Real Life Stories of a Disabled Mom: Unexpected Access Makes the Trip
Vacationing as a disabled mom and wheelchair user, takes research and planning. Heck living as a disabled mom and wheelchair user does too, there are just less souvenirs involved. I’m not type A, because while I require a lot of planning, I need to be able to happily pivot when my plans have an inevitable plot twist. I’d probably identify my modus operandi as Type D(isabled). I plan for success and have contingency plans for my contingency plans. But inevitably all the planning goes awry at some point and going with the flow is the only option.
My family rounded out the summer with a quick getaway. Our earlier vacation plans were scuppered by a grumpy alternator in our wheely fabulous van. Renting an affordable last minute wheelchair accessible van is not really a thing. So, we traded the long haul to Maine for a shorter haul to the Finger Lakes. And I’m so glad we did!
We stayed in Corning, NY. It’s a cute town with a funky and friendly vibe. I felt uniquely welcomed as a wheelchair user. I mean they didn’t throw me a parade, but there were established systems within the town itself were supportive to a power chair/scooter user with a passion for art, science, nature, books, and cupcakes.
There was a decent amount of on street wheelchair accessible parking. We found one within minutes of our arrival. While I knew our initial museum destination would be wheely friendly. I was pleasantly surprised by the volume of shops and restaurants that had and automatic door and/or was zero entry.
From easily accessed and sensory friendly art museums that strongly featured children’s activities without compromising the chill contemplation of the art to the cupcakery where we got our carb fix, I felt not only welcome, but that I could engage successfully with my husband and kids from the comfort of my wheels.
Join Our Movement
What started as an idea has become a national movement. With your support, we can influence policy and inspire lasting change.
Become an Advocate
One of the major bonuses of the trip was the people. File this under experiences only visibly disabled people truly appreciate. People, even on the sidewalk engaged with me as a peer first. No one tried to erase me or put me in the wheelchair spotlight, nor did they regard me as a child or person of advanced years (neither of whom should be talked down to). It was truly refreshing.
The science museum was very wheelchair friendly from the giant elevators to the “hot shop” where I had to opportunity to work with glass and a blowtorch! The glassblowing was also fully accessible, but we each chose one activity. All the exhibits were easy to access and as hands on as I wanted to be.
Getting out to see nature is always an exercise in interpreting the word accessible. The area we were in is famous for waterfalls and my husband found a trail that looked accessible. I braved some roots, ruts, and rocks however it was a breathtaking gorge and falls and totally worth it. The rest of my family went down for a closer look. Full disclosure, I happily enjoyed a few minutes of mom peace.
We had a few experiences that required strategizing and/or pivoting. We were squeezed like a can of sardines in our hotel elevator, and eventually removed the basket and adjusted the armrests for a more comfortable ride. We had to pivot away from one of our trip goals which was a boat ride around Seneca Lake. I would have had to be separated from my wheels and stuck on one floor for the sightseeing cruise. We enjoyed the lake from the jetty and found a cute restaurant where I could park near the table.
We came back tired but mentally from our vacation on the go. There’s a sense of relief in not having to strategize every minute of a trip. When it comes as a surprise, that just means you must make it a regular stop on your travels.