Las Vegas: A Good RAGE

From his self-proclaimed “paradise” in Las Vegas, Reggie Bennett doesn’t hesitate to proclaim that he is living the American dream. He is happily married with a 24 year-old daughter and runs Rebuilding All Goals Efficiently, a nonprofit that he founded and cherishes. A paraplegic himself, Bennett founded RAGE in 2005 to empower the local disability community via mentoring and other assistance and has watched it grow since. In 2006 it added a spinal cord specific program and an in-hospital mentoring program, and in 2007 officially became the first Aging and Disability Resource Center in Nevada. RAGE has continued to grow and recently affiliated with United Spinal Association to become the official Las Vegas chapter. It was all part of the plan Bennett set out for himself over 30 years ago. “My theory was one day I’m going to grow up and make something about my life,” he says. “It’s been a journey of mine never to allow individuals with disabilities in general, but particularly those with SCI, to live the life that I lived in the first three to four years after my injury.”

Bennett started giving back working as an advocate for the Nevada state independent living program in 1992. When he found out about the job, he didn’t even know what an advocate was, but upon learning he realized it was exactly what he had been doing and wanted to do. Through the independent living program he continued his education about SCI and other disabilities while also learning about accessible housing and other key causes.

While Bennett enjoyed his advocacy work, in 2001 he found himself still struggling with many of the emotional obstacles common to people with spinal cord injuries. “A good friend of mine was a professional bodybuilder and he came into town and said, ‘You’re not doing good. You’re wife called and said you’re not doing well.’” The friend suggested bodybuilding as an outlet and a means to improve his perception of himself. It changed Bennett’s life. “That began my life again. That gave me hope. It gave me energy and it gave me spirit.” With a more positive outlook on himself and life in general, Bennett refocused on what he could do as an advocate. “My hope is that I can use my body to continue to be a temple and a platform to bring exposure to RAGE and to bring exposure to healthy living and to allow individuals with disabilities across the board to know that I don’t have to feel disabled when I want to be able to do whatever I want to do.”

The more he saw in his job with the state, the more he realized the need for something beyond what the state provided. And thus RAGE was born. “The RAGE program has given me another platform to mentor, do motivational speaking and be a positive influence in my community,” he says. “My hope is that I can leave a legacy, not in a building, but in the services and the people that are out in the community.”

Bennett is excited about the new relationship with United Spinal. “Not only are we going to get national exposure but we’re going to get additional tools to help us better what we’re trying to accomplish overall,” he says. “I think events like the Roll on Capitol Hill will allow us to do more and bring those [advocacy] tools back to Las Vegas and show our elected representatives that this is a national movement.”

Spotlight: Las Vegas

By Reggie Bennett

My Take

Widespread access and warm desert temperatures make Las Vegas an easy spot for wheelchair users to visit. Unfortunately, our summers are long with temperatures reaching into the hundreds. The winters, on the other hand, are short and enjoyable. The housing market is bountiful and affordable and it is easy to retrofit a home to accommodate a wheelchair.

If the Strip is too hot for you to handle, check out Mount Charleston. Located just 35 miles northwest of Vegas, the cool and scenic mountains make this resort town a nice change of pace. The Hilltop Campground has three sites that have been graded and configured for wheelchair users, allowing everyone a chance to take in Nevada’s highest point and the lush forestry around it. Other respites from the Strip are Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, which offer accessible tours for wheelchair users. Call and confirm first as these are two of Las Vegas’ most popular tourist attractions.

Skinny on the City

Las Vegas is the gambling and entertainment capital of the West, and possibly the entire nation — and one of the most visited cities in the world. With some of the best night life, family shows, entertainment, popular restaurants and a ton of accessible outdoor spots, the city has something for everyone.

Must See, Must Do

There are lots of great options for visitors with families. Circus Circus has more than five acres of indoor games, carnival games and acts for tourists of all ages. GameWorks in Town Square is a hybrid bowling alley, gastro-pub and arcade that specializes in multi-player gaming opportunities. The Aquarium at the Silverton boasts a 117,000-gallon saltwater tank, and if you’re still craving an underwater experience, the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef houses more than 1,200 species of marine life. Best of all, all these attractions are fully accessible, allowing your whole family to stay together for fun. Here are some other great venues: Red Rock Hotel, The Linq, Cosmo Polunton Hotel, Fremont Experience, Form Shops, Town Square, Speed Way and PBR Rodeo.

Places to Go

There is so much to do in the four-mile stretch that is the Las Vegas Strip. Each hotel is unique in its own way, with waterfalls, light displays, themes and free attractions. The sidewalks along the Strip offer plenty of curb cuts, and there are bridges that have elevator access if you do not want to travel on the street with crowds. You can also travel through one hotel to get to another, but the carpet can be quite thick, making it hard to roll.

The High Roller at the Linq Promenade and the Summerlyn Outdoor Mall are two of the premier new attractions. The High Roller is the highest observation wheel in the world, offering spectacular views of the Strip and the city. The cabins are accessible and open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day, with different prices depending on whether it is day or night.

When it comes to food and drink, I prefer going to local spots like the Tap House, Miller’s Ale House and Town Square. Town Square is known for shopping and great food, with open areas to push around on to see the many great shops and dining areas. There are also lower-key local casinos like Green Valley Ranch, which offers a great scene with tasty food and people watching.

Getting Around

The Deuce, a doubledecker bus that runs up and down the Strip 24 hours a day, is accessible, as is the Las Vegas Monorail, which runs along the east side of the Strip, and the Las Vegas Strip Trolley. Depending on where you are going and how long you have, these can be lifesavers. Cabs require a call in advance and can still mean a 45-minute wait. Bringing your own car, or renting an accessible van through Wheelchair Getaways of Nevada, allows you to travel to see the other parts of Las Vegas. I highly recommend it — especially if you have a convertible or a van that lets you see the great lights at night. If a car isn’t an option, the Regional Transportation Commission does offer a door-to-door reservation-based service.