Planning an accessible USA trip for my mom with multiple sclerosis – looking for realistic advice

Hi everyone,

I recently posted here about planning a trip to the US for my mom, who has multiple sclerosis, and I got some really helpful feedback. I wanted to add more details to hopefully get more specific advice.

We are from Italy and would be probably traveling as a group of three (me, my brother, and my mom).

My mom is not fully independent: she has a limp due to a lesion in one leg (no sensation), gets tired very easily, and needs support to walk (either holding onto someone or using a walker at home). She also has bladder issues, so easy access to bathrooms is important.

I have been to the US before, in Weatherford, and I have some contacts there (my host family from my exchange semester during highschool, in 2023) but I’m not sure Oklahoma is what she's looking for (but if you think it is speak out).

We don’t have fixed dates yet, but we would probably go in late spring or early fall (around May or September). She doesn’t tolerate cold well, but at the same time excessive heat and humidity are also a problem, so we’re trying to find a middle ground.

In terms of interests, she is not really into stuff like art museums or very intense sightseeing. She doesn’t enjoy packed itineraries. She prefers calmer environments. Her last trip was at a resort on a lake in Italy, which she really liked.

That said, we wouldn’t want to do nothing at all. It would be nice to have some light sightseeing, maybe some landmarks or simple attractions, but nothing that requires a lot of walking.

She does like being near water (lake or sea), but swimming is not essential. I initially thought about places like Miami, but now I’m not sure it’s necessary, especially considering the heat and humidity, and the fact that my mom is probably not gonna swim in the ocean since i think its too cold.

At first I was thinking about staying in a resort, but I’ve been told that in the US resorts are usually outside cities. So to clarify, what we really need is just a comfortable, accessible place to stay in an area where things are relatively close, and where we can rely on Uber or taxis without needing to walk long distances.

Accessibility is the main priority:

* minimal walking

* flat or easy terrain

* easy access to bathrooms

* the ability to stop and rest often

* not overly chaotic or crowded

She currently refuses to use a wheelchair (mostly for emotional reasons), so we’re trying to work around that for now.

I’ve also been advised to avoid San Francisco because of how hilly it is. Someone also suggested Philadelphia instead of Boston since they’re somewhat similar but Philadelphia might be easier and a bit less crowded.

So I guess my questions are:

* Based on all this, which US cities or areas would you realistically recommend?

* Are there places that offer a good balance between accessibility, some things to see, and a more relaxed atmosphere?

* Would it make more sense to stay in a city or just outside in a quieter area?

* Are there places that have a “resort feel” but are still close to a city?

* Any advice on dealing with heat sensitivity in places like Florida?

I’d really like this to be something she can actually enjoy, not something that ends up being too exhausting for her.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.