I too have some thoughts on the issue. The whole idea of the DAS is that kids or people with disabilities, visible and not, get the same chance to enjoy the attractions that the park offers. That "special treatment" does not equal "royal treatment," it just means that special needs kids need a little extra help so they can get the same enjoyment typical kids do. The outcome is exactly the same for both: the excitement of being on a ride or the chance to meet a beloved character. Of course there's always going to be somebody taking advantage of things that in theory are meant to help those in need, but I am not here to talk about that, I just want to say that there's more people who benefit from the system than people who abuse it.
Special needs kids like Sophia need extra help and extra assistance to do the simple things that come so easy to typical kids. She has got an iPad so she can communicate, not because she is getting royal treatment. The rest of the kids can talk naturally so they don't need the extra help. Sophia has a 1-on-1, not because she is beings treated like royalty for being special needs, but because she needs assistance with the everyday tasks that for other kids come like second nature. The teachers spend a little more time deciding what Sophia is going to eat and pay more attention to the consistency of the food not because they are treating her better but because she can't chew like the other kids, they don't need the extra help. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea.
Now, it is true that a lot of people love Sophia and are willing to do a lot of things to help her but that is because she has a great personality, she is sweet and she has the ability to win people's hearts, not because she is special needs.
We are thinking about going to Disney in a couple of years and will benefit form the DAS because we may need some assistance, not because we think we deserve special treatment. Hopefully Sophia is walking by then but she may not be able to wait in line for hours so this card will be helpful. This system will help us enjoy the park just like everybody else.
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I agree with you, Natalia! I'm glad our girls don't need a 1 on 1 aide, that they can eat whatever they want, and that they can simply talk; all those things should not be taken for granted!
ReplyDeleteBack to Disney: I totally agree with the DAS, but also, that people who absue it lose the card or other measures are taken against it. Seriously, I would not mind if a family with a disabled child was admitted before me with a DAS card, but it would certainly irk me if a group of drunk young men, one of them with a cast, would do the same.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
When our oldest daughter was in preschool, she broke her leg right before our vacation to Disneyland. She couldn't manage crutches or a walking cast for long distances, so we took her in a wheelchair. The Disney cast members were so kind to us, and the wheelchair transfer lines were definitely shorter than the other lines. We did notice abuse of the system, though. Some groups had a wheelchair, but throughout the day, who was in the chair changed. For the most part, though, I think the system is wonderful. We only needed it that one time, and I'm happy to have those that need it have it--and I also recognize that sometimes it isn't visually apparent that the need exists.
ReplyDeleteAs for whether or not special needs kids should go to Disney, I think that is an individual decision that the parents should make. Every child, every family, is different and what might be a great time for one might spell disaster for another.
Personally, I love Disneyland. (I've never been to Disney World.) I hope you have a magical vacation!
I love Sophia's hair!!! I think Disney would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteAmiga:
ReplyDeleteEstoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo, lamentablemente hay mucha gente que abusa de las oportunidades que se dan a otras personas que en verdad necesitan de este trato, es incómodo ver como algunos lo utilizan sin tener la menor cortesía en dedicar un poco de su tiempo para reflexionar y mirar que con su actitud le están quitando la oportunidad a alguien que en verdad lo necesita.
Es un tema que puede generar muchas controversias, pero la realidad es que sé que para Sofía seria mágico conocer Disneyworld por la oportunidad de disfrutar a su manera cada una de las actividades para realizar allí, sería un sueño como el de todos los niños hecho realidad.