Tuesday, June 13, 2023
A few words about accessible accommodations in Vallarta
Friday, April 23, 2021
Traveling with a Service Animal is Scary.
Where have I been?
I haven't written anything in a long time. COVID quarantine would have been a good time to blog away, but like many people, I had plenty of time and not nearly enough motivation. Okay, we did build a new house in a country where the workers speak a different language, but that is no excuse. Hey, maybe I should write a blog about that experience. I don't think the architect would like to read it, but I'll have to do some catch-up stories. Tonight I have some mounting motivation that I need to spill onto some virtual paper.
I'm scared!
Jedaiah |
R.I.P. Gracie |
Yes! I'm really scared. Jedaiah is clearly so much sweeter than Gracie was and she was so loveable. I loved her and after she was gone I didn't want another service animal. Someone pointed out that "You don't want your (health condition censor) either, but you've got it. You need a service dog."
So, I have Jedaiah. A little side note: his name means "God knows". I really didn't want him and it's a long complicated story how he ends up being my guardian, but I love him now and I need him to travel with me. He's not as serious as Gracie and was a little slower to understand his job. But, he has officially passed all of his public access skills tests, knows how to alert me if I need to sit down NOW! He knows how to go for help, but is still perfecting bringing help back. He's as sweet as they come. And God knew I needed him. And that makes me scared. I don't know how he will handle rude people. Of course, I'm doing everything I can think of to shelter him from stranger hostility but I know from my last experience that just won't be possible. There are people, a lot of people, who will be mean to us just because they can't see my health condition. How did it become okay to treat disabled people and highly trained animals with such hostility?
But then, there's also you and that guy on the plane.
So, I need to tell you (the nice ones) a few things about my service animal. He's not a pet when he's working. He's like a wheelchair. Wheelchair races are super fun and we have been known to play with our equipment from time to time. I also play with my service dog a lot of the time. But when he's working he is a tool, not a toy. He knows the difference. I hope you do. But don't make assumptions. Just because someone is playing in their wheelchair does not mean that they don't need it to get around. The same applied to Jedaiah. Just because I play with him does not mean that he is not essential. Service Dogs Need to Play
Being a pet is part of what Jedaiah does. But he's more than a pet. He's a medical alert service dog. If he wasn't, I could take him along when it's convenient, and leave him at home when it's not. With Jedaiah, I have to take him always. Sometimes it is exhausting. There's that extra bag I have to carry all of the time. The one with wipes, bags, spray, food, water, ID cards, and of course cookies and toys. I have to ask clients if they mind having a service animal in the vehicle before I can pick them up by myself. I can never just grab my keys and go. And, service dogs in Mexico is a topic of its own!
I don't want to minimize pets. I think that all pets are emotional support animals. That's after all why most people get a pet, isn't it? But, you don't have to have your pet with you at all times. And, unless you need some emotional support beyond the happy face greeting you at the door when you get home, then it's your personal choice to have a pet. No one makes the personal choice to have a diagnosed medical condition. I could be wrong on that one, but speaking for myself I'll say that it's true.
Speaking of support, emotional support animals are another thing. Some people need them to live a full and productive life outside of their homes. They are vital and often underappreciated by strangers. ESA's and their health partners were hurt irreparably by people who abused the system. There's no way to go back and fix it.
I'll say two things about the system and the exploitation.
1. Shame on the airlines for charging so much that people were willing to go to extremes to save some money. The price to take your pet along and have them fit under your seat should never have been so high. With costs up to $200 in each direction AND losing one of your carry-ons, it's no surprise that people lied. People will lie for $1.50! People lie in front of their 5-year-old when they are teaching them to tell the truth to get a lower price at the movie theater. Of course, people lie to save hundreds of dollars.
2. Shame on the media for telling us all across the country every time someone exploited the system. NEWS FLASH: That's not news! If some lady in Newark tries to claim a peacock as her service animal that is not news on the west coast. That is the manipulation of people's emotions for ratings. When you see stories like that ask yourself, "why are they telling me this?" Because we all know that there was that lady with the peacock. We are all quick to judge her as the perfect example of abusing the system. But did you think that maybe the peacock was her service animal? I'm not saying the airline should allow peacocks to fly as service animals. I'm saying that none of us know what the peacock was or was not trained to do, what the health condition was that could be made better by that bird's presence, and what the policy said at the time. It's possible that she had read the policy, that the bird provided some sort of medical support, and that she had a health condition that was somehow made better by that peacock. It's also possible that she was just manipulating the system. The fact is that people use her as an excuse to be cruel to me. That brings us back around to me being scared.
