Favorite Thing: I visited with my Dad, who has physical limitations from a stroke. Though he prefers to walk, we do have a portable wheelchair for those times when walking isn't an option.
The National Park service does have wonderful perks for the disabled. One is a free lifetime pass is you can document you are a US citizen with a permanent disability! We were able to get this pass, with documentation we brought with us, upon arrival at the park gates. They also provided the park's 'Accessibility Guide'. This internal publication, in newspaper format, tells of the rules and best 'windsheild' views. We were also able to read about which places in the park had ramps, the angle of the ramp, width of doors, and where accessible bathrooms were located! The park was created long before disabled access was the norm, so there are many limitations to what Dad could see ...but with the guide to teach us, there was so much he WAS able to see and do.
Despite all this, if you are traveling with a disabled person who prefers to walk, it's tough. Wheelchairs are easier, but some of the ramps and paths are steep so difficult for the 'helper' to keep up at the altitude. One of my friends is on a motorizes scooter, and that's her recommendation: to put everyone on motorized wheels so they can move themselves up and down those steep ramps and appropriate paths without tiring their travel companions.
Fondest Memory: Just being able to share the whole Grand Canyon experience with my Dad was the best part of the weekend. I don't think he ever felt like he held me back .... and when he said words he hasn't said since his stroke almost 2 decades ago in response to the vistas, I knew he was having fun too :)
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on Feb 11, 2007
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