that my son, and hundreds of other children with special needs deserve to be able to enjoy "The Happiest Place on Earth" every bit as much as "normal" kids.

I so much appreciate all of your support, and your joining in our journey. Thank you for taking a stand for Joshua and every other person with special needs. YOU make a difference for us every single day and I don't know what we'd do without you!