Messing up the show

[Big Wallaby]

So today, I got started on a run, had a group that seemed pretty good at first (and I think most of them were) up until we got to the first animals.

In the front row was a family with a little girl who, every time she saw an animal, she would scream "OH, MY GOD!"

After about the second turn, we never had another animal get within 50 feet of the truck, she would say that in the middle of my spiel and interrupt me, and she was so loud at it that I could hear her in the onboard speakers, which means my microphone was picking her up and projecting her even louder to the rest of the people on the truck.

I figured that if I just shut up and didn't continue the facts and spiel every time she did that, Mommy would get the drift and shut her up. No such luck.

Now, I have this thing that if I am trying to talk or put on a presentation and I can hear the words you are saying, it interrupts my verbal train of thought and stops me dead in my tracks, although I can keep driving. So I got to a point where I would just get the name of the animal out and get started on the facts and how the animal will sometimes "OH, MY GOD!"

I figured the people sitting behind them might say something, and I finally did as we were nearing the white rhinos. There is a history with that, in that I present my spiel in a very reactionary way (Oh, look! There's a bontebok!) and I can speak from experience in saying the white rhinos, the ones who can get very close to the truck (I have a friend who's had the rhinos charging his door), spook easily, as I personally startled one of them when I "reacted" to seeing them. So I did make the comment that many of the animals startle and I didn't want to have to deal with us being charged by a rhino. Mom got her to shut up, and I continued. Next we saw the cheetahs, the fastest land "OH, MY GOD!"

I was done. I wish it had been a much slower day, because I would have given everyone but this girl's family a reride, but I doubt I could have gotten away with that today, when we were working hard to break the records for the number of guests per hour.

I have said it before, and I'll say it again. I don't mind what you do to me... that's what they pay (I use the term loosely) me for. But when you ruin the experience for another guest, especially on a day when the line is a 120+ minute wait, and it may be the only time that other guest gets to experience the attraction, you need to shut up, enjoy the ride and let others do the same.

Thing is, I know that by her actions, little Tammy messed up the attraction and experience for at least the next four truckloads. That's about 160 people, if that few, affected by one girl and her mother and grandmother who thought it was all cute (seeing the way mommy smiled every time little Tammy screamed "OH, MY GOD!" I knew saying something would do nothing) and on a day like today there was nothing I could really do, except get her off the ride path as quickly as possible.

What was really impressive was the fact that she didn't do that in response to me saying anything... if mommy didn't point out the deer (Greater Kudu/Bongo) or the alligators (Nile Crocodile) or the leopards (Cheetahs) or deer (Impala) or pelicans (Greater Flamingo), Tammy didn't even make a peep.

My other problem is that, if you have your kid trained to respond with "OH, MY GOD!" at the top of her lungs at the age of five or something like seeing animals, I can't wait to see her psychological bills when Tammy grows up.

I tried hinting to Mommy, when every time she did that I stuck my finger in my ear (she was screaming right in my ear), shut my mouth and looked at Mommy, who just laughed and smiled at me. To her it was cute.

Let me give the show. It's what you're paying me for, right?

End of the show, I didn't even do the whole thing about not saying good bye, but instead Kwa Herini... I just wanted this girl off my truck.

Come to think of it, the next time around the animals were still staying away from the trucks.

I wish just one guest had spoken up. I tried hinting, I tried being direct and telling her through my spiel (granted, it was halfway through the show) that she needed to stop that behavior, but I don't even know that Mommy spoke English to know what I was saying, except that Tammy didn't "OH, MY GOD!" at the white rhinos, but that might be because they were asleep at the moment we passed and she didn't notice them.

So, if you are one of those people on that truck and find yourself reading this post, I would like to apologize that someone so inconsiderately ruined your trip on KSR. Next time you are coming, let me know. All those people who suffered through that sixteen minutes with Tammy deserve compensation... from Tammy and her family, mind you, but they do deserve it, as do all the people in the trucks behind us.

[Whazzup]

I'm sorry, BW, but that story had me laughing so hard I almost choked. I can't believe you've already had Little Tammy on your safari. Hope you don't get a Little Timmy next time. If you do, you have our permission to accidentally hit a bump in the road and toss him into the "alligator" pond.

[DisneyMom]

Maybe you could tell the mom that you're not sure if the enclosures are high enough, and All the animals may attack if subjected to loud noises......then say Shhhhhh, that one ate a little girl last week!should she yell out again....:twisted:

[Big Wallaby]

then say Shhhhhh, that one ate a little girl last week!should she yell out again....:twisted:The term "You're so fired" comes to mind... But then, I think that's the point.

Was it wrong to have thoughts of taking them back to the croc bridge?

Oh, the other thing that was annoying was that every time she screamed she stood up. Safety issue (to the point I finally stopped saying anything on that, too) and it just meant she was that much closer to my ear.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I feel sorry for you and the other guests. I am also sorry some guest didn't say shut the heck up after the second OMG! SG's don't expect ire from someone else on the ride!! (plus they can't fire us, only ask us to leave!)

take a shot of RUM, sounds like you deserve it!!

[vixen101485]

***Vix takes a wet noodle and slaps it upside little Tammy and her mommy's head. Then gives BW a nice relaxing cup of chamomille tea. PSSTT...you dont wanna give him rum GP....ask about the Lapu Lapu's :D:

If Meghyn gets too loud on your attraction when we come to visit in March, you have my permission to tell her...SHHHHHH!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

***Vix takes a wet noodle and slaps it upside little Tammy and her mommy's head. Then gives BW a nice relaxing cup of chamomille tea. PSSTT...you dont wanna give him rum GP....ask about the Lapu Lapu's :D:

If Meghyn gets too loud on your attraction when we come to visit in March, you have my permission to tell her...SHHHHHH!

lapu Lapu's sound too complicated, RUM is easy!! Besides I got to try a marsupial drink at the adventurers club!!

Should have given Tammy a shot of RUM, that'll quiet her down!!

[vixen101485]

Big Wallaby likes his Lapu Lapu's mixed with lemonade. LOL
Dare ya to eat the top BW.

Grump....have you ever had one of them. They are a POLY specialty. YUM, lots of RUM. Yes I got a major buzz from it since I am not used to alcohol either. LOL

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Big Wallaby likes his Lapu Lapu's mixed with lemonade. LOL
Dare ya to eat the top BW.

Grump....have you ever had one of them. They are a POLY specialty. YUM, lots of RUM. Yes I got a major buzz from it since I am not used to alcohol either. LOL

DW and I got hooked on the Pina Colavas at the poolside bar. we had them when we first stayed there in 1993, and its always a treat for us. I will have to try the Lapu Lapu's when we visit again!!

[vixen101485]

They are really good and VERY strong (well a wine cooler is strong for me:rolleyes:) And even cooler they come in a real hollowed out pineapple. I think it was about $12 for one. LOL. Poor Meghyn wanted a drink so bad because of the container. They need to come out with a non alcoholic kids version.
Are the Pina Colava's coconut flavored at all? Not big on the taste of that.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

They are really good and VERY strong (well a wine cooler is strong for me:rolleyes:) And even cooler they come in a real hollowed out pineapple. I think it was about $12 for one. LOL. Poor Meghyn wanted a drink so bad because of the container. They need to come out with a non alcoholic kids version.
Are the Pina Colava's coconut flavored at all? Not big on the taste of that.

We did see the cups there, wondered what they were! I am sure you could order a virgin one, DW does that when she dosn't want the alcohol! The Pina Colavas are a light rum, coconut mix, and pinapple garnish! pretty good!! If you don't like coconut, it might not be your drink!

[Randy B]

Should have given Tammy a shot of RUM, that'll quiet her down!!

The rum may not be fast enough. But a tap on the noggin with the rum bottle might do the trick. :D: We can dream, can't we.

Since they were (from your description) right behind your drivers seat, I would have been tempted to mute my mic (or hold my hand over it) and politely tell the parent to please keep their child safely in the seat so she won't fall and get hurt. And then I would also ask if she could keep her voice down as if she is too loud the animals hide from the truck and "you won't see as many animals". This turns it around to helping the guest maximize their enjoyment instead of telling them "no".

Randy

[Planner]

Ugh sounds like one of the little monsters we had the "pleasure" of suffering through the Sunrise Safari with a while back. Croc bait for sure

[hobie16]

Years ago I went to Ren Faire in Denver. There was a presentation about birds of prey with about 100 people listening. The presenter had just started when a Timmy started whining. The presenter looked over and in a firm voice said, "Quiet." Timmy stopped.

About a minute later Timmy started in again. The presenter, now obviously pissed, used his outside voice. "QUIET!!" No more peeps from Timmy.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

The rum may not be fast enough. But a tap on the noggin with the rum bottle might do the trick. :D: We can dream, can't we.

Since they were (from your description) right behind your drivers seat, I would have been tempted to mute my mic (or hold my hand over it) and politely tell the parent to please keep their child safely in the seat so she won't fall and get hurt. And then I would also ask if she could keep her voice down as if she is too loud the animals hide from the truck and "you won't see as many animals". This turns it around to helping the guest maximize their enjoyment instead of telling them "no".

Randy

A good application of RUM, plus you don't waste it on a landlubber pollywog!!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Years ago I went to Ren Faire in Denver. There was a presentation about birds of prey with about 100 people listening. The presenter had just started when a Timmy started whining. The presenter looked over and in a firm voice said, "Quiet." Timmy stopped.

About a minute later Timmy started in again. The presenter, now obviously pissed, used his outside voice. "QUIET!!" No more peeps from Timmy.

I would imigine that the urge for him to do that was almost overwhelming!

Hats off to him for not breaking!!

[Big Wallaby]

Big Wallaby likes his Lapu Lapu's mixed with lemonade. LOL
Dare ya to eat the top BW.

Grump....have you ever had one of them. They are a POLY specialty. YUM, lots of RUM. Yes I got a major buzz from it since I am not used to alcohol either. LOL

I do like some Lemonade in it. I also like it without. Very tasty drink, and puts me under the table in no time.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I do like some Lemonade in it. I also like it without. Very tasty drink, and puts me under the table in no time.

Can you order it with the leomonade as a variation, or is that a local "discovery" and modification!!

