Memphis Zoo

 Memphis, Tennessee

September 2013

We have three stories from our father-daughter trip to the Memphis Zoo. First, Egypt and I have a thing were I sometimes respond with, "Daughter" when she calls me dad. This happened when we were at a gas station and a random man overheard and he started questioning the fact because in his words, "I don't see it."

Egypt was barely 4 years old and kinda knew she was adopted, but didn't fully understand what it all meant. I assured the man that I was her father and he just wouldn't let it go. It made for a very uncomfortable situation and I didn't want to really get into it in front of Egypt. I did my best to remain calm and we couldn't get out of there fast enough. I felt horrible for Egypt as this was the first time she had to endure a rude stranger.

Our second story is about the giant purse Egypt is holding in the picture below. Her grandmother was in the middle of staying with us for a few weeks when we took this trip. Egypt was most insistent on bringing her large zebra print purse on this trip and her grandmother tried to talk her out of it. When Egypt wouldn't budge, she told me that I would end up carrying it because it was too big for Egypt. I didn't care enough either way and if Egypt wanted it for all her "things," I was fine with it. I figured I would end up carrying her stuff no matter what it was in and to Egypt's credit, she held on to it the entire trip.

The last story still breaks my heart even after all these years. Egypt's favorite animal is the polar bear and the Memphis Zoo is the closest zoo to Jacksonville, FL with polar bears. They were the main attraction and reason why we were in Memphis. Egypt was so excited as we approached the polar bear exhibit and they were walking around and even swimming a little. We couldn't ask for a better show, it was almost like they knew their favorite fan was there to see them. 

After some time passed observing the polar bears, Egypt asked, "When do I get to pet them?"

I had to tell her that she wouldn't be able to pet the polar bears and she started crying with disappointment. A zoo worker overheard what was going on and he asked us to wait a minute because he had something for Egypt. I was thinking a small polar bear stuffed animal or something similar. I couldn't have been more wrong.

We came back with a 4' by 6' piece of polar bear fur for Egypt to pet and she was so excited to feel it, but it was short lived when she asked if it was real. When he responded, "Yes," she started to really cry because she realized that the polar bear had to die for her to be able to pet it.

It took some time to calm down and some deep conversations with a 4 year old before she was able to enjoy the polar bears again.

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Oregon Zoo

 Portland, Oregon

August 2009

Oregon Zoo

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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?

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El Paso Zoo

 El Paso, Texas

March 2009

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Luray Zoo

 Luray, Virginia

August 2010

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First Flights

Kellisa - Orlando to Chicago Midway

May 17, 2000

We were flying home to celebrate Kellisa's 1st birthday with family and friends.

Egypt - Jacksonville to Las Vegas

November 19, 2010

Our trip to Death Valley National Park almost never happened. It was booked before Egypt was placed in our house on October 13, 2010. Needless to say, our entire lives had changed for the better, but everything was up in the air. As our departure date approached, we didn't think it was a good idea to fly across the country and then drive for hours with a 17 month old baby that had been in our home for just over a month. After going back and forth, we decided to "go for it". Since Egypt was not a legal Kain at the time, we needed a judge's written approval to take Egypt out of Florida. We received permission the day before the trip was to start. I will add that Egypt was already a Kain in our minds and hearts!

The trip was almost cancelled at the last possible second. After passing through security in Jacksonville, I placed Kellisa on a bench as we waited for her wheelchair to pass the TSA screening. In a split second, Kellisa fell face first off the bench, landing on the tiled floor. Blood immediately started to flow from her nose and mouth. Kellisa was crying as I held her trying to figure out how bad her injuries were. I used my shirt to wipe some of the blood to access her teeth and fortunately, none were broken, chipped or cracked. I could see Kellisa's nose swell before my eyes. I was fairly confident that she had a broken nose. 

TSA called for a medical response and they were there in less than a minute. As the paramedics checked Kellisa, she stopped crying and started to smile and flirt. They were able to determine that Kellisa's nose wasn't broken. They asked if we wanted to be transported to a hospital. I asked Kellisa if she was ready to fly to Las Vegas and with a smile, she signed "yes". We thanked everyone and rushed to the gate where they were holding the boarding process for us. A big thanks to our hometown Southwest Team. 

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