Summer 2019: Trip #1: St Louis, Missouri
St Louis, MO: We have traveled more this year than any other. I think it is a combination of our growing confidence as parents and, for the most part, the positive feedback we get when out in the community.
St Louis Children's Hospital Therapy Intensive
Summer kicked off with a therapy intensive at St Louis Children's Hospital to get our home program updated. We were lucky to have Savannah Pham volunteer to travel with us. An extra set of hands and kind heart are always welcomed. Savannah has been Kellan's babysitter for the last two summers. This experience gives Savannah insight into why the home exercise program is a building block of Kellan's movement. It also gives us ideas on therapeutic positioning during activity. This is the best kind of exercise, Kellan is working without even knowing it. This trip turned out to be a great learning and team building experience.
St Louis Arch, May 2019
Road Trip
Dyersburg, TN to St Louis, MO is a three and a half hour car drive. We broke it up with 2 rest stops for walking and rest room breaks. I tend to pack his walker and portable toilet seat for easy access in the trunk and his backpack with his snacks are kept within his easy reach.
Place to Stay
Airbnb is our go to choice for longer stays in St Louis. In fact, we have stayed with the same host for the last two trips. Accessibility of the accommodation is usually listed and this can be verified prior to booking. To help stay on budget, having access to a kitchen, washer, and dryer are time and money savers.
St Louis Children's Hospital Rooftop Garden
Side Trips
Even though the primary purpose for this trip was medical, St Louis offers an amazing opportunity for exploration from the Zoo and the Science Museum with it's free admission to Magic House, which is in the pipeline for our next trip. If you're at St Louis Children's Hospital, don't forget to visit the roof top garden.
If you have a favorite place to visit or eat at with barrier free access, please let us know at raisingkellan@gmail.com