Kentucky

Kentucky Horse Park applauded for wheelchair accessibility

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A mother and son from Georgia recently visited Kentucky for the first time. What drew them in, they say, was the wheelchair-accessible trolley rides at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Cory Lee, 34, has a form of muscular dystrophy. He’s been in a wheelchair since he was about four years old.

Sandy Gilbreath says this was the first time her son has ever been able to ride on a horse-drawn carriage. They say the inclusivity at the park amazed them and made their trip extra special.

“I really didn’t even have to think for a second about accessibility while we were there, which was amazing and really incredibly rare,” said Lee.

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Sandy and Cory say they’ve been to all seven continents and 48 countries over the last ten years. They say they’ve seen a wheelchair-accessible carriage ride like they have at Kentucky Horse Park.

“When we do fall festivals, all of his life throughout the years, and they have hayrides and horse-drawn carriages, he’s never been able to do that,” said Gilbreath.

Cory was born with a form of muscular dystrophy called spinal muscular atrophy.

“I don’t want to say he doesn’t even know he’s in a wheelchair because he’s highly intelligent, but he does not act like he’s in a wheelchair,” said Gilbreath.

The Kentucky Horse Park says they’ve always had wheelchair-accessible trolley rides. Though, they got upgraded ones a few years ago. There’s a ramp and a space big enough that people don’t have to transfer out of their wheelchairs.

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“Every day, we have guests here of differing abilities, and we want to make sure that everything works for them,” said Lee Carter, Kentucky Horse Park president.

Carter says last year, 1.4 million people visited the park. He says, from attractions to the museum, it’s all accessible.

“We want to make sure that you can get up close next to a horse and that you can experience that connection that everyone else does,” Carter said.

Cory was able to do just that, but this level of accessibility is not the case everywhere he goes.

“Sometimes people will say, ‘Oh yes, we’re accessible,’ but that might mean there’s a parking spot out front. We’re never 100% sure until we lay our own eyes on it,” said Gilbreath.

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Sandy and Cory say they’ve made it their mission to make sure everyone can experience the world. Cory runs a travel website, posting wheelchair-accessible guides for every place they visit.

“Really trust your gut and get out there and try to see what you can and then keep pushing yourself to like see more, do more if you’re able,” said Lee.

Carter says that for the next season, they’re hoping to enhance their experience for their visual and hearing-impaired visitors.



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