[TalkingHands]

A few years ago on the Safari there was a lady behind me who keep saying that the crocodiles were not real. I told her they were real since I have been on the Safari several times as well as the Sunrise Safari. She just could not believe they were real.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

A few years ago on the Safari there was a lady behind me who keep saying that the crocodiles were not real. I told her they were real since I have been on the Safari several times as well as the Sunrise Safari. She just could not believe they were real.

Too bad you couldn't do what the did at the bar in the phillippnes, it you didn't believe they were real, they gave you a piece of chicken and allowed you to put in on the nose of the "statue" hehehehe lots of guys learned to levitate!

(I am referring to a bar in Subic Bay that had an alligator pit with alligators in it, inside the bar!)(they also had a smaller one in front, but too many people messed with the alligator, so they removed it)

[Princess Susi]

Too bad you couldn't do what the did at the bar in the phillippnes, it you didn't believe they were real, they gave you a piece of chicken and allowed you to put in on the nose of the "statue" hehehehe lots of guys learned to levitate!

(I am referring to a bar in Subic Bay that had an alligator pit with alligators in it, inside the bar!)(they also had a smaller one in front, but too many people messed with the alligator, so they removed it)

Was that bar in Alongapo City near The Little Green Jug??? Surprised I know about THAT place, Grumpy????? Hmmmmmm??????:eek:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Was that bar in Alongapo City near The Little Green Jug??? Surprised I know about THAT place, Grumpy????? Hmmmmmm??????:eek:

Olongapo!

Not suprised at all!! I know you have been around a bit! Do you know about Paulines???

[darph nader]

Too bad you couldn't give FPs to 'all' the quests who were inconveninced (sp?). Next time get one of those 'sports' horns and let the little 'angel' have it. Of course sneak some beers on board and have a good time. Better yet,let me come along with a small:cooler:and we'll both have a good time.:D:

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Maybe something like "Sweetie, Shut your trap or I will toss you into the lions den" may have helped:twisted:
I wish I was on that bus, I would have been helpful with Mom asking her to keep sweet "Tammy" quite as others were also along for this ride and trying to hear the kind driver:D:
Deb

[Rob562]

I had only one real encounter with a SG during my recent visit. (Well, apart from the Guest in the Everest Single Rider line who got angry when the grouper told him that he couldn't wait for the front seat like he'd been able to when he was in the Standby line)

A friend and I were riding Pirates, and a family of four was sitting in front of us (Mom, Dad, young kid and grandma).

Mom whips out a camera as soon as we were away from the dock. First, she turns and takes a pic of Dad and kid, with flash. OK, one quick pic for the scrapbook, I'll overlook it. (I saw her turn with the camera, and was able to look away in time).

But then I knew we were in trouble when she takes a flash photo of the Davy Jones projection (I'm sure she's still wondering why all she got was a big cloud of bright white). Another flash pic or two going past the skeletons... I consider saying something, but don't.
Finally, we get to the well scene and the first Jack Sparrow AA. No pics here, we're floating along to the next scene, and so I think she's decided to give up on the camera.

Nope. In a very fast motion, she turns, holds out the camera BEHIND her husband's head and takes a photo of Jack. This puts the camera about 12" in front of my face, pointing slightly backwards and off to my right. *FLASH!!!!!* I couldn't react fast enough to turn away, put my hand up to block or push her camera away. I was utterly blinded.

I very loudly said to her in a stern voice "Could you NOT do that again? It was RIGHT in my FACE!"
At this point, she said something back to me. I couldn't hear what she said because of the music, but I could see her mouth moving. I then added something along the lines of "Or at least learn how to turn off the damn flash!" I also saw the husband do a partial turn and his mouth moving, but also couldn't hear what he was saying. (The Mom seemed downright surprised that someone actually talked back to her.)

She continued taking a few more flash photos along the ride, but none in my direction. But let me tell you, if she had, I'm sure something very bad would have happened to her camera. (I considered demonstrating why I was angry with her by reaching my camera forward and taking a photo in front of her face, but my friend suggested I hold off on that one...) I had a haze in my vision for the rest of the ride...

-Rob

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Nope. In a very fast motion, she turns, holds out the camera BEHIND her husband's head and takes a photo of Jack. This puts the camera about 12" in front of my face, pointing slightly backwards and off to my right. *FLASH!!!!!* I couldn't react fast enough to turn away, put my hand up to block or push her camera away. I was utterly blinded.

I am afarid I would have helped the camera take a bath! sheesh, SG's!!

[mechurchlady]

Next time Rob needs to take Syndrome with him.

[Big Wallaby]

Darph, good to see you!

The other day, I guess we had someone drop their camera in the finale waters. Every so often, you'd be driving through there and it was just late enough in the day that a flash going off under the water registered all around the truck. It made for some interesting special effects, and we couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from.

Finally, someone found the device, and it turned out it was just a flash. Makes me sick, because I know what mine cost... both of them... and losing one would be awful.

[ktulu]

Reminds me of one of the trips to WDW and riding on Safari, the CM is spieling and in the middle we hear "SIT DOWN YOUNG MAN!" and then goes right back into it, as if someone else came on the speakers and yelled at the kid. It was awesome.

I found that if I use my "official" sounding voice on rides where people are taking flash pictures, they stop. It was much worse at WDW then at DLR though :/

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Darph, good to see you!

The other day, I guess we had someone drop their camera in the finale waters. Every so often, you'd be driving through there and it was just late enough in the day that a flash going off under the water registered all around the truck. It made for some interesting special effects, and we couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from.

Finally, someone found the device, and it turned out it was just a flash. Makes me sick, because I know what mine cost... both of them... and losing one would be awful.

Thats why DW and I leave the expensive stuff at home now and just use a sony digital. WDW and DLR are set us as such that we dont need the 500mm lens and so forth. (last time we used them was in Alaska!)

[DisneyMom]

Yeah, that "Flash Lady" might have suffered the same fate from me as the poor Mummy Maze guy who jumped in front of me at Universal some years back...
Now mind you, I KNEW that people were going to jump out at me, and I KNOW that we are not supposed to touch the actors, but the guy jumped out inches in front of me, and out of a reflex,both my hands SHOVED him in his chest as I shrieked! It only took me a moment to recover and I yelled Sorry as he disappeared again. I don't think I hurt him or anything, but I felt bad......
I wouldn't feel bad tho if that camera ended up in the drink:twisted:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Yeah, that "Flash Lady" might have suffered the same fate from me as the poor Mummy Maze guy who jumped in front of me at Universal some years back...
Now mind you, I KNEW that people were going to jump out at me, and I KNOW that we are not supposed to touch the actors, but the guy jumped out inches in front of me, and out of a reflex,both my hands SHOVED him in his chest as I shrieked! It only took me a moment to recover and I yelled Sorry as he disappeared again. I don't think I hurt him or anything, but I felt bad......
I wouldn't feel bad tho if that camera ended up in the drink:twisted:

Hey stuff happens.....

[TalkingHands]

Too bad you couldn't do what the did at the bar in the phillippnes, it you didn't believe they were real, they gave you a piece of chicken and allowed you to put in on the nose of the "statue" hehehehe lots of guys learned to levitate!

(I am referring to a bar in Subic Bay that had an alligator pit with alligators in it, inside the bar!)(they also had a smaller one in front, but too many people messed with the alligator, so they removed it)

ROFLMAO! That would really teach them. I have to tell you the worst though. We took a bunch of kids and their teachers from Boston to the Everglades when they visited to play in a concert with out kids. At the first path there were some gators out sunning themselves on the walkway. One mom decided she wanted a pic of her boys and the gator and told them to go stand by the gator. Fortunately a ranger stopped the kids. The parent wasn't a visitor though. She was one of the local moms! She should have known better.
Btw down here we have both gators and crocs to worry about. Only place in the world that they coexist.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

ROFLMAO! That would really teach them. I have to tell you the worst though. We took a bunch of kids and their teachers from Boston to the Everglades when they visited to play in a concert with out kids. At the first path there were some gators out sunning themselves on the walkway. One mom decided she wanted a pic of her boys and the gator and told them to go stand by the gator. Fortunately a ranger stopped the kids. The parent wasn't a visitor though. She was one of the local moms! She should have known better.
Btw down here we have both gators and crocs to worry about. Only place in the world that they coexist.

Wow, that came very close of qualifing as an SG! The first year I visited WDW, 1987, I stopped by the famous Gatorland, and saw the "jumperoo", I understand that the Gator Head enterence was destroyed by a storm..Too bad!

Did the parent ever realize just how dangerous that would have been? I have heard stories of pets disappearing near lakes and ponds down there!

[Cheshire Figment]

Wow, that came very close of qualifing as an SG! The first year I visited WDW, 1987, I stopped by the famous Gatorland, and saw the "jumperoo", I understand that the Gator Head entrance was destroyed by a storm..Too bad!
It was not a storm, it was a fire. The administration building and the store were destroyed. The only fatalities were one gator and a python. They reopened about ten days after the fire. The jaws are still there, and they are rebuilding. The jaws will again be the main entrance, and I have read that they expect to be back to normal within the next few months.

BTW, while they were closed the employees not involved in the cleanup or other stuff did get their regular pay.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

It was not a storm, it was a fire. The administration building and the store were destroyed. The only fatalities were one gator and a python. They reopened about ten days after the fire. The jaws are still there, and they are rebuilding. The jaws will again be the main entrance, and I have read that they expect to be back to normal within the next few months.

BTW, while they were closed the employees not involved in the cleanup or other stuff did get their regular pay.

Wow, that is good to hear! Good for them. A lot of places wouldn't take care of the employees that way!! Every time we go to WDW, I keep telling DW we have to take a "side trip" there! (she keeps putting it off!!)

[Big Wallaby]

Syndrome has a good article on Gatorland. I haven't seen her in forever, for that matter...

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Syndrome has a good article on Gatorland. I haven't seen her in forever, for that matter...

I though that was one of the neater "sideshow" type places. If I remember right, that was one of the few original "roadside" attractions in Flordia that survived. Liked the show. The aligator meat was okay.

[felinefan]

If somebody had set off a flash in my face, they would've been eating that camera! "Lady, the next time that camera's flash goes off, I guarantee you the next picture it takes will be of the inside of your friggin' stomach!"

