Brec's Baton Rogue Zoo (12.10)

Almost a peaceful afternoon at the zoo:


Kellisa and I had a few hours to kill in Baton Rogue, so we decided to check out the zoo. There it was as soon as you entered the zoo after paying...the train. Kellisa immediately asked to ride the train. I bought the tickets and noticed that the last seat faced backwards and thought Kellisa would enjoy that perspective. The train probably holds 100+ riders and we were the 6th and 7th to get on the train as it was about to leave.

In the picture below, notice a wheel just to the left of Kellisa's head, that no other riders can be seen in the picture and the conductor in the distance on the left side near the front of the train:

As I'm snapping the above picture, the conductor starts yelling, "you can't put the stroller there" and "you need to leave the stroller behind". It was go time!

I yelled back, "it's NOT a stroller and I'm not leaving it"!

The conductor came to the back of the train and explained that strollers are not allowed on the train. I explained that it was not a stroller and that it was a $1,200.00 mobility device for a disabled 11 year old kid. I wasn't about to budge and the conductor finally offered to put the Independence mobility chair in the front in an area for wheelchairs.

We were finally able to enjoy the train ride through the surrounding forest, bayou and around the zoo's perimeter:

Kellisa enjoying the tigers:

Of course, the snakes were Kellisa's favorite exhibit:

The noisy birds would be a close 2nd:

It was time to leave after a few hours enjoying the zoo and there it was near the exit...the train. Kellisa wanted to ride one more time and we were in luck, we were just in time to catch the final ride for the day. I purchased our tickets before loading Kellisa on the train and the chair in the wheelchair area. This time we were the 4th and 5th riders.

Kellisa enjoying her 2nd ride of the day:

However, the story does not end here. As I'm unfolding the chair and getting ready to transfer Kellisa, the conductor comes up to us. She explains that she did us a favor since we bought the tickets before she saw us the 2nd time. She talked to her supervisor and was instructed not to let us put the mobility device in the wheelchair area. I was to leave the chair or not ride.

I asked if she had the power to understood that Kellisa could not walk and even though the chair did not look like a wheelchair, it was absolutely necessary for Kellisa. I explained that it was not a $10 umbrella stroller from Wal-Mart. We went back and forth until I was exploding. I asked what would happen if I left the chair and it was stolen? How would I get Kellisa to the car? Back to the hotel? Through the airport? Of course, she had no answer.

"I'm just explaining the policy", said the conductor.

I explained that it sounded like discrimination to me. She still did not understand. I told her to let it go, knowing that we would never be back to this zoo. She kept pushing and pushing. Finally, as I was walking away, I told her that I would be back the next day and we would ride the train 14 times (the number of trips in a day) and see what happens.

We left the zoo and as I was putting Kellisa and the chair in the car...what do I see out of the corner of my eye? The train backing down the tracks on the other side of the fence and it comes to a stop. I hear, "sir".

I yelled, "leave it alone".

The conductor responded, "please don't do anything, I understand your situation and will explain that it's not a stroller to my boss".

My last response was, "see you tomorrow"!

If we weren't headed back to Jacksonville, I would have gone back to play this out and probably will push it if we are ever in the area again. I just wanted to give the conductor a sleepless night and my guess is she probably called in sick the next day.

How hard is it to see a guy lifting a 75# child out of a chair and struggling to put her on a train is different that a baby or toddler in a stroller? Not to mention the gigantic size of Kellisa's chair.

You would have to be a moron to not see a difference.

I never ask for anything special, just a fair chance and I get so tired of fighting almost every day we are out in the public. It's not like the chair took a row of seats from paying customers. It's no wonder you never see kids in wheelchairs out enjoying themselves. Besides the struggle, I'm guessing most parents have thrown the towel in a long time ago.