It’s summer vacation and I needed some time to relax. So I went along with my family on their trip to Kansas. Unfortunately, my dad wasn’t able to come because it was a last-minute trip, so I went with my stepmom and stepbrother.
Let me tell you something about our ride to Kansas. It was long! It was supposed to take us about eighteen hours to get there. Instead, it took us two days. I have to give my stepmom a lot of credit. She’s the one who drove from Connecticut all the way to Kansas, on very little sleep.
Accessibility in the Midwest
During the ride to Kansas, I noticed some things regarding accessibility and people with disabilities. Here in the Midwest, there are a lot of accessible or handicapped parking spots. According to the ADA, each state is required to have a certain number of handicapped or accessible parking spaces in each and every location. The ADA also requires that businesses have wheelchair-accessible bathroom stalls and accommodations. However, this was lacking in the states that we drove through. This made things challenging for me and my Quantum Power Wheelchair. Plus, a lot of these states do not have automatic doors. I had to wait for someone to open the door for me.
Accessibility issues aside, I’m having a great time. So far, we have been to a couple of places here during our trip. We went to the mall and the movie theater. We also went to the LegoLand Discovery Center, as well as the aquarium. We have also been to church here. It’s great!
Meeting New People
During my time here, I’ve met someone who uses a wheelchair. Her name is Abby. She is the most amazing person I have ever met. Although, every time I’m around her, I get really shy. I have never been like that around anyone else. I’ve been on a lot of vacations over the years but this is the first time I’ve met someone who has a wheelchair like me. This trip has been absolutely amazing and I love it.
About Zoe Hernandez: Zoe lives in Meriden, Connecticut. She uses a Quantum Power Wheelchair for mobility. As Quantum® brand ambassador, Zoe attends Abilities Expos and speaks with people about her disability. She is currently enrolled in college and hopes to work in a community one day with people who are just like her. Click here to learn more about Zoe.
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