Kristy with her Freedom Trax
What you can’t see in the photo is how steep that hill was — really steep. And that’s what made it so incredible. Figuring out how to navigate that slope, with my husband nearby just in case, was exhilarating. It wasn’t just a ride; it was a challenge, a puzzle, and a moment of pure independence.
The day wasn’t about me, but being able to use the Freedom Trax allowed me to be part of something truly special. When he knelt down by the lake, Pikes Peak rising behind them, and she said yes — I was right there. I didn’t have to hear about it later or watch a video afterward. I was present, in the middle of it all, soaking in the same beauty they were.
Proposal
Without my Freedom Trax, I wouldn’t have been able to get to that lakeshore. I would have missed that once-in-a-lifetime moment. And that’s what accessibility is really about — presence. It’s being there for the moments that matter.
My daughter’s getting married!
And I got to be there for the proposal.
When I found out that my daughter’s boyfriend intended to propose on their visit to Colorado Springs this weekend, I asked my friend Sheridan, where we should go for the best backdrop. Without hesitation, she said Crystal Creek Reservoir.
We took her advice, and packed a picnic Sunday afternoon. The drive was gorgeous! With the trees changing and just a dusting of snow on Pike’s Peak, it was the perfect day for what was ahead.
Because we knew the lake was surrounded by gravel, we chose to bring my Freedom Trax to make sure we wouldn’t have any limits on where we wanted to go. We got to the reservoir, and geared up.
I have to admit, I was not prepared for how steep the hill down to the water was.
My Freedom Trax gripped the gravel beneath me, its tracks crunching steadily as I moved closer to the edge of the lake. My service dog trotted beside me, my husband walked nearby, and for a moment, the world felt wide open.