Flights, Friends & Firsts: Finding Freedom in Houston

Preparing for Travel

My best friend invited me to visit our friend Jaimee in Houston, Texas. I was hesitant and nearly declined, but after talking it over with my husband Vince, he encouraged me to go. He reassured me that I would have a good time, and eventually, after a lot of prayer, I agreed. Traveling for me takes preparation, especially as a wheelchair user. Spontaneous trips are rarely simple.

First, there’s the hotel. Accessible rooms are limited and often snatched up by able-bodied people simply seeking a larger room—no proof of disability required. This blows my mind, as it can prevent actual disabled people from having a place to stay. Then there's rental car availability. We needed a larger SUV for my wheelchair and luggage, and there was only one available when we booked. Finally, every destination—restaurants, shops, venues—has to be checked for wheelchair accessibility. That means online research, scanning photos for hidden steps, and often calling places directly.

Flying with Delta

We always fly Delta, as we have connections and familiarity with their process. Delta requires a form for wheelchair handling, which we fill out ahead of time and leave attached to my chair. Thankfully, our departure was smooth—bag check-in was efficient, and the agents were kind and competent.

Then came TSA. I always brace myself here, because it can be hit or miss. This time, Cincinnati TSA was surprisingly pleasant. I received a timely pat-down by a female officer who was kind, thorough, and respectful. I wear shorts to make my prosthetics easier to examine and do everything I can to help the process go smoothly. Her kindness meant more than she probably realized.

We boarded without issue. I used to need assistance down the ramp and an aisle chair to board. Now, I can walk to my seat myself. Progress! The flight attendants were kind and helpful, and even during the shuttle to the rental car, the drivers were courteous and informed.

Hotel Challenges

We booked our hotel through WheelTheWorld.com—a service that verifies accessibility accommodations. We chose the upscale C. Baldwin Hotel. While it looked great online, we ran into issues upon arrival. Our room didn’t have the shower I required. They moved us to a room that did, though it wasn’t the one I paid for. I accepted the trade-off to ensure I could shower safely. Unfortunately, the room layout made it tough to maneuver in my wheelchair, and the bathroom design was frustrating. Still, I made it work.

Exploring Houston

Jaimee had already made sure the places we visited were accessible. We went to a country bar that was fully accommodating and full of friendly people. I was fascinated by the Texas culture—everyone dancing without judgment, just having a good time. It made me want to learn to dance one day too. We also went shopping and enjoyed great food.

Beyoncé Concert Experience

Then came the spontaneous decision to see Beyoncé in concert! We found last-minute tickets, grabbed some concert clothes, and hoped for the best. Despite my anxiety about crowds and navigating the venue, everything went better than expected. Security and accessibility staff were helpful, and we were seated in an ADA section surrounded by other wheelchair users. One woman was there with her mom in a wheelchair, and it gave me so much hope—that one day, Aliyah will want me with her in those public moments, unashamed.

During the concert, two gentlemen arrived about 45 minutes late. The seating arrangement in the ADA section had movable chairs to accommodate wheelchairs, followed by two fixed chairs, then more movable chairs and fixed seats. There was a walker in seat 1, with a woman sitting in the permanent chair next to her sister, then me, Whitney, and Jaimee. The two men had seats 1 and 2, which meant the woman had to move. In the process, one of the men grabbed his boyfriend’s hand and pushed past me to get to their seats. I stopped them and told his boyfriend that I needed to move in order for everyone to get to their correct places. After we all settled in, I overheard him tell the woman, “Girl, my bad—I was hot,” as if that excused the behavior. Those seats are meant for wheelchair users and their companions. Neither of them used a wheelchair, but perhaps they had an invisible disability. I hope one day to be ambulatory enough that I can take a step or two down and open up more seating options for myself.

The concert was incredible. I’m not even a huge Beyoncé fan, but she was phenomenal. We left before the rush and got out with ease. Jaimee really went above and beyond to make sure I was included and comfortable, and I’ll never forget that.

The Journey Home

Our trip home was another story. We flew first class but were met with gossiping gate agents and a TSA supervisor who essentially dismissed our concerns. The pat-down officer was cold and dismissive, making the process unnecessarily uncomfortable. On the second flight, a flight attendant made an issue about my small purse being in the bulkhead, even though larger items remained untouched. He didn’t assist me or offer kind words. It wasn’t about the rules—it was the lack of decency and professionalism.

Final Thoughts

Despite those moments, I overcame fears and made unforgettable memories. Houston was surprisingly easy to navigate, and I felt supported by the people who mattered. I’m learning that kindness isn’t always guaranteed—even when you show up with a positive attitude. But that just means we must continue being kind, because you never know what someone went through just to get to you.

Kindness costs nothing.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32