Hello Steelers fans,

I need help and hoping you guys can provide me some insight.

I have a friend named Mark. Mark found out in August of 2020 that he had a brain tumor in his right front lobe. He has battled this horrible cancer since then and is doing great all things considered. He has gone through chemo, steroids, surgeries, you name it and still stayed positive along the way.

Mark regularly writes in his CaringBridge journal about his progress. Something I noticed right away was his loyalty to his Steelers. He always post photos with a Steelers cap and for his birthday this year he even got a Steelers jersey he was proudly showing off in one of his post.

In the journal entry from that day with the new jersey he quoted this:

” I’m not just talking about not prioritizing your schedule, but scheduling your priorities a very wise man told me that once (thanks!! Uncle Bob!!) I still have lots of plans that involves my new birthday present!!”

Well…..I am not sure if Mark planned on just watching the games or going, but I have made it a goal to get him to one.

His last post on caring bridge (9/4/23) said this and hit struck a chord for me:

” You never know when you’re doing something for the last time!!When was the last time you played a really good game of tag? When was the last time you played in a pick up game of basketball with your neighborhood friends until it was too dark to see the rim? When was the last time you hugged your grandma/grandpa, mom/dad, aunt/uncle, or brother/sister and told them you loved them? When was the last time you sat down to just “chew the fat” with your best friends over an ice cold beer or twelve?  If you can’t answer any or all of these questions, then you have your mission ( should you choose to accept it?) ”

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**WHAT I NEED:**

Mark has some limited mobility and stamina. A wheelchair is a good tool if you can convince him to get in it (and stay in it).

I need to know how to handle parking, how easily accessible it is for wheelchairs. What tickets to look at. Price range, etc. Where is the best place to purchase tickets this late in the game for accessibility? What are the things to do that make the trip more special?

Basically I need some help planning this out so that when I tell Mark that I want to help make this happen, I can have all the answers for any of the challenges he sees being a problem.

Thanks in advance,

A Browns Fan

**Edit:**

**There was a request for a gofundme. I have never really done one of those, nor was that the intent of this post, but here is a link if you feel inclined:**

[Get Mark to a Steelers Game!](https://gofund.me/2a12c274)

13 comments

  1. I’m not from Pittsburgh so I can’t really help, but if you google Acrisure Stadium accessibility guide, there’s a lot of information in that guide about parking, ordering tickets for accessible areas, etc. I would link it, but reddit isn’t accepting the link I’m trying to post.

    The guide says you can also call Guest Services at (412) 697-7150 and press 4 for assistance.

    Good luck – hope he can get to the game!

  2. I don’t know how I can help from the other side of the world but if you set up a gofundme or something I’d be keen on helping out a fellow Steeler fan get to see a game (maybe in style) 🙂

  3. My mom was 75 when she died in 2004. In 2003, she flew home to Pennsylvania from Louisiana specifically because she wanted to see a Steelers game. We got lower level tickets to the Titans game that year. She needed a wheelchair for long distances, so we borrowed one from our church. I damn near dumped her(but that’s another story)…

    Anyway…when the Heinz Field staff saw me pushing her around the outside of the stadium, he told us to go to gate B…which we did. The guy there motioned us through and walked us to the elevators, took us up through the club section and escorted us to the section were were sitting in. They even offered for us to sit in the handicapped seating that is at the top of the section. But Mom wanted to go down closer to see THE BUS(she was a huge Jerome Bettis fan).

    Unfortunately, the Steelers lost that game…but mom got to see her team and Jerome Bettis. She smiled the whole way home.

    After she passed, I took a small amount of her ashes with me to a game and dropped them at my feet. She has permanent season tickets in section 137(yeah, I know…she got swept up, but bear with me).

  4. Looks like there are wheelchairs available at the stadium. Just go to guest services and ask.

    And as a side note under accessibility, service animals: [Animals are not allowed in Acrisure Stadium; however, an exception is made for service dogs and miniature horses.](https://acrisurestadium.com/guest-services/a-z-guide/)

    Miniature horses??

    Anyone know the story behind that??

  6. You could def take him for a primantis sandwich before the game or after, get a yuengling with it. I like the strip district location. I have a buddy who is in a wheel chair and I can’t remember if I picked him up and carried him in there, or if it is wheel chair accessible. Tons of great Steelers gear in the strip as well. It can get packed down there, and the side walks crowded, but we have never really had a problem.

  7. Ok – last year I took my buddy who is wheelchair-bound to a game. I parked on the North Side near CCAC and pushed him to the Stadium (about 10 minute walk). I then went to fan services or something like that and exchanged my tickets for the wheelchair seats. If you go early, they will upgrade you to some much better seats. I wasn’t able to just buy wheelchair specific seats.

  8. My brothers father in law is in a wheelchair and had handicap season tickets. The top row of the bottom section has wheelchair seats where there are seats and then a gap for a wheelchair. They sold their season tickets a while ago though. Please call the ticket office as previously suggested to get specifics

  9. I brought my 96 yr old grandmother to her first game a few years ago. I called guest services and they were able to guide me thru the process. Got there early and they were so nice and helpful about exchanging tix for handicap section (quite roomy and closer than my original location).

    Guest Services at (412) 697-7150 and press 4 for assistance.

  10. Did you get him tickets to a game yet? I have a pair for the Browns game next Monday night if you are interested in taking him!

  11. Maybe there are good browns fans in this world after all 🥲🖤💛 I hope y’all get there !!

  12. Fuck this is gonna make me ugly cry. I really hope one of the players is lurking, sees this and makes some magical shit happen for your friend. You’re a great person op, despite your shit choice in football teams.

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