Experience traveling with a handicapped person

[ampaholic Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ampaholic]

Anyone care to share their experiences traveling with a handicapped person?

My DD has Down Syndrome and she can be a handful as she doesn't really like to get going in the AM.

Interestingly this improves when we are on a TS vacation - couldn't tell you why.

[bevvy5 Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bevvy5]

Maybe you're more relaxed on vacation, not having such a time crunch and that helps her relax?

My husband has health issues and sometimes ACTS like a child - does that count - LOL!!! Sorry, I'm not making light of your situation but I couldn't resist that.

I don't have any great tips but it certainly adds a new dimension to travelling anywhere. We just do our best to have everything as well organized as we can and give ourselves lots of time - no tight flight connections, get to the airport 2.5 to 3.0 hours ahead and try to have a sense of humour. We tend to not plan too much while we're away so we're not tied in if he's having a bad day - it's more a get up in the morning and see where it takes us now.

Bev

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Oh, by handicapped I thought you meant only having one forum to post on.



Do whatever makes your DD happy and comfortable. My experience is that DS people are pretty easy to please and have pretty good dispositions.

PS: No one in my family is challenged, technically, but they were a challenge when we tried to include them in our TSing. I finally gave up trying to take them to visit the Mouse.

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Traveling with Kids

Kids with Down Syndrome can go to regular schools, make friends, enjoy life, go on
vacations and get jobs when they're older. Getting special help early often when they
are just babies/toddlers can be the key to healthier, happier, more independent lives.
Down Syndrome Kids are Special Needs Children. They just need more time to adjust.

KidsHealth.org

[ampaholic Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ampaholic]

Kids with Down Syndrome can go to regular schools, make friends, enjoy life, go on vacations and get jobs when they're older.

Ashley goes to regular school 1/4 time (DLC the other 3/4). See my comment below about pigeon holing.

Getting special help early often when they
are just babies/toddlers can be the key to healthier, happier, more independent lives.

Very true - Ashley went to the Nuromuscular Guild School here in Spokane for three years. It was very helpful to her development and has made all the difference for her. It is not a magic pill that cures the syndrome and she will be working uphill her entire life - but then don't we all to one degree or another?

Down Syndrome Kids are Special Needs Children. They just need more time to adjust.

KidsHealth.org

Not all Downsies are the same - they can't be pidgin holed. Some are severely affected and have VERY challenging lives, some are barely touched and blend in quite well with "normal" kids. Ashley is middle of the road and she still faces some real challenges adapting to life.

We know about 15 Downsies in our area and each one is his or her very own kettle of challenges and rewards.

Thank you for the link

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

I have never heard Down's Syndrome children referred to as "Downsies" or even "handicapped." Similarly, most parents of special needs children that I know don't call other kids "normal," they call them "typical." There are a few parents of special needs children here who can offer you some advice about traveling, but I expect that you may get more advice from a board dedicated to your daughter's specific issues...and perhaps a better understanding of how to think about her capabilities as well.

http://www.ds-health.com/lists.htm

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Here is a suggestion for an exciting family timeshare vacation


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[ampaholic Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ampaholic]

I have never heard Down's Syndrome children referred to as "Downsies" or even "handicapped." Similarly, most parents of special needs children that I know don't call other kids "normal," they call them "typical." There are a few parents of special needs children here who can offer you some advice about traveling, but I expect that you may get more advice from a board dedicated to your daughter's specific issues...and perhaps a better understanding of how to think about her capabilities as well.

Down Syndrome Email Lists, Newsgroups and Bulletin Boards

Ah ... Well about 1 in 63 live births are affected by Trisomy 21 so it really is "not" normal when you consider the general population. So to call one of the other 62 "normal" is not being mean or absurdly "politically correct" either - just "statistically correct".

But I will keep in mind that you think "typical" is a more PC word.

Also nearly all kiddos affected by Trisomy 21 are Developmentally Delayed - which is one of the definitions used to issue "handicapped Placards" in my state (likely in yours as well) - thus "handicapped" is a reasonable description at least as far as the government is concerned.

And really you haven't heard the term "Downsie" before? Have you heard the term that used to be used by uncaring society "Mongoloid" - do you prefer that? Is Mongoloid more PC to you?

