Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Accessible Guide - Golden 1 Center)

 

In late November 2025, our family kicked off the Christmas season with an unforgettable afternoon at Sacramento's Golden 1 Center to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. While the music was spectacular, what stood out just as much was how easy the arena made the experience for Kellisa, proving that accessibility and world-class entertainment can go hand in hand.

This wasn't our first Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. Lisa and I had seen the band back in Jacksonville in 2010, but that experience was cut short because we had to leave halfway through to relieve the babysitter. Fifteen years later, things were very different. Instead of worrying about getting home early, we were able to enjoy the concert together as a family, sharing the experience with Kellisa and Egypt. It was a reminder of how quickly life changes and how special it is to create new traditions together.

Father-Daughter Trip to the Outer Banks (OBX)

North & South Carolina

Summer 2024

For the first time, Egypt selected our destination by herself. She wanted to visit the Outer Banks (OBX) of North & South Carolina after following the adventures of the Kooks and Pogues from one of her favorite TV shows, the Outer Banks. While our trip was cut short due to weather, Tropical Storm Debby, we still managed to check off her main boxes- beach photo shoots and seeing some of the filming locations. 

Stairs and the Wheelchair

 November 6, 2018

Oakmont High School

Roseville, CA

Kellisa was a student at Oakmont High School when Lisa got a call from her teacher, "Kellisa is fine, but she wheeled down a few stairs."

Kellisa was outside in the courtyard on her way to lunch when she took the opportunity when no one was looking and wheeled off from her class. Before anyone could stop her, she wheeled down 3 or 4 cement stairs. Fortunately, she went sideways and landed in the grass on her side in the wheelchair. Thankfully, she had her seatbelt on.

She was a little startled, but enjoyed the ride and found it funny. As did her classmates. The responsible teachers and aides on the other hand, weren't too thrilled. They checked her out and she appeared OK, but they wheeled her to the nurse to be sure.

Kellisa was fine and when the teacher called, she also asked, "Why would Kellisa think it was OK to wheel down the stairs?"

Kellisa Starts a New All-Inclusive Dance Class

Spotlight Studios

Roseville, CA

October 13, 2025

After taking many years of dance classes with yearly recitals in Florida, we were disappointed we couldn't find an adaptive dance studio for Kellisa in Roseville, CA. We mostly gave up when out of nowhere, Egypt's longtime singing coach expanded his business to include a dance studio and fortunate for Kellisa, he included an adaptive class where Kellisa was the first student to sign up. Kellisa wasted no time getting into the flow of dancing and loved every second with her more than awesome dance instructor. Kellisa's huge smile and endless kisses of thanks and appreciation brought tears to our eyes. We are so thankful to have this activity in place for Kellisa.

We highly recommend Spotlight Studios for music, dance, theater, and education. 

 

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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.