We figured it was time...

To go to this magical place again. Obviously by us taking this trip Jonas is doing much better. I would dare say back to normal! I think he knew our plans and thought happy thoughts to get better.

You should have seen the smile on Jonas' face when he saw Eeyore..priceless!

Arg! I lost an eye! Maybe next time it will fit.

Grammie joined us for the quick trip and was such a trooper being laid back with us. We took our time and wanted this trip to be all about Jonas. Doing pretty much what he wanted to do. Of course those quick little naps were opportunity to go on the "big" rides. Grammie and I rode Matterhorn in our own seats for the first time. We didn't realize what cushion Papa and Whit provided and how much space they take up. :)

Trying out all of the handicap accessible rides was something new this trip. We thought while we didn't have anyone waiting on us we would take the time and see what things were like. Small World was the worst..Jonas sat all by his little self. I could barely reach to touch his finger.
Jungle Cruise was ok. Again by himself and in the middle of the boat trying to look past people sitting along the edges. At least I could comfortably hold his hand and move out of his way creating a little window. Buzz was better. Luckily he had his mask on because he had to sit up in order for him to fit and/or see anything.
Toy Story Mania was the best! He fit in sideways and was able to see everything. That is much better for that ride, it's crazy!!! I still had to hold on tight to his head.

I can't begin to tell you how meaningful it is to have a cast member treat Jonas with such kindness and love. We had an amazing amount of those experiences! So many of them letting us know about the opportunities that Jonas could use. Like going out of their way to let us know we could bypass the line to see Winnie the Pooh and Friends, stopping and telling us there is a designated spot to watch the parade, giving him pins and tattoos, and just recognizing that he is special and giving that extra bit of love. Where Jonas can get a little reward for being so special and enduring his trial. Those are the times when Disneyland is truly magical!
Then there are others, who for whatever reason can't look past rules and look at a situation. The Playhouse Disney show is one of those places that hasn't figured out how to make it magical for everyone. It says they have accommodations for handicap, so we waited in line with everyone else..no big deal...close to the front, arriving early just like we would if say Jonas didn't need accommodation. Upon entering the theater we are told to go the side against the pole. Basically Jonas was shoved in the corner so that everyone else could go in front of him. Great accommodations! I can see how this spot might work for normal wheelchairs and those who can sit up. Still a crappy seat, but they would definitely be able to see above the heads of standing children and tall sitting parents. Not the case for Jonas. He has to lay flat, so he gets to look at the back of heads, and when the bubbles and fetti come down from the ceiling only going in the middle, missing out. Oh it gets my blood boiling again to think about.... The theater is not full so we decide that we are going to move a little towards the middle. Oh no..that is shot down "we have to move against the wall", "that's the policy", "safety for the others", "if anyone needed to leave, they would fall over the stroller". Give me a break...lame-o. You don't think that if someone needed to leave they wouldn't fall over all over the people sitting on the floor! Here is how I see it, and I know that I might not have this perspective if I didn't have Jonas. Jonas' stroller/wheelchair is a part of him. It's like his legs. You or I don't take off our legs so that people won't "fall over them". Now I guess they figured that because he could stay in his chair, but just go sit in the corner, ok. He is still a little boy who would like to see his Playhouse Disney pals from the front..not the side of their heads. I don't see why he can't have that opportunity at a showing that is for kids. Yea, you might not be able to shove as many people into the theater, due to the fact that you might need to have space around him. I know it's not that great to have to sit behind a wheelchair, but you get where I'm going with this. Ahh, anyway.. I could rant and spew out a thousand different reasons why it's not fair. Do you get the frustration? We should just be grateful that the nice gestures out weighed the rude and I am grateful, extremely!
Tarzan's Treehouse.. a first for Jonas.. maybe the last. He's heavy!! And he sure looks like he is enjoying it.

One of our newest favorites..the carousel

The Mickey Van