In December 2008 I went for 1 week to Las Vegas with my sister and my friend Helen to celebrate me turning 30. I had a brilliant time and would definatley go again. We flew from Glasgow with Continental Airlines then got an airport shuttle bus to The Luxor Hotel which is only 10 minutes transfer time from the airport (Odly you never heard any airoplane noise!)

The hotel room itself was massive, it had two kingsize beds and the bathroom was huge with a fold down shower seat. The only downside about the hotel was its position. It was at the top Northern end of the strip and everything was a fair treck to get to, but the public transport was superb and buses ran up and down the strip 24/7.

Outside The Luxor Hotel

 

 Picture of me on the bus.

We done many amazing things during this holiday but the highlight for me has to be I experienced flying in a helicoptor on a trip to the Grand Canyon which was awesome. I had no idea it covered such a big expanse and also I had never been in a helicopter before. We also seen a show by Cirque Du Solei which was amazing, I was starstruck by there performance. We also saw a show by Chris Angel and went shopping to an big outlet village situated near the Californa border which was brilliant as I love shopping!

Outside and in the helicopter.

The Stratosphere Tower Hotel and The Luxor Hotel from the air.

For my 30th birthday we went out for a meal to "The Restaurant at the Top of the World" at The Stratosphere Tower and Hotel. It is a restaurant 80 floors up and it revolves slowly while you have your meal. You could see the whole of Vegas and all it's lights, glitz and glamour out the window!

 

The three of us at the Stratosphere for my 30th birthday meal and in the casino before it.

On the way home we spent a day in New York, we seen Times Square and the Roker feller Centre, New York was freezing!

 

Helen and Tina at New York                                    Tina at Times Square in New York

This was the first holiday abroad without my Mum and it felt like such an achievment to be able to have travelled to America myself! Previously whenever I have travelled abroad my Mum has been there to help me. I think because I knew I had done it myself without my any help, I was so proud of myself and really enjoyed myself more because it felt like such a big achievment for me to have done this. Don't get me wrong my sister and Helen helped me out when I needed it, and I did get frustrated at times not being able to do some things that I used to be able to do before I got this illness but I just have to accept that this is how life is for me now and that is that!

 It just goes to show you though, just because I am in a wheelchair my life does not need to stop, just certain aspects change and you have to learn to adapt to it. I will not stop being me or stop doing things I would normally do just because I am in a wheelchair.