2013 (Kellisa's First 18 Years)

After Kellisa's cancer scare at the end of 2012, I wanted 2013 to be a big year for Kellisa. I had the idea of hiking a trail in all 50 states in one year and decided to make an attempt at that goal. 

 

We started with a 25K race across the desert in Big Bend National Park in January. Kellisa was the first wheelchair finisher in the history of the race. 

 

2010 - Part II (Kellisa's First 18 Years)

Lisa received an unexpected phone call in October. “We know you’re only interested in school age children, but would you be interested in a 16-month-old girl?” 

 

They needed an answer immediately. I was out of town on business when Lisa called. Without hesitation or deep discussion, we agreed that we were interested. I was still out of town the next night when Lisa called and asked me, “Where can I find a hammer?”

 

Lisa needed the hammer to build our crib, just in case we were chosen as the family for this little girl. Instead of saying, “You don’t need a hammer to build the crib,” I told Lisa where to find a hammer. I also figured we had zero chance of getting the girl.

  

2009 (Kellisa's First 18 Years)

 

The Okefenokee Swamp - the Land of Trembling Earth.

 

One of our all-time favorite places to explore and we tried to start each year off with a visit. January 1, 2009, was no different and it would set the pace for what would become Kellisa's most adventurous year by far. 

 

Kellisa had outgrown even the largest baby jog strollers, and we broke two frames on a jog stroller made for special needs children. We needed a new solution and after many hours of research, we purchased a WIKE. The chair looks awesome and offers a ton of weather protection; however, it is not built for rugged trails. We still have it and it has its uses; it's just not an all-around mobility device for our needs.

 

A Wheelchair Guide to Potter Park Zoo

 Lansing, MI

July 30, 2025

We were in Michigan for 11 days so Egypt could attend a nursing camp at the University of Michigan. We wanted to explore outside while Egypt was learning, but we found it to be uncomfortably hot and humid. We did get outside for a couple of hours while visiting the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI. 

It was nice for a smaller zoo and we found it mostly accessible. A few gravel paths might be difficult or impossible for some, but we managed. Kellisa's highlights include: fun under water misters with mom, the wildlife overlook bridge, the river otters, and not surprisingly, the reptile house. Not a bad way to spend some time.

Bearizona Wildlife Park

 Williams, Arizona

January 2023

Egypt had the opportunity to spend some time with her Auntie Courtney ad Uncle George in Phoenix. After a fun filled few days, we stopped at Bearizona Wildlife Park where we signed up for a behind the scenes tour. Besides seeing and learning about the animals from park staff, Egypt was able to feed a porcupine, bison, and some river otters. We got to observe many animals, including black bears in their natural habitats. Bearizona is only 58 miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and well worth the visit if you're ever in the area.

Zoos

Egypt Days

HOME

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens - Wheelchair Accessibility

Glow in the Dark

Palm Desert, CA

April 2023

Kellisa and I had a few days to explore the Palm Springs region of California. Our first stop and adventure would be the Glow in the Dark event at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Our tickets were for an 8pm entry and we arrived a little early since it was our first visit. All the disabled parking spots were taken, but we were able to find an end spot which made lifting Kellisa out and back into the rental SUV easier than a boxed in regular spot.

Visitors could see the colorful glow in the crisp nighttime air before entering the zoo. There was a noticeable buzz of excitement from children and adults alike. By purchasing our entry tickets in advance, we were able to bypass the ticket windows and proceed directly to the zoo where we were greeted by the first of hundreds of hand-crafted lanterns lighting up the zoo. A large dragonfly garden was the first to grab Kellisa's attention and the bubble machine had children of all ages enthralled. 

We spent the next two hours wandering through the entire zoo watching animals in natural habitat exhibits going about their evening routines. Visiting a zoo at night-time is a completely different experience because animals are often on the move away from the heat of the day. The downside is it's a little more difficult to observe animals in the evening light, but Kellisa had no trouble following the larger mammals. The zoo even has an accessible carousel, but Kellisa was too busy wheeling around to stop and take a spin. Next time!

But the highlight of the visit was the unique lanterns which came in all colors and sizes. They weren't limited to one area as they were consistently placed throughout the entire zoo. Not surprisingly, Kellisa was most attracted to the large snake and chomping alligator lanterns. Even in the darkness, we found the zoo accessible without any obstacles other than an occasional kid running around or an aimlessly wandering adult trying to find the best selfie spot. Kellisa has visited many zoos and this was definitely one of the most unique experiences. I anticipate we will be back the next time we're in the area.

