momandmousefan
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2016
I'm trying to ascertain if there are any of you on here with disabilities related to the spectrum who have run a Disney race or whether I should just address a few questions to rundisney themselves.
Basically, after having done the half last January, I realized through physically prepared, I definitely wasn't ready for all the chaos (despite watching videos of the run, scouring over the maps, etc..) and had an experience after the finish with either a volunteer or an actual that pretty much ruined the entire 13.1 miles for me (I was probably in shock and in need of medical attention after the race, but of course was in a minor or maybe major hidden meltdown and was trying to get to my husband who had finished ahead of me for help) I'm not new to running at all, nor new to races, but was woefully unprepared for the level of noise, crowds, chaos and unknowns that were at the end of a Disney race.
I really don't think I need someone to run with (I never have) but am trying to figure out what to do to prevent such a future occurrence when I need help and can't verbalize it, since I don't come across as with a disability in need to someone who isn't well trained. (And a lot of times that disability isn't really a problem anymore, but can take me by surprise at times)
I don't know whether I should have requested a visual map / social story of the exit chute (do they even have those?), if they could have had my husband waiting at a much more specific spot (he really tried...the problem was this lady was hollering at me where to go as I was walking along waaaaay past the fan station on my phone trying to have him help walk me out and I couldn't hear him and there was just soooo much noise), whether I need to carry some card with pre-written notes to give to people, whether the medical tents are equipped to help when the noise and crowds are making my head spin, etc.... Basically I hate asking for accommodations and wouldn't even know where to begin but I do think this could have been a more positive experience somehow.
editing to add, for anyone not on the spectrum or who doesn’t understand it. Consider my post race experience like this: the best way to explain is to imagine surprisingly finding yourself In a maze where suddenly you are surrounded by really bright spot lights (Heck, strobe lights even) and extremely loud sounds coming from every which direction and you have to perform tasks along the way of the maze and find your way out....when you were expecting to just open door and walk through to another room like you’ve done easily a million times before.
Basically, after having done the half last January, I realized through physically prepared, I definitely wasn't ready for all the chaos (despite watching videos of the run, scouring over the maps, etc..) and had an experience after the finish with either a volunteer or an actual that pretty much ruined the entire 13.1 miles for me (I was probably in shock and in need of medical attention after the race, but of course was in a minor or maybe major hidden meltdown and was trying to get to my husband who had finished ahead of me for help) I'm not new to running at all, nor new to races, but was woefully unprepared for the level of noise, crowds, chaos and unknowns that were at the end of a Disney race.
I really don't think I need someone to run with (I never have) but am trying to figure out what to do to prevent such a future occurrence when I need help and can't verbalize it, since I don't come across as with a disability in need to someone who isn't well trained. (And a lot of times that disability isn't really a problem anymore, but can take me by surprise at times)
I don't know whether I should have requested a visual map / social story of the exit chute (do they even have those?), if they could have had my husband waiting at a much more specific spot (he really tried...the problem was this lady was hollering at me where to go as I was walking along waaaaay past the fan station on my phone trying to have him help walk me out and I couldn't hear him and there was just soooo much noise), whether I need to carry some card with pre-written notes to give to people, whether the medical tents are equipped to help when the noise and crowds are making my head spin, etc.... Basically I hate asking for accommodations and wouldn't even know where to begin but I do think this could have been a more positive experience somehow.
editing to add, for anyone not on the spectrum or who doesn’t understand it. Consider my post race experience like this: the best way to explain is to imagine surprisingly finding yourself In a maze where suddenly you are surrounded by really bright spot lights (Heck, strobe lights even) and extremely loud sounds coming from every which direction and you have to perform tasks along the way of the maze and find your way out....when you were expecting to just open door and walk through to another room like you’ve done easily a million times before.
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