Mildura’s Jesse Grayling has proven that dedication, persistence and a passion for adventure can turn lifelong dreams into reality, recently returning home from a four-week journey across the United States.
It’s a trip that was achieved by meticulously saving his own money over the past five years to achieve his life-long goal.
Jesse, 34, lives with Cerebral Palsy – a physical disability that affects movement, muscle tone and posture. In his case, the condition impacts his strength and balance.
“My brain and muscles don’t like to communicate,” Jesse explained. “I find it really hard to pick up things, walk and balance.”
Despite these challenges, Jesse has committed himself to improving his strength and fitness through physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, while carefully planning every detail of his overseas adventure.
“I had to sit down and work out where I wanted to go, the best way to get to each place and how to go about it,” he said. “I’ve been planning this for five or six years, while working really hard to save up my own money to pay for the trip.”
Jesse’s passion for machinery and engineering was the driving force behind the trip, with a major highlight visiting both the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo Iowa, and the Caterpillar Museum in Peoria.
“I’ve always wanted to go to America because of the John Deere and Caterpillar factories – it was all about that really,” he said.
“Just seeing all the tractors and learning all about that was my favourite part. I learned about their history, how it started and how they make the machines.”
His visit to Caterpillar came with a light-hearted moment, after arriving in John Deere merchandise!
“I wore my John Deere jumper and the lovely lady there said, ‘We can’t have that!’ and gave me a Caterpillar hat,” he laughed.
Jesse’s itinerary took him across some of the United States’ most iconic destinations. In New York, he experienced Times Square, visited the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial and the Intrepid Museum, and explored the city on Big Bus tours and night tours of Brooklyn.
“There were so many people, and getting around could be challenging at times,” Jesse said. “The buses weren’t always easy to get on, but I pushed through.”
He also travelled to Philadelphia, where he visited historic landmarks including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Benjamin Franklin’s grave, and enjoyed the city’s famous cheesesteaks.
“The Liberty Bell was so cool – the food could have been better,” Jesse explained.
In Los Angeles, Jesse toured Universal Studios, explored Super Nintendo World and visited the Petersen Automotive Museum, where he saw muscle cars, Fast and Furious-featured vehicles and even Herbie. He also stopped by Santa Monica Pier and dined at Bubba Gump Shrimp.
Another major highlight was Disney World, where Jesse spent several days enjoying rides, shows and meeting beloved characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Winnie the Pooh.
“I would highly recommend going to Disney World,” Jesse said. “It was so much fun. Most theme parks I can’t go on many rides because of my disability and seizures, but at Disney there was a lot I could go on.”
Jesse also travelled to Hawaii, attended an ice hockey match to watch the Peoria Rivermen, and even navigated unexpected challenges – including avoiding a tornado while in Illinois.
Throughout the trip, Jesse embraced new experiences while building confidence and independence.
“I’m so proud that I did it and made my dream come true,” he said. “There were some tough days with the travel and getting to places, but it was all worth it.”
Jesse has been part of the Sunraysia Residential Services Inc. (SRS) extended family since 2019 and calls one of our Supported Accommodation properties home.
Over the past two years, he has been an active participant at Benetook Farm, an SRS social enterprise that provides training opportunities for people with disabilities.
At the farm, Jesse contributes to a variety of programs, including collecting eggs, woodwork and furniture making, as well as other hands-on activities. Through his consistent effort and commitment, Jesse was able to save the funds he needed to make his dream trip possible.
While he has only just returned home, Jesse is already thinking about his next goal.
“I have my eye on Bathurst 500 next – one day,” he said.
Jesse’s journey is a powerful example of what can be achieved with perseverance, planning and support – and a reminder that no dream is out of reach.
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