The Real Peacock Story |
Who's to blame for me being scared?
Well, it's not me! There are a lot of people who are not to blame. I don't blame the people for trying to save a buck. I love a good bargain. I don't blame people for being angry when others exploit a system that is meant to help people. We all need advocates. I don't blame the many kind people out there that had no part in my trauma the last time I traveled. I especially don't blame the nice man on the plane who spoke up when the woman behind me slid down in her seat and kicked Gracie in the nose while announcing proudly, "I hate dogs." I was speechless, but the hero in the aisle seat said (and loudly) "I hate rude people, but I don't kick them under the seat!" I cried. I held Gracie. The flight attendant told me, "The dog needs to stay on the floor." I cried some more. I cried for most of the flight.
I do, however, blame all the people who think they know more about my health condition than my doctors just by looking at me as I go through an airport. It took my doctors a lot longer to figure it out. I blame all the people who mistreated Gracie. Every one of them. They are the reason I am scared to do this again. I also blame every single person who would rather be cruel than kind. I blame the people who cannot rise above the media manipulation to treat strangers with respect. People who cannot be helpful to people who are already struggling just to keep up. I can't imagine, and I'm sure you can't either, being harsh to a stranger just because they might be manipulating the system. And, I blame the system that gave people permission to be hateful.
But This Time The Rules have Changed.
The new airline rules went into action in January 2021. (Service Animal Ruling) These new rules actually make it much easier for me. They clearly describe what the airline defines as a service animal and what they expect from me and Jedaiah. Gracie and I didn't know the rules and made a lot of mistakes last time. We got a lot of harsh reprimands. Now, we know the rules and thankfully, my baby boy, Jedaiah, is highly qualified for this new job description.
The short version of the rules. Two for me, two for Jedaiah:
1. I have to have a diagnosed disability
2. My disability must be helped by the presence of a specifically trained service animal
3. Jedaiah needs to be specially trained to help ME with MY disability.
4. Jedaiah needs to behave to a high standard that is clearly outlined in the public access test. Here's a short version Public Access Test in 60 seconds
It is exhausting! |
What can you do?
Monday, November 25, 2019
Beach Crossers Delivery Options
Monday, November 13, 2017
Wheelchair accessible La Cruz and San Pancho
In La Cruz de Huanacaxtl we were pretty happy with what we found. We started at the fish market. Unfortunately, there was no reserved parking. There were ramps, but most of them had cars parked in front of them. As horrible as that seems, it was workable. There is a drop off area where we can easily drop the ramp. The manager at the La Palapa restaurant said security would let us park in the drop off area without any problems. He also said if we called ahead they would put cones in the spots near the ramp. Not idea, but it would work. Hey, why not just paint a few blue curbs so people who don't need a ramp don't park in front of it? I know, crazy thinking so far outside the box.
We walked all around the marina area. It was very accessible. The public boat dock even had a nice ramp. Unfortunately, the yacht club was not accessible. They said if someone wanted to go to the restaurant on the 3rd floor that the waiters would carry them and their chair up the steps. Hey, how about we just eat somewhere that went out of their way to make us feel like a complete human being? The restaurant near the fish market, La Palapa has wheelchair access to both the upper and lower levels. The upper level doesn't smell as fishy, still has a great view, and has bathrooms that are not bad. They could use some grab bars, but the sink is accessible and if a wheelchair would not fit into one of the two stalls, there is a privacy door that would allow for assistance. The menu looked and the prices were reasonable. It is a definite win in our scouting adventure.
Another big win was finding the Octopus Garden. It was listed as a cultural location so we navigated the back streets until we found it. It is a bit out of the way, but well worth it. As you roll through the front door there is a coffee roaster. The smell was very inviting. They sell their own roast both by the cup and by the bag. They will grind it for you if you wish. Just past that entrance is an adorable restaurant. They have a stage and regularly scheduled performances. I hope we can make a few of them this season. Across the restaurant area is a bit of a museum area. There is huichol art and other treasures. There are some interpretive signs so you can learn as much as you are interested in learning.
The menu changes weekly. There are a couple of good plant based choices along with some gourmet choices for the omnivores in the group. Finally, upstairs (not accessible) were rooms for rent. The staff of the three businesses were all incredibly friendly and helpful. The coffee roasters, the restaurant/gallery and the hostel were all charming.
On the way out, we went back to the circle where we had seen the vegan ice cream shop. Okay, I have to say that was a treat we had not expected. Oil free, plant based ice cream. It's been almost a year since my doctor suggested a plant based way of eating and ice cream has not been on the menu since then. What a happy find. I had the choco-monkey and the banana cinnamon. Sheri had the mint chip and the mocha. Wow were they delicious. Here's a link to their page. http://www.veganparadice.com.mx/ I guarantee we will be back.
