I just had the strangest conversation with the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Rob and Scarlett and I have made the decision to attend ALS TDI’s White Coat Affair at the end of October. The gala is an annual event, and includes a Leadership Summit where people with ALS and their families can learn about what is going on in the world of research, and specifically at the Therapy Development Institute. This was no small decision to make, as travel is increasingly difficult, and a cross country flight will be about as comfortable as spending the night stapled to a skinny tree branch.

But we’re in and we’re excited, and so today I attempted to make reservations at the hotel where the event is taking place. Except. They only have one remaining ADA room, equipped with a queen sized bed, which should be no problem for two adults and a six-year-old who could sleep on the fold-out bed that the man confirmed the hotel would provide. But then he interrupted himself to tell me we wouldn’t be able to book that room, because only two people are allowed to stay in it. I was confused. I understand that hotels have rules, but since when can two parents and a child not share a single hotel room? The man suggested that I book a regular room, and that if an ADA room opened up, they would let me know.

“What would happen if an ADA room didn’t open up?” I asked, because I had explained to him that we required an ADA room, that it wasn’t just something we were looking into for fun. Read More>