Tag Archive for travel

Ahh! Vacation in a Wheelchair

May 20, 2012 was upon us and I was packed and ready; ready to go on vacation to Orlando at Grand Beach Resort.

I got my suitcase and music bag ready and sat it by the door. I put on my wheelchair legs, which I rarely use.  I was so pumped up for a week of relaxation and fun. The door goes knock, knock and I open it, there was my nephew. He came with my mom to help put my wheelchair in the car, we all get to a point that the wheelchair becomes too heavy to lift. Have you had that situation where you are limited in places you can go because there is no one to put your wheelchair in their car? I bet you have but remember there still are ways, like riding the bus.  If you have a support coach to help or you can make new friends who can and are willing to lift your wheelchair, etc. It can be done!

We continued on the interstate to our destination. We arrived and out came my brother in law to help unpack the car and lift my wheelchair out. We headed up the elevator to our room where I got to unpack my clothes on my bed. Now I was ready for the week of fun and relaxation.

The week consisted of swimming,  relaxing by the pool, hanging out in room watching TV, going out to  eat a few times and wheeling around by the lake. This was great and I did it all even with a disability. Again, I had help lifting the wheelchair in and out of the car.

I was just another human being on vacation. You can do things too, live on your own, go on vacation, go to movies, go out to eat, attend events, and so much more!

Get off that butt and start doing because sitting and complaining will get you nowhere!

Squeak, squeak here we come.

My Train Adventure Continues – Sunday

Amtrak Wheel Chair Lift

It has been a couple weeks since I last talked about my train trip to North Carolina.  Don’t worry, I didn’t get lost – LOL. If you remember the trip had been great up to the point where I left off.

I woke up Sunday morning thinking to myself, “What is today going to be like?” I got dressed and went to have breakfast before we got on the road for church.  At church I got a great feeling inside. I thought of something while at church.

You know how people of color have become part of society.  They are integrated (mostly) and do things with white people? Wile sitting in church I was watching the priest who was white and the deacon who was black standing side by side leading the assembly.

That is great, but my question is, where are people with disabilities? They are probably behind or across the room. Shouldn’t we ALL be side by side leading and doing things? No one should be behind or across the room!

After church we went back to the house to get my grandpa for brunch. We went to an Irish Pub in Downtown Raleigh where we had all you can eat brunch. Surprisingly I ate 3 or 4 omelets as well as other food. To my surprise the restaurant was setup well so that I could get my wheelchair around to everything. What a great experience and I sure was full afterwards.

We went back to the house where I watched TV and relaxed until my Aunt came back from her trip. We talked until about 8 pm and then we had to head to the train station so we could head back to Ocala. We chatted until the train showed up and ready to board us. I was again boarded on the train with a nifty lift. I got on train and settled in my seat and relaxed all the way to Jacksonville.

Stay tuned to hear about the final part of my train trip. Just like the train wheels squeaked as we motored along; keep squeaking because one day we will all stand side by side!!!

North Carolina Adventure Continues – Saturday

I woke up Saturday morning ready to take on the world!

I got dressed and went down by my aunt’s house for breakfast where I had to climb steps again. (What’s up with all these steps, my legs are killing me LOL) I ate breakfast and then we all sat down to talk for a little before my aunt left for her trip.

Then back to my grandpa’s house where I was staying and watch TV and talked until around noon.

Our stomachs were starting to scream at us for food so we hopped in the car and went to an awesome Lebanese restaurant. The restaurant was setup so nice where I could get my wheelchair down the isles. A lot of restaurants pack so many tables in that my wheelchair would never work.

After lunch back to the house to drop my grandpa off.

My dad and I then decided to go to our favorite coffee shop in NC called Aversboro Coffee. I went up to the counter and they treated me like any other customer. I ordered an awesome frozen Snickers shake and continued to talk with one of the owners.

I asked him to carry my stuff to the table where he happily took it. I said thank you and rolled up to the table where I got on my laptop to check my Facebook and MoonScapes Web Solutions fan page. Wow, I had tons of messages .I checked and responded to them while I finished my awesome shake.

My trip up to now has been awesome and I could not wait to see what Sunday had in store for me.

Stay tuned to hear more of the awesome adventure I had.

Get out there and live life.  Keep squeaking those wheels.