by Deborah Salvini, Residential Support
I took Steven Jacobs, who lives in a BCArc home in Westfield, to Washington, D.C, for four days of sight-seeing, education, exploration, and enjoyment. It was his first trip to the nation’s capital.
Rather than fly, we took a bus down. Steven was delighted to ride the bus for a full day. He is a big bus rider, and often spends Saturdays riding on a pubic bus route for an entire day around the Pioneer Valley.
The monuments are larger than life, and he saw thrilled to see in person the many sites he has only seen on television. While I enjoyed the adventures my self, the real joy of the trip for me was experiencing the city through Steven’s eyes.
At the Smithsonian’s American History Museum, Steve loved rekindling the memories of his younger days, finding objects that are dear to him like the the Walkman, record players, and early model TVs. Another favorite was a display of Edison’s early light bulbs.
Steve couldn’t take enough pictures to preserve the moments!
He strummed a replica of Prince’s guitar, he saw the sparkle in the Ruby shoes from Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and who could forget Archie and Edith Bunkers chairs that were displayed in the museum.
Steven experienced the solemn moments of the soldiers as they changed guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
Other highlights included, the Air and Space Museum, seeing sights of the early planes, and the rockets destined for the moon. He stepped back in time to visit Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s home.
It is an enriching opportunity to experience these trips firsthand. It paints a clearer picture to some individuals who may have a harder time absorbing the same information through a book, or other forms of media. These trips are important because it brings to life all that is around us in the world.
It was a privilege to take Steven on vacation, and seeing him enjoy time away like most of us enjoy it. I am personally fortunate to be in a position to support Steven in his travels. But as with all vacations they end too soon. Till next time Steven!
Steven and Debbie on their trip to Washington, D.C.