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

If somebody had set off a flash in my face, they would've been eating that camera! "Lady, the next time that camera's flash goes off, I guarantee you the next picture it takes will be of the inside of your friggin' stomach!"

I think the same thing, except it wouldn't be the stomach!

[mechurchlady]

We had a Gatorland thread for a while when the fire broke out.

http://www.gatorland.com/ufgiveaway.php
Florida Residents only
18+
Drawing about May 30, 2008
Win 4 annual passes.

http://www.gatorland.com/about.php
They are back in business and it is as if nothing every happened. Their new updated website is much better than the old one.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Syndrome has a good article on Gatorland. I haven't seen her in forever, for that matter...

I have found a lot of info through google, plus looking at my old album, I actulally have photos from the original! I see that they have added things, but again, its been a long time since I have visited it.

[Princess Susi]

ROFLMAO! That would really teach them. I have to tell you the worst though. We took a bunch of kids and their teachers from Boston to the Everglades when they visited to play in a concert with out kids. At the first path there were some gators out sunning themselves on the walkway. One mom decided she wanted a pic of her boys and the gator and told them to go stand by the gator. Fortunately a ranger stopped the kids. The parent wasn't a visitor though. She was one of the local moms! She should have known better.
Btw down here we have both gators and crocs to worry about. Only place in the world that they coexist.

Now that is just a Darwin Award waiting to happen.:twisted:
I hate *flashers* on POTC. I use my stern adult voice to tell them to stop it. Either that or the *voice of God* beats me to it over the speakers when the CM sees it going on. If they still don't stop, I use a louder voice.:twisted: And usually you will get others on the boat to agree and tell them as well. It ruins the experience and adventure for everyone. So far though we have been VERY lucky, only a couple times have we been in a boat with a *flasher*.
I don't see many flashers at DL as I did at WDW. Maybe the World destination thing and more people....
sooze
gotta run...off to eBay to bid on a few cool pins today! I'll be back in a while when my auctions are done and I have won more shiny pins!:D: When I WANT to win something, I do. No one beats me if I really, really want a pin. Some I will let go for a higher bid, but not the ones I HAVE to have!:twisted:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Now that is just a Darwin Award waiting to happen.:twisted:
I hate *flashers* on POTC. I use my stern adult voice to tell them to stop it. Either that or the *voice of God* beats me to it over the speakers when the CM sees it going on. If they still don't stop, I use a louder voice.:twisted: And usually you will get others on the boat to agree and tell them as well. It ruins the experience and adventure for everyone. So far though we have been VERY lucky, only a couple times have we been in a boat with a *flasher*.
I don't see many flashers at DL as I did at WDW. Maybe the World destination thing and more people....
sooze
gotta run...off to eBay to bid on a few cool pins today! I'll be back in a while when my auctions are done and I have won more shiny pins!:D: When I WANT to win something, I do. No one beats me if I really, really want a pin. Some I will let go for a higher bid, but not the ones I HAVE to have!:twisted:

Pins!! We actually have a bunch that we got, a lot of them are the kind you only get on tours and stuff. DW got some "shadow box" frames from Michaels and we are putting them in by year we collected them!!

[Princess Susi]

Yep, I collect pins and have several thousand of the shiny suckers now. All sorts and types and subjects. Even have a group of Loony Tunes pins. Most of my pins are Beauty and the Beast and Belle, Ariel and Little Mermaid, Attractions and Park pins, Castles and The Disneyland Hotel. I have quite a few very rare and hard to find collectible pins. I don't trade much, did a tiny bit last trip, will do some this next trip and in May at WDW. I have so many that I have dupes and triplicates of some pins, so those are the ones I will take to trade. I get many of mine from eBay. I have a few really great seller friends and I always find the best pins from them. They can cost ya though.:eek: I have a number of auctions coming in today and then a lull. There is one that is going to go over a hundred bucks today, I have a feeling. It is rare and lots of people want it. It is a Disney 50th anniversary pin, but very rare. I WILL win it! Mark my words.:twisted:
soose:p:

[Planner]

I was under the impression most CMs hated the things and those who are pin nuts? I admit to having my own small but growing collection and yes they add up fast..ugh the Halloween party was hell with so many lovely pins. I have found some fantastic ones trading with the CMs in less traveled areas and just chatting up CMs who look a bit lonely

Good luck on your auction

[Kwahati]

...I WILL win it! Mark my words.:twisted:
soose:p:

Wow. I don't collect them, but I do have a couple. My roommates got me an "Opening Day" Ratatouille pin because we saw the movie on opening day and I love Remy! and I have one of the special Spread the Magic pins with Tinkerbell on it. I'm not a big Tinkerbell fan (well, she is a little hottie, but that's as far as my interest goes) but those pins were given to us by a CM who had confidence we would give them away (they come in sets of two and you're supposed to keep one and give one away) to worthy families. We had fun doing it too, so that pin is kinda special to me... :)

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Yep, I collect pins and have several thousand of the shiny suckers now. All sorts and types and subjects. Even have a group of Loony Tunes pins. Most of my pins are Beauty and the Beast and Belle, Ariel and Little Mermaid, Attractions and Park pins, Castles and The Disneyland Hotel. I have quite a few very rare and hard to find collectible pins. I don't trade much, did a tiny bit last trip, will do some this next trip and in May at WDW. I have so many that I have dupes and triplicates of some pins, so those are the ones I will take to trade. I get many of mine from eBay. I have a few really great seller friends and I always find the best pins from them. They can cost ya though.:eek: I have a number of auctions coming in today and then a lull. There is one that is going to go over a hundred bucks today, I have a feeling. It is rare and lots of people want it. It is a Disney 50th anniversary pin, but very rare. I WILL win it! Mark my words.:twisted:
soose:p:

IS that the special AP only pin? I'm not up on them much, we get the "free" ones for taking tours and booking through Disney and so forth. and every trip we each buy some. DW has a lot of the Tinkerbell ones and others. I have (big suprise) pirates and villains and park ones. Segway tours and behind the scenes! We only collect ones that strike our fancy when buying them. We don't even come close to having the amount you have!!

last time we were at WDW, we saw the pin traders at DTD going crazy with the trading. And we were Epcot buying an Epcot themed pin, and saw security escourting a guest toward the gate, I think he had shoplifed a couple of pins, but wasn't paying that much attention.

Well good luck, hope ya get what ya want!!

[Princess Susi]

There are many CMs who are avid collectors themselves. And no they don't hate the nice and polite collector. The pin sharks who pray on the folks who may not know what they have are detested by everyone. I don't bug CMs about pins and most of the CMs that I do trade with already know me and they collect too. It is all in how you approach anyone to trade. I don't trade very often, in fact this last trip was my second time trading and I found a few cool pins from CMs who really wnated some ogf mine as well...:D:
sooze

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

There are many CMs who are avid collectors themselves. And no they don't hate the nice and polite collector. The pin sharks who pray on the folks who may not know what they have are detested by everyone. I don't bug CMs about pins and most of the CMs that I do trade with already know me and they collect too. It is all in how you approach anyone to trade. I don't trade very often, in fact this last trip was my second time trading and I found a few cool pins from CMs who really wnated some ogf mine as well...:D:
sooze

DW only did it once, and that was because she saw a pin that showed Minnie sewing, and she is really into sewing!! Since we only buy the ones we want, we don't trade much! I did take a bunch of "giveaways" that I would give to CM's from time to time, a tiny pin that had the logo of the "company" I work for. But since they are not "Disney" related, I didn't want (or expect) anything in return.

[DisneyMom]

I think the same thing, except it wouldn't be the stomach!

Ummmmmm, somewhere at the END of the GI tract?:rolleyes:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Ummmmmm, somewhere at the END of the GI tract?:rolleyes:

Welll, they ARE connected, depends on your point of view! (HA!)

[PapaMouse]

I wish I had been on that truck. I would have been the first guest to speak up and tell her to "OH MY GOD, SHUT THE F**** UP!"


Sucks that the other people had to deal with it too. It's one thing for a SG to be in their own ride vehicle and be annoying, but to share a ride vehicle with others and mess it up for them...

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I wish I had been on that truck. I would have been the first guest to speak up and tell her to "OH MY GOD, SHUT THE F**** UP!"


Sucks that the other people had to deal with it too. It's one thing for a SG to be in their own ride vehicle and be annoying, but to share a ride vehicle with others and mess it up for them...

I agree, but then SG mom would have demanded "something" cause it "ruined the magic" for them, and whats the capper..oh yeah...this was their last day, and they would NEVER get to see it again in their whole lives!!!

Apply named; SG!!!

[PapaMouse]

I agree, but then SG mom would have demanded "something" cause it "ruined the magic" for them, and whats the capper..oh yeah...this was their last day, and they would NEVER get to see it again in their whole lives!!!

Apply named; SG!!!

I am making a mental note to pack a spit wad gun for my next trip. Any SG I find will get a face full of soggy paper...from a safe distance of course. ;)

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I am making a mental note to pack a spit wad gun for my next trip. Any SG I find will get a face full of soggy paper...from a safe distance of course. ;)

Do what I suggested on another board. always have you handy dandy water bottle. If you need too, take a quick "Drink" do not swallow! Walk up to the SG and do your best fake "ralph" with the water. It gets some really good results!! and you must do your best "sorry" to the SG and not crack a smile!!

(You must only use your power for good!!)
hehehehehe

[Christine43]

Hi BW, I wanted to comment on this because the safari ride is one of our favorites, particularly for my son who wants to become an animal handler and myself because I love animals. This situation would have irritated the hell out of me and probably, my son too. We actually listen to everything the driver says and we really enjoy it and would definitely not enjoy hearing precious screaming every two minutes. Parents who believe everyone should find their kid utterly adorable, because they do, when they're being obnoxious are a pet peeve of mine. One of my sons is autistic and there is no way in hell I would let him behave like this and ruin other peoples' experience.
On a side note, we were there in October and had a wonderful safari ride particularly because of the driver. This driver's name was Greg, I don't know if it's you but you seem a lot like him, and he went above and beyond. He knew what he was talking about, lots of interesting info. on the animals and it was obvious he really loved his job. It was also clear he had a great respect for the animals, like us. Whoever Greg is, I wrote a letter to WDW CM feedback about what a great job he did (wrote about some other CMs positively too) and I also spoke briefly to Greg after getting off the truck and told him how impressed we were. Whoever it was, we seriously appreciated it just as we appreciate the awesome interactions we've had with so many cms. Keep up the good work and thanks.

