Paratransit Tour Service in Costa Rica Vaya con Silla de Ruedas, S.A. "Go with Wheelchairs" Tel/Fax: (506) 454-2810 / Cell (506) 391-5045 email: vayacon@racsa.co.cr www.gowithwheelchairs.com

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Holiday Wheels Bring Cheer Tico Times January 19, 2001 By Suzanna Starcevic Thanks to a generous tour operator the world of butterflies was opened to Carolina Hernandez this past Christmas. Erik Shiozaki, owner/operator of Vaya con Silla de Ruedas (Go with Wheelchairs) arranged the day out for Carolina and her family. Since establishing his transportation business for tourists who use wheelchairs, Shiozaki has provided at least one free excursion per year to Ticos with disabilities. "Traditionally people in wheelchairs in Costa Rica don't get out a lot," he says, citing the lack of appropriate transit vehicles. This inspired him to offer the holiday trips, which among others, have included simple transfers from one house to another as well as this year's day trip. Shiozaki connected up with Carolina through Alexandra Porras Fallas, the director of the Instituto Andrea Jimenz, a school for disabled children in San Francisco de Dos Rios. INBioparque, a new educational and recreational center in Santa Domingo de Heredia, opened its doors to the family. The park is entirely wheelchair-accessible, including washrooms. Carolina and her parents enjoyed a free two-hour guided tour of interpreted trails exhibition pavilions, a lagoon and, of course, the butterfly garden. Although the free trips are limited, organizations that have contact with people with disabilities can call to find out about upcoming excursions. Call 250-5047. Reprinted with permission of the Tico Times.