disabled traveler and the european scammers

Terry, I agree with what everyone said. I've lived in Germany and Italy since 2002 and I feel much safer here than in the US. I don't check the backseat of my car, I speak to strangers :), etc. ANd I'm older also so I'm probably more of a target than the younger folks. Come to Europe!!!!

Terry, first of all, muggings or any other kind of violent crime are not common at all, anywhere in the continent of Europe. I think you might have misread the Graffiti Wall. Pick-pockets are common, but only in certain cities, like Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Paris, etc. Many cities have very little problem with pick-pockets, for instance in Germany, it rarely occurs.

As for murder? Coming from the US, a country with one of the highest murder rates in the world, you can certainly relax while in most of the countries over here. Where were you planning on going anyway?

I would hate to see you pass up a trip for fear of crime. I just don't see your risks are any worse than they are at home. We were in Paris last fall, and it felt very safe. My husband was approached by 3 scammers (the ring trick), but they were not violent and went away when he made it clear that he was not interested. They would do the same with you, I am sure. They are looking for people who are trusting and naive, not people who they can beat up. As for pickpockets, if you wear a money belt like the rest of us, I don't think you will be more likely to be a victim than anyone else. As for violent crimes, there really is very little of that. As a 50 something woman, I doubt I'd be any more likely to be able to fight off a mugger than you are. I had no problems and never felt nervous, even when I was out by myself. That's not to say that you will be 100% safe, but nobody is no matter where they go. I really don't think you should worry about this.

Do you feel safe in Chicago on your own? If so, you will be feel even safer in most places in Europe.

I wouldn't sweat it, I understand the concern of your children, but don't let fear get in the way of your trip.

Remember that the media focuses on tales of crime, but not on tales of people going abroad and having nothing happen to them! Europe is not some war zone. I live here and I'm sure I would have noticed if it was! In my years of travelling guess in which country I was the victim of the most crime? Yep, it was the USA.

I've also seen parents try to control adult children by using the same scare tactics. Fear mongering can be a powerful form of control over others. Sometimes instead of encouraging loved ones to lead as full a life as possible and helping them feel empowered to live as they choose, relatives do just the opposite. You might want to reflect upon the possible ulterior motives. I'm guessing that everywhere in Europe there are countless local handicapped people who go about their lives just fine. Terry, you have every right to pursue your travel dreams as YOU see fit. Just go for it.

Terry ,, note Terry from Oregons post,, its got some good points.

Violent muggings and murders,, well, we know your kids haven't travelled much if this is the baloney they are feeding you .The States have such a high murder rate,, you will be safer on holiday.LOL

As for even pick pockets. Its just so simple,, keep the BULK of your money and credit cards etc in a moneybelt,, that you wear BENEATH your clothes. Or, in the hotel safe( which is what I prefer if not actually travelling) .
I am a middle aged woman who travels alone,, so just a vulnerable as you,, and I feel perfectly safe in most places most times.

Geez, do we really need to accuse Terry's kids of ulterior motives? I think they worry about him because they love him. It's very sweet, even if they are misguided.

Carroll, yes, I guess you are right,, but when people start exaggerating and talking about murders etc it just shows me what they know( not much) and also , its fear mongering.

Petty criminals don't seek out the handicapped - they seek out the distracted and confused. Keep your valuables out of sight and out of reach and you should have no more problems than any traveler.
I say this having been a victim of a pickpocket a little over a week ago in Gare du Nord...
(Don't know whether that's an endorsement of my point of view, but whatever :-) )

Once a woman posted on here that she was afraid to go to Morocco due to crime. So I looked up the stats.

You were something like 10x more likely to get mugged in the US on your way to the airport than you are in Morocco. You can imagine Europe is even safer than that.

If we all stayed home because of the what could happen, we'd never go anywhere.

You could choke on a hot dog, but that won't keep you from attending a baseball game.

Your barber could slip with the clippers...

etc etc.

Fear is contagious and there is no vaccine, but to inform yourself. I'm heading to Rome in a couple of weeks, I've done the same as you. Read a bunch and gotten freaked out a few times. The solution? Be confident, adament with your no's (I remember this in Mexico City very well) and ignore and keep on moving-- all things that would be deemed rude here.

I think you'll be fine.

I can't recall the name of the book I read several years back, but it was about a man who moved to Italy and was surprised by how well the elderly and disabled are treated. He experienced elderly strangers instinctively taking his arm to allow him to help them cross a busy street, something that would not happen here. In America we have all kinds of laws and building codes designed to protect the disabled. However, on a personal level we often treat these people as if they are invisible. The author of this book contends that since fewer of these safety protections exist in Europe and the streets are less accessible, people just naturally offer those in need a greater amount of assistance. Elderly people are held in greater esteem than they are in America. If this is indeed the case, it seems that when I'm older and walk more slowly, I would be safer and treated more kindly traveling in Europe than in America.