Special Mouse

Mike and Kerry, two wheelchair racing participants, share their 2015 Walt Disney World Marathon stories.   Kerry Kingdon Kerry is from San Lorenzo, California. She is a runDisney veteran who completed the "Dopey Challenge" using a push rim wheelchair. That's  5K, 10K, Half- and Full Marathons in one weekend!    Mike Greer Mike is from Ontario, Canada. He is new to runDisney and completed the 5K and 10K races using a push rim wheelchair. Both Mike and Kerry discuss these aspects of wheelchair racing at Disney events: Planning for a runDisney trip Availability (or lack thereof) of pre-race information for wheelchair racing participants for the WDW Marathon Weekend Racing wheelchair equipment Nutrition and hydration during wheelchair Weather and race clothing considerations Race day transportation for wheelchair racing participants Training Motivation The atmosphere of support and encouragement for wheelchair participants at Disney racing events For information on Disney marathons and running events, visit the official website, runDisney. You can connect with Kerry Kingdon on Facebook, or visit her blog, Dare to Be. You can hear more about Kerry and her runDisney experience in this past episode, You Can Run Disney in a Wheelchair! You can connect with Mike Greer on Facebook and Twitter. He is a contributing writer at wheelchairtraveling.com. You can hear more from Mike in this past episode, Cruising with OI and a Wheelchair on the Disney Cruise Line. You can also connect with Kerry, Mike and a bunch of enthusiastic Disney fans with a variety of special needs on Facebook in our Private Discussion Group. Simply leave a comment on our page and I will contact you! Thanks for listening, ~Kathy

If you are flying to your Disney destination with a disability or medical condition and have concerns about TSA security requirements, this episode is for you!   In this abbreviated episode, Kathy shares a valuable resource for  air travelers with disabilities and medical conditions in the Tip of the Week segment, as well as a touching thank-you letter written by the grateful parent of a child with multiple disabilities who received kindness and consideration from the flight crew during their recent Southwest Air flight. Tip of the Week: One of the most stressful aspects of modern air travel is the security screening process. This is especially true for travelers with disabilities and certain medical conditions. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's official website offers a wealth of information for travelers who wish to prepare themselves for the security screening process. Transportation Security Administration - Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions Travelers with disabilities and medical conditions can call TSA Cares, a toll free help line (1-855-787-2227) with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. The TSA recommends that passengers call the help line at least 72 hours prior to travel. Travelers may also request a Passenger Support Specialist ahead of time by calling the TSA Cares hotline. Passenger Support Specialists receive specialized disability training provided by TSA's Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement.  Training for Passenger Support Specialists include how to assist with individuals with special needs, how to communicate with passengers by listening and explaining, and disability etiquette and disability civil rights. The TSA website offers specific information for travelers who: Have Difficulty Walking or Standing Uses Wheelchair or Scooters Cannot Remove Shoes Have Metal Joint Implants Have Internal Medical Devices Needs Medication Have Medically Necessary Liquids Have Medically Necessary Radioactive Substances Use Portable Oxygen Have CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs Use Nebulizers Have Diabetes Have Ostomies What to Expect with Ports, Catheters, and Other Medical Devices Has an External Medical Device Are Breast Cancer Survivors