We left La Cruz and headed up to San Pancho/San Francisco. We always like it there. The main street is tile instead of cobblestone. That means that even if the sidewalk is not accessible, the street is. The parking is problematic though. There are ramps, but cars are stacked 2 to 3 deep in front of it. On the plus side, the public restroom is accessible and even has a roll in shower.
We walked around just a bit. Had a bite to eat at Organi-K and headed back to Nuevo Vallarta. I was way past my afternoon coffee time.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Accessible Vallarta
Starting in the North
San Pancho is pretty accessible in public areas. We aren't familiar with any specific accommodations there, but the streets are tile instead of cobble, there are ramps in most places, and even the public restrooms are accessible. The restaurants at the beach have seating in the town square, but there is no way to get down to the beach without a few steps.
Punta Mita has a lot of accessible options and a lot of very inaccessible options. Shop carefully. The same can be said of the water front. A few places you can get into and a whole lot that you cannot.
Sayulita is very inaccessible. We have several clients who stay there regardless of the challenges. There are a lot of challenges. Cobblestone, narrow streets, few ramps, cars parked in front of the ramps, steps everywhere, and narrow doorways. Cute bohemian vibe, artist, surfers, etc. but most chairs or scooters will not work there. The beach wheelchairs work, but are too wide for some places.
La Cruz is not very accessible. The market is nice, but very crowded and not practical with mobility equipment.
Bucerias is a mix as well. The streets are a challenge, but some of the properties are very accessible. They have a nice art walk weekly that you could not do in a wheelchair.
Nuevo Vallarta West is the most accessible area. The sidewalks are generally wide enough for a wheelchair or scooter. There is a beautiful bike/walking/wheelchair path that runs for miles. Many restaurants are accessible and most of the resorts. Some of the resorts have small elevators and will not guarantee an accessible room, but there are others that will. Paradise Village has fully ADA compliant rooms. As far as we know they are the only resort in the entire bay that can say that. In addition, they have ramps to the beach, wheelchair accessible palapas, and a zero barrier ramp into one of the pools. There are other accessible resorts in Nuevo Vallarta (Grand Velas, Hard Rock, RIU, Marival, Villa del Palmar Flamingos, etc.) but Paradise Village is the most accessible. Also, Vidanta is accessible, but is a huge property and getting from one place to another is a challenge.
Marina Vallarta has a beautiful area around the marina that is quite accessible. There are many condo buildings in the area. Some are fully accessible and some are on the 3rd floor with no elevator. The sidewalks are good, but choose your accommodations by asking a lot of questions. Many of the condo buildings have rentals through internet sites like Airbnb. We have had clients at the Westin and Mariott. Both had challenges but everyone has different needs. Some clients have love each and some could not function with the challenges.
Hotel Zone has new sidewalks that help a lot. The sidewalks do not go through the entire Hotel Zone, but as you get closer to downtown the bike lanes an other ramps have really improved the options. We have a lot of clients who love the Sheraton. It is close enough to wheel to downtown and is very accessible. Now Amber and Secrets on the other hand is a challenge. Only one accessible room and you cannot reserve it in advance.
On a side note, the new luxury mall La Isla is beautifully accessible unless you want to shop. Every store has a step to get inside. It's unbelievable in this day and age that they would build a mall with beautiful ramps throughout but not provide an opportunity for you to actually shop from a wheelchair.
Downtown is a mix. Buenaventura is mostly accessible, but the pools are not accessible and there is no way to get to the beach. Both seem important to me.
Romantic Zone has a lot of new condo buildings that are very accessible. Again, many are listed on internet based owner rental sites like homeaway.com or VRBO.com or Airbnb.com. The sidewalks have improved over the last few years. You can't get everywhere, but you can get a lot more places than you could just a few short years ago.
South of Vallarta is more and more challenging. Some of the villas have elevators, but there is one repairman in the entire region. If the elevator is not working it can be a month before they can get it repaired. Make sure they have a back up plan. Barcelo is pretty accessible.
Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlan would be difficult with mobility equipment.
Hope this helps. If you have information to share, drop us a note and we can include your recommendations.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Marina Vallarta Crocodile or Cocodrilo
Stopped by the marina today with some Beach Crossers clients. This crocodile was swimming leisurely past. According to the man that works at the marina "this is the small one." He said there are two crocodiles that hang around the marina in Vallarta. We will have to go back and take a look at "the big one".