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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Been made to feel awful...

17 replies

LollipopViolet · 25/04/2009 22:20

For doing something I'm (rightly or wrongly but that's a whole other debate) entitled to do.

Everyone knows about theme park queuing systems, and I'm entitled to use them, and yesterday, I did. I don't see anything wrong with it, I've got proof of disability etc, why should I feel bad? Again you may feel differently and I respect that.

However yesterday I went to Alton Towers with my friend and I was made to feel like a fraud. EVERY queue, we had people muttering "it's --- disgusting" "Don't they know this is an exit" "What do they think their doing?" etc etc.

Got to the Rapids ride, got told to share a boat with a group of 6 as the queue was busy, one guy in the group started mouthing off at the ride staff about how we'd be ruining their group photo, why should they have to share etc. I was wearing a bright red wristband with "special access" written on it! Get a clue! And Rapids man, lose the selfishness!

Sorry, had to rant, and sorry if you don't agree with me using the exits, I do understand, but right now I don't want to get into that, have to defend myself on another forum where people say "If you're not in a wheelchair you're not disabled". Bah...

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TotalChaos · 25/04/2009 22:24

you know - I'm happy to take you on trust that if you felt you needed to use the exit pass system, then it was for good reason. Sorry that people were so snotty about it.

5inthebed · 25/04/2009 22:29

Please don't feel awful about it. You have every right to use that pass.

Next time just moan back about ignorant people ruining YOUR picture. How rude!

Saint2shoes · 25/04/2009 22:30

oh that is soo shit

Hangingbellyofbabylon · 25/04/2009 22:35

feckers, would they like to swap the wristband with you for a day of your disability?

twoisplenty · 25/04/2009 23:11

Hmmm. I reckon Alton Towers is a peculiar place for this...we use the exits and have the wristbands, and our ds does use a wheelchair so disability is obvious, and yet we still get looks from those in the usual queue.

Their "looks" are more of confusion, I think, rather than them thinking we are cheating the system. I don't think generally people realise that the exits are also the entrance for those with the wristbands.

But I also agree that some people are incredibly rude. That's indefencible. And upsetting of course. It can ruin a lovely day.

We need to develop a thick skin.

Hope Alton Towers was an enjoyable experience overall.

LollipopViolet · 25/04/2009 23:18

Oh I work for Alton Towers, so I know the system really well, it's more, that's my first ever encounter of people questioning my actions.

It was a good day though There's some right funny pictures on my camera!

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SirSupportman · 25/04/2009 23:26

Glad you had a good day I just ignore any comments from people when using exit passes.

bullet123 · 25/04/2009 23:27

Sorry you met such hostility. As for those saying you aren't disabled, suggest to them they shut their eyes for a day and see how easy they find things (I know you're not completely blind but it would give them some idea).

SirSupportman · 25/04/2009 23:36

Oh, and the way I see it, having access priority means that they was allowed on with you and not the over way round, so I hope they didn't ruin your photo too much

Phoenix4725 · 26/04/2009 03:30

yep ignore them disablites are not always that obvious.
Glad you had good fun though

HelensMelons · 26/04/2009 10:56

I'm glad that other people's rudeness didn't spoil your day.

unfitmother · 26/04/2009 15:10

We queue-jumped for the first time last week, on a visist to the Natural History Museum, it did feel strange. I didn't hear anybody saying anything but then I'm deaf!
I guess we develop a thick skin with time.

Phoenix4725 · 26/04/2009 15:34

we did it at legoland last year litterally made differnace between a good day and one that would been just not doable

TallulahToo · 26/04/2009 17:05

We did it at Flamingo Land last year - very mixed experience. No probs issueing the pass but some rides were okay but on others the operators ignored us and left us standing for longer than the main queue. Distressing for DS.

daisy5678 · 26/04/2009 18:42

I guess the thing is that queue-jumping should happen if there is a need e.g. can't cope with queues and these places should put up signs saying 'if someone is given this wristband, it means that they can't cope with queuing, so don't be mean!'

As long as someone is using the exit pass system because they need to, others shouldn't be so unpleasant.

daisy5678 · 26/04/2009 18:42

We couldn't do Legoland or any type of theme park without these exit passes. J simply can't cope with queues.

LollipopViolet · 26/04/2009 21:42

See the thing is, we were supposed to share a boat because of the main queue. As I say, if I go to a theme park with a big group, I'm OK in main queues, because there's a few good pairs of eyes, but when it's just 1 or 2 of us, it's helpful so I don't fall down an unmarked step or something!

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