Summer is a terrific time of year especially when you’re a child. No school, no homework and sometimes going on a family vacation. Our family vacationed for a week at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. My parents rented a trailer, and we were about a half hour drive to the beach. As I aged, going to the shore became less fun. I hope one day it will be enjoyable again!
I give both my parents credit for raising me as they did my brother and sister. They wanted me to experience everything I could, and that included going to the beach. Beach wheelchairs were not heard of yet. My dad and my mom sometimes had to carry me down to where we put our belongings for the day. Even as light as a child is, I’m sure it was not easy carrying me that distance on a hot day. I remember the trek back to our van at the end of the day. We felt exhausted, sandy and warm. I had a difficulty staying still when being carried due to my cerebral palsy.
At the beach, I’d sit at the part where the waves came up to kiss the sand. I liked the feeling of wet sand and played with it all day. My sister often came to play with me, and we laughed when the water washed away our sand creations. I didn’t really enjoy going into the ocean because I felt unsafe. One time I floated away in my inner tube from my family, and I felt terrified. Luckily, my brother came to my rescue.
When we arrived back to the trailer, my mom placed me directly into the bath tub. We laughed because it seemed like I had most of the sand in my bathing suit. I always seemed to have a terrible sunburn no matter what we sunscreen we used. Back when I was a kid, sunburn didn’t have the health concerns as it does today.
Unfortunately, being an adult with cerebral palsy creates barriers to enjoy the ocean. I feel terrible since my children do not go as often as I’d hoped because I don’t go. Yes, more beaches have the beach wheelchairs to rent. A beach wheelchair has big solid plastic wheels to get you to the sand to sit. But I don’t find them as readily available as I’d like. Going to the beach ends up being more frustrating than relaxing.
If I could plan my perfect beach, I’d make sure everyone had access. I’d like to see concrete walkways from several beach access points that almost go to the water edge. At the end of the walkways, I’d create a slab so someone could sit in their chair and hang out if they don’t want transferred into a beach wheelchair.
Beach wheelchairs would be easily obtained and in a variety of sizes. Some beach wheelchairs are too big, and I don’t feel safe. I think it would be amazing to have a motorized one as well. All the dressing areas would be accessible and comfortable space to have someone help someone change if needed. Showers would also be accessible.
I would like a better experience at the beach that goes beyond the boardwalk. I strongly believe that with more of a push, beaches would see the importance of access. Change can happen so families can have more family time while on vacation.
originally published on cerebral palsy news today by Jessica Grono