[hobie16]

Christine gets a...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/2193273538_80940fe4f1_o.jpg

[Christine43]

Thanks! I'm showing this to my kids....

[hobie16]

Thanks! I'm showing this to my kids....

Don't let them see my avatar. That'll blow the whole deal.

[Shorty82]

Hi BW, I wanted to comment on this because the safari ride is one of our favorites, particularly for my son who wants to become an animal handler and myself because I love animals. This situation would have irritated the hell out of me and probably, my son too. We actually listen to everything the driver says and we really enjoy it and would definitely not enjoy hearing precious screaming every two minutes. Parents who believe everyone should find their kid utterly adorable, because they do, when they're being obnoxious are a pet peeve of mine. One of my sons is autistic and there is no way in hell I would let him behave like this and ruin other peoples' experience.
On a side note, we were there in October and had a wonderful safari ride particularly because of the driver. This driver's name was Greg, I don't know if it's you but you seem a lot like him, and he went above and beyond. He knew what he was talking about, lots of interesting info. on the animals and it was obvious he really loved his job. It was also clear he had a great respect for the animals, like us. Whoever Greg is, I wrote a letter to WDW CM feedback about what a great job he did (wrote about some other CMs positively too) and I also spoke briefly to Greg after getting off the truck and told him how impressed we were. Whoever it was, we seriously appreciated it just as we appreciate the awesome interactions we've had with so many cms. Keep up the good work and thanks.

Couldn't have been BW as he just recently started at Safari and was driving buses in October.

[BRWombat]

Couldn't have been BW as he just recently started at Safari and was driving buses in October.Though he is an awesome KSR driver also, as I can attest personally! Plus, his name isn't Greg, it's... something else. :D:

[Ms. Matterhorn]

I find it funny that no one has commented on a five year old (although Tammy is probably Trailer Trash) being allowed to say, OH MY GOD! I brought up my children to say "oh my gosh" and never to take the Lord's name in vain!

Having said that, I would have told Mom to shut the kid up for Chrissake!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I find it funny that no one has commented on a five year old (although Tammy is probably Trailer Trash) being allowed to say, OH MY GOD! I brought up my children to say "oh my gosh" and never to take the Lord's name in vain!

Having said that, I would have told Mom to shut the kid up for Chrissake!

In this day and age, that is pretty tame! One (ex) friend of the oldest grandson said The bad word at a ball game. His mom didn't make a big deal of it. My DIL didn't think it was "cute", grandson is not allowed to associate with the kid!

[Big Wallaby]

Christine, I know exactly who you're talking about, and I'll pass it on to Greg. I have been behind him when he had a truck with a particularly loud audio system, so I know exactly what you are talking about. He is very good.

As far as Tammy doing that every two minutes, it was more often than that... I find your comment about your autistic child and what you allow from him fascinating. I ask this out of true inquisitiveness, I don't want to start a flame war with anyone, but I ask because from everything I've ever heard from a parent with an autistic child (and maybe it's a certain brand of autism) it can be impossible to control their outbursts or actions sometimes. Yet you sound like you have it all in hand. Again, I ask because I truly don't understand and I would like to. Maybe that's a whole different thread.

[DisneyMom]

Well, the good and bad news is that every child with autism is different from the other....Luckily, in my case, my child eventually learned to not do certain things like run into the street, pour all my shampoo into the sink, not to shoplift because I was ALL OVER HIM virtually every minute, and put things out of his reach as much as possible- extra locks on the doors, knobs were taken off the stove, etc. until he learned certain things. Never had a bit of trouble from him at Disneyland, he KNEW how to act there, but I certainly would not have tolerated him acting the wrong way there or anywhere, I would have dragged him off first.
He is doing very well now, just gets a little EMO sometimes, and when he does, we try to set him straight(aren't ALL 20 year olds a little dramatic?):rolleyes:

[Christine43]

Hi BW & DisneyMom, I actually have three boys on the spectrum, two with Aspergers and one with high functioning autism, whatever that means. I definitely agree that every kid is different, my three certainly are. I have one very negative 19 yr. old (AS), a charming but easily upset 11 yr. old & very uncompromising at times (AS) and his twin who has HFA. I have been extremely involved in their treatments and the school education plans for them. As far as behavior, disabled or otherwise, I expect them and their sister to behave appropriately always. I also expect them to be kind. I, however, am well aware that learning this is a slower process for atleast one of them. You're right, this is a huge task to teach them at times but, like Disneymom, I'm on them at all times and I miss nothing. I never make excuses for them but in the case of Perry, (HFA) I do explain to people why he may be behaving a certain way. This happened on one of the buses in October. He was whining because there were no seats available on the bus so I told the people near us, who looked horrified (we're used to this), he was autistic and then I started dealing with him. Autistic or not, there's nothing wrong with his legs and I told him he needed to stop complaining, try to be patient and remember where we're going and that that kind of whining was unacceptable, period. He did stop. However, one woman on the bus kept rolling her eyes and shaking her head and when I told her he was autistic she shrugged like whatever. Everyone else was very nice about it. The bus driver was nice about it. Unfortunately, we get this everywhere. With an autistic child you just have to dedicate yourself to work with your child as much as you humanly can. That's what I do and I'm a student as well so it can be done. We'll be at WDW again this Christmas and I will expect them all to behave as well as I know they are capable of. Perry can be very difficult so there are times when we've had to leave or have a time out but we work it out. They absolutely love Disney, by the way. We leave it behind, more or less, when we're there. It's an extremely emotional experience for us and we appreciate it and I suppose that's why I get irritated with SGs who don't appreciate it as much as they do and ruin it for others (if they let them). We'll try and figure out if any of our drivers are you while we're there. Incidentally, I make a point of each of the children thanking our drivers each and every time and we've had a great time on many of the bus drives. We love the spiels so thanks!

[Christine43]

I need to add something. I'm sorry to be so long winded about this but this subject engulfs my life. What my children are capable of is a blessing and I am totally aware of all the autistic children who are not as high functioning as my kids. What they can and can't deal with is entirely different and they may not be able to handle situations at Disney and elsewhere as well as my kids can. Too many people interpret their behavior as being bratty but it most definitely isn't. There are too many reasons to mention why any autistic child would be behaving in a way someone might interpret as "bratty" like they may be way too hyper stimulated in one way or another etc...When Perry gets like this we do what I mentioned before but it drives me nuts when people look at my family and assume Perry is just misbehaving. I wish. What bothers me is if I can teach my children to behave as well as they can, why oh why can't parents of kids without issues??? They have no idea how lucky they are and they don't care, it's criminal. Thanks for letting me vent. Christine

[DisneyMom]

Well Said, Christine, and Hugs to you and your Family. I totally agree with you on how some other parents do not know how lucky they are to have neurotypical children, and like you, have run into plenty of people who do not have the ability to understand what Autism involves (I was trying to explain it to one woman one time, I asked her if she had seen Rain Man, and she said no, how do you spell that? I gave up explaining to most people after that.:rolleyes:).
Unfortunately, now that the frequency of autism has risen so dramatically,most people should have at least heard of it.:(

[hobie16]

The mothers deserve a...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/2195995780_45d9c3c0da_o.jpg

[Whazzup]

The mothers deserve a...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/2195995780_45d9c3c0da_o.jpg

What kind of cookies, Hobie??
If they're dark chocolate, I'm there!

[hobie16]

What kind of cookies, Hobie??
If they're dark chocolate, I'm there!
I'm a sucker for Mrs. Fields.

[Shorty82]

Christine, sounds like you know how to handle your children and their disabilities.
Don't let people like the woman rolling her eyes bother you, their opinion doesn't matter. Also, many people have no idea at all what autism is so don't know what it entails.

We'll try and figure out if any of our drivers are you while we're there.

There's no chance of riding with BW unless you go on the Safari at DAK. BW has left buses and now drives a safari truck.

[DisneyMom]

The mothers deserve a...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/2195995780_45d9c3c0da_o.jpg

Awwwww, Hobie, so nice!
Mmmmmmmm, cookies!!!!!

[Big Wallaby]

Thank you for that info. I appreciate it. Everything makes more sense now.

[Christine43]

Thank you, Hobie and I did actually show your avatar to my kids who have the same sense of humor as me and we thought it was hysterical.
Disneymom, if that woman can't spell rain man, maybe she's the one with the real issues.
I used to have this thing that I put on peoples' cars when they parked to close to me. It had an insulting message about their parking abilities but it also had Mickey Mouse with a big smile on his face flipping the bird. Now, I love Mickey as much as anyone but I still thought this was pretty funny. I would love to have that picture now but with a message defending my autistic children. Maybe I'll design one. I constantly try to educate people about autism but when that fails and they're still griping, out comes Mickey.

[Christine43]

By the way, I probably am going to try to play guess the driver based on people I've talked to here when I am there in December. I'm also sure I'll be way off. However, we plan on doing something small but nice for CMs while we're there so if a child hands you a candy cane sometime from Dec. 17- 27 then you'll know it's my family. We really do appreciate the CMs and we're handing these out as a small thank you to any CM that so much as smiles at us.

[Big Wallaby]

I've never not taken candy from kids when they offer it. I take that back. I did once, and the little girl of about four years old looked like she was going to cry. I agree with not taking gifts from guests (most of the time), but little kids don't understand that "no" can also mean "thank you". Plus, I've never had kids come up on their own and try to give me money.

[TechieSidhe]

I constantly try to educate people about autism but when that fails and they're still griping, out comes Mickey.

That's a lovely idea. :) We were on the bus from Epcot to Coronado Springs when I was seated next to a very enthusiastic young adult who I believe was mentally handicapped (I'm not a medical professional, so I'm guessing.) He was very happy to be at Disney and expressed himself loudly. The mother was a special education teacher and I believe an absolute SAINT... He was interacting with his brothers and people kept giving him the worst looks. Sometimes I wish I could sprinkle a little Pixie Dust and make them spend a day in an mentally handicapped person's head so they could see how it feels when the brain and the will sometimes don't work together as planned.

