Beccabunny,
Thanks for your response. I certainly appreciate your point of view. A few points:
First, Please read my comments wherein I stated that "initially" I believed the original poster to be merely uninformed. Of course, later comments made by this person revealed a bit more. I did not believe the initial attacks were warranted and appreciate SueM's attempt to clarify the rules.
"Attacks" might be taking it a bit far, don't you think? You have an opinion on what you think was warranted and we have ours. Some of may have *gasp* even have been trying to inject a little humor in there.
Second, I have no idea whether this person wanted to be informed. However, the point I have attempted to make is that sometimes the best you can do is provide the facts. You cannot change the minds of everyone. Additionally, the "in your face comments" will rarely serve to accomplish this. As you witnessed, the person who, to paraphrase, wished that someone would get hit by a bus brought the conversation to a low point. Do you think that this kind of attitude helps anyone?
While I do not agree with the sentiments of one poster on that thread, I can see her getting more upset than she should have been and trying to have compassion rather than point fingers at her. Sometimes we are not the shining examples of human beings we should be and we fall for the bait, especially when it is something very personal to us or our children. Sometimes we are not as level headed as we'd like...we have to move on and stop beating ourselves up over those times.
Third, I think that there are many occasions when particular experiences should be used as examples. You are completely wrong in assuming that I have judged that everyone revealing their personal experiences is looking for sympathy. I stated that some (note the word some) people have the need (for whatever reason - and I am not passing judgment) to fully discuss their personal stories whether warranted or not. I have an Aunt who spends every possible moment discussing her doctor visits, blood tests etc. There are some people who thrive having their health issues, perceived or real, serve as a source of attention. On the other hand, there are some who just do not like to talk about these things. My point was that the true issue at hand (WDW and federal rules) was best discussed by attempting to educate rather than forcing the "if you could walk a mile in my shoes" argument.
You forgot the import phrase "In my opinion." Also, please bear in mind, we are not your Aunt. If your Aunt were posting, I think you would both know, as I'm sure she would be quick to recognize you.
Finally, at some level I was making an attempt to find positives in a post that many felt was entirely negative. You have called me mean spirited. You have proved part of my point - that any time these issues are brought up the attacks begin. You are welcome to disagree with me, but how can there be reasonable discussion with your attitude? Perhaps you are like the original poster and do not want to be informed. You have come to a conclusion, that I am mean sprited, with no supporting facts. You have no idea of my situation or experiences. You should think before making these assumptions.
So, it seems to me you came here, to this specific thread, to chide most everyone, aside from Sue. Got it. In a text based media, you are attaching attitude to posts that may not be there. Seems to me you are making some thoughtless assumptions on your own there, pal. Now, while Becca doesn't need my help, but it really bothers me when people misquote or try to put words into the mouths of others...What she actually wrote was
For this reason many of the disabled posters and parents of diabled children felt it necessary to describe exactly what we have experienced and clearly state why we need particular accomodations. But you are making the judgement that we are looking for sympathy. Sadly, I think that is even more mean-spirited than what was said by the OP.
She found the idea of you calling us sympathy seekers by sharing our experiences to be mean spirited. She found your post mean spirited but did not say that you were. She made no conclusion about you...or if she had, she wasn't sharing it with us. I am also a teensy bit puzzled that you found the need to come to this particular sub board in order to educate us. I think you're someone who always feels he needs to get the last word in, and uses far too many words to say something that could easily be stated using fewer.