The Traveling Wheelchair

Taunton Green
Taunton, MA 02780
http://www.taunton-ma.gov/

“Oh, come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant” to the Christmas “Lights On” celebration at the Taunton Green. My friends and I traveled to the Taunton Green last Friday evening to see the Christmas ‘Lights On’ celebration and we were very impressed to find that it is fully wheelchair accessible.

We enjoyed a memorable night of Christmas spirit, bright lights and beautiful decorations in the City of Taunton, which is historically known as the ‘Christmas City’.The Taunton Green was crowded with many people from all parts of Massachusetts. My friends and I parked in a handicapped parking space located on a side street and close to the Taunton Green.

I n a manger there laid the little baby Jesus in a beautiful nativity display. “Oh, come let us adore Him, oh, come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord”. Off to the side was a pavilion where I saw my State Representative Stephen Canessa and State Senator Mark Pacheco both give inspiring speeches. The Mayor of Taunton and a priest form the Parish St. Anthony Church of Padua also spoke at this event.

Taunton Green was very crowded but I managed to wheel to the front of the pavilion in my new Permobil C350 Power Chair with its special feature of elevating me in my seat to almost eye level of others in the crowd. I was able to see and briefly speak with my friends, Steve and Mark.

“Sing, choirs of angels, singing exultation; Oh, sing, all yee citizens of heav’n above”.

As the celebration was about to begin, Misses Taunton pulled a child’s name out of a box and the child came up on stage and turned on the lights of the famous display. In the flick of a switch the Taunton Green became a bright and cheerful place and being in the midst of it all I became engulfed with the spirit of Christmas and much happiness.

Everyone clapped and cheered. I had a hot cup of hot chocolate and began to admire all the beautiful displays. Traveling throughout was easy for there are paved cement walkways. There were no accessibility obstacles or concerns that I encountered. I was thrilled to be part of this wonderful celebration this year and will try to attend every year in the future.

“Glory to God, all glory in the highest.”

I give the City of Taunton’s “Lights On” celebration FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. As always I give Representative Steve Canessa and Senator Mark Pacheco FIVES STARS for caring and sensitivity.