DH and I were thinking that honestly, the mentally handicapped person was probably a better person than 90 percent of the people on the bus because at that moment, he was gifted with experiencing pure joy without the mental and emotional entanglements that neurotypicals carry around.

[Cheshire Figment]

Today, at my gate (DHS) we had a group of at least 20 people from Minnesota of varying ages who, to put it politely, might have qualified for Densa (the opposite of Mensa). They were all very well-behaved. Some were wearing Special Olympic shirts. I did overrides for almost all of them on the finger scans as I could easily tell they were having real problems with the scanner.

I had a nice conversation with one of the chaperones; the one who was handling the tickets. I did not find out much about the group, but did suggest to her that she look up the disABILITIES Forum on Disboards.

I'm sure that this group (and I estimated ages up to in the 40s) were all having a fantastic time.

[Randy B]

What bothers me is if I can teach my children to behave as well as they can, why oh why can't parents of kids without issues??? They have no idea how lucky they are and they don't care, it's criminal. Thanks for letting me vent. Christine

No prob on the vent.

Also I have noticed that it is now becoming the norm that "parents" are so busy in their daily lives that I often wonder that they are able to pick their child(ren) out of a crowd. If the "parent" rarely spends any time with their child and just leave all moral and behavioral training to others no such training ever happens. :mad: Then by the time they trot the kids out to show off (even if nobody is there to see or care) and the kids are behaving badly the "parent" just retreats into hiding or denying they know these little beasts.

And since the brats are much more noticable than the well behaved, many of us get a, maybe, unfair impression that all kids are brats.

For those of you out there who make an attempt to teach your children how to behave in public to the limits of the childs ability to learn and understand, I wish to applaud and give a thumbs up. :clap::thumbup: Keep up the good work.

Randy

[GaTechGal]

Christine,
When kids are misbehaving, it's always the behavior of the PARENTS that I roll my eyes at. If you are attempting to discipline your kids I'm right there behind you. Sometimes you just can't get them to stop on a dime. It's that parents that just sit there and let it to on that chap me.

Question - sometimes when kids are whining like that, I try and distract them by asking them about their trip or other stuff just to see if I can stop the whining or crying. Some times they just snuggle back towards mom since a "stranger" spoke to them (no joke about how I might be stranger than some please) and some times it actually works to distract them. Would that work for you sons?

[Princess Susi]

What bothers me is if I can teach my children to behave as well as they can, why oh why can't parents of kids without issues??? They have no idea how lucky they are and they don't care, it's criminal. Thanks for letting me vent. Christine

HERE! HERE!

I used to have this thing that I put on peoples' cars when they parked to close to me. It had an insulting message about their parking abilities but it also had Mickey Mouse with a big smile on his face flipping the bird. Now, I love Mickey as much as anyone but I still thought this was pretty funny. I would love to have that picture now but with a message defending my autistic children. Maybe I'll design one. I constantly try to educate people about autism but when that fails and they're still griping, out comes Mickey.

I have seen things like this. They are sooooooo...funny!

That's a lovely idea. :) We were on the bus from Epcot to Coronado Springs when I was seated next to a very enthusiastic young adult who I believe was mentally handicapped (I'm not a medical professional, so I'm guessing.) He was very happy to be at Disney and expressed himself loudly. The mother was a special education teacher and I believe an absolute SAINT... He was interacting with his brothers and people kept giving him the worst looks. Sometimes I wish I could sprinkle a little Pixie Dust and make them spend a day in an mentally handicapped person's head so they could see how it feels when the brain and the will sometimes don't work together as planned.

DH and I were thinking that honestly, the mentally handicapped person was probably a better person than 90 percent of the people on the bus because at that moment, he was gifted with experiencing pure joy without the mental and emotional entanglements that neurotypicals carry around.

This is so true. That young person has the joy of a child and none of the worries and stress of an adult. While this can be a hazard in the *Real World*, it has to be a gift at Disney!!!!! How many of us wish we could just lose all the adult problems for a while at Disney? Isn't that why we go?:)
susi

[Princess Susi]

When kids are misbehaving, it's always the behavior of the PARENTS that I roll my eyes at. If you are attempting to discipline your kids I'm right there behind you. Sometimes you just can't get them to stop on a dime. It's that parents that just sit there and let it to on that chap me.

Question - sometimes when kids are whining like that, I try and distract them by asking them about their trip or other stuff just to see if I can stop the whining or crying. Some times they just snuggle back towards mom since a "stranger" spoke to them (no joke about how I might be stranger than some please) and some times it actually works to distract them. Would that work for you sons?Totally agree. It is the parents responsibility to keep their kids from misbehaving. I do not usually blame children for bad behavior (usually they are hungry, tired, have a wet diaper or all of the above and the parents are bent on MAKING them have a good time because they are spending a LOT of $$$ to be here, blah, blah, blah...:rolleyes: ). If someone were to tell me that their child was autistic, or *mentally challenged* or Down's which is more defined by body type, I would probably ask what I could do to help the mother, if she also had more children with her and/or she had her hands full.

That is because my husband's brother was severely disabled with a disease that made him *look* like he had Downs, but he did not. His head was the shape of a Down's person from the disease he had. He was not in any way mentally affected and was one of the most articulate and intelligent men I knew, but he *looked* different and people would stare!:mad: The disease caused severe growth deformities and he was the most vivacious and active person I knew with such a disease. He passed 2 years ago due to his heart muscle dying, which is what the disease was all about, destroying muscle. Having a family member that had such obstacles to overcome, makes one understand completely.

We all have our own *little disabilities* in life and we all need to be more accepting and tolerant of those who are much *different* than us.

I like what I heard someone say once. That these folks are actually God's Angels sent here to teach us to be more human and compassionate. Not everyone gets it. It was not so long ago that all people who were *otherly abled* than the *rest of us* were labelled with such demeaning and despicable words, like *retarded* and even the word *slow* pisses me off. It was this way for as long as I can remember. It was not only until more recently, the 1980's and 90's that we started differentiating in the various neurological and personality *disorders*. It has been a blessing that science has been moving faster in figuring out what exactly causes these things to occur. Not fast enough and not enough information yet, but it moves forward every day.

We have to thank the mothers of these children for what they do, for they ARE the front line in the fight for more answers about Autism and Downs and other disorders. Without the moms and families who stand strong in their fight, we would not be where we are in the studies. The push is huge from the family spectum!

I saw an ad on TV a couple days ago that showed that the chance of a child being born with Autism is now 1 in 150 births. That is an incredible rate. We MUST find what is doing this. The stats grow higher every day. Something in this world we live in is affecting these pregnancies and causing the genetic changes and we must find out what it is. That is the way to tackle it and lower that rate.

I have heard of more and more treatments that are having great results. And more and more celebrities (Jenny McCarthy comes to mind) are coming forward to share their stories and tell what they did to fight the battle. It seems when more celebrities come out of the woodwork, things start rolling faster, which should NOT be the way it is. It should be a major research project WITHOUT the celebrities! I know there ARE doctors behind the scenes fighting alongside families everyday to help with this disease, but you never hear about it, until a famous person has the problem.

Let's just hope that now this is at the forefront, we will have answers sooner than later!
sues

[DisneyMom]

Again, WELL SAID!
It does bring a lot of attention to the problem when a celeb states that autism has affected their family, but to see the real magnitude of the increase in frequency, you all could go to one one the Autism Walks in a major city. If I recall correctly, there were 10,000 walking at WALK NOW
LA last April at the Rose Bowl. A HUGE difference from when my son was little and hardly anyone had heard of it except for when they watched Rain Man.
Susi and Ralph, I am so sorry to hear about your family member's passing.
I appreciate all of you who are interested in Autism, and want to help.

[Christine43]

No prob on the vent.

Also I have noticed that it is now becoming the norm that "parents" are so busy in their daily lives that I often wonder that they are able to pick their child(ren) out of a crowd. If the "parent" rarely spends any time with their child and just leave all moral and behavioral training to others no such training ever happens.
For those of you out there who make an attempt to teach your children how to behave in public to the limits of the childs ability to learn and understand, I wish to applaud and give a thumbs up. :clap::thumbup: Keep up the good work.Thanks, I figure that's my job. I've always said that it's my job to produce decent human beings by the time they leave my side so I've emphasized kindness here at home. It's really distressing that so many parents don't teach their children just to be nice to others. The kids you describe above are the same kids that harass mine unmercifully. I can't tell you how many times I've been to the school over bullying and they have stopped it but I wish the parents of these kids would take the time to evaluate why their kids are doing this. Thanks for the thumbs up, I appreciate it.

[Christine43]

Christine,

Question - sometimes when kids are whining like that, I try and distract them by asking them about their trip or other stuff just to see if I can stop the whining or crying. Some times they just snuggle back towards mom since a "stranger" spoke to them (no joke about how I might be stranger than some please) and some times it actually works to distract them. Would that work for you sons?

Well, sometimes and sometimes not. Perry, HFA, is distracted from the world already. He frequently scripts (meaning he'll repeat lines from a show or movie or even a commercial, he appears to be talking to himself which he technically is) and it can be difficult to bring him out of it. This was also happening on the bus so you can imagine the looks we got.
I do have ways to make him stop the "tv talk" (our pet name for it) and sometimes if another person talks to him he will respond. He doesn't do it constantly and you can have a limited conversation with him but eventually, he'll go back to it. But with the situation on the bus he was already upset and it would be very hard for someone he's not familiar with to be able to help him although boy, am I grateful when someone does or atleast lets me know they understand. It can be very hard on me because I love my son and it's horrible to have people look at him like he's a freak. Thanks!

[Christine43]

If someone were to tell me that their child was autistic, or *mentally challenged* or Down's which is more defined by body type, I would probably ask what I could do to help the mother, if she also had more children with her and/or she had her hands full.Oh my God, you have no idea how awesome that would be. NO ONE has ever done that for me, not even my extended family who are another story altogether. You have no idea how much I would appreciate that, I think I'd cry.