Everything you need to know about vacationing at Walt Disney World with Insulin-dependent Diabetes!   Hello and Welcome! A very Happy and Healthy New Year to you! The podcast went on a bit of an unplanned hiatus during the holidays, but I’m back now with plans for lots of exciting topics in the New Year. Today we’ll be talking with my friend, Robyn Adams about vacationing at the WDW Resort with Type 1, that’s insulin-dependent, diabetes. But before we jump into that discussion, I’d like to give a shout-out to several members of the Special Mouse Podcast community who will be participating in next weekend’s WDW Marathon events: Best of luck to Kerry Kingdon and Michael Greer who will be “rolling with the magic,” looking to earn some of that coveted runDisney bling. They’ve both promised to appear on the show later this month to give us first-hand accounts of their experiences. If you’re new to the show, please visit our home base at specialmouse.com for contact information as well as our community blog. And if you have a question or a suggestion for a future show topic, please drop me a line at specialmousepodcast@gmail.com. Walt Disney always said, “We keep moving forward,” so here we go! ____________________________________________________________________________________ Tip of the Week: This week’s tip concerns making a wheelchair-accessible reservation at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review. Hoop-Dee-Doo is a vaudeville-style dinner show and all-you-care-to-eat dinner at Pioneer Hall in Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. A member of our private Facebook discussion group asks: “I am wondering if anyone can help me figure this out.We would like to make an ADR (advance dining reservation) at the Hoop De Doo Musical Revue. We will be on the dining plan and our daughter is in a wheelchair.   I understand that there are 3 different seating sections, with tiered pricing. I also know that there are 3 different show times.  (That is correct!) I’ve read that only section 1 is wheelchair accessible, but that only sections 2 & 3 are accepted on the dining plan, for the 1st & 2nd show times and that Show #3 – the latest show time - opens all 3 sections to dining plan participants. My question is, does anyone have experience making an ADR on the dining plan, for an earlier seating, for a party with a wheelchair? If we have to sit in Section 2 on the DDP, but have to sit in Section 1 if we have a wheelchair, what do we do?  Thanks in advance, etc.” Well, that certainly does sound confusing! Luckily, several group members who have had experience making this kind of dining reservation were able to jump in and answer this question for our listener!   According to Hoop-Dee-Doo’s ticketing office there is seating on the last row of the main floor (Section One) that is accessible for wheelchairs and, when booked as such, is considered category 2. Thus, it meets the requirements of the Disney Dining Plan AND Accessibility laws at no additional cost to the diner. Some guests have even reported they had this policy waived and once they checked in were shown to tables closer to the stage. Naturally, this would depend upon availability. Many thanks to Tracy, Sue, Dede and Rae for their valuable input! Now, bring on the strawberry shortcake! _________________________________________________________________________________ Feature Interview: Walt Disney World with Type 1 Diabetes: Some of the topics we discussed are: The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. The role of insulin in the body's metabolism. Need to balance FOOD/ACTIVITY/INSULIN while on your Disney Vacation. Pre-trip planning tips for people with diabetes. Diabetic packing tips (SEE BELOW) How an insulin pump works. Air travel and thrill ride concerns with an insulin pump. Importance of more frequent blood sugar testing. Utilizing First Aid Stations

Friends of the Special Mouse Podcast share Disney memories for which they are thankful on this Thanksgiving 2014 Episode! In the spirit of Thanksgiving -- this quintessential American holiday – a day set aside to officially give thanks for the blessings we enjoy throughout the year – I have decided to do a feature on something for which I am sincerely grateful – YOU! Yes, you, the listener! I’m turning this episode over to YOU by featuring YOUR favorite Disney memories that you are thankful for, recorded on our new SpeakPipe App. But first,Please let me express my own attitude of gratitude! Over the past year our community has grown exponentially, mostly due to our incredibly helpful and supportive private Facebook group. To the 213 members of that group, I say, “Thank You” for carrying out the message of our podcast – “the magic is for everyone” – by providing a safe, welcoming place for members to gather and discuss their concerns related to Disney travel. I’ve been truly blessed to make your acquaintance. If you are not a member of the group and wish to join, please visit our public page, facebook.com/SpecialMousePodcast and let me know with a comment.   Thank you to my friends on Social Media who consistently like and share Special Mouse content on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus! Especially Maureen Deal, Sarah Norris, Heather Ford, Main Street Fairy, Ericka Busser, Debi Dame, Rae Augenstein, Jim Tucker, Sandy Nye, Stu Hassis, Andrew Carrieri, Ed Russell, Tracy Brooks, Jeanette Lynn, and many more! Liking and sharing our content truly helps to spread the word about the show!   Thank you to my fellow Podcasters who have graciously invited me to be a guest on their shows to talk about Disney Travel for Guests with Special Needs – Lou Mongello from The WDW Radio Show, Ashley & Sam Turner from WDW Happy Place, Bob Coller & Tim Scott from the ResortLoop.com podcast, Jaren Buckley from the Building Special Families podcast, Frank Rogers from Mr. Frank’s Wild Ride and The Disney Dream Girls themselves, Michelle Young & Jayne Phipps. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for sharing your audience with me! If you would like to listen to any of these episodes, use the "As Heard On" tab, above.   Speaking of podcast audiences, I am sincerely grateful to those of you who’ve shared ratings and reviews of Special Mouse on iTunes this past year – not only because they are personally encouraging to me, but because each review nudges the show just a little higher in the podcast queue, making it easier for new listeners to discover! Many thanks to: Don’t call me Jenny, Kima 861965, disneyfan 64, jenniferlyn 1085, bethcgreen, Bill Kaiser, fromlisa2, SkepticAlan, iceserraon, debcalloway, disneynut1985, Mark Vitek, ginnyxpotter, KaleenaScarlett, and many more.   And finally, before we get to our listener messages, I want to express just one more, extra-special thank-you to Michael J. Carrasco who has opted to support the show with a monthly donation via PayPal. Michael, your gift is greatly appreciated and goes a long way in helping me produce the show. If you’re not familiar with podcasting, there are some regular monthly expenses involved – web and media hosting, editing services, purchase of software and hardware, and so forth – and so your financial support, whether through a monthly or a one-time donation – truly helps me to continue providing the Special Mouse podcast as a service to the Disney community. Information about supporting the show in this way can be found at specialmouse.com/donate.   And now, on to our Thanksgiving holiday feature – Disney Memories We’re Thankful For by The Special Mouse Listeners! Wishing you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving, Kathy

