Human Abilities Expo at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach

Sunday had the awesome opportunity to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for their "Human Abilities" Expo. It was free to anyone who had a disability and their attendant. As long as I've lived in California, I can say I've honestly never been to the Aquarium here. I was so excited!
Upon getting tickets, you can see that they have a lower counter for those in wheelchairs to have access to the ticket counter. Things were looking good already!

And then I had my picture with a SHARK! Aaaah!

So many amazing people were here, and I got distracted from the actual aquarium because I was enjoying the people so much. Below is a gentleman named Michael Seale who weighed only 2 pounds at birth on top of having a disability. He later discovered his amazing ability to paint, and has since painted abstract paintings that have incredible detail, too. His spirit is jovial and spirit-filled. It was hard not to smile around him!

Below is me and Michael! He was so excited to take a picture with a "famous" person! :)

Another great person enjoying the Aquarium and all the resources available.

Below is the infamous "Ernie" from Colours wheelchairs! I've heard so much about him from various people, and I know that Ms. Wheelchair America 2010, Erika Bogan, is sponsored by Colours. She talks to me all the time about Ernie, so it was fun to finally get to meet him! What a character, but such a fun guy!

This gentleman, Fernando, is President of a support group to help people get accessible housing up in Los Angeles. He and his assistant were extremely nice and outgoing. It's easy to see why he was elected President as he has no shame to talking to anyone. He truly has the heart to help everyone get housing, to which I completely agree.

One of the fun things I got to take part of was a Hip Hop Dance class. I was slightly late to the time the class started (because I was busy talking to others in the lobby), but as soon as I entered the room, they immediately had me get in the middle of the circle and do my best dance move! Haha! I was a little embarrassed, but I busted a move on the dance floor!

Below, I am learning a dance routine with some of the others that were there. Whew! I got a workout in that session!

I also got to see my friend, Angela Rockwood-Nguyen, by surprise at the dance class! It was so good to see her again, and she recently just won the opportunity to see the new accessible motorcycle by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation by being the top fundraiser!

This beautiful girl waited so patiently for me after talking with everyone because she really wanted to ask me how I got my crown and sash. She was so sweet as was her mom! Mind you, up to this point, I hadn't seen a sea creature of fish YET! I'd only been talking to people!

Well, the time came to tour the Aquarium, and I was amazed how accessible it was. There was a roll-up-to area that you could literally be in front of a sharks face with only glass between you. Aah! There were some nasty looking sharks in there - razor sharp teeth, too!

In one area, there is a "petting pond." You can touch different sea creatures like sting rays, fish, and other non-harmful sharks (is there really such a thing, though??). It was easy to roll up to the wall and be able to put my hand in the water. I was waiting with my hand in the water and looking to the left, waiting for the sting ray to come by. But at the same time, a shark came from the right and brushed up against my hand. I screamed and everyone laughed! I wasn't expecting it at all and it totally scared me! Ha! I think I had enough "creature-feeling" at that point.

The final part of the day was going into the bird zone. Beautiful birds flutter and hang out and sing to all the visitors that are taking pictures and admiring their beauty. Many will even let you hold them!

I had such a fun first day at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and highly recommend it to anyone. Thank your the opportunity and for the Human Abilities Expo to bring awareness to those with disabilities! We had such a fun day!!