Jill’s Jottings - Warm Springs, 70 min drive S. of Atlanta

Departing from St. Louis was more pedantic, security took awhile & all looked very severe, but I made it OK, minus my one third bottle of tap water. Wheelchair survived OK, into the shuttle bus and then a fantastic run in the Convertible Car Mary-ann arranged. Never been in a car with the roof back before, luckily warm weather. Found road signs confusing, which was a problem as I was ‘Navigator’. Arrived Warm Springs OK. My room had a walk in shower & 2 styles of shower seat, great arrangement.

Really enjoyed having virtually all doors (generous width) opened automatically, also several KMs of concrete paths to wheel along in the forest (bush). No steep gradients, except the one Mary-ann had to hold me back on; in hindsight we should have taken the lift. So enjoyed scooting up the hill with my loaned scooter, per Mary-ann’s notes.

I felt very at home in the old style multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary team approach and the hands on care staff take. Vocational Rehab participants are called Students, and the original complex was designed by FDR (Franklin Roosevelt) to be like a university campus. FDR was ahead of his time in many ways for treatment settings. Students is a valid name when you consider all the services described by Mary-ann. Loved the old style orthotics department, still have staff who know the art of old style brace materials, a service much sought after by older PPS Americans & I’m sure by many Australian polio’s. They also have developed imaginative skills in adapting wheelchairs & mobility scooters.

When let loose on the borrowed scooter, I headed straight for the forest wheelchair tracks, saw deer & squirrels and took so many turns I nearly got lost… Also enjoyed sitting by their lake which is used to hold disabled sport competitions and Paralympics team practice areas. Also watched several duck families enjoying the evening quiet.

Had great horse ride on ‘Prince’ (see photo section) safe and well managed riding area, first time on a western saddle, and used the folding travel right stirrup cup I made in Los Angeles (see photos), all went well. Enjoyed the drive there & back in the Convertible hire car - what an experience…

To bed early as have to catch 9am flight tomorrow to Washington DC.

Jill Pickering