Summer 2019: Trip #3: South Africa
Kellan on the Durban Beachfront
It's Homecoming and back to South Africa for two weeks!!!
It was a 14 hour flight from JFK to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. The only saving grace was that most of the flight happened at "night." We left JFK at 11:00 and then woke up to landing in the City of Gold the next day at 6:30 local time. It was another hour flight to our final destination... Durban.
The purpose of this trip was to visit grandparents and reconnect with family. We met up with Anne Knights Rayson, Kellan's first therapist!
Anne, Kellan, Mano Durban 2019
It soon became apparent that we had come to take barrier free access for granted. Durban is a tourist destination and known for its beautiful beaches. Handicap accessible parking is available with level ground to negotiate on the promenade however, access to the beaches and piers is via stairs. It brings home the point: access is something you don't really think about until you need it.
We got found out that walkers and beach sand don't go together! So any suggestions on devices or adaptions to his walker for beach mobility are welcomed. You can contact us at raisingkellan@gmail.com
It was a trip of nostalgia. We met up with Kellan's ICU buddies, twins Alyssa and Kabir. It was amazing to see their parents Nikesh and Namira, as well as Callum, their baby brother who is just 4 months old. We are a mutual source of encouragement to each other since the birth of our children.
Kellan, Kabir, Alyssa 2013
We got to take part in a unique African experience of "going on safari". It was a three hour road trip from Durban to Ladysmith, near the Drakensburg Mountains. We stayed overnight at the Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge. Kristen, the manager, made every effort to accommodate us, and hopefully, there are plans to create rooms with access in the future. Special thanks to Ranger Tim for creating a memorable yet safe game drive, and Chef for the best oxtail we have ever eaten! Pictures say a thousand words so here they are...
Game Drive at Nambiti
It is my mission to educate by sharing our experience of Raising Kellan, especially in parts of the world where disability is often viewed as a stigma. I am grateful to the therapists at Open Air School in Durban for giving me an opportunity to create awareness and present at a continuing education seminar on June 6, 2019. I talked about selective dorsal rhizotomy, neuroplasticity, and empowering the parent to keep the child motivated and moving.
Open Air School
Those 2 weeks blew by like the wind. We are so grateful for the time spent with family and the new memories we made.
Sala Kahle, stay well Africa... until we see you again!