Today we’d like to introduce you to Aria Verano.
Hi Aria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a 21 years old wheelchair user originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, and have been traveling to Orlando regularly since 2010 for intensive physical therapy. That was my 1st time visiting Walt Disney World and I immediately fell in love. Particularly with the way I was treated by cast members. What I noticed over the years is that I would get a lot of questions about the accessibility at the parks from parents of children with different abilities that were also in Orlando for the intensive therapy clinic.
In 2019, I decided to open an Instagram account to highlight how I managed the parks. I was able to make trips more often to Orlando from Las Vegas and with each trip I added more and more information and my small page began growing. I try to provide information that would be helpful for anyone but with a focus on accessibility. I frequently encourage followers to ask me questions and I get a lot of questions about cerebral palsy I love being able to educate people and promote inclusivity.
In 2020, when the pandemic started, I was here in Orlando and I was not able to travel home to Vegas due to being part of the high-risk population, so I made the decision to stay in Orlando permanently. After 3 long years of not going to the parks, I have finally gone back and I’m now relaunching and updating my Instagram account.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
During the pandemic, I was not able to constantly update my page since I was not going to the parks. This caused me to lose a lot of followers due to inactivity.
However, I don’t do this for money. My account is not monetized. I do it because I enjoy helping others. Disabilities aren’t one size fits all and sometimes businesses and governments forget that. So I enjoy being able to provide tips & information to those with more complex needs.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I share my personal experiences and photos at local theme parks, mainly Disney. I try to point out the accessible rides, the rides that require one to transfer to the ride as well as the ones that allow you to stay in your own personal wheelchair. This is important because there are many people that require more support than what you can get from a standard folding wheelchair. The kind that you can rent at the parks does not provide trunk support and other customizations required for some including myself.
For example, on a Disney Cruise when you stop at Castaway Cay, they have beach wheelchairs. However, these chairs can’t be used by people like me that require more support. There’s no option for me to use my own wheelchair there. If Disney would add sand mats, people could use their own wheelchairs and mobility aids to enjoy the beach. It’s my goal to point out these things to others so that together, we can try to make change happen.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I keep myself updated on what’s new at the parks by watching different YouTube videos. However, what helps me enjoy the parks is my physical therapy team at Believe in Winter Park.
When Flight of Passage 1st opened, my therapist replicated the ride vehicle using therapy equipment and had me practice sitting and mimicking the same side-to-side movements of the ride so that I was able to ride it independently and successfully. Therefore, I would say my biggest resource for success is Believe Physical Therapy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/disney_princess_on_wheels?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/disneyprincessonwheels?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Image Credits
Disney PhotoPass, J. Verano