He was not in any way mentally affected and was one of the most articulate and intelligent men I knew, but he *looked* different and people would stare!:mad: The disease caused severe growth deformities and he was the most vivacious and active person I knew with such a disease. He passed 2 years ago due to his heart muscle dying, which is what the disease was all about, destroying muscle. Having a family member that had such obstacles to overcome, makes one understand completely.I'm so sorry. I totally understand about the staring.

We all have our own *little disabilities* in life and we all need to be more accepting and tolerant of those who are much *different* than us.

We have to thank the mothers of these children for what they do, for they ARE the front line in the fight for more answers about Autism and Downs and other disorders. Without the moms and families who stand strong in their fight, we would not be where we are in the studies. The push is huge from the family spectum!You're right, some of the best advice I've gotten was from other parents.

I saw an ad on TV a couple days ago that showed that the chance of a child being born with Autism is now 1 in 150 births. That is an incredible rate. We MUST find what is doing this. The stats grow higher every day. Something in this world we live in is affecting these pregnancies and causing the genetic changes and we must find out what it is. That is the way to tackle it and lower that rate.THANK YOU

I have heard of more and more treatments that are having great results. And more and more celebrities (Jenny McCarthy comes to mind) are coming forward to share their stories and tell what they did to fight the battle. It seems when more celebrities come out of the woodwork, things start rolling faster, which should NOT be the way it is. It should be a major research project WITHOUT the celebrities! I know there ARE doctors behind the scenes fighting alongside families everyday to help with this disease, but you never hear about it, until a famous person has the problem.Although I am grateful that celebrities are coming forward with their stories, the problem with them is that they can afford around the clock help, the best doctors, intense therapy around the clock, etc. Most of the rest of us can't even dream of that.

Thank very, very much, Christine

[Princess Susi]

Again, WELL SAID!
It does bring a lot of attention to the problem when a celeb states that autism has affected their family, but to see the real magnitude of the increase in frequency, you all could go to one one the Autism Walks in a major city. If I recall correctly, there were 10,000 walking at WALK NOW
LA last April at the Rose Bowl. A HUGE difference from when my son was little and hardly anyone had heard of it except for when they watched Rain Man.
Susi and Ralph, I am so sorry to hear about your family member's passing.
I appreciate all of you who are interested in Autism, and want to help.

The mention of Rain man is interesting, because that is my nickname for Ralph. Since his accident was one of major head trauma, it did change him in many ways mentally. He takes some time to answer questions sometimes and is *slower* on the uptake. He also has some incredibly unusual preoccupations. He will look at anything with numbers and pick out the prime numbers or the natural numbers, he will add them up and figure out another aspect of the number. He is fascinated by palindromes. He also puts his paper money in his wallet not only according to denomination, but in serial number order! He is obsessed with numbers and is a great mathematician. He has some aspects of preocupicity such as you find in Aspergers and he cannot do more than one thing at once. If he is on the phone, he cannot also write or talk to someone else. He has to be completely immersed in one thing he is doing. I multi task up to 3 and 4 things at a time. He absolutely cannot do it. These are all impacts from his brain damage, but they mirror so many of Autism's symptoms, that it makes me wonder what part of the brain was damaged and how it was damaged to present this way.

He is not as preoccupied as Rain Man was, of course, but his compulsive behavior is noticeable and he must do everything in order. When he dresses, he has to do it exactly the same way, every time, or he gets confused. When he drives somewhere he gets lost easily, unless he goes the exact same way evertime. Things have to be done in order no matter what task it is, from laundry to writing out lists for everything (in his own little code language he made up;) )to getting ready for bed the exact same way everytime. If one thng is out of order he gets confused. He had to relaern everyting in the hospital at age 21, so it may be that he is just doing things the exact way he was taught in the hospital and his brain cannot really adjust so easily to a ripple in the progamming. It is quite interesting and we talk alot about it.

It definitely stemmed from his brain injury. He is however extremely emo and has no problem showing emotion at all, ever. He can be overly emotional sometimes and wants hugs ALL THE TIME! He has a short temper when he feels like he is being *bugged too much* or when someone is trying to pull one over on him.
He also does not think out somethings before he says them and we have had a few embarassing moments with some of the things he has said in public.:eek: It is almost like there is no social filter there at times. Other times there is, but most of the time there is not. I have to coach him before we go out often to tell him what is proper social talk and what is not. It can get sticky when he lapses if there is a racial feel to the conversation and it HAS happened with our Black friends. Luckily they know us very well and understand his dilemma and laugh it off. It has never caused a serious problem in our circle of friends.

Only one time was there an extremely uncomfortable moment on a train trip we took and the conversation was going along smoothly at a shared table in the dining car and then he blurted out something, which caused a very unconfortable silence and then I quietly glossed the statement over and got the conversation moving again. But he does not MEAN to be rude or out of line. It just pops out sometimes and he does not know it is not such unnacceptable speech. It is never really outrageous, but a sort of undertone that he does not know is not quite polite. Baffling to most of us.
Brains are fragile things and we have along way to go in understanding how and why they work.
In the meantime, I love my Rain man because he is who he is and he is a loving, comapssionate person who has some effects from an accident that changed him in some ways.

It really is like dealing with a child sometimes too. He can be very childlike and I sometimes am put in a position of acting like a mother, which can get creepy.:eek: But that is not very often, thankfully. Life. We take it as we are given it and we do our best with the tools we have in our own personality make-up.
sues

[Princess Susi]

Disneymom, thanks for your words of kindness for Ralph's brother, Chris. He was a very special person and we miss him so much. In fact, one of the main reasons we bought this house here and equipped it with an elevator and made it 100% disabled accessible was because his brother was supposed to come live with us and have his own space downstairs and be able to come upstairs via elevator to spend time with us. We also knew we had problems with disability, at least Ralph did WHEN we moved in, mine developed after and we wanted it to be easy to get around in. But at the time we were building it, we designed much of the downstairs for Chris and his wheelchair. That is why we invested in such a large home and when Chris passed, it changed the whole timbre of living here. I can't take it. It is so empty and with Chris here, it would have been so fun and we would have has such stimulating coversations and played many games of Scabble and other mentally challlenging things. He was a bright light in our lives and we miss him greatly and this house is just not what it was supposed to be.
We need to move to get away from the emptiness that was supposed to be full of life. No one really knew how long Chris had, so we thought he could be with us for awhile, but he went downhill much more quickly thabn any of us thoought he would. He is with the Father now. He was a devout Christian and was not afraid to go to be with the Father. he was truly a blessed person, even with all the challenges he had.
sues

[Princess Susi]

Finally a last thought before I shut up... I am hyper and off on a tear today...:hyper:
We know that challenges do not make someone a lesser person as some very misinformed people think. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for your children with Autism or any disability. It makes me so angry when other's stick their holier than thou noses in the air when they are so misinformed and worse, just don't want to be around those with *disabilities*. I have actually heard people say that parents should NOT bring their Autistic children or Down's Syndrome children or disabled people to the Parks because it is depressing for them to see and it takes away from their trip. It DELAYS them, makes them late for whatever... and causes them to HAVE to explain to their children what is *wrong* (their word, not mine) with the disabled or Autistic or Downs person. I am sure if I heard what they said to their kids, I would be horrified. Contempt breeds contempt. I shudder to think that these kids are not getting a good lesson in compassion, but rather a lesson that teaches them to feel the exact same way their nasty parents do. :mad:
sues

[DisneyMom]

Susi, you and Ralph never cease to amaze me, you have gone thru SO MUCH,
yet persevere.....
SO much in life can MESS UP THE SHOW(strange where this thread has gone)but I do think the point in life is to continue and do your best no matter what, and most importantly try to also improve things for others.
Unfortunately, some SGs will never get that concept....I think that is why we are preoccupied with them!

[DisneyMom]

Finally a last thought before I shut up... I am hyper and off on a tear today...:hyper:
We know that challenges do not make someone a lesser person as some very misinformed people think. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for your children with Autism or any disability. It makes me so angry when other's stick their holier than thou noses in the air when they are so misinformed and worse, just don't want to be around those with *disabilities*. I have actually heard people say that parents should NOT bring their Autistic children or Down's Syndrome children or disabled people to the Parks because it is depressing for them to see and it takes away from their trip. It DELAYS them, makes them late for whatever... and causes them to HAVE to explain to their children what is *wrong* (their word, not mine) with the disabled or Autistic or Downs person. I am sure if I heard what they said to their kids, I would be horrified. Contempt breeds contempt. I shudder to think that these kids are not getting a good lesson in compassion, but rather a lesson that teaches them to feel the exact same way their nasty parents do. :mad:
sues

HAHAHA! You know what I say to THOSE people.....
KISS MY ASPERGER'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:p::p::p::p::p:

[Big Wallaby]

I have actually heard people say that parents should NOT bring their Autistic children or Down's Syndrome children or disabled people to the Parks because it is depressing for them to see and it takes away from their trip.I have but one response to that and those who think that way: :twitch:

[Randy B]

We know that challenges do not make someone a lesser person as some very misinformed people think. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for your children with Autism or any disability. It makes me so angry when other's stick their holier than thou noses in the air when they are so misinformed and worse, just don't want to be around those with *disabilities*.

Every person on the planet has a disability in something. Some people can write poetry but can not balance their checkbook. Thats a disability. Some can read a book at a blazing speed but driving to a new place or via a new route get so lost that they never could get anywhere without help. That's a disability. Nobody can do absolutely everything perfect. Thus each and every one of us do have multiple disabilities. So there is a percentage of people whos disabilities are visible or obvious. Heck even the prevalence of GPS Navigation devices indicates a disability in a large portion of the population that prevents navigating from one place to another without getting lost, while adjusting to possible changes to available routes.

The flip side of this is every one of us has abilities. We all have strengths that we are specifically good at. They may not be obvious, but they are there. Some of the disabilities restrict the ability to move and/or communicate and thus may make our abilities less useful or obvious. But they are there.

So while I agree that disabilities may need to be acknowledged and compensated for, completely rejecting anyone with a disability will eventually reject every single person. I also recognize that there may be some persons whos disabilities or side effects from their disabilities may be unable to experience everything, and that needs to be recognized too. Also if a side effect will cause undue discomfort to the masses around them, some adjustments may need to be made to allow all to enjoy activities to their personal limits. I do not include the "I don't want to be reminded of disablities" attitude in that "undue discomfort".

