Looking for advice and recs from fellow disabled NP enthusiasts

QUESTION

Hi guys, I can't remember if I posted in this sub or olympic NP but I am disabled and had an entire trip planned there before I broke my leg again (bone cancer survivor, if you want to know more my entire story is available elsewhere and this isn't the place for that, you can dm me). I was devastated because we were only a few weeks out from the trip, had everything planned (have been planning for 2 years) and ready and we (my boyfriend and i) were so excited. Every time I've broken my endoprosthesis (2x now) it takes about a year to heal until I can walk without crutches again, and even then it's difficult. I actually went to Yellowstone on crutches and had a wonderful time, my cousin lives in Bozeman and it was truly magical, even if I could only see most of it from the car. The Rangers at old faithful were so so helpful and lovely and helped me with a wheelchair and everything. I live in Indiana, and the thought of missing another summer because of my disability and pain makes me super depressed, I feel like my life is passing me by and I'm missing out on dreams over and over again because of stupid cancer even though it's been removed for 3 years now. But I should be in a little less pain in about a month. I'm a pro on crutches, like up and down stairs forwards and backwards, and can probably crutch faster than most people can walk 🤣 So a very long winded question but, what's in driving distance? Any recommendations on disability-friendly places to stay? I searched voyageurs on air b&b and as soon as I put on a disability filter my search results went to 0. I ironically have a little disabled dog too lol. I worry about him when we're gone but he's well enough for some long car rides. So driving distance would be awesome. I actually live about 15 min from Indiana dunes, and I might be a pro at crutches but not sand dune pro lmao. And I grew up in Michigan, so I've hit most of those.

Really any advice on some beautiful places to see would be wonderful. I've put off my dreams long enough, I may not be able to do olympic this year but, God damn it, I'm not waiting around anymore.

Thanks for reading my entirely too long post and I hope it gets approved. 🙏

in nationalparksby Smooth_Ad3771

77%

22d

MsKewlieGal

22d

https://youtu.be/wtUf-7ICaCA?feature=shared

Smooth_Ad3771

21d

This is amazing!!! This legit just gave me hope of actually still being able to go lol

MsKewlieGal

21d

Happy to hear that-there are quite a few YouTubers who do this sort of thing, too. Good luck!

Glittering_Clamshell

21d

Going off of personal experience here!! - Grand Canyon has at least 1 paved hike (and it’s beautiful). Maybe looking up stroller-friendly hikes in NPs would help out? That would likely mean the path is paved. - yellowstone honestly is a driving park. You may still be able to go, if you’re willing to drive around to the spots - I know old faithful is right off of a parking lot. - a lot of people do drive around the smokies to viewpoints over going on hikes - it may fit your needs at this moment.

Also high fellow Hoosier!! I grew up 20 min away from the dunes :)

Smooth_Ad3771

21d

I'm in valpo! Thanks for the tips!

Its_me_hannah_

21d

Edit: for some reason I read your post as needing wheelchair access, my bad! All of these trails are close to the road and should also be easier on crutches.

Visited Sequoia and Yosemite recently, not in need of accommodations myself but I’m always on the lookout for places that have them because of my grandfather. All of Yosemite’s buildings are handicap accessible as is a good portion of the valley. The access to many of the scenic lookouts and trails closer to the road are flat, wide and either paved or well packed earth suitable for wheeled access. Handicap spots were all over but on the busy weekend we went even those were getting filled around lunchtime.

Sequoias highlights including general sherman tree could certainly be done by driving, pulling off at scenic overlooks, and then using wheeled access to get to the major trees. The ground was very flat but there was a lot of snow when we went so I’m not sure how easy it would be to maneuver. There is an entire handicap parking lot near the Sherman oak.

Saguaro National Park, visited in Feb this year, gets an honorable mention for having a super accessible visitors center. The area around the visitors center is a huge garden of saguaros and other desert plants with lots of reading and a sandy but flat walking path. Ramps all over to get to get to the different levels (actual ramps not those crazy graded ski slope ones)

I feel like NPS has really stepped up their game in terms of trail access ability in the last few years. Most parks I’ve gone to have at least one or two that are boardwalk style and their app is helpful in determining accessibility.

Smooth_Ad3771

21d

Thank you! And I will use a wheelchair if it's easier! I keep one on deck for longer ordeals!

travelerfromsj

21d

I hear ya- I've been on a knee scooter myself since September and it's a drag. The only consolation is that the national parks are very good about accessibility, and each park has at least 1 or 2 paved trails to roll.

We visited Glacier National Park last September and although I was bummed not to be able to hike, it was really great. We drove Going to the Sun road and stopped at all the overlooks, took the boat ride near Many Glacier hotel, rented a canoe on one of the lakes, rolled a couple trails, and walked some short trails via crutch.

We're going to see Cuyahoga Valley National Park soon. The whole tow path trail is paved, and there's lots to see by scooter. We're also planning to visit Voyageurs, which would involve boat cruises, paved trails, and maybe renting kayaks.

Best of luck to you!

Smooth_Ad3771

20d

Thank you so much!! I was literally just looking at Cuyahoga Valley, too! That could even be a day trip for us!! I bet Glacier was gorgeous, and I'm glad you got to see it!