NY Post Article

I don't normally post much personal information about my children on anything relating to my business. I was forwarded an article in the NY Post today by numerous people. I have to say that I am horrified on both a professional and a personal level by what I have read. I am posting my full response to both the journalist and the editor of the NY Post here for you to read after you read this article:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/disney_world_srich_kid_outrage_zTBA0xrvZRkIVc1zItXGDP

My Response, as a mom of a special needs child and a Disney travel specialist.

I have read your article numerous times over the past few hours and have tried to figure out how to word what I am going to say here quite a few times in my head. It is an understatement to say that I am utterly disgusted by what I have read. Not only disgusted by the parents that have done this but by the agency that has exploited their handicapped workers. I have been a huge fan of Disney since I was a young child. I vacationed in Disney World as a child, teenager, young adult, married woman, mom of 1, mom of 2 and now as a mom of 3. For the past 4 years I have also been traveling as the mom of a special needs child. My 7 year old son has special needs. He is on the autism spectrum, he has mobility issues, he fatigues faster than some infants, he has sensory issues and he has brain cancer. He was diagnosed in September 2008 with unclassifiable tumors coating his brain and spine. It is because of my love for Disney and their exceptional guest service that I became a Disney Vacation Specialist with Fairytale Journeys Travel Agency about a year ago.

As someone who has utilized the Guest Assistance policies at numerous amusement parks since my son's diagnosis I am horrified by both the families and 'tour company'/companies that are partaking in this behavior. The families should be grateful that their children and loved ones are able to stand on a line and experience all that these theme parks have to offer! They should spend a day in a Children's Hospital; on an oncology ward; with a disabled veteran or in a special needs school. The children that are 'waiting one minute to get on "It's A Small World"' are being taught that it's ok to exploit people with special needs to get ahead. It's teaching my children that, to some people, my son would be seen as a way to 'skip to the front of the line'. It's disgusting and sad. I hope that this article helps all amusement parks start to work on banning tour companies that use their Guest Assistance policies as a way to get paying clients to the front of the line and ensure that the policies set in place are used for legitimate special needs circumstances. 

Chrissie