Travels on Wheels

Getting around in this chilly town!

Going to Chicago using a walker or cane is no easy feat. First, I left for the airport by my house (RSW), parked in long-term parking and waited for the shuttle. And waited. And waited. After about a half hour, I grabbed my cane and luggage. I began the long trek to the terminal on foot. By the time I got to the terminal, my legs had completely locked up on me and I couldn’t function. It was the first time I asked for wheelchair service. That was so helpful and saved me some spoons for sure!

Once that crisis was averted, everything else went fine. As a matter of fact, the porters at O’Hare wheeled me right up to the taxi door (thank you, kind sir). Once in Chicago, I was thrilled. I saw that most of the places my daughter and I visited were accessible. The AMC Theater had escalators and elevators, and the Target store in River North was the same. We went to dinner for my 50th birthday at La Scarola. The owner got us in and seated right away. He didn’t make me stand there with my cane. He also gave my daughter and I (and himself) a shot to celebrate my birthday! It was incredibly refreshing to not worry about how I was going to get around these places.

Chicago is a big, bustling, beautiful city. We all know that. It also is really accessible for people with disabilities, and I am thankful for that!