Mountain Pathways: We're going to Disneyland!

Following three-and-a-half months of intensive fundraising and the support of a generous community, it's on to Disneyland for the clients of Mountain Pathways, a private, non-profit day program in Tehachapi for adults with disabilities.

Lead Staff Melissa Bell said the goal of $6,000 has been met, and will be sufficient to treat 40 clients to the trip, scheduled for April 29. Thirty-two adults currently are in the program; the additional funds will cover up to eight new clients. Any extra money from the fundraising will go directly to enhance the lives of the clients, whose disabilities include severe autism, Fragile X Syndrome, mental retardation, Asbergers and cerebral palsey.

"It's been my dream for years," said Bell, who has worked at Mountain Pathways for six years.

She presented her Disneyland game plan to John Stockton, CEO of Community Support Options, which operates Mountain Pathways in Tehachapi, Bakersfield, Wasco and Ridgecrest.

"He said 'Go for it.' I jumped for joy."

Bell said they have chosen to forego the Disney "flash pass," which takes disabled guests to the front of the lines, as Disneyland guests had been abusing the privilege, and now the passes take too much paperwork.

"We'll walk in the gate with tickets and go in like anybody else would," she said. "We don't mind the challenge."

The clients – some of whom are non-verbal – may have difficulties with certain rides, chaos, happy screaming that they interpret as fear or people touching them, and both staff and clients have been preparing. The group was scheduled to go to a mall in Lancaster March 14 to mix with crowds. They have practiced staying together and what to do if lost. All will wear bright pink t-shirts and ID badges.

The t-shirts will read: "When you wish upon a star, it makes no difference who you are."

The clients participated in fundraising, which included raffles, penny jars, bake sales and a rummage sale. Bell and Program Aide Deidra Crowley thanked the Tehachapi Gandy Dancers, Kelcy's Café, the Knights of Columbus and Mountain Pathways neighbor on West F Street, Wood Family Funeral Service.

"It's amazing how much the community has done in such a short amount of time," Bell said.

The group will leave for Disneyland at 7 a.m. on a charter bus and return in the afternoon for dinner in Lancaster and then home.

Mountain Pathways phone number is 661-823-7302.