Dr. Kendra Becker, speaker at the Food Allergy and Celiac Convention at Walt Disney World, joins Kathy to discuss many issues related to Disney vacationing with food allergies and Celiac Disease.   It's Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. so it's only fitting that today's show revolves around food, specifically, food allergies. This Saturday, November 22, 2014, Celebrate Awareness, the first-ever Food Allergy and Celiac Convention, will be held at Disney's Coronado Springs resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. I was lucky enough to get one of the speakers, Dr. Kendra Becker, to be a guest on today's show. Dr. Kendra has integrated a Doctor of Naturopathy and an Advance Practice Nursing Degree to focus on her specialties, which include asthma, autism, allergies, and eczema. By and large much of the treatment for these conditions includes special diets.  She is a mother, wife and Organic Lifestyleist and lectures on various topics throughout the nation and has made various TV appearances to discuss the importance of naturopathic medicine. She practices in Connecticut and is publishing her first book in 2014, a healthy cookbook to help families jump start special diets. Dr. Kendra and I discuss the upcoming Food Allergy and Celiac Convention and a myriad of issues surrounding food allergies and how they affect certain conditions such as Celiac, Asthma, Autism and Eczema. Dr. Kendra is a self-described "Disney Nut" who loves Walt Disney World so much that she founded a travel company, Especially Magical Vacations, which specializes in Family vacations for families with special concerns! You can contact Dr. Becker at: Family Wellness Centre of Connecticut 181 Cross Rd Waterford, CT 06385 860-572-7711 www.fwcct.com You can also connect with her on Facebook. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Our Tip of the Week involves my recommendations for Food Allergy-related Disney websites you may find helpful when planning your next Walt Disney World vacation! The first is Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free at Walt Disney World, by Sarah Norris. Sarah, who is co-creator Celebrate Awareness, is a Florida resident whose dietary restrictions include gluten and dairy, along with special considerations related to Chron's Disease. She provides frequent allergy-free Disney dining reviews and tips for gluten- and dairy-free, as well as vegetarian, dining in Walt Disney World (and more recently, the Disney Cruise Line) via her blog AND podcast. Another Florida local who blogs about allergy-free dining is Alexis Solerno at Gluten Free in Orlando: Gluten Free Disney and Beyond. Alexis' dietary restrictions involve gluten and special considerations related to Celiac and Hyperthyroidism. Alexis covers not only the Walt Disney World Resort but all of the greater Orlando area with dining reviews, gluten-free recipes and product reviews. Last, but not least, please check out Pixie Lizzie's site, Allergy Free Mouse. This site offers trip-planning tips, food allergy-related Disney dining reviews (including many submitted by readers) and a list of allergy-free foods you will find at the restaurants in Walt Disney World, Disneyland and on the Disney Cruise ships. Allergy Free Mouse goes beyond gluten and dairy, including the top eight food allergies (Peanut, Tree Nut, Dairy,

