July 2026
by David Rothschild
My wife, Debbie, and I traveled from Austin, Texas to Ashland, Oregon to see the annual Shakespeare festival. Team Gleason supplied a van for my wheelchair.
The plays, both Shakespeare and contemporary, were wonderful as was the very pleasant city of Ashland. The food and accommodation were excellent, and we witnessed a small-town July 4 parade.
Aside from the plays, the most memorable part was meeting some classmates of mine from college who also enjoyed the festival.
The adventure meant an escape from daily life and boredom. We were able to enjoy cooler weather, friends, and wonderful plays in great food.
The accommodation, though beautiful, was not accessible. There are very few accessible hotel rooms in Ashland and they are older, but the condo we rented could be converted with the simple steps of adding a toilet seat, elevation, and a shower chair. Some of the restaurants had daunting ramps.
