Traveling With Our Kids With Disabilities: An Oregon Roadtrip

We have six people in our family. My husband TJ, our four kids, and me. Two of our kids have significant needs. Our son Robbie, who is 11, has Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and uses a wheelchair. Our daughter has level 3 autism and elopes. So traveling is not something we just do. Every trip involves medical equipment, safety beds, seizure protocols, sensory considerations and a whole lot of advance planning. When we got the opportunity to visit Eugene Cascades and Coast, we were excited! But we knew extra help would be necessary, so asked my sister Alisha to join us, and she agreed.

We live in Colorado, which is dry and landlocked, and I was genuinely excited to get back to Oregon and finally see the Oregon coast and the waterfalls. I was also a bit nervous. Robbie is bigger now and we need more medical equipment than we used to. Flying with him felt like a lot before we even started packing.

Getting there and checking in

We parked in the premium reserve lot at Denver International Airport. It costs more but it's the closest and most accessible option we had. We had a ton of bags and used our double stroller to move most of them through. However, United Airlines was a bit resistant about waiving the fee for our medical bags. One employee actually told us they don't have to fly any medical equipment that isn't a wheelchair or medication. We stayed polite, kept smiling, and she ended up waiving it. Before the trip I got a doctor's note explaining everything both kids travel with and why it's medically necessary, including the safety beds. I'd recommend doing that so you can show airport staff.

Arriving to Eugene airport was a relief because it's tiny. We rolled right up, grabbed our checked bags, and the Budget rental counter was right there. After getting the rental car, it was off to check-in at our hotel.

We arrived at Valley River Inn after dark. Walking in, the lobby had a really warm, cozy feel to it. When we got to our rooms we had two accessible rooms connected together, which was exactly what we needed. We travel with two safety beds that go on the floor for both kids, so the floor space alone was a huge win.

The roll-in shower in the double queen room was really nice for us. It was big enough for two caregivers, which matters a lot when you're washing Robbie's hair and need someone positioned to catch him if he has a seizure. There was also two shower-heads with one positioned at a lower reach level, as well as a fold-down seat.

The one ongoing issue was the pool lift. The battery wasn't installed when we wanted to use it. However, staff came quickly every time we asked and found one, but it wasn't kept charged or in an obvious spot. By the time we were getting Robbie out, the battery was already dying. For an independent traveler in a wheelchair, that's a real problem. Staff also kept moving our patio chairs back in front of the sliding door to the back patio, which I had to move every day so Robbie could roll out. it was an easy fix for us, but that would be a real barrier for someone traveling alone.

Don't skip Sahalie Falls

Day one we headed to Sahalie Falls, which ended up being one of our favorite moments of the whole trip. We forgot Robbie's placard so we parked roadside and made it work, but plan ahead and bring yours.

The path at the falls are nice and accessible. As we rolled through the forest to reach the direct view of the falls, Robbie was clapping the whole way. That's his tell when he's genuinely happy. We took turns with some of us staying with him at the accessible viewing area while others did quick side trails with the younger kids.

Then for dinner we found Sun River Brewing through the Wheel the World site, which was mapped for accessibility so we got to see the details beforehand. The outdoor patio had enough room to navigate Robbie's wheelchair, which isn't always the case with patio seating. We ordered fish n' chips, a Reuben sandwich, and pork belly tostadas. The tostadas were the hit. The restaurant also had great service.

The path at the falls was very accessible and Robbie was clapping his hands rolling through the forest to the direct view of the falls.

The track chair at Heceta Beach

Day two started with Ocean Grinds Coffee, a drive-through shop setup a few minutes from the beach.

Then we got to Heceta Beach County Park and met our volunteer from David's Chair. He had the track chair out and ready before we arrived, rolled it right up to our vehicle, and gave us a quick lesson. We went early because rain was expected, and he was completely flexible about the timing. The track chairs are free to rent, you just need to reserve it ahead of time. Learn more about how here.

The Mobi mat runs down to the water. We went out on it, chased seagulls, and rolled up to the water's edge. Both Robbie and I got our shoes soaked, so if I went back, I'd bring sandals or water shoes even on a cold morning. The wind in Robbie's face made him light up. Then the excitement brought on a seizure, which is something we're always watching for. We wrapped up the track chair and transferred him to his wheelchair with the deeper recline, rolled him along the Mobi mat while he slept, and eventually decided to just drive the coast and stop where we felt like it.

Sea Lion Caves came up on the route and we went in. But keep in mind there are two sets of stairs before you reach the elevator. Robbie couldn't join us for the main experience. That was a real disappointment. The second half of the caves is accessible, but the first half isn't, and there's no alternative route or stair lift. I'd tell any family with a wheelchair user to know that before you go, because showing up hopeful and hitting stairs is a different experience than showing up prepared.