Kathy talks with Sarah Kate, a spunky eleven year-old girl with Cerebral Palsy. Sarah Kate's refusal to quit inspired a standing ovation as she crossed the finish line of the Kids One Mile Run during the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon Weekend this past February, 2014. If this story of guts and determination doesn't give you goose bumps, then nothing will!   Here is the Blog Post about Sarah Kate's One Mile Run at Bringing the Sunshine, where her mom, Andi Sligh,  blogs about "Life with a Double Dose of Special (Needs)" Sarah Kate was born with Cerebral Palsy and her brother, Nathan, with Down Syndrome. While you are there, download her FREE e-book for parents of special-needs children, There's Sunshine Behind the Clouds. Here is the link to Bringing the Sunshine on Facebook. If you require accommodation at a runDisney event, The runDisney team can be reached by emailing runDisney@disneysports.com or calling 407-938-3398. Please do so at least 90 days prior to your event! EDITED, 6/20/14:  Here is the article and video by runDisney we mentioned during the show! "I'm a Runner, I'm a Champion" -- I runDisney!   ***************************************************************************** Tip of the Week: Boat Service is available in several locations throughout the Magic Kingdom area of the Walt Disney World Resort. Accessibility varies according to location. The Magic Kingdom ferry transports passengers between the Ticket and Transportation Center and the Magic Kingdom. Smaller boats connect the Magic Kingdom Area resorts (Fort Wilderness, Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower, Wilderness Lodge/Villas, Grand Floridian/Villas, and The Polynesian.) Wheelchairs and strollers must be folded up and carried on board and no ECVs are allowed. It's important to know that you may need to step either up or down into the boat depending on water levels. ECVs can be accommodated on the motor cruisers that run from the Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge/Villas unless water levels are too low. In this case, signs will be posted on the docks. Alternative transportation is available via bus or monorail, depending upon resort. ******************************************************************************* To all my listeners who sent me messages of support and encouragement during my son's recent hospitalization, you have my deepest thanks and appreciation. I am so very grateful to have such abundant love and friendship in my life! Thanks for listening, Kathy **Don't forget to click on the link in the sidebar, right, to receive our monthly Special Mouse Community Newsletter!  

What better way to celebrate your cancer-free status than with a trip to Walt Disney World? Kris Banas joins Kathy to discuss her husband's experience vacationing with an ileostomy at Walt Disney World and how she conquered her fear of heights on the Wild Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom! Disney's Wild Africa Trek is a tour offered at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort. It is "a privately guided VIP expedition offering close encounters with exotic African wildlife in their native habitat." Accessibility Information: Guests must be ambulatory. For safety, guests should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or "other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure." Expectant mothers should not ride. For more information about ileostomies and colo-rectal cancer, visit the American Cancer Society website. Our Tip of the Week comes right from our community group on Facebook! Listener Jennifer Banks asks, "How many people can accompany the person who is issued the DAS? The only place I've seen it addressed says six total in your party, but that if your party has more, you can all go together to Guest Services and have it issued for that many. Is this true?" The answer is, yes! Visit Guest Services at any of the Disney theme parks and ask for a Cast Member manager. He or she can authorize a larger party for use of the DAS accommodation. Unfortunately, this must be done in person -- Disney cannot issue these accommodations prior to your visit (at least at this point in time!) For information on obtaining Disney's Disability Access Service Card, visit  Guests with Disabilities: Frequently Asked Questions. This episode is sponsored by Amy at Up and Up Travel, the preferred Disney Travel Agency of the Special Mouse podcast. Visit Up and Up Travel today! Thanks for listening!   ~Kathy  

Eric Tivers, host of ADHD reWired, joins Kathy to discuss the Disney vacation planning challenges faced by adults with ADHD.     Feature Interview:  Eric Tivers is a mental health counselor and personal coach who specializes in ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. We had a fabulous and funny conversation and answered a few listener questions about Disney travel planning and adults like  him who are living with ADHD. You'll hear Eric share that while he loves traveling and vacationing, he finds the planning part stressful. (I think he needs the services of a Disney travel agent, don't you?!) Eric will be speaking at the 25th Anniversary International Adult ADHD Conference  July 24-27 in Orlando, Florida. You can find Eric Tivers at erictivers.com ******************************************************************************************************** This episode of the Special Mouse podcast is sponsored by Up & Up Travel, a Disney-dedicated travel agency that specializes in serving those with special needs and health challenges. ***************************************************************************************************** Tip of the Week: Today's tip comes from my friend Heidi. Heidi is an Autism mom like me, and she has created a product called Safety ID Stickers for Kids. These double-layer stickers hide your child's personal information while remaining highly visible if they need help. You pick the design of the sticker (there are numerous Disney themes available) and Heidi will custom print the inner sticker with the contact information you provide. Sticker sets are available for purchase in her Etsy.com shop. ********************************************************************************************************************************** Big News! Special Mouse will soon be adding a BLOG to the website! I am actively seeking guest contributions related to Disney travel and guests with special needs. This is YOUR chance to share your knowledge and experience with the Special Mouse Community. Contact me at specialmousepodcast@gmail.com if you would like to blog with me! Thank you to listeners GORDON LAGROW and MICHAEL J. CARRASCO for their generous contributions to Special Mouse! Thanks for listening! Kathy