ZOOS

HOME

Oregon Zoo

 Portland, Oregon

August 2009

Oregon Zoo

ZOOS

HOME

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

December 2010

Many of our adventures happen without much drama. Our visit to BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo was not one of those as we got into a situation with staff because our "Mobility Chair" looked like a jog stroller.

Kellisa and I had a few hours to kill in Baton Rogue, so we decided to check out the zoo. As soon as we paid our entry fee and entered the zoo, Kellisa say it...the train. Kellisa immediately asked to ride the train. I bought the tickets and noticed that the last seat faced backwards and thought Kellisa would enjoy that perspective. The train probably holds 100+ riders and we were the 6th and 7th to get on the train as it was about to leave. Therefore, most of the train was empty on a cold December afternoon in the bayou. 

In the picture below, notice a wheel just to the left of Kellisa's head, that no other riders can be seen in the picture, and the conductor in the distance on the left side near the front of the train:

As I'm snapping the above picture, the conductor starts yelling, "you can't put the stroller there" and "you need to leave the stroller behind". 

I yelled back, "it's NOT a stroller and I'm not leaving it"!

The conductor came to the back of the train and explained that strollers are not allowed on the train. I explained that it was not a stroller and that it was a $1,200.00 special needs chair for a disabled 11 year old kid. I wasn't about to budge and the conductor finally offered to put the Independence Push Chair in the front in an area for wheelchairs. I accepted.

We were finally able to enjoy the train ride through the surrounding forest, bayou, and around the zoo's perimeter:

After the train ride, Kellisa enjoyed seeing the animal:

Of course, the snakes were Kellisa's favorite exhibit:

The noisy birds would be a close 2nd:

It was time to leave after a few hours enjoying the zoo and there it was, near the exit...the train. Kellisa wanted to ride one more time and we were in luck, we were just in time to catch the final ride for the day. I purchased our tickets before loading Kellisa on the train and the chair in the wheelchair area as we agreed to do earlier in our visit. This time we were the 4th and 5th riders and the rest of the train was empty.

Kellisa enjoying her 2nd ride of the day:

However, the story does not end here. As I'm unfolding the chair and getting ready to transfer Kellisa off the train, the conductor comes up to explain that she did us a favor since we bought the tickets before she saw us the 2nd time. She talked to her supervisor and was instructed not to let us put the mobility device in the wheelchair area. I was to leave the chair behind or not ride.

I asked if she had the capacity to understand that Kellisa could not walk and even though the chair did not look like a wheelchair, it was absolutely necessary for Kellisa. I explained that it was not a $10 umbrella stroller from Wal-Mart. We went back and forth and I tried to remain calm. 

I asked what would happen if I left the chair and it was stolen? How would I get Kellisa to the car? Back to the hotel? Through the airport? 

"I'm just explaining the policy", said the conductor.

That is not an answer!

I explained that it sounded like discrimination to me. She still did not understand. I told her to let it go, knowing that we would never be back to this zoo. She kept pushing and pushing. Finally, as I was walking away, I told her that I would be back tomorrow bright and early to ride the train 14 times (the number of trips in a day).

We left the zoo and as I was putting Kellisa and the chair in the car, what do I see out of the corner of my eye? The train backing down the tracks on the other side of the fence and it comes to a stop. I hear, "sir".

I responded,  "Please, leave it alone".

The conductor responded, "Please don't do anything, I understand your situation and will explain that it's not a stroller to my boss".

My last response was, "See you tomorrow"!

If we weren't flying back to Jacksonville, I would have gone back to play this out and probably will push it if we are ever in the area again. I just wanted to give the conductor a sleepless night and my guess is she probably called in sick the next day. I also understand it's not her policy, but since she is the front line, she needs to understand so she can communicate our position to her superiors.

How hard is it to see a guy lifting a 75# child out of a chair and struggling to put her on a train is not the same as a baby or toddler in a stroller? Not to mention the gigantic size of Kellisa's chair.

I never ask for anything special, just a fair chance and I get so tired of fighting for Kellisa's rights. It's not like the chair took a row of seats from paying customers. It's no wonder you rarely see kids in wheelchairs out enjoying themselves. It's a struggle, but if I don't fight for Kellisa, who will?

ZOOS

HOME

El Paso Zoo

 El Paso, Texas

March 2009

ZOOS

HOME

Luray Zoo

 Luray, Virginia

August 2010

ZOOS

HOME