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Quiet Confessions, Episode 15: Pixie Dust and Policy Failures
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In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea gets candid about the updated Disability Access Service (DAS) policy at Disney World — and why it feels dehumanizing, exhausting, and disrespectful to the disabled community.
As they prepare for a surprise trip for their daughter’s 10th birthday, Chelsea shares both the frustration of being denied DAS access and the unexpected gratitude for the cast member who went above and beyond to create accommodations that made the magic possible. This episode holds space for both anger at broken systems and appreciation for the individuals inside them who still care deeply.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Disney’s updated DAS policy feels dehumanizing. Parents and individuals must prove they are “disabled enough,” which can be humiliating.
- Families with low incidence disabilities face extra harm. Children may be put on display during assessments, compounding stress and stigma.
- Denied doesn’t mean abandoned. Though Chelsea was denied DAS, the cast member provided resources like cool-down areas, ride options, and emergency planning.
- System vs. people. The policy feels broken, but individuals inside the system often go above and beyond.
- Living with chronic illness is holding both/and. It’s about carrying anger at injustice while holding onto glimmers of gratitude.
- Access matters for joy too. Disability accommodations are not luxuries — they’re necessary for families to share experiences fully.
🎧 Soundbites
- “The DAS policy feels dehumanizing — like they get to decide if you’re disabled enough.”
- “Parents shouldn’t have to put their kids on display for judgment just to enjoy Disney.”
- “The system denied me, but the cast member didn’t abandon me.”
- “Anger at the structures, gratitude for the people — that’s what chronic illness feels like.”
- “Accessibility isn’t pixie dust. It’s survival.”
Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection
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