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.