Lunch was at Novellis Crab and Seafood in Florence and it delivered. They had a big table with space for our family, and a great staff. Fresh oysters were a priority as we'd missed them since moving away from the east coast. We also had salmon over potatoes and vegetables, a seafood bowl with scallops, mussels, and crab. Our three-year-old ignored her kids' meal entirely and went straight for the bowl.

Old Florence surprised us. Almost every shop had a ramp if there wasn't a ground-level entrance. That's not something we usually find in historic districts. We bought jewelry from local artists and some crystals and kept walking.

At the Oregon Dunes overlook, we almost turned around after seeing the parking lot viewpoint. A father and daughter walked by, noticed Robbie's chair, and told us to go left. There was a ramp through the trees to a better viewpoint an it was so worth it. Thick lush trees with a boardwalk through them is a completely different landscape for us coming from the desert, and Robbie loved looking up at the canopy.

Almost every shop had a ramp if there wasn't a ground-level entrance. This isn't something we have found common in historic districts.

University of Oregon and Alton Baker Park

Day three we started at Magpie Coffee Shop inside 5th Street Public Market. We ordered everything from hot and iced coffees, coffee cake, a savory chicken hand pie, egg biscuit, cinnamon toast, and a breakfast bowl with braised greens, roasted vegetables, poached egg, and parsley pesto. My sister said it tasted like our mom made it. Our toddler skipped every sweet thing and went straight for the breakfast bowl.

The University of Oregon campus was one of the bigger surprises of the trip. We parked in the garage next to the Ford Alumni Center, which had accessible parking, an elevator, and automatic door buttons inside. A college student pointed us toward Hayward Hall, Hayward Field, the Duck Store, and the duck statue. The campus was easy to navigate and full of life.

What I didn't expect was how kind everyone was. Students playing hackie sack stopped to make soap bubbles for the kids. When Robbie got out of his chair to walk near the duck statue, we could hear students on a campus tour nearby whispering "he's so cute," "look at him go", which was such a change compared to how some people would feel. My sister said walking through campus felt like being on a movie set.

Alton Baker Park came after. It had wide paved trails, water features everywhere, and ducks up close. Robbie was clapping through most of it. The open space gave our toddler room to run.

We tried Marché & Le Bar for a late lunch but landed in an awkward window between lunch and dinner service. The accessibility was good, but the bar menu didn't have much that worked for our more particular eater. I'd go back for a full service meal. When we first attempted dinner there a couple nights before, the space wasn't feeling right for our crew (a bit quieter than we expected) and the staff helped us find the Eugene Burger Company upstairs in the food hall instead. We were the only family in the place right before close and they got us in anyway.

Handels Ice Cream at 5th Street had plenty of room in the queue for Robbie's chair. The strawberry cheesecake was so good. We also stopped at Blended and rolled right up to the counter for macaroons and a Dubai-style strawberry chocolate cup.

Sweet Waters and a date night that became something else

Day four started at Sweet Waters on the River, the restaurant inside Valley River Inn. The accessibility was great with ramps to every seating level and to the back patio. The view of the Willamette River from the patio was also amazing. Our server was attentive and good with the kids.

I had Huevos Rancheros, which I always order when I can find it. My husband got the breakfast steak. There was also big stack of pancakes. Needless to say, we left full.

That evening, we told the kids we were doing a date night with just the two of us, while they stay at the hotel with Auntie Alisha. Before we left, Robbie climbed back into his wheelchair and started clapping.

He wanted to come.

We took him. He sat with us through dinner watching the sunset on the river, smiling through the whole meal. A couple a few tables over kept looking over at him, smiling. The wife came over a few times to talk to him, ask us questions. When she was leaving, she told him she thought he was awesome and that she loved meeting him. When she walked away, I asked Robbie how he felt about making a new friend.

He gave me a thumbs up.

He used to do that constantly and hadn't done it in years. He kept doing it through the rest of the trip. Thumbs up for everything he liked. His speech therapist was excited when we got home.

What I'd tell you before you go

Rent a wheelchair van. This is the first thing. We opted out, thinking Robbie's adaptive stroller would be manageable in a regular vehicle. It wasn't. Folding it and transferring him multiple times a day was harder than we remembered. A wheelchair van changes the trip.

• Bring the placard. We forgot ours on day one and had to park roadside. It can be doable in some places without it, but it makes it just a bit easier when you have it.
• Bring sandals or water shoes to the beach. Even on a cold, overcast morning. The track chair experience at Heceta Beach will get your feet wet and it's absolutely worth it.
• Book the track chair in advance. And if you can, book it at more than one location along the coast. We wished we had more time for that.
• Go to Sahalie Falls. Non-negotiable. It's beautiful and accessible!
• Skip Sea Lion Caves or go in knowing that the main experience involves two sets of stairs before the elevator. The second half is accessible while the first half isn't. And there's no alternative route.
• The University of Oregon campus is more accessible than you'd expect. Park at the Ford Alumni Center garage, ask a student for directions if needed, and just roll.

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