It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, especially a child who has a disability. Sometimes, parents cannot support their children independently, so they look to their extended family for help. There may be several generations coming together to create a strong support system. I have personal experience in this area as my grandparents lived with me and my parents growing up. As my grandparents got older, they began to have physical challenges that were similar to what I was going through. We had to come together to support each other. What happens when a multi-generational family that supports an individual with a disability wants to go on an outing together? How would you evaluate places to ensure they can accommodate the needs of all family members? How can a family balance spending quality time together and still provide individual care to family members who require assistance? This can be challenging when the family members have different needs. Families have to research activities that are not only accessible but also meet their needs and interests.
The Importance of Spending Quality Time With Your Family
We all know that the more a family spends time with one another, the closer they will become. The best way to spend time together is to find activities the entire family is interested in. When I was growing up, my parents ensured we all did something together as a family at least once a week. We would go to weekly dinners, attend my wheelchair soccer or football games, or watch sports together on the weekends. My Uncle and Aunt lived about 45 minutes away, so we would see them at least twice a month. I have wonderful memories of doing family birthdays and holidays. We often visited my extended family in California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Maryland. I am truly blessed to have such a close-knit family who supports me in all aspects of my life.
Selecting Accessible Activities for Your Family
When selecting activities for your family, you should consider everyone’s needs. The better you know your family’s needs and interests, the easier it will be to plan activities everyone enjoys. There are several things to think about when planning family activities. What physical or mental needs do your family members have that should be considered when planning activities? What are some interests that your family has in common? What kinds of activities does your family enjoy doing together? Are there places nearby that are both fun and can accommodate your entire family? It is always helpful to research places to evaluate their accessibility before going there. It is never a good idea to show up at a place only to realize it cannot accommodate your family’s needs. Do not be afraid to call places ahead of time to learn about their layout and ask if they provide any accommodations. Take time to think about the requirements and limitations of each family member. If someone has a mobility issue, avoid places that require walking long distances. Avoid places with flashing lights or loud noises if someone has a sensory issue. Give everyone a chance to have a say in the activities you pick. Finding accessible activities for your family may take a lot of planning and effort, but the memories you make on these outings can last a lifetime.
Memories I have with My Family
I am grateful that I had a close relationship with my family, especially my grandparents. My grandmother was one of the most influential people in my life. She always pushed me to be my best and said my disability did not define me. My Gran was involved in every aspect of my life. She helped me with my homework and prepared me for all my exams. She took me to weekly soccer and football practices. She attended all my games and was the loudest fan there. My Gran was also close to my friends and treated them like grandchildren. She would often pick us up from school and take us out to eat. My Gran was the biggest sports fan I knew. Baseball was our favorite pastime. We loved going to games and watching it on TV every night. She was from Boston and grew up a Red Sox fan but became a huge Braves fan when my grandparents moved to Georgia. I learned all the players’ stats and batting averages from her. Her favorite players were Ted Williams, John Smoltz, and Chipper Jones. One memory that still stands out is when my Gran chaperoned a field trip to Turner Field when I was in fourth grade. We visited the Braves Museum, and she shared so many fun facts about the team that the Braves staff wanted to hire her. I miss my Gran every day and was so blessed to have her in my life.
I also had a wonderful relationship with my grandfather. He was the life of the party everywhere he went. My Grampa was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and would sing Irish songs whenever possible. Growing up, I loved going to our neighborhood pool with my grandfather, who taught me how to float and swim. He had a stroke when he was 80, which caused him to use a wheelchair like me. My parents had to brainstorm more accessible activities that all of us could do together. My Grandpa was an amazing bowler when he was younger. Bowling was a great activity because we could use an accessible ramp. He showed me the best way to angle the ramp to hit as many pins as possible. To this day, I still bowl the way he taught me. My Grandpa also played on my adapted wheelchair football team at 90! He had never used a power wheelchair before, so I got to show him how to steer it. I loved having him on my team. My Grandpa always reminded me to laugh and enjoy the little moments in life.
I also have wonderful memories with my extended family, including cousins, aunts, and uncles. Growing up, we always got together for birthdays, holidays, and weddings. One of my favorite family memories is when we visited Washington, DC, two years ago. We went when I was facilitating the SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference. My Aunt and Uncle were able to go on the trip as well. We had a great time seeing the sights and touring the monuments. My cousin Tracy Roosevelt even got us a tour of the FDR Monument with an amazing disability advocate as our tour guide. After the conference, we had the opportunity to visit my cousins in Maryland. I am so grateful that I could share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with my family.
In Conclusion
The memories you create with your family can last a lifetime. When families regularly try to do things together, they strengthen their relationships. If you are planning family outings, pick activities that fit your family’s needs and interests and that everyone enjoys.
I’m Kylie Moore, from Roswell, Georgia, living with Cerebral Palsy. I’ve dedicated my career to advocating for the disability community, creating self-advocacy programs, and serving on boards. I founded the Ambassador Program at AADD, received the Tom Miller National Advocacy Award in 2020, and now advise Arts InCommunity. When not teaching, I can be found watching the Georgia Bulldogs or my beloved New England Patriots play football or participating in wheelchair sports.
