For many of us, packing up the car and heading for a weekend getaway can take minimal preparations. Head out to the cottage or book a hotel room, pack a cooler, bathing suit and some supplies and head out on the open road. But what if it wasn't that easy? What if you were in a wheelchair?
Individuals facing mobility challenges aren't as fortunate to be able to leave town for the weekend. There are so many things to think about such as..."Will the place be accessible? Can I get into the bathroom? Can the restaurants accommodate my needs?" Not only are there limited vacation places with wheelchair access, but most importantly, as many individuals with disabilities live on assisted income, the cost of taking a vacation is just not feasible.
How can someone with a disability enjoy a stress-free vacation when there are so many things to think about? A vacation without limits is now possible at the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta (CPAA) Vacation without Limits Villa in Gull Lake, Alberta. Located in the gated community of Raymond Shores Resort, the Vacation Villa has just celebrated its grand opening and is ready for bookings.
Finally, a vacation rental property for families with special needs! The Vacation Villa will be Alberta's first fully accessible, all inclusive vacation rental property available year round for members with disabilities as well as to non-members and the general public. A vacation spot where families with special needs are fully accommodated: ramps and lifts where they are needed, doorways that work, and lots of fun things to keep everyone happy.
"We are so grateful and excited about the possibility to 'wheel around' this fantastic villa at Gull Lake" says Deborah Berry proud and loving mother of Kyle, her teenage son who happens to have cerebral palsy, and requires a wheelchair for mobility.
It has been nearly eight years since the Berry family has had the opportunity to enjoy a holiday together and have been unable to go on vacation due to lack of fully accessible accommodations. Deborah has struggled, as do most families whose lives are affected by a disability, with planning even the simplest of family getaways.
The two bedroom, 950 square-foot custom made, fully accessible recreational home, is fully stocked with all the equipment you will need, including a roll-in shower, ramp leading up to the back deck, a pool and hot tub lift, and accessible pathways for you to enjoy the great outdoors. Only a short drive from Edmonton or Calgary, and room to sleep 9 people, the Vacation Villa is the perfect destination for the whole family to enjoy some rest and relaxation at an affordable rate.
"We want to make vacationing as seamless as possible for our members," says Janice Bushfield, Executive Director for the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta. "Many individuals with disabilities face daily challenges and are in much need of a vacation but often don't have the means or finances to do so."
The Villa can be booked by individuals of all abilities at very reasonable rates, and subsidy is also available for qualifying CPAA members thanks to the Street Family Vacation Subsidy Program. The memorial fund was set up by the Street Family in honor of their late father who created fond vacation memories with his family and son who lived with cerebral palsy and felt it was important for other families to be able to spend quality vacation time regardless of ability.
For more information on the Vacation Villa or the Street Family Vacation Subsidy Program, please visit the Vacation without Limits Web site or call CPAA toll-free at (888) 477-8030.
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On September 5, 1988, my son Joey was born 8 weeks early. My first glimpse of him lasted less than 30 seconds. He was blue and silent and was whisked off to be resuscitated. We were naïve at the time he was attempting to make his arrival. The excitement of the impending birth of our first born overshadowed the implications of a way too early arrival. Little by little we began to learn new terminology — 






















