Nita Wilcox never thought she would see the day when her son Luke was able to cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain in his wheelchair. “I thought the Bridge would eventually be wheelchair accessible, but not in Luke’s lifetime,” said Wilcox.
Luke was born with Cerebral Palsy and has been in a wheelchair all of his life. The Swinging Bridge has been a tourist attraction at Grandfather Mountain since 1952 and until recently, was on accessible by a staircase of 50 steps.
“Mom and Dad have brought me up to Grandfather Mountain since I was a baby and they were able to carry me up to the Bridge until I was six. We still visited the Mountain in April and July of each year but we only went halfway up the Mountain to the Animal Habitats because I have gotten too big for my parents to carry me up to the Bridge,” said Luke.
Luke Wilcox, from Vilas, N.C. is one of the first people to ever access the Mile High Swinging Bridge by wheelchair.
Tammy Perkins (seated) and Brittany Eggers
Grandfather’s new Top Shop opened Thursday, June 10 and is equipped with an elevator. That elevator, along with a new elevated walkway that links the building to the Swinging Bridge area makes Luke’s journey and thousands of others possible for the very first time in history. “I was really looking forward to crossing the Mile High Bridge on my own,” said Luke.
The 13-year-old attends Cove Creek Elementary in Vilas. He enjoys watching wrestling on Monday nights and visits from his many friends and classmates. Luke, who crossed the Bridge June 21 for a Top Shop media event, came up to the Mountain June 18 to make a practice journey. Nita and Luke’s father Billy wanted to make sure he was comfortable with his mile-high trek before the big day. He pulled through with flying colors and made a lasting impression on all that were at the top of the Mountain at that moment. Luke, who typically speaks with the help of a computer, said all he needed via a huge smile across his face.
The attraction is open year-round, weather permitting in the winter. For more information on Grandfather Mountain please visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
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