Hello! Welcome back! Last week I had a much needed break from the daily grind. A vacation at the beach! It's been awhile since I've been on a beach vacation as we were all halted from our travel plans over the past year. Normally, as a family we try to get to the beach at least every other year, but sometimes we veer onto another path into the mountains, or a big city we've never seen. I like that my boys have seen a lot of different places in the country. Good memories exploring new places together over the years.
My family and I have been going to the same beach in Florida for over 30 years now! It's a beautiful beach, and one that's certainly worth visiting over and over! Sometimes, it's a girls trip with my mom and sister, and several years it was with family and friends on spring break. Some of my best memories were made at this beach. This vacation was with my mom, dad, sister and my youngest son, Jack. I have to admit that I was a little nervous to travel without my husband. It's hard to part from someone who speaks your language. We really have this unspoken language of him knowing exactly what I need help with without me even asking. It's definitely one of my biggest comforts in life to have him around when I go on adventures, or places that are unfamiliar. Don't get me wrong, every single person who traveled with me also somewhat speaks this same language, and they are amazing at helping me.
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| Sand walking! |
They would never let on like it's extra work to travel with me, but it's just a fact. I can't lift my bags at the airport in and out of the car or off of the luggage belt. I have to have wheelchair assistance in airports if I don't bring my scooter because it's just too much walking. I can't carry my chair or bag out onto the beach, and if the rental I'm staying at doesn't have beach chairs high enough for me to get out of on my own, I need assistance standing etc. I try to lessen their load by doing things to help that I am able to do. I always like to be the driver on the vacations with them because that helps, and it's something I can do to contribute. I also help with clean up around the place, laundry, grocery shopping, calling in meals and going to pick them up. Those are all things I CAN do.
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| The vacation crew! |
When I arrive at a place, I immediately start scanning things. Seeing what will work for me and what won't. Things most people wouldn't give a second thought to. Beds.....they are always so high! It's really hard for me to get into a bed that's higher. For one, I'm 5'2, so that doesn't help haha! The tile floors at beach rentals get so slick when there is sand on them. So getting into bed, my feet slide out from under me which makes it harder. I had to move a chair into the bedroom from the kitchen because I have to have a place I can sit to get dressed. I can't just slip in and out of clothes or shoes standing. Shower....luckily this place had a walk in shower because tubs are really hard for me to step over to get in and out of. The walkway into the house had a lot of uneven pavers, so I had to be extra cautious not to trip. The same was true out by the pool. Speaking of the pool, I had to get creative as to how to get in and out as there was not a railing. Frustrating for sure, but I figured it out with some trial and error, and by the end of the trip I had mastered it.
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| Adapting! |
The beach......ahhhhh the beautiful fluffy white sands at this gorgeous beach. Treacherous to walk in! No doubt I got an extreme leg workout everyday getting to my seat on the beach! My sister pointed out that it's hard for her to walk in too. It's just hard! However, I took my cane, and I'm pleased to say that while it was very difficult, I think I walked the best I have in a long time on the beach. I contribute that success to my stem cell treatments! The last time I was at a beach about two years ago, I used a beach wheelchair, so I would say this was definitely progress!
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| Last time on the beach I used this beach wheelchair |
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| Sunsets are the best! |
One day we were there, I sat with tears in my eyes watching my son in the water. I wanted SO badly to be able to walk out there on my own and join him. Just me walking to my son. Even though I knew it couldn't happen that way, I closed my eyes and envisioned it. I wanted that for me, and for him so much. It takes a village to get me in and out of the ocean, but I always try to get in at least once because I love the water. Normally, I have my husband there to help. This time, my heroes were Jack and my sister. They got me safely in and out, and I only fell once! Honestly it's kind of funny when it happens, and I know I'm not alone. I do always feel like we are putting on quite a show for the beach. Hopefully when people see us they see someone trying their best, as well as human kindness from those helping me.
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| I just wanted to walk out to him by myself! |
I'm blessed to be able to have gone on that beach trip with my family. We made a lot of great memories to last a lifetime. For those of us traveling with a disability, it does take humble courage to walk into the unknown, where you know you will constantly be working to figure things out to make them fit your needs. If you are lucky enough to have travel companions like I do, it sure takes a lot of that stress away. Life is really a series of waves one after the other. Most of the time, it all works out in the end if you just have a little faith. Sometimes the waves come crashing in on us, and other times we just smoothly ride them up and down, up and down. Keep surfing those waves the best you can. Enjoy the ride while it lasts!
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| Jack running into the sunset |
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