December 2025
by Jennifer Hutchings
On our Adventure Trip to South Padre Island we saw the lovely sights on travel down.
Arriving at our location was amazing! Very beautiful and tropical room and the best breakfast every morning!
The view of Ocean from the balcony was enjoyed every day and of course the boardwalk to beach got me down there where I just took it all in, watching every tide every day during stay.
The full moon on the Ocean was so beautiful!
Many shells were collected and watching the surfers was so great! We visited the Sea Turtle Conservation Center and saw these amazing beauties up close and learned so much! We visited the museums and shops all along the Island, ate fresh caught Gulf fish and great food!
We took a day trip to Brownsville, and I rode my chair across the International Bridge into Mexico and back so I can say I also visited Mexico in a very unique way.
We went on the Cake by the Ocean Cruise instead of the fishing boat tour set due to the weather issues, but the cake Cruise was amazing!
Most of the time was spent at the beach enjoying the peace and solitude break from the life of ALS.
I enjoyed watching the horses, paragliders and people all along the beautiful seashore and Space X!
I love the Ocean at Padre and am so grateful I was blessed to be there to have that feeling one last time and a great adventure!
What was your favorite part of the Adventure?
- The healing that the ocean brought to my soul number one! Every moment spent there was my absolute favorite!
Did you face any challenges during the Adventure?
- Greyhound and their treatment of disabled people. I chose greyhound on my own for the sightseeing on the way down. Arriving the only challenges were opening doors to places otherwise very handicapped, friendly Island!
What was the most memorable part of this Adventure?
- The seagulls immediately eating the Christmas gingerbread house I built on the beach for people to enjoy. Ha! I was not thinking they liked gingerbread and candies! The sunrises and sunsets on the Ocean and truly the happiness the whole adventure brought
What does this Adventure mean to you?
- It brought so many things I thought I could never do again. I actually re-discovered myself for the first time in this new life path of ALS, acceptance, healing, peace. The most valuable gifts ever.
Can you share anything about the accessibility during your adventure, either good or bad?
- Greyhound will intentionally say that their chair lifts are not working because they do not know how to operate them, you will not be able to get off the bus at any stop for a break like nondisabled people can. They also do not lock in mobility chairs or seatbelt them so you have moments of fear of falling out the door they did not fully secure, also no heat in the handicap chair section or able to use ventilator on bus due to the set up in seats.
