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Orlando Magic: ALS Awareness, Travel, and more

Writer's picture: Cristy HardinCristy Hardin

By Randy Gregory, II


First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamal Moseley for his unwavering kindness and support. As Coach Moseley himself has said, “You always want to be part of something bigger than yourself,” and his encouragement made this event possible. Without his backing, this experience wouldn’t have come together the way it did.


I also want to thank my oldest son, Tyler Gregory. He’s been through this kind of travel experience with me before, and his help was invaluable. Tyler’s assistance in making sure everything went smoothly was vital. As Randy, my son, mentioned, “The experience is about preparation, and Tyler’s expertise made that part seamless for us.”


My daily caregiver, Stacey Rheubottom, deserves a huge thank you as well. Stacey and my brother from another mother, Howard Smith, have accompanied me on many road trips by accessible van, so we’ve learned over time what’s needed to make things as comfortable and smooth as possible. The more support you have, the better. We’ve got a solid team, and I’m grateful for each of them. And of course, LaTonda Roberson, a long-time family friend, has joined Stacey and me at numerous basketball games, helping ensure everything is in place.


When it comes to organizing this trip, the first step was simple: making a list of the daily supplies we rely on, then planning for double that amount. From there, Tyler worked out the logistics for hotel accommodations, air travel, and transportation once we arrived in Orlando. I had previously stayed at the Marriott TownePlace Suites, which offered accessible suite accommodations with two rooms, an accessible bathroom, and a full kitchen—similar to what we have at home. Once I confirmed that the hotel was close to the Kia Center, Randy assured me that the commute would be doable.


Tyler also took charge of learning the ins and outs of flying with assistive medical equipment, including my ventilator and power wheelchair. He worked directly with Southwest Airlines to make sure all the necessary steps were taken. For example, we had to confirm that my ventilator didn’t use oxygen. Using the patient portal, I worked with my Pulmonary doctor to get a letter outlining the medical need for the ventilator at every stage of the flight.


Additionally, I coordinated with Resprionics to verify that the ventilator was airline-approved. Little did I know, there’s an airplane symbol on the manufacturer’s label, along with a glossary definition in the manual confirming it was fit for air travel. A respiratory therapist also visited to ensure the ventilator was functioning properly and had the latest software updates. In case of an emergency, we brought two ventilators along for the trip.


Another critical detail was confirming the type of batteries in my wheelchair. Luckily, the batteries are non-liquid, so there was less risk of damage. We made sure to print out the relevant section from the owner’s manual describing the batteries and kept that, along with the doctor’s letter and detailed specs of the wheelchair, as part of our travel documentation. To further minimize the chance of any damage, a representative from NuMotion came to help break down the wheelchair for storage in the airplane’s luggage area, even FaceTiming with Tyler to provide instructions and making a video for future reference.


For accessible transportation in Orlando, we relied on Mobility Works, a company we’ve had great experiences with in the past. Tyler arranged for an accessible van to be delivered to us at the Orlando airport and retrieved when we departed.


As for the event itself, the Orlando Magic employees went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and welcome. From the moment we entered the arena, Keisha, one of the staff members, personally escorted us to our seats and showed us the best routes to get around the arena. We were seated on the court to watch the pre-game activities and even had the chance to meet a few of the coaches. It was also the perfect opportunity to finally meet Cristy and Elin in person. We had been collaborating for months, so it was amazing to come together and share this experience while working to raise awareness for ALS.


Participating in fundraising events with other PALS is one thing, but being front and center as a PALS representative was a humbling experience, and I was proud to help raise awareness for ALS. The event went smoothly with no access or safety concerns, thanks to Keisha, who escorted us around the arena, ensuring everything was accessible and comfortable. 

It’s one thing to be an advocate, but another to be in the spotlight. I just hoped my head didn’t drop during the event! Nevertheless, I was honored to represent our community.


We didn’t face any access, comfort, or safety concerns at the game. Keisha made sure everything was set up for us, even ensuring that there was a power supply available in our seating area. The seating was accessible and comfortably accommodated the four of us.


At one point, we were gathered with about 15 others—including Ashley’s infant grandson—waiting for the concourse to open to the public. It was a touching moment to reflect on the journey we were all on. People from different walks of life, each facing unimaginable challenges, but united by a common bond, getting to know each other in the most genuine way.


Attending the Orlando Magic practice was another unforgettable experience. It was my first time seeing Randy as a coach in action. After all these years, it was surreal to watch him coach, especially considering we’ve been in the gym together since he was in a stroller. It was a full-circle moment. This was a moment I’ll never forget.


The half-court recognition for I AM ALS was a powerful experience, challenging the common stereotypes about the disease. I hope it inspires others to take action. 


Finally, a suggestion I’d offer for future events: more promotion. Raising awareness is key, and a broader outreach will help reach more people. It would also be great to showcase a wider range of PALS, especially those in different stages of the disease. Highlighting those experiences would give the community a fuller picture of what it means to live with ALS. Additionally, I would suggest coordination of seats for the group be identified as an option to sit together, possibly accessible seating sections.

Once again, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this experience possible. Your support means the world to me.



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