Two listeners join Kathy to discuss their upcoming trips to Walt Disney World with special-needs children. Topics Discussed: Autism Ocular Albinism and low vision Sun sensitivity Taking kids out of school for vacation GAC accommodations vs. DAS accommodations Fast Pass Plus: on property guests vs. off property guests Crowd calendars for planning Strategies for Anna and Elsa Meet and Greet Mentioned in today's show:  Rit Sun Guard Protectant Laundry Treatment, available at Amazon dot com. Connect with Amanda Bean and Nora Fitzpatrick on Facebook. Tip of the Week: Preventing blisters while on your Disney vacation. Did you know? The average vacationer walks somewhere between 6 and 13 miles per day at the Walt Disney World Resort? The rubbing motion between your foot and your shoe creates friction. This makes the skin on your feet prone to blisters. Reduce the friction and you reduce the chance of having blisters. One of the many ways to reduce friction is by lubricating your feet so they slide rather than rub. There are many products (Body Glide, Sports Slick, Sport Shield) that can be found at running stores and go on like a stick of deodorant.  Band-aid makes a Friction Block Stick that you can buy at your local supermarket or pharmacy. Apply these products on the heels, the sides of the feet, between toes, and anywhere your shoes normally rub. And if you plan to be in the parks all day, it is a good idea to re-apply sometime during the afternoon or whenever you feel your skin start to rub. Painful blisters can ruin your day and possibly your vacation, so be sure to make every effort to prevent them! Thanks for listening and remember, the magic is for everyone! ~ Kathy

Our celebration of Autism Awareness Month concludes with a visit from Jackie Psarianos from The Autistic World of Disney blog. She and her family, including her 14 year-old son with Autism, have cruised eight times with the Disney Cruise Line and are planning their ninth cruise this summer! Topics include: How the Disney Cruise Line accommodates families with Autism Tips for planning a Disney Cruise with Autism DCL Children's and Teens' Programs and Autism (Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab, Vibe) Dining on the Disney Cruise Line with Autism and special dietary needs You can read Jackie's blog, The Autistic World of Disney, and connect with her via Twitter , Facebook , and Google+ ******************************************* This episode of Special Mouse is sponsored by Amy at Up and Up Travel, a Disney Travel Agency dedicated to serving travelers with special needs and disabilities. ******************************************* Tip of the Week:  I've recently begun listening to a podcast called Building Special Families, hosted by Jared Buckley, father of a 4 year-old girl with Down syndrome. This is an informative and inspiring show for parents of children with all kinds of special needs.  In his latest episode, Jared discusses Disney's Frozen and the lessons he gleaned from the lyrics of the Oscar award-winning song, 'Let it Go.' It's definitely worth a listen! Disney's Frozen Teaches on Social Isolation in 'Let it Go.' ******************************************** Remember to sign up for our monthly community newsletter!  Sign-up via the link in the sidebar, right. If you enjoyed the show, kindly subscribe to the podcast and/or leave a review in iTunes -- it is much appreciated! Thanks for listening, Kathy      

  Today's feature interview is with Emily Woestoff, General Manager at Downtown Disney's BabyCakes NYC -- the only organic, vegan, gluten-free bakery on Disney property!   1674 East Buena Vista Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (Google map) Telephone 407.938.9044 Email dtd@babycakesnyc.com Twitter: @DTDBabyCakesNYC Hours of Operation 9:30am until 11pm daily! View our exclusive Downtown Disney bakery menu. We happily accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and cash. Tip! Make sure to pull into Parking Lot 2 to park. BabyCakes is located in the same building as Pollo Campero and Bodie's, just next door to LEGO Imagination Center!   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *   This week's Special Trip Report is from Kristen Kirk (The DVC Mom) who discusses managing her Fibromyalgia while on a recent trip to Walt Disney World. Kristen also dishes about what it's like to be Maid of Honor at a Disney Fairytale Wedding! Please check out Kristin's blog, The DVC Mom.   Click on this link to learn more about FIBROMYALGIA. Thanks for listening!   Kathy

    Today I'm chatting with the father of Ben, a young man with Autism who rode Snow White's Scary Adventures in WDW thousands of times over the course of ten years. With the help of some very special Cast Members, Ben was the last person to ride the attraction before it closed permanently on May 31, 2012.     Please visit Ron's website, shmoolok.com, for more information about the book and about his original song, Benjamin's Lullaby. All proceeds from sale of both the book and the song go directly to Ben's special needs trust fund. Prior to the feature I answer a listener question regarding my personal experience obtaining the Guest Assistance Card at Walt Disney World earlier this month (July, 2013). If you have questions about Disney parks and travel with special needs or health challenges, please click on the CONTACT tab (above) or tweet me @SpecialMousePod. You can also connect with the podcast on our Facebook page: Special Mouse Podcast. Thanks for listening! ~ Kathy