By Katherine Magnoli
Memorial Day Weekend is filled with fun (possibly drunk infused) activites. Unfortunately, no one ever realizes what Memorial day is truly about. This is a day of giving thanks and recognition to the people who fight to make this country free and safe for all those that reside in the USA. Now, I know that most people think this is directed only at the military but I would like to shed light on the fact that many people in the disability community are out fighting every day for not only their freedom to live lives to the fullest but help others live their lives the same way. I, myself, had the pleasure of seeing this first hand when I spent the day on a boat called Possibilities, which was hosted by none other than the great Mark Felling.
Mark, lives his life, as a survivor of an airplane accident that resulted in him becoming a quadriplegic. However, he does not let this stop him from living his life to the absolute fullest. He spends his days and nights living on his boat Possibilities, traveling the world. He told me all about the places he has been and there is way too many to list.
Now, if you think that is impressive hold on to your seat because there is so much more. I am pretty sure at this point you are wondering, how does a man living as a quadriplegic, travel on a boat? Well, I will give you the answer; his entire boat is accessible due to contraptions he himself invented to make his everyday living easier. There is so many hidden treasures in his boat that when you first see it you can’t help but have your jaw drop in amazement.
First the ramp, which I was thoroughly impressed by, was simply just the tip of the iceberg. Then came the inside of the boat; there was everything you could imagine! I honestly don’t know if my description can do it justice but I will give it a shot. Mark and his genius mind thought of everything necessary to live as independently regardless of his condition. There is a moveable cabinet that raises from the floor in order for him to use the microwave.
There is a fully accessible bathroom and a bed that folds out from behind the wall of his office. If that is not enough, there is a fully equipped pulley system to help him get into bed, if needed. All of this left me completely amazed, to the point I proposed to young Mark in hopes of living in this magical water home of his. He laughed and thanked me for my proposal, with his genuine smile that really teaches you that regardless of hardships there is always a reason to be joyful.
Bringing me to another part of my glorious day with Mark, conversation. We also had a great time talking about the state of healthcare and the bureaucracy a person with a disability must deal with everyday. We laughed about how it is more beneficial to be in prison than in a nursing home. We also talked about dating and pick up lines and laughed at all “that’s what she said.” jokes one can use when putting back a part of a wheelchair in its’ right spot.
Overall, this was a very fun-filled day. I not only learned about Mark’s scientific and engineering skills that he hopes to use to make a fully inclusive world. In other words he hopes to bring together both people living with and without disabilities to create a world with no boundaries. I fully support this movement and I encourage whoever is reading this to please go to Mark’s website https://www.inclusiveadventures.org/ , see how you can join his team in order to promote his mission.
