Suddenly disabled: Need help with an unlucky break!!

Ah, Max, I'm so sorry. As someone who recently spent a long weekend in Cambridge and another in London, after tearing the meniscus in my left knee, I urge you to be careful not to overdo. I did and that was a mistake. ; ( I have some UK suggestions. I have found this website, which you should explore. Access for All. It looks like they will mostly give suggestions on how to find out info. Check out the tourists sites like VisitLondon. They have lots of info on places that are accessible. You should also browse this section of the Graffiti Wall. It sounds like you've got the right attitude! Pam

Hello Max. I think, a person who has a broken foot can cancel an airline travel reservation, and reschedule the flight at a later time. The airline would not require the person to pay a fee for changing the tickets. The airline would require receiving a note from a physician saying she has a broken foot, and the physician recommends that she not travel to an other country. And the airline might not require a fee for changing your tickets.

Max, I'm so sorry this has happened.
This link may help you: http://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/essential-information/accessible-london Maybe have a look at the individual websites of places like The British Museum to see exactly what they offer in the way of help. Make sure your hotel is accessible. The Tube- some stations have lifts or escalators, but some are just stairs, so you'll need to check that if you're planning on using public transport. I'll find the website for transport for you. It's www.tfl.gov.uk The Red Cross used to provide wheelchair rentals. On a practical note- painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen are available over the counter, as is Paracetamol with codeine, and they're not expensive if you go with the generic brands. My best wishes to you wife. You two seem to have great attitude about what's happened, but I have to say I'd be tempted to cancel and come another time, if possible. there's really no easy way to get around London with a broken foot.

This happended to a friend of mine. His wife did Rome on crutches. The Bourghese (spell?) was good. There was an elevator and she could sit in rooms and look at the art while he roamed more. There are various cooking classes in Italy; some comments may be in archives about them. I've never been to London, but I've heard the pubs are a great hangout. In Paris and Italy, we spent wonderful afternoons over a leisurely lunch at an outdoor cafe people watching. If in Venice, you can get on the water taxis and take them around the island. We did that; great views. The smaller galleries in Paris might be nice; the l'orangerie for example. More opportunities to just sit in a room and take in the art. How about an Italian opera in Italy or an organ concert at a French cathedral?

That is really too bad! Let me just tell you my experience: the year before I was to have a knee replacement and I couldn't walk much at all, we took a portable wheelchair with us - it was lightweight but with bigger wheels so it was easy to go over cobbled streets. It wasn't ideal, but at least we were able to go. We were in Sweden and Copenhagen that year. The next year we traveled after my knee replacement, and I still wasn't to the point where I could walk really well. We were in Paris that year. I purchased a cane with a fold down seat and in the museums or in lines I was able to sit. It helped a lot. We ended up in Paris taking the bus as our transportation and avoided all the stairs. Some museums had special handicapped entrances. The reason we took our own wheelchair is because I had not come up with a place to rent one - perhaps there is, but I never found it. I had been told that London is not very wheelchair friendly but never had to check that out.

So sorry about your wife's accident. You may find it easier to get around London by taxi; I'd do that. I suggest visiting the British Museum, where a person can be entertained for an entire day (or two or three). The British Museum has wheelchairs to loan visitors, on a first come first serve basis. http://www.britishmuseum.org/visiting/access.aspx On this page, see "Borrow a wheelchair"; it says, "Wheelchairs are available at both entrances to borrow for your visit." You should reserve in advance by calling +44 (0)20 7323 8299. There is a cafe in the museum, so you need not leave for lunch. Grab a sandwich and keep on wheeling her around the museum afterwards for the afternoon. Taxi back to the hotel. Easy.

In London, I'd suggest that you use the bus rather than the tube. Very few of the tube stations are accessible while the buses can accommodate wheelchairs. For events where you can sit, theatre is a great option. However, many theatres have steps, so if this is an issue, ask for accessible seating. Timeout.com has listings of events.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. It all suddenly seems very daunting and a bit depressing. We've been planing this trip for so long and now everything is changed. I was wondering why no one suggested the London Eye? Do they not have seats in the carriges? I've been to the website, but it's not clear by the pictures (but it looks like they do rent out wheelchairs). Or is it just not something worth doing?

We did the London Eye tour several years ago and loved it. There is a bench in each of the "capsules" in the middle of the car. We did the combination London Eye/boat trip which we enjoyed. Your wife could sