Disney and Diabetes

Diabetes and Disney

We did it folks! Just last week.

We decided to go for a "trial run" while we were in Florida to see if we thought we were ready to do a longer trip next year.

We had no idea what Diabetes and Disney would be like together.

Would they go together like chocolate covered strawberries?

Or would it be more like chocolate flavored tuna fish?

(Now, before you go thinking that I thought up that little bit of nastiness on my own, I did not. I saw it on a sign. It was too hard to see the picture I took - but I swear to you that it said "Chocolate Flavored Tuna Fish - Stop in for a Free Sample". How nasty is that? I know Floridians love their seafood but that might be taking it a bit far....)

We drove over to the Land of the Mouse on Tuesday. We immediately went to Downtown Disney because our little princess was getting a makeover! She went to the Bibidi Bobidi Boutique and was made over into Cinderella!

Shortly after this pic was taken, Cinderella ditched her glass slippers in favor of crocs! I don't blame her!

She LOVED it! She was fascinated with the long hair!

That evening, we went to dinner at the Grand Floridian with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Trumaine , Anastasia and Drusilla! Sweetpea was so excited she could hardly eat!

Until she met Prince Charming! We had bought Sweetpea an autograph book to collect signatures in. While I had my head turned at the table, she took the pen and wrote in the front of the book where her name was supposed to go. Now Sweetpea knows how to write her name. In fact, she's even starting to write the first letter of words she wants to write (which makes this teacher Mommy very proud!). But, a lot of times she will just scribble. To her it says something. And that's fine. She's 4. But Prince C looked at her book and saw the scribbles. He said to her something along the lines of "Your name is Sweetpea? It looks like this says your name is scribble scribble scribble.".

Not Good, Princey. She was crushed. She asked me, "Mommy, do you think Cinderella is going to say I scribbled, too?"

I could have wrung that stupid Prince's scrawny little neck!

Half way through the meal/experience, Sweetpea got a little clingy and started to cry and say she wanted to go home. I'm not sure if it was because of the "so called" Prince or if it was because her bg was too high (probably due to excitement). It wasn't too much longer before she perked up, though. The dinner insulin was starting to work and she seemed to be feeling better.

The next day - Magic Kingdom!

I had no idea what to expect THAT would be like with a 4 year old with D. On a day when the heat index was 105.

We decided that we'd try to get a medical pass. If we got one, great. If not - fine.

I walked up to the window and explained to the kind man behind the counter my concerns. Sweetpea is very sensitive to heat. In just a few short minutes, her body is sweaty, her hair is starting to form wet ringlets and her little cheeks are bright red. Her bg goes up. She dehydrates quickly. Ketones. You know the drill - this is what I explained to the man behind the counter.

He immediately told us that he could give us a Disability Pass. It turned our stroller into a wheelchair. So we were able to go through the wheelchair lane to get to the rides. CONSIDERABLY less waiting. CONSIDERABLY less time spend in the hot sun.

Was I ashamed to use this pass? Did it bother me that it was called a "disability pass"? Did I think that it was not something that we really needed and should saved for others who truly needed assistance?

Hmmm... Maybe for like... 2 seconds.

NOT.

I did not feel bad one little tiny bit.

As much as we pushed water that day, Sweetpea hardly used the bathroom at all. I was continually pushing her to drink and worrying about her dehydrating. She did not need to be standing in the heat and sun all day long. And I was grateful for the assistance we got. I don't care what it was called. I don't' care what anyone else thinks.

This is how I see it. Sweetpea has diabetes. It sucks. It makes life harder. We have be vigilant in her care. If I had let her roast out in the sun of the lines all day, KNOWING of her sensitivity to heat and dehydration, I would not have been a very good Mom. I'll take this perk. It's pretty much the ONLY perk of having D that I can think of. And we didn't abuse it. We got fast passes when possible. We stood in indoor lines. But it helped keep my girl safe and allowed her to have fun. So, THANK YOU DISNEY! Thanks for giving us the pass that helped her have fun - like every other kid. Without it, we might have had to bypass certain rides with long, outdoor lines. THANK YOU!

We had a blast at the Magic Kingdom. We were there when it opened. We saw Mickey ride in on the train! And we were there until after the Electrical Parade!

Sweetpea did great! Her favorite ride was Dumbo and she LOVED the parade!

The best part? D cooperated the ENTIRE DAY! Great numbers! I did a happy dance!

The next day, we went to breakfast at the Beach Club with Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. Then we headed home (well, back to the condo, anyway).

We had a blast! It was a LOT of fun! We might wait one more year to go back for a longer stay and go to other parks. But it was a Magical experience that we will never forget!

DEFINITELY a chocolate covered strawberry experience!

You can check out some of our Disney pics in the slide show!