So, personally, I wish to encourage everyone to experience their life (including leasure activities) to the best of their ability. But every one of us have to be ready to compensate for the disabilities and assist others who need our particular strengths.

JMHO

Randy

[Christine43]

The mention of Rain man is interesting, because that is my nickname for Ralph. Since his accident was one of major head trauma, it did change him in many ways mentally. He takes some time to answer questions sometimes and is *slower* on the uptake. He also has some incredibly unusual preoccupations. He will look at anything with numbers and pick out the prime numbers or the natural numbers, he will add them up and figure out another aspect of the number. He is fascinated by palindromes. He also puts his paper money in his wallet not only according to denomination, but in serial number order! He is obsessed with numbers and is a great mathematician. He has some aspects of preocupicity such as you find in Aspergers and he cannot do more than one thing at once. If he is on the phone, he cannot also write or talk to someone else. He has to be completely immersed in one thing he is doing. I multi task up to 3 and 4 things at a time. He absolutely cannot do it. These are all impacts from his brain damage, but they mirror so many of Autism's symptoms, that it makes me wonder what part of the brain was damaged and how it was damaged to present this way.

He is not as preoccupied as Rain Man was, of course, but his compulsive behavior is noticeable and he must do everything in order. When he dresses, he has to do it exactly the same way, every time, or he gets confused. When he drives somewhere he gets lost easily, unless he goes the exact same way evertime. Things have to be done in order no matter what task it is, from laundry to writing out lists for everything (in his own little code language he made up;) )to getting ready for bed the exact same way everytime. If one thng is out of order he gets confused. He had to relaern everyting in the hospital at age 21, so it may be that he is just doing things the exact way he was taught in the hospital and his brain cannot really adjust so easily to a ripple in the progamming. It is quite interesting and we talk alot about it.

It definitely stemmed from his brain injury. He is however extremely emo and has no problem showing emotion at all, ever. He can be overly emotional sometimes and wants hugs ALL THE TIME! He has a short temper when he feels like he is being *bugged too much* or when someone is trying to pull one over on him.
He also does not think out somethings before he says them and we have had a few embarassing moments with some of the things he has said in public.:eek: It is almost like there is no social filter there at times. Other times there is, but most of the time there is not. I have to coach him before we go out often to tell him what is proper social talk and what is not. It can get sticky when he lapses if there is a racial feel to the conversation and it HAS happened with our Black friends. Luckily they know us very well and understand his dilemma and laugh it off. It has never caused a serious problem in our circle of friends.

Only one time was there an extremely uncomfortable moment on a train trip we took and the conversation was going along smoothly at a shared table in the dining car and then he blurted out something, which caused a very unconfortable silence and then I quietly glossed the statement over and got the conversation moving again. But he does not MEAN to be rude or out of line. It just pops out sometimes and he does not know it is not such unnacceptable speech. It is never really outrageous, but a sort of undertone that he does not know is not quite polite. Baffling to most of us.
Brains are fragile things and we have along way to go in understanding how and why they work.
In the meantime, I love my Rain man because he is who he is and he is a loving, comapssionate person who has some effects from an accident that changed him in some ways.

It really is like dealing with a child sometimes too. He can be very childlike and I sometimes am put in a position of acting like a mother, which can get creepy.:eek: But that is not very often, thankfully. Life. We take it as we are given it and we do our best with the tools we have in our own personality make-up.
sues

Susi, is Ralph your husband? He does have some very autistic like tendencies so you know my life very well and I'm so very sorry to hear that he had an accident that caused these injuries. It does sound like you're handling them very well and thank you so much for all your kind words to me. You really are living my life too in a way. You are a great person too and Ralph sounds like a sweetheart. Christine

[Christine43]

I can't take it. It is so empty and with Chris here, it would have been so fun and we would have has such stimulating coversations and played many games of Scabble and other mentally challlenging things. He was a bright light in our lives and we miss him greatly and this house is just not what it was supposed to be.
We need to move to get away from the emptiness that was supposed to be full of life. No one really knew how long Chris had, so we thought he could be with us for awhile, but he went downhill much more quickly thabn any of us thoought he would. He is with the Father now. He was a devout Christian and was not afraid to go to be with the Father. he was truly a blessed person, even with all the challenges he had.
sues

God, what a hard time you've been having, I am sincerely so sorry. It's always so hard on those left behind when someone passes. I lost my brother in '85 and then my best friend in '88 and I was a basketcase for a while so I understand. You, Ralph and Chris sound like remarkable people and you'll get through it. It's terribly hard to lose someone you love, when did he pass? In my case, it sort of incorporated itself into my life. My children know all about their uncle, in fact, Perry is named after him. They also know all about my best friend and our friendship. Best friend Wendy was quite ill and brother Perry was depressed and having a very, very hard time and I remind myself they are at peace and I'll see them again. I hope some of this helps a little. Christine

[hhsrat]

So ... Big Wallaby ... where does this belong on the "messing up the show scale"? ... Yelling "Flight of the Navigator" on Great Movie Ride when the tour guide asks what movie this scene is from ;)

Other suggestions: "Babes in Toyland!", "Michael Bay's Transformers", "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy", and "Finding Forrester"

[Big Wallaby]

The rest of the show we were good, quiet (yet interactive at the right moments) participants. That was totally for the benefit of the person giving the show, and since we were up front I doubt too many other people got it. I don't think we made her look stupid or anything. And it just sorta turned into one of those bizarre moments of her day with some guests that had obviously been on the tour one too many times. The fact we did it in unison? If it's not obvious it was just an innocent thing to make her chuckle, then I don't know what is.

Consider it our way of saying hello.

It's like the guy who got on my truck the other day, claimed he had seen me on YouTube and requested me (I still haven't found that video yet, so if someone sees it, PM me the link). When we got to the Watering Hole and I announced the black rhinos, he made the comment that they like to put out fires. If you've seen The Gods Must Be Crazy, the you'll get the reference. It was enough that I was to the edge of Ituri before I stopped laughing. I don't know why it was quite so funny to me, it just was.

Since it was just him and his family on board, I came extremely close to going with that comedy routine I've always wanted to try.

[Randy B]

The rest of the show we were good, quiet (yet interactive at the right moments) participants. That was totally for the benefit of the person giving the show, and since we were up front I doubt too many other people got it. I don't think we made her look stupid or anything. And it just sorta turned into one of those bizarre moments of her day with some guests that had obviously been on the tour one too many times. The fact we did it in unison? If it's not obvious it was just an innocent thing to make her chuckle, then I don't know what is.


That's why I so enjoy some of the big meets of fans that I have attended. When your group fills an entire vehicle we can let loose without fear of ruining the attraction for an "innocent" person. I will long remember when We filled an entire GMR vehicle and conspired among ourselves to, in unison, chant the line "Snakes..Why'd it have to be snakes" just half a second before the guide. We broke the poor lady up. And when we gave her a very enthusiastic (and loud) standing ovation at unload she had a big smile on her face.

We have had some very large meets at KSR (it's fun to answer the "how many in your party" with a truthful 125). Maybe if we can swing it some of us may try to fill your truck BW and let you know that the "KSR meets the Jungle Cruise version is what we want. :D:

Randy

[vixen101485]

It's like the guy who got on my truck the other day, claimed he had seen me on YouTube and requested me (I still haven't found that video yet, so if someone sees it, PM me the link). When we got to the Watering Hole and I announced the black rhinos, he made the comment that they like to put out fires. If you've seen The Gods Must Be Crazy, the you'll get the reference. It was enough that I was to the edge of Ituri before I stopped laughing. I don't know why it was quite so funny to me, it just was..

I searched and couldnt find anything either going back 2 months. How long have you been at that position again. In training or permanant. I was going to look for it by date.

[Big Wallaby]

The most recent one is a guy named Alex, and I can't think of who it is so it might be an old video.

There's also a video of a bunch of people out at a bar, and I recognized quite a few of them. Should get that taken down, because it even says it's a bunch of KSR guides.

[vixen101485]

I found quite a few with female drivers and I did find the one with Alex.

I saw the bar one too. HMMPPFFF ....dumb enuf to have yourself videotaped getting drunk at a bar=derserve to be posted online for all to see

[mechurchlady]

The most recent one is a guy named Alex, and I can't think of who it is so it might be an old video.

There's also a video of a bunch of people out at a bar, and I recognized quite a few of them. Should get that taken down, because it even says it's a bunch of KSR guides.

so that is why there is a long line to get into youtube

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I found quite a few with female drivers and I did find the one with Alex.

I saw the bar one too. HMMPPFFF ....dumb enuf to have yourself videotaped getting drunk at a bar=derserve to be posted online for all to see

And as the saying goes, once it hits the Internet, it has a life of it's own!!

[DisneyMom]

Back to autism for anyone interested.....
There is a conference at the Anaheim Convention Center on February 16th(Saturday) Featuring Jenny McCarthy, Temple Grandin, and Barbara T. Doyle (Sister of a friend of mine!). I am not involved in this in any way, but thought maybe others who were interested and might want to combine a conference with a trip to Disneyland:)
more info at www.Autism-Conferences.com
Hope I have not posted improperly!

[DisneyMom]

Back to autism for anyone interested.....
There is a conference at the Anaheim Convention Center on February 16th(Saturday) Featuring Jenny McCarthy, Temple Grandin, and Barbara T. Doyle (Sister of a friend of mine!). I am not involved in this in any way, but thought maybe others who were interested and might want to combine a conference with a trip to Disneyland:)
more info at www.Autism-Conferences.com
Hope I have not posted improperly!

Oooops. The conference is on both Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th....you can attend either or both days.:)

[hhsrat]

The most recent one is a guy named Alex, and I can't think of who it is so it might be an old video.


I think I've seen Alex V's show on Youtube, and I'm pretty sure he's still at KSR.

[February]

Aww, man, Big Marsupial ain't driving a bus no more?

I go away a little while and he changes jobs? Or am I just terminally confused and that was somebody else who was a bus driving marsupial?

We're staying at a bus resort this spring first time in years with no monorail and here I thought I might get to meet the big purple pouched one.

Dang.

MCP
trying to get over her disappointment- she never goes to AK. . .

