People keep asking me what I think of the new changes to the guest assistance card at the Disney Parks. I first reported about it when the new disability access pass was just a rumor for Traveling Mom and watched as the uproar among the special needs community commenced. It's been ugly. People are upset about these new changes. I just don't happen to be one of them. I guess people consider me a leader in the spina bifida world or disability travel world and maybe that is why I keep getting asked why I am not up in arms over it. Mostly it is because I was one of the people who asked for change. Remember our trip last Spring when Disney World hosted us for a week? And all I saw was abuse after abuse of the wheelchair system? Yeah. That. That is why I am not upset. Look. Disney has to do something. I don't know that I think this new plan has it right. But I don't know that any plan will have it exactly right at this point. This is what they have told us the new plan will look like: Frequently Asked Questions About the Changes to Disney’s Guest Assistance Pass How will the new Disney program work? The Disability Access Service Card will offer Guests a return time for an ...
Remembering Today
Growing up I would always hear people in my parents generation talk about where they were when President Kennedy was shot or my grandparents talk about when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Tragedy is an odd way to benchmark time and space. Yet, those of my generation are sure to remember this morning just where they stood when airplane one hit and then again as the horror of another and the realization fell upon us all that this was no accident. Me? Bob and I had just woken up and heard the news on the alarm clock radio about the first plane. We were saddened hearing about such a tragic accident but continued to get our adorable little blond haired Kindergartener ready for school while getting the cute little 3 year old out of his crib. By the time we got downstairs for breakfast in our tiny little starter home, we knew it was not an accident. I can't remember why but Bob continued to take Connor to St. Francis for school and headed to work at a bank in downtown Phoenix. They were on the freeway 20 mins before I was frantically calling them to come home. Everything was closing. Everyone was being advised to stay home. Everything was wrong. Fast-forward to when Connor was a ...
Camping at Snow Mountain Ranch
This summer was sort of lame in that we didn't get to travel too much due to Carter healing from the surgery he had in May. That is OK. We still had a great summer with tons of family time AND we still were able to go on our annual trip camping at Snow Mountain Ranch. I love this camping trip. Each year we go with 9-10 families to Snow Mountain Ranch right outside of Winter Park, Colorado. Of course, we stay in a lodge, Indian Peaks to be exact, in a wheelchair accessible room. What? It's camping! There is no TV for goodness sake. We have to bring our iPad's and stream our home cable apps over their wi-fi just to watch Iron Chef! That's as primitive as I get people. What's great about camping at Snow Mountain Ranch though is that our friends that do choose to rough it in a tent have that option in the Hopi Campground area, or you can rent a yurt, or a cabin. Really, there are a ton of options for where to lay your head at night so it works out perfectly for a large group of diverse families. But I love staying at Indian Peaks because right outside our room is this: To the right of that is a huge playground for the kids. During the day, all the families ...
Chemo Moonshine | Natural Nausea Remedy
Chemotherapy......UGH! What a nasty word in my life lately. Too many friends battling breast cancer, lupus and other horrific things. I feel helpless. What can any of us really do when a friend is at their absolute lowest moment but try to offer support? Last year when I was going through a low dose trial of chemo meds for lupus, I found something that really helped with my nausea. Through time I adapted the recipe to where the moment any one in our family is sick to their stomach, THIS is what they crave. My very special Chemo Moonshine (there is no alcohol, its just a cute name for it). It's good for just everyday upset tummies too! I am far from being a recipe blogger so please bear with me and know you can play with the amounts below to adjust to your taste. I like mine more cinnamony than gingery so I sometimes sprinkle in finely ground cinnamon. Recipe for Chemo Moonshine: A Natural Nausea Remedy Ingredients: Apple Cider- 1 gallon, non-concentrated *do NOT use vinegar! 1 cup Honey or Agave Nectar (I like to use Manuka honey for its healing properties) 5 Cinnamon Sticks Whole Cloves, about 2 tablespoons 1-2 inches Fresh Ginger Root (peeled and chopped or ...
Getting Rid Of Kiara
I tried. I really tried. But I just can't keep Kiara. It's me. Not her. Even if she does steal my yogurt cups. She swears she doesn't but I think we can all see what is happening here... But that really isn't why. It's just that Kiara does not suit her. Yes, I am renaming her. What did you think I was talking about? We tried calling her that for 4 weeks. I never liked the name but the kids really wanted it. I was at an event the other night for Goose Island Beer and we were painting this... And I made the comment "SOPHIE! I don't know why I didn't think of that for Kiara. It's perfect" But of course....too late. Which I don't think was the point at all of the PR event but hey, now they have a good story. I came home and oddly enough Bob was talking about Kiara and made the off the wall comment that he really didn't like her name. I casually said "You know? I thought the same thing today and actually found the perfect name." He agreed! I thought we must be crazy. We asked the boys who so wanted the name Kiara and BOTH of them said they liked Sophie for her much better. "It just fits her mom. Change it" they said. So we tested calling her by Kiara and ...