AJ October 2024

Abbas Karimi Richard Gray, Senior Vice President, Inclusion and Accessibility at Visit Lauderdale  This interview took place in July 2024 Share a bit about Abbas with us Abbas Karimi is a professional athlete, inspirational swimmer, and Visit Lauderdale’s newest ambassador. Although Abbas was born without arms in Afghanistan, he grew very […]

Danniel, George’s fiancée, isn’t his caretaker in the traditional sense of the word. She’s not there to ‘help’ him in the way many might think. She’s his partner, a co-conspirator in the mission of making life work smoothly. They’re in it together, fully. It’s about collaboration and mutual respect—at work in

Lynn and her husband, Chris. Vacationing with a loved one while serving as their caregiver can be a deeply emotional and bittersweet experience. Based on the nature of their disability or illness, it’s probably not your average getaway filled with endless excitement or carefree moments. Instead, for some, it may be

Question: Are there destinations that cater specifically to high needs/disability? Answer: There are so many! Here are some of our favorites, and some shared by our community. Morgan’s Wonderland, Austin, Texas – This theme park was designed for people with disabilities. It’s 100% accessible and built for inclusion. John Dillon Park,

Kristy Cook, a mom of four, navigates life with her adventurous family including Robbie, her 9-year-old son, who lives with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). LGS is a rare form of epilepsy that causes developmental delays and challenging, daily seizures. But none of this stops Kristy and her family from living their best,

by Jodie St. Clair Travelling with a disability means packing a new mindset The way travel gets discussed is exhausting. Fast-paced trips get showcased with itineraries so overstuffed, you’d swear that in order to do everything you’ll have to get up before you go to bed. When you add in a

Jennifer Allen Grand Rapids, Michigan Grand Rapids is more than just a city destination, and we found something for everyone in our family. ●    Track chairs for easy beach access at Grand Haven, Holland and Muskegon beaches ●    All abilities playground at Courtland Township Park ●    Amway Grand Plaza offers one of the most

Beautiful places feel good – for everyone!   Jennifer Allen YOU DID IT! You made it through the summer of thrown-off routines and overload meltdowns. You cared for all of the needs, macgyvered medical equipment to handle the needs of summer play, and you made it to another school year! School

Kristen DeAndrade – Photo Credit: Monica Lokitus Kristen DeAndrade is the embodiment of perseverance and advocacy, relentlessly pushing boundaries to break stereotypes surrounding dwarfism and disability. Born with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, Kristen channels her lived experiences into changing the narrative around disability and differences. She is the

Doug Henry teaches us that you don’t stop living just because life throws you a curveball—you adapt, innovate and keep racing forward. His life is a story of grit and a love for speed that transcends the boundaries of what most people think is possible. A motocross legend, Doug spent years