travel with a disability

Janet, how wonderful you're considering travel. I had a friend MS, the rare chronic progressive kind that was already far advanced, and she managed to travel alone, to Germany, to visit family who had moved there. I so admired her. She did say folks were typically very kind, that the airlines were very good with escorts, etc. A year ago, I traveled with a handicapped family member and it was mostly a matter of preplanning and keeping my expectations in line. We had a great time. We traveled in Ireland, which meant lots of wonderful scenery that could be enjoyed by car. We avoided the cities, because they would have been challenging. I reserved everything in advance, to minimize surprises. The fact that I wasn't dealing with foreign languages made for less pressure. And I scaled back my plans for each day, including down time for resting. also, I've beens surprised that, even in old cities like Rome and Florence, many museums have elevators tucked away; you just need to look or ask for them. There are websites dedicated to travel with disabilities. I'm also almost certain that there are travel agencies that focus on this type of travel. Again, the internet is a great resource. It's wondeful you have your husband to help. I hope you both find someplace amazing to visit. It can provide a great respite from difficult realities.

Rick used to have a book called Accessible Europe. It's out of print, but you may be able to get a used copy on Amazon or elsewhere. Inability to walk will certainly change your vacation, but does not mean that travel is impossible. I agree that it will mean scaling back how many places you can see in one trip, and that you will have to research your transit options VERY carefully. For instance, the London Tube and Paris Metro will be off limits, but you may be able to make buses work, or may have to rely on cabs (and thus, budget for that). You may need to either bring a wheelchair or rent one there. Or, you may need to avoid cities and plan a driving trip to small towns. With an able-bodied assistant, there's a lot you can do.

You might also want to browse the archived Accessible Europe from the Graffiti Wall. Pam

London doesn't need to be written off. While I am the first to acknowledge that London traffic can be difficult, and sometimes the kerb cuts don't match up or are unavailable, and that the pavements are busy, and that sometimes the pavements are less than smooth - nevertheless the British as a whole and Londoners specifically are very conscious of people with difficulties. There is a very comprehensive set of guides provided by Transport for London (TfL)for accessibility. That can be found at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/accessibility-guides/default.aspx More and more Tube stations are now accessible and many are now step free. The trick is finding routes which are accessible at both the origin and destination. All licensed London Black cabs are wheelchair friendly as are most buses - although the bus often isn't able to reach the kerb. There are both kneeling buses and buses with automatic ramps. Trains have ramps and special areas for wheelchairs and disabled people. Sometimes the disabled toilet is out of use though, as because it is the largest one on the train it gets the most use.

Thank you to all who sent me a message ... I'm still very nervous about overseas travel. I used to be very active and am finding this disability very, very hard to accept.

You definitely want to start with something closer. Maybe a few days in a city in the US or Canada, so you can see what does and does not work for you. A place like Montreal, Toronto, Boston, New York, DC, Philadelphia, or San Francisco will have similar logistics to European cities. You'll also see what flying involves. Getting proper trip insurance will be even more important for you than for most. In particular, make sure pre-existing conditions are covered. To get this, you usually need to buy the insurance within 1-2 weeks of buying the first trip item (usually, that's airfare). If a cruise interests you, I know that cruse lines are used to accommodating all kinds of disabilities. Take a look at the Cruise Critic disabilities board: http://tinyurl.com/kxqbwtz. You'll see that people go on cruises who need oxygen, intravenous fluids, and all kinds of other special services. If they can travel, so can you. Don't be discouraged!

Travel can still be a great thing to do, even with a disability. My husband and I took my mother to France with us last month, and while she is mobile, she has considerable difficulty with climbing, heights, or using stairs. Planning ahead was crucial for us, and ensuring that she was comfortable and able to be in control of what she wanted to do each day was also helpful. I agree with other posts about the viability of cruising. Maybe try a shorter cruise first, but cruises are quite conscientious about helping those with mobility concerns. I've been on several large cruise ships and have seen lots of folks who use different assistive devices. Although I've not been on a European river cruise, I've heard wonderful things about them. They have just a few floors, and allow you to relax on deck while watching the beautiful European countryside go by. Maybe something to consider. Good luck!! :-)

Hi Janet, I hope you've read all the good responses and are overseas already and having the time of your life. I too have MS (21 years in) and have considerable difficulty in walking. I have continued my annual travel to Europe (as well as Hawaii, New Zealand, Mexico etc) with the help of me trusty scooter. You did not mention what mobility device(s) you use. For the most part the airlines have been great (the law requires it, after all), and I've rarely been denied access anywhere (an exception was this summer in Amsterdam when the Rijksmuseum denies entrance to scooters as they consider them more like bicycles than power chairs. Over the past 20 years the provisions for disables travelers in Europe have improved markedly year by year. Sometimes you have to remind someone that they have back doors, freight lifts as such, but it can be entertaining when you are escorted through tunnels, alleys. staff rooms etc. You just have be assertive and unapologetic. If you haven't left yet, please feel free to ask for specifics. We're
probably not going to get any better, so GO FOR IT now!