On the Highway with Barry – La Crosse, WI

Day One

This journey is beginning off nice. I’m headed to La Crosse, WI to work with David, a serial LD grad who wants some O&M coaching.

As a result of La Crosse is way nearer to Minneapolis, I flew in there. I really like the Minneapolis airport; so clear, huge home windows and really vibrant. It’s huge, so getting in between terminals takes a protracted however it’s not that unhealthy.

I’ve a buddy from faculty, Jim, who lives simply outdoors Minneapolis, so I requested him if he may meet me for lunch, and guess what? The Minnesota Twins are on the town right now! How lucky am I? Jim and I met, ate and went to the baseball sport. Goal Discipline is a good stadium, it was a wonderful day, and we noticed an excellent sport, regardless of the Twins’ loss.

Jim is a state consultant in Minnesota, the Home Minority Whip to be actual, and he gave me a tour of the capitol grounds and constructing. I even obtained to bang the gavel on the home flooring. Very groovy. It’s just a bit over two hours to La Crosse from Minneapolis and I’ve loads of mild left. It was a reasonably drive via the higher Mississippi River Valley.

Day Two

I met David and his spouse at their home Monday morning and we make a plan. David has had six canine from Chief over time however he’s at present utilizing what I name, a rollator. For these of you who don’t know, it’s mainly a walker with wheels on all 4 legs, hand brakes and a fold-down seat. It’s used principally for individuals who have a stability or stability points however is usually a nice assist to these with stamina points as properly.

David has had some well being challenges lately that necessitates his use of the rollator. We’re working collectively this week to see if we are able to determine a approach for him to make use of a cane together with his rollator to offer him a preview of his surroundings.

David and I headed out on our first path to his physician’s workplace and the hospital the place he has the vast majority of his appointments. We met his spouse for a late lunch after which all of us walked again to the home to finish our first day.

The climate is simply lovely, mid-60s and sunny, so numerous persons are out on the road in downtown La Crosse the place my lodge is situated. I strolled via the streets for the higher a part of an hour earlier than remembering that I used to be lacking a televised Chicago Cubs sport. I didn’t even remorse lacking it, the climate was so good.

Day Three

When David and his spouse, who can also be legally blind, moved to La Crosse from Rochester, MN, they actually did their analysis. They stay on the nook of their block however, extra importantly, they stay at a bus cease. A bus that takes them to the downtown switch station, if not on to their locations, to all different buses.

Not everybody who’s visually impaired has this feature, however it’s one thing that ought to be thought-about if nobody in the home drives. Not solely are they on a bus route, however David has additionally met and conversed with each bus driver on each doable route.

I ought to inform you that David has a photographic reminiscence. In WWII, he would have been a codebreaker. He’s obtained that form of thoughts for numbers, names, dates, and so on. All that to say David is aware of all of the bus drivers, their households and tales from all of them. Making your self conversant in these with whom you cross paths commonly is an efficient factor. Take into consideration Norm on Cheers. All people knew Norm. They saved his seat and knew his preferences: his likes, his dislikes, and so on. When you concentrate on David, consider Norm.

We rode the bus downtown and went, actually, throughout city; a music retailer the place David trades devices, a 150-year-old ironmongery shop, a jewellery store the place David has his watches repaired, the prosthetics store and eventually to David’s favourite espresso store for an additional late lunch together with his spouse.

We experience the bus again residence on a bus with one other acquainted driver and name it one other day.

Day 4

That is the final day with David as I’m headed over to Wisconsin Rapids for the Minnesota/Wisconsin AER convention. I’m presenting there on mobility choices supplied by Chief and exhibiting as a vendor.

David and I rode one other bus with one other recognized driver, and we head to his gymnasium, his grocery retailer, his Dunkin Donuts, and guess what? You guessed it! One other late lunch together with his spouse at their favourite Chinese language restaurant.

I’ve had a good time right here, with each of them being such nice hosts. Guess what we did to complete the day? Yep, took the bus with one other recognized driver and crossed one final road.

I’ll miss La Crosse. A fantastic metropolis on the banks of the Mississippi. I’ve obtained a little bit of a drive, however I get to see some extra lovely nation. I’ve obtained a extremely good gig, y’all.

Days 5 & Six

I spent the following two days at a convention instructing about Chief Dog, but additionally studying about issues I’ve not had an excessive amount of publicity to. I obtained to fulfill a load of execs with whom I’d not have the pleasure of assembly till this convention.

Our subject is so small, it’s a pleasure to make it a little bit smaller by attending to know of us from different areas. Acquired some nice concepts, met some actually groovy folks and gave away numerous Chief Dog swag.

I’m flying out of Milwaukee on Sunday morning, and guess what? The Milwaukee Brewers are on the town on Saturday night time! The baseball gods are smiling on me this journey as I’ll get to mark off parks #16 and #17 in a single week.

My good buddy Jeff from Chicago is coming as much as meet and share the expertise with me. We’re each Cubs followers and the Brewers are taking part in the Cardinals. I discovered a shirt on-line with the graphic “I hope each groups lose” printed on it however didn’t get it ordered in time. Jeff and I might have worn them proudly.

We paid for reasonable seats however sat in a lot better seats on the third baseline when nobody got here to say them. The Brewers gained in semi-dramatic vogue, however American Household Park (Am Fam) was the star tonight. Good park. We name it Wrigley North, however not out loud in Milwaukee.

I’ll be in my residence state for as soon as subsequent time. A camp in Leuders, TX and a consumer in North Richland Hills. No, the Rangers aren’t on the town, in case you had been questioning.