February 4, 2014
Jason has been enjoying a pretty good time with visiting all these great folks. He has been able to socialize and tell some of his favorite jokes (ones I've heard probably a hundred times now) and do things he usually doesn't get a chance to do. The accommodations are good, though we did have to move to a different room, due to the need for a better shower situation. About the only down side to this adventure is that he has not been able to enjoy the rides.
Originally, we were told that there were a few rides that would accommodate his chair, and he should be able to go on. As it turned out (using their words), "Because he has no lower extremities we can safely secure him in the ride." Jason was disappointed, as was I, though you could tell our guide was embarrassed by the development. All of this was over on the California Adventure side, and we found out the the Littlest Mermaid was the only ride that would be available for Jason. Jason accepted this, as he does with most things, so we (we were in a group of 7 plus the guide) continued to go about the park. I did go on one ride, and that was the first ride we attempted - one that Jason really didn't want to go on anyway, and then found out after that, that rides were restricted, at the next ride.
The group walked over to the new Race Track Ride, from the movie Cars, and while Jason and I were waiting there I saw Gary Sinise being escorted through. Since it was his invitation that got us there I called over to him, and he came over to speak with us. He spent several minutes with us talking and then I told him that Jason was not able to go on any of the rides, other than the mermaid one. The security detail guys all looked a little embarrassed and did some fast checking and came back to tell us that the Jungle Cruse would be a ride he could go on. Gary had to get going at this point and his escort told our guide where to meet up with him. So, once the rest of our group came off the next ride, we all walked over to the performance of the "Green Soldiers" (from Toy Story) and met up again with Gary. Next stop, the Jungle Cruse, with Gary Sinise and his escort leading the way. It was kind of cool, actually. Lots of people looking at us and wondering who we were, with some of them recognizing Gary. Anyway, Jason got on the Jungle Cruse and we had a good time. It was a nice easy ride and about the only one who was experiencing some concern was Gracie, as I don't think she has ever been on water before.
Gary separated from us, at this point, as he was attempting to get with as many of the Wounded Warriors as he could. Our group of seven decided that we needed to get some lunch now, so we went over to the Carnation Restaurant, on Main Street. We had a nice complimentary lunch, courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation and Disneyland, and then Jason and I headed back to the hotel. This is where we got a chance to see our "new" room, with a more accommodating shower. Jason immediately laid down and in a few minutes was sound asleep. He puts up a good front, but he is constantly working his back and abdominal muscles, just to be able to sit up in the chair. All of this takes a great deal of energy, and he gets worn down after a few hours. So, he slept for a little over an hour and then woke up. There was one more thing he wanted to be a part of, at the park, so we got up and headed back over to the park. To be fully disclosing here, I had fallen asleep, too, and we only got up because Jason woke up.
The event was the retiring of the colors, in the Town Square, or Main Street Square, or whatever they call it...its right in front close to the entrance. Jason was right up front, and again was sitting with his other buddies and got to socialize more. It was a nice presentation and recognition to all the branches of the service. After this was a special presentation for the Hollywood Salutes Heroes group, at the Lincoln theater. They, the park, shut it down, so that we could have it to ourselves. From here we went to dinner, and then back to the hotel. At this point we came back to the room and Jason was able to take a shower. I was pleased with the wounds, and happy that it didn't look like too much damage had happened. It was a little later in the evening now, so we both pretty much called it a day. It was a good day, and we enjoyed the visit to Disneyland and California Adventure. Jason was scoping out everything he could, to determine how to best enjoy a visit with the girls. About the only thing that I goofed on was my Fitbit. I nearly reached 15,000 steps when I took it off my belt, and then shortly after that I had to take Gracie back out. I think I would have hit that mark had I left it on. Oh, well, next time. Thank you, for all the continued support and prayers. Take care and stay positive.
Originally, we were told that there were a few rides that would accommodate his chair, and he should be able to go on. As it turned out (using their words), "Because he has no lower extremities we can safely secure him in the ride." Jason was disappointed, as was I, though you could tell our guide was embarrassed by the development. All of this was over on the California Adventure side, and we found out the the Littlest Mermaid was the only ride that would be available for Jason. Jason accepted this, as he does with most things, so we (we were in a group of 7 plus the guide) continued to go about the park. I did go on one ride, and that was the first ride we attempted - one that Jason really didn't want to go on anyway, and then found out after that, that rides were restricted, at the next ride.
The group walked over to the new Race Track Ride, from the movie Cars, and while Jason and I were waiting there I saw Gary Sinise being escorted through. Since it was his invitation that got us there I called over to him, and he came over to speak with us. He spent several minutes with us talking and then I told him that Jason was not able to go on any of the rides, other than the mermaid one. The security detail guys all looked a little embarrassed and did some fast checking and came back to tell us that the Jungle Cruse would be a ride he could go on. Gary had to get going at this point and his escort told our guide where to meet up with him. So, once the rest of our group came off the next ride, we all walked over to the performance of the "Green Soldiers" (from Toy Story) and met up again with Gary. Next stop, the Jungle Cruse, with Gary Sinise and his escort leading the way. It was kind of cool, actually. Lots of people looking at us and wondering who we were, with some of them recognizing Gary. Anyway, Jason got on the Jungle Cruse and we had a good time. It was a nice easy ride and about the only one who was experiencing some concern was Gracie, as I don't think she has ever been on water before.
Gary separated from us, at this point, as he was attempting to get with as many of the Wounded Warriors as he could. Our group of seven decided that we needed to get some lunch now, so we went over to the Carnation Restaurant, on Main Street. We had a nice complimentary lunch, courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation and Disneyland, and then Jason and I headed back to the hotel. This is where we got a chance to see our "new" room, with a more accommodating shower. Jason immediately laid down and in a few minutes was sound asleep. He puts up a good front, but he is constantly working his back and abdominal muscles, just to be able to sit up in the chair. All of this takes a great deal of energy, and he gets worn down after a few hours. So, he slept for a little over an hour and then woke up. There was one more thing he wanted to be a part of, at the park, so we got up and headed back over to the park. To be fully disclosing here, I had fallen asleep, too, and we only got up because Jason woke up.
The event was the retiring of the colors, in the Town Square, or Main Street Square, or whatever they call it...its right in front close to the entrance. Jason was right up front, and again was sitting with his other buddies and got to socialize more. It was a nice presentation and recognition to all the branches of the service. After this was a special presentation for the Hollywood Salutes Heroes group, at the Lincoln theater. They, the park, shut it down, so that we could have it to ourselves. From here we went to dinner, and then back to the hotel. At this point we came back to the room and Jason was able to take a shower. I was pleased with the wounds, and happy that it didn't look like too much damage had happened. It was a little later in the evening now, so we both pretty much called it a day. It was a good day, and we enjoyed the visit to Disneyland and California Adventure. Jason was scoping out everything he could, to determine how to best enjoy a visit with the girls. About the only thing that I goofed on was my Fitbit. I nearly reached 15,000 steps when I took it off my belt, and then shortly after that I had to take Gracie back out. I think I would have hit that mark had I left it on. Oh, well, next time. Thank you, for all the continued support and prayers. Take care and stay positive.
Glad you were able to have some fun! Have never been to California Adventure. Left CA shortly after it was open.
ReplyDeleteCall upon the Lord! He hears! He answers according to His Will. Praying as always!
Lamentations 3:55-58 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
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The Lord will be with you always. Praying!
ReplyDeleteDeuteronomy 31:6, 8 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (8) And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.