The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) is the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo. Visitors from across the world come to experience the western heritage in the nation’s fourth largest city. In 2018, The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo hosted 2.4 million visitors over the span of 20 days in March. The event is held at NRG Park which encompasses 350 acres of land and consists of several venues: Carruth Plaza, NRG Stadium, NRG Astrodome, NRG Center, NRG Arena, carnival, and various parking lots. Many seniors and people with disabilities avoid events such as this for fear of the many obstacles they present. From transportation, to parking, to navigating large crowds from a wheelchair, it takes serious planning and experience to overcome these obstacles and have a successful outing. Below is the story of how Hearts at Home Senior Care helped our long-time client, Ms. Nina, attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for the first time in over 8 years!
With her husband by her side, Ms. Nina was an avid world traveler and regular attendee at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo but had not attended a single HLSR event since her husband’s passing. Now in her 80’s and confined to a wheelchair due to scoliosis, the event just seemed too much for her to handle on her own. But Ms. Nina didn’t have to do it on her own, a simple request was all it took to get Kathleen Craig on board with taking Ms. Nina to the rodeo. And they didn’t go just once, Ms. Nina was a 2018 HLSR season ticket holder and enjoyed several of the events with Kathleen’s help.
Kathleen Craig, Community Outreach Manager, is an experienced partner with Hearts at Home Senior Care and has provided exceptional care to our clients for nearly 5 years. Like many of the caregivers at Hearts at Home, Kathleen has the knowledge and experience to navigate whatever obstacle may come her way. When asked about the mobility challenges she encountered when attending the event, Ms. Nina laughed and replied, “there were none, Kathleen took care of everything”, and that she did! Not only did Kathleen get Ms. Nina to the rodeo, but she coordinated special dinners at many of Houston’s famous restaurants during their outings. One such dinner was greatly appreciated when Kathleen took Ms. Nina to a restaurant she and her husband had frequented for 30 years, but she hadn’t returned to since his passing. It’s the special touches like this that make Hearts at Home special.
Our mission is to serve our clients in whatever capacity they need. If that means a special dinner, or a trip to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, we’re happy to make it happen! In closing, I reflect on a famous Christopher Reeve quote:
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
Kathleen and Ms. Nina are definitely heroes in our eyes. Trips to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are a little more challenging than they used to be, and they take a lot more planning, but they are still just as fun. Don’t let challenges hold you back from doing the things you love! Just because you must do something differently doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing. I encourage you to get the help you need to do the things that fill your life with meaning. Reach out to support groups, community re-entry programs, second chance programs at hospitals, churches, social media, and home care companies like Hearts at Home Senior care and take back your life!