I'm not sure if the (not) subtle attempt to politically correct my "outlook" is appreciated - but thanks for the link.

And thanks for the lesson about baring ones real feelings and thoughts here on this board

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Ah ... Well about 1 in 63 live births are affected by Trisomy 21 so it really is "not" normal when you consider the general population. So to call one of the other 62 "normal" is not being mean or absurdly "politically correct" either - just "statistically correct".

But I will keep in mind that you think "typical" is a more PC word.

Also nearly all kiddos affected by Trisomy 21 are Developmentally Delayed - which is one of the definitions used to issue "handicapped Placards" in my state (likely in yours as well) - thus "handicapped" is a reasonable description at least as far as the government is concerned.

And really you haven't heard the term "Downsie" before? Have you heard the term that used to be used by uncaring society "Mongoloid" - do you prefer that? Is Mongoloid more PC to you?

I'm not sure if the (not) subtle attempt to politically correct my "outlook" is appreciated - but thanks for the link.

And thanks for the lesson about baring ones real feelings and thoughts here on this board

No one said that you could not express your feelings and thoughts on this board. I simply gave you some resources where you might be able to find additional help. There are some parent of special needs children here but all needs are somewhat different and you may be able to gather additional advice from other sources.

I won't respond to your other questions as you appear to be just stirring the pot, and I can't even fathom the reason you would want to do that. You can certainly refer to your child however you want, but other parents of special needs children may take offense to some of your terminology. If you want to argue why your way is right, you really don't need to...you can just keep doing whatever you want and not be concerned with how others may respond.

BTW, the SNAP program at Smugglers' Notch is indeed excellent.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Rick, I am sure Sharon didn't mean to hurt your feelings. She is not that way.
She's had an uphill challenge with one of her children and is a real fighter for what she thinks is right.

My daughter is "special" or not "typical" . To look at Kelli you would think nothing is wrong, she looks like a teenager and she just turned 39!! She was classified EMH and can get upset easily but she is doing much better. She does really well on vacation as we are constantly doing new things.

I haven't had any experience with downies so no real help there other than leave lots of down timeand go at her pace not yours. You may be surprised at how well she does and she may want to do more. Bring something she loves like her favorite doll. Relax and you will have many wonderful memories to share. shaggy

[ampaholic Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ampaholic]

Rick, I am sure Sharon didn't mean to hurt your feelings. She is not that way.
She's had an uphill challenge with one of her children and is a real fighter for what she thinks is right.

My daughter is "special" or not "typical" . To look at Kelli you would think nothing is wrong, she looks like a teenager and she just turned 39!! She was classified EMH and can get upset easily but she is doing much better. She does really well on vacation as we are constantly doing new things.

I haven't had any experience with downies so no real help there other than leave lots of down timeand go at her pace not yours. You may be surprised at how well she does and she may want to do more. Bring something she loves like her favorite doll. Relax and you will have many wonderful memories to share. shaggy

I'm sure Sharon's thoughts are in the right place - and I respect her motives.

I really do appreciate the link to the SNAP pgm at the notch. It might be a bit far for us but Ashley has a second cousin with FAS who might love it and is in upstate NY.

I would love more such links please

[ampaholic Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ampaholic]

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[swilshire Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close swilshire]

Anyone care to share their experiences traveling with a handicapped person?

My DD has Down Syndrome and she can be a handful as she doesn't really like to get going in the AM.

Interestingly this improves when we are on a TS vacation - couldn't tell you why.

Our 12yo son with Downs hasn't really caused any more issues than our three older "typical" children. They have all had their moments of being a handful. Probably the most notable difference is the degree to which our youngest prefers to stay in his usual routines and is upset sometimes when that's not possible.

We took him on his first timeshare vacation at about 6 weeks of age and he has had several trips a years since. We don't fly often, but when we do, flight attendants tend to fawn over him.

Our best experiences with activities staff have been at the various DVC resorts. They seem to go out of their way to make him feel welcome and special.

Sometimes we have to insist that he try something when he's very reluctant, but he always winds up enjoying himself after he gives it a try.

I have no real tips to offer other than go and enjoy.

Sheila