The last time Becky went on a long trip was about 10 years ago or so. We went to visit her grandparents in Oswego, Kansas...about 900+ miles from our home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We had a car with plenty of leg room for Becky and could lay the seat way back so she could lie down for most of the trip.
Going to Kansas wasn't bad at all. She was pretty comfortable and very happy to be out on the road. Becky has always enjoyed going for short road trips with her family. Of course, it was much easier when she was smaller and used a folding wheelchair. The trip back from Kansas was much harder on Becky's body because her skin was just not able to tolerate sitting for so many hours at a time. Even though we stopped and changed her position every few hours, even though we shifted her weight in the car seat every few minutes, Becky developed a pressure sore.
Pressure sores are very very painful. And what shows up as pin-point sore on her skin is much much bigger under the surface. Becky cried all the way from Amarillo, TX to Las Cruces, NM. Poor girl was in so much pain and unable to find a position where she didn't hurt.
When we got home, we got her in bed and kept her off her back...but, it took weeks for her sore to heal. That was when we decided it was simply not possible for her family to take her on any more road trips.
As time passed, Becky's mother developed Lupus and was no longer able to lift Becky in order to provide her personal care or get her in/out of a car/van. Becky's family is very grateful to the staff of Lessons of Life who provide for her care and take Becky out and about in her community.
A few weeks ago, Angel Care of Las Cruces sent Becky's family an e-mail telling them about a company that specializes in taking people with special need on destination vacations.
Hammer Travel company will provide Becky with transportation on her trip to NYC. She will fly to Minnesota and meet up with other disabled individuals who will be joining her on her trip. Then they will all fly to NYC. While in NYC, the company will be responsible for all transportation, using the paratransit system, taxicabs, etc. She'll be able to get out of her wheelchair and rest as much as she needs in order to stay healthy. As her family, it puts our minds at rest knowing that she'll be able to enjoy a trip and not have to suffer any health consequences. Because of all the help she'll receive, Becky will be able to take her electric wheelchair on her trip. She'll be more comfortable and independent using her own chair.
The Hammer Travel staff use a 1:4 ratio so Becky will get plenty of attention to her needs...and they have promised that if her needs are for more attention, they will make those arrangements too!
Of course, using the services of Hammer Travel is not cheap. It will cost quite a bit of money for Becky to be able to go on vacation. Becky is a very determined young lady and has said she will work for the money. But her ability to do fundraising is pretty limited by her physical challenges. So, her family is working with her...for her...to make her dreams come true. We sure could use your help, though!
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