[Whazzup]

Aww, man, Big Marsupial ain't driving a bus no more?

I go away a little while and he changes jobs? Or am I just terminally confused and that was somebody else who was a bus driving marsupial?

We're staying at a bus resort this spring first time in years with no monorail and here I thought I might get to meet the big purple pouched one.

Dang.

MCP
trying to get over her disappointment- she never goes to AK. . .

Not to worry, Copilot. Wallaby is now having much more fun driving SGs around on his Kilimanjaro Safari truck, so you will still get a chance to meet him. You just have to go to AK and track him down. He will probably stop by this forum later today to say howdy and suggest you not stay away from the boards so long next time.
There is still a marsupial driving a bus - Cranbiz is still doing his thing.

[Big Wallaby]

Howdy! Welcome back to SGT! Don't be such a stranger.

Cranbiz is not a marsupial, but he's cool enough that he could have been.

[Whazzup]

Howdy! Welcome back to SGT! Don't be such a stranger.

Cranbiz is not a marsupial, but he's cool enough that he could have been.

Oh, please forgive me for being an SG, I confused WOMBAT the marsupial with CRANBIZ the bus driver. Just totally ignore my last post. Thank you. :rolleyes:

[felinefan]

As for the cause of the upswing in autism cases, you may find this useful: www.food.consumercide.com/soy=compl.html , http://soyonlineservice.co.nz/ , http://www.westonaprice.org . When you consider how much soy has invaded the food chain, it makes sense.

[Cranbiz]

Oh, please forgive me for being an SG, I confused WOMBAT the marsupial with CRANBIZ the bus driver. Just totally ignore my last post. Thank you. :rolleyes:

I never did look good with a pouch.

Cranbiz is not a marsupial, but he's cool enough that he could have been.

Maybe I can be an honorary marsupial?

[vixen101485]

I never did look good with a pouch.

Maybe I can be an honorary marsupial?

You mean that WASNT you I saw wearing that hideous neon pink fanny pack last time?

[Cranbiz]

As Duckie says,


Nope, Nope, Nope.

[BRWombat]

I never did look good with a pouch.

Maybe I can be an honorary marsupial?As far as I'm concerned, all the SGT regulars can be honorary marsupials. The more the merrier!

[Princess Susi]

Every person on the planet has a disability in something. Some people can write poetry but can not balance their checkbook. Thats a disability. Some can read a book at a blazing speed but driving to a new place or via a new route get so lost that they never could get anywhere without help. That's a disability. Nobody can do absolutely everything perfect. Thus each and every one of us do have multiple disabilities. So there is a percentage of people whos disabilities are visible or obvious. Heck even the prevalence of GPS Navigation devices indicates a disability in a large portion of the population that prevents navigating from one place to another without getting lost, while adjusting to possible changes to available routes.

The flip side of this is every one of us has abilities. We all have strengths that we are specifically good at. They may not be obvious, but they are there. Some of the disabilities restrict the ability to move and/or communicate and thus may make our abilities less useful or obvious. But they are there.

So while I agree that disabilities may need to be acknowledged and compensated for, completely rejecting anyone with a disability will eventually reject every single person. I also recognize that there may be some persons whos disabilities or side effects from their disabilities may be unable to experience everything, and that needs to be recognized too. Also if a side effect will cause undue discomfort to the masses around them, some adjustments may need to be made to allow all to enjoy activities to their personal limits. I do not include the "I don't want to be reminded of disablities" attitude in that "undue discomfort".

So, personally, I wish to encourage everyone to experience their life (including leasure activities) to the best of their ability. But every one of us have to be ready to compensate for the disabilities and assist others who need our particular strengths.

JMHO

Randy

So very, very true.

Susi, is Ralph your husband? He does have some very autistic like tendencies so you know my life very well and I'm so very sorry to hear that he had an accident that caused these injuries. It does sound like you're handling them very well and thank you so much for all your kind words to me. You really are living my life too in a way. You are a great person too and Ralph sounds like a sweetheart. Christine

Yes, Ralph is my husband and he is a 43 yr old man who had a very nasty run in with a car on his motorcycle when he was 20. He suffered a contra coup, which means his brain sloshed back and forth inside his skull several times banging against the walls of the skull everytime. He was in hospital 2 and half yrs and was in a coma for 3 months, semi comatose for 6 months and then had to relearn everything. He also died 4 times in the hospital. God had other plans.:) He has also had well over 70 surgeries.

He is a survivor and he is amazing. If you spent just a short time with him, you might notice slight speech things or notice how he walks, but having lived with him for 13 years now, I see patterns of behavior that do mimic Aspergers. He does not have it per se, but some of his actions sure look like Aspergers.

I believe it was the accident that caused these changes in him. I did not know him back then, but from what I garner from friends and family he was a pretty normal guy who went to the Air Force Academy and was afraid of girls.;) He can be very shy around females. He also has a very high IQ! It can be daunting, because he is very bright. He attended classes at UC Berkeley as a sophomore in high school in an accelerated program. He loves math and music. Music is based on mathematics and thus interests him a great deal. He is oblivious to social news like all the Hollywood gossip and TV show and popular culture, preferring to immerse himself in non-fiction books about science and math as well as spy novels!;) He loves James Bond!!!!

He just is a truly amazing human being with all that he has had to endure from the accident. It ended his Air Force career. At the time he was crosstraining with the Navy Seals in a special forces program. He wanted to be Special Forces and then move on to law enforcement on a more secret level. He is now a big, goofy Disney loving guy that had his entire life turned upside down by an idiot behind the wheel of a car who hit him head on, then sped away and left Ralph there on the side of the road. There was an off duty fireman behind Ralph on the road and he got the license # and called for help. They caught the guy! Ralph would be dead if not for that fireman!
So he has good life now and is happy and alive. Considering the alternative, that ain't too bad in his eyes!:) And he inspires me to be a better person everyday of my life!
sues

[Big Wallaby]

As far as I'm concerned, all the SGT regulars can be honorary marsupials. The more the merrier!
Then let us call it done!

[DisneyMom]

Susi, thanks for explaining about Ralph's accident, I didn't have enough bravery to ask exactly what happened before.
It is truly a miracle that he is here, and you HAVE told us how much you two mean to each other, it is very inspiring.
It is very much like Asperger's when you speak of his traits, we know so little of why the brain can switch off some things, yet other items become intensified.
There is actually some debate in the autism community as to when we find "The Cure", do we really want to prevent some of the special abilities that some Aspies have?(Some very creative people in history were "Aspies")
Now, I know that you or I would like to turn back time and prevent whatever happened to our loved ones to change them into neurotypical people, but there are many people who have Asperger's who are satisfied with who they are.
I believe there are a multitude of causes, and that we are many years from a "Cure" anyway, I just intend to bring up some of the issues that occur when we talk about people's differences.

[vixen101485]

As Duckie says,
Nope, Nope, Nope.

Oh I love Duckie. YEP YEP YEP

As far as I'm concerned, all the SGT regulars can be honorary marsupials. The more the merrier!

Can I wear a green bow and some rhinestones on my pouch?

[Princess Susi]

God, what a hard time you've been having, I am sincerely so sorry. It's always so hard on those left behind when someone passes. I lost my brother in '85 and then my best friend in '88 and I was a basketcase for a while so I understand. You, Ralph and Chris sound like remarkable people and you'll get through it. It's terribly hard to lose someone you love, when did he pass? In my case, it sort of incorporated itself into my life. My children know all about their uncle, in fact, Perry is named after him. They also know all about my best friend and our friendship. Best friend Wendy was quite ill and brother Perry was depressed and having a very, very hard time and I remind myself they are at peace and I'll see them again. I hope some of this helps a little. Christine

Ralph is a remarkable person. His brother Chris was a remarkable person. Me? I am just a regular gal lucky enough to have met my soul mate in Ralph. I was a different person when I met Ralph, heading down a not so savory path and meeting him made me change completely. I knew the first time I saw him he was my soul mate and guardian angel. I have completely changed my errant ways. (a LOT of us in the radio and rock music biz in the 1980's were errant in our ways!:twisted:;) ) He makes me a better person. He makes me WANT to be a better person! That is huge.

Chris passed in February of 06, two years ago now ...He was special and we miss him alot. I wish he could have come to live with us and share our house. He was a joy to be around! Now the house is just too big and too empty. :(

I am so sorry for the loss of your brother and your best friend. It IS hard to lose those we love and we must forge ahead without the physical presence of them in our everyday lives. We can go on though, because they are still with us in our hearts and in spirit. And we will definitely see them again.

We recently lost our beautiful 11 yr old kitty, Orion. There is a whole thread on it, I won't repeat the story here, but the crux of it was that Orion was our child, more than a kitty. We are devastated over the loss and it is hard to be without him, but each day dawns a little brighter and we know he is with St. Francis and probably Chris is playing with him while they wait for all of us to come someday in the future.:) We all will celebrate with our loved ones together again!

Back to autism for anyone interested.....
There is a conference at the Anaheim Convention Center on February 16th(Saturday) Featuring Jenny McCarthy, Temple Grandin, and Barbara T. Doyle (Sister of a friend of mine!). I am not involved in this in any way, but thought maybe others who were interested and might want to combine a conference with a trip to Disneyland:)
more info at www.Autism-Conferences.com
Hope I have not posted improperly!
I so wish we lived in the area. It would be so much easier to attend these events.:(

As for the cause of the upswing in autism cases, you may find this useful: www.food.consumercide.com/soy=compl.html , http://soyonlineservice.co.nz/ , http://www.westonaprice.org . When you consider how much soy has invaded the food chain, it makes sense.
Very cool information! Thanks for the link!

As far as I'm concerned, all the SGT regulars can be honorary marsupials. The more the merrier!
Oh Goody, I have wanted to be an honorary marsupial myself. I prefer Possums! I'd like to hang by my tail:p: and the one's in Bambi were just as cute as they could be. But then all the critters in Bambi pulled at my heartstrings. Disney got me with that film, manipulating every feeling they could out of me....!

The Possums are the cutest little critters in the world! We had one that lived under our deck when we lived in Berkeley. Between him and the racoons:raccoon: that hung out in our yard, we had a great time watching the antics of the night creatures. :D:
susi*honorary possum marsupial:possum:*slicker