Lindsey Rognes is a sophomore at Albert Lea High School. Some of her favorite things to do are hanging out with her friends and managing the Albert Lea Dance Team. Rognes has been in a wheelchair since she was two. She can often be seen around the building in her motorized chair, flashing her bright smile.
The way she gets to class may be different, but Rognes says she can still do the same things as every other kid.
“If you’re in a wheelchair, you can still do stuff,” said Rognes.
Rognes lives her life like other kids; going to class (her favorite is health), being with her friends, and going on trips. Getting on an airplane is something that is a little different for her and she got to do this when she flew to Mexico with her family. She said her family had to carry her onto the plane, but she got to enjoy the flight from a regular seat. The most memorable part of the trip for her was the beach.
“I got to lay out on the beach,” said Rognes with a smile.
The school can be easy and hard to navigate in a wheelchair, according to Rognes. The most difficult part of her mobility in the school is that she can’t always do things on her own. One example is opening classroom doors, but she said people are usually quick to help her when she needs it. Another place not to far from the school that isn’t as wheelchair friendly is Jim Gustafson field.
“The football stadium is really bad for wheelchairs,” said Rognes.
With the stands not being wheelchair accessible, Rognes can’t sit in the stands with the other students. She instead sits next to the stadium with some other friends who are in wheelchairs.
“We have fun, but miss sitting with all the students in the stands,” said Rognes.
Things aren’t always easy for Rognes in her wheelchair, but she always makes the best of it. When it comes to her wheelchair, Rognes has one simple message for the students and staff of ALHS, “If you see me around the school, you can say hi.”