June 2026
by Wilton Jones
Before this trip, Los Angeles was a dream. A place I’d only seen on TV, in movies, and through the stories of others.
Thanks to Team Gleason, that dream became a reality.
Living with ALS can sometimes make your world feel smaller.
There are appointments, limitations, accessibility concerns, and the constant need to adapt.
Team Gleason gave me something bigger than a vacation—they gave me an opportunity to create memories, challenge myself, and experience a place I never thought I would get to see. For that, I am incredibly grateful.
Our journey began with a flight from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles. While neither my caretaker/best friend nor I had ever been to California before, we were excited to finally experience the city we had heard so much about. United Airlines made the entire process easy. Their staff assisted with wheelchair transfers, accommodated our needs, and ensured everything went smoothly from check-in to landing.
One thing nobody properly warned us about was the time difference.
Flying from D.C. to California meant gaining three hours. On paper, that sounds wonderful. In reality, it meant my first day in Los Angeles felt like it lasted approximately 47 hours. Don’t get me wrong—I loved it. There was no rush, no pressure, and it felt like we had all the time in the world. But by about 5:00 PM California time, my East Coast body was convinced it was bedtime. Meanwhile, Los Angeles was just getting started.
One of the first things I noticed about California was how friendly everyone seemed to be. We expected a busy city where everyone kept to themselves. Instead, strangers were ready to chat, offer directions, and recommend places to visit. It made us feel welcome immediately.
Our first day was spent exploring Hollywood.
We drove down Sunset Boulevard during sunset, which honestly felt like the most appropriate way possible to experience Sunset Boulevard. The sky was painted with shades of orange, pink, and gold as palm trees stretched toward the horizon. It was one of those moments where you stop talking for a minute just to take it all in.
We also visited Echo Park, which quickly became one of my favorite spots of the entire trip.
We spent the afternoon sitting in the grass, people watching, enjoying desserts, and riding the famous Swan Boats across the lake. There was something peaceful about simply slowing down and enjoying the moment. Of course, no adventure is complete without food.
We stumbled upon a place called The Win-Dow and immediately understood why people recommend it. The burgers were fantastic, the fries disappeared suspiciously fast, and the milkshakes were worth every calorie. If you’re ever in Los Angeles, do yourself a favor and stop there.
One thing I promised myself before this trip was that I wasn’t going to let fear make decisions for me. ALS takes enough away already.
Time is precious. I don’t want to spend mine wondering “what if.” If there was something I wanted to experience, I was going to try it. Whether I succeeded or failed wasn’t the point. The point was knowing I gave myself the chance.
We had an entire week planned in Los Angeles and, boy, did we intend to see all of it. What we quickly discovered, however, was that Los Angeles and Google Maps are apparently involved in some kind of conspiracy. On the map, everything looks close.
Every morning we’d create an ambitious itinerary and say things like, “Let’s go here, here, here, and here.” Los Angeles would laugh at our plans.
The next day we visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Seeing the famous stars stretching block after block was surreal. For years I had watched people visit this landmark on television, and now I was there myself.
We also toured the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre. The architecture was stunning, from the intricate details throughout the building to the rich history surrounding it. Outside, we explored the famous Forecourt of the Stars, where generations of celebrities left their handprints, footprints, and signatures in cement.
Seeing names like Eddie Murphy, Kobe Bryant, and Marilyn Monroe brought Hollywood history to life. We also stopped by Madame Tussauds Hollywood. The wax figures were so realistic that at times I found myself doing double takes. Some looked so lifelike that I half expected them to start talking.
Later that evening we headed to Griffith Observatory. As the sun slowly disappeared beyond the mountains, Los Angeles transformed beneath us. The bright blue sky shifted into shades of purple, pink, and orange before the city lights began illuminating the landscape below. For those of us living with ALS, moments like that carry extra meaning.
The future can sometimes feel uncertain, but standing there reminded me that there is still so much beauty left to experience. There are still sunsets to watch. Still adventures to take. Still reasons to laugh. Sometimes the greatest gift is simply being present enough to appreciate where you are right now.
The following day was Universal Studios Hollywood—the day both my best friend and I had been waiting for. And it absolutely delivered. The VIP Experience truly made us feel like VIPs. We toured the backlot, learned behind-the-scenes secrets, explored iconic sets, and experienced movie magic from a perspective most people never get to see.
Now, here’s the funny part. I have never been known as a thrill-seeker. Roller coasters and I have traditionally maintained a respectful distance from one another.
But remember that promise I made about not letting fear decide things?
Well…I rode everything. And I loved it a little lol. My favorite attraction was Jurassic World. Between the dinosaurs, excitement, and pure chaos, it was impossible not to smile.
I also want to acknowledge how accessible California was throughout our trip. Everywhere we went, accommodations felt natural rather than burdensome. I never felt like an afterthought. I felt included. That means more than people realize.
Eventually it was time to say goodbye to Hollywood and head toward the coastline. And once again Los Angeles reminded us just how enormous it really is. Apparently “it’s not that far” means something completely different in California. The beaches, however, were worth every mile.
Hermosa Beach deserves a special shoutout for its accessibility. They provided beach access mats that allowed wheelchair users to get much closer to the shoreline. For someone living with ALS, those details matter.
We spent hours enjoying the sunshine, listening to waves crash onto the shore, and breathing in air filled with sea salt, sunscreen, and the unmistakable scent of funnel cakes drifting through the breeze.
We visited Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and the Long Beach area, where we watched fishermen casting lines from the piers and enjoying the beautiful weather. Now, while I thoroughly enjoyed the beach, my caretaker/best friend had a slightly different experience. She discovered California beach tar.
What followed can only be described as a dramatic performance worthy of an Academy Award nomination. At various points she became convinced her feet were permanently damaged, her toes were falling off, and she had somehow contracted a flesh-eating disease. It was tar. Thankfully, she survived the ordeal. I suppose a little dramatic flair is appropriate when you’re vacationing in Hollywood.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t fit everything into one trip. Newport Beach ended up being farther away than expected, which meant we missed our whale-watching adventure. We also didn’t make it to Muscle Beach or the Santa Monica Pier.
By Day Six, after all the sightseeing, exploring, eating, and memory-making, we were exhausted. The kind of exhausted where you accidentally sleep until 3:00 PM and decide that’s now part of the vacation itinerary. No regrets.
Our final full day became an unexpected foodie tour.
We discovered Golden Donuts, which quickly became our favorite breakfast spot. Their donuts were incredible, their smoothies were excellent, and by the end of the trip the staff probably wondered if we planned on moving in.
We also found Big Ant’s BBQ. As a barbecue lover, this place immediately earned my respect. Everything was so good that we ordered additional meals to go because there were simply too many menu items we wanted to try before leaving.
Before long, our final morning arrived.
ALS has taught me many things, but perhaps the most important lesson is that time is precious. This trip reminded me that life doesn’t stop because challenges appear. There is still joy to be found, places to explore, people to meet, and experiences waiting to be lived.
Thank you, Team Gleason, for helping make this dream a reality. Thank you for helping me experience Los Angeles. Thank you for helping me push beyond my comfort zone. And thank you for reminding me that even with ALS, life can still be filled with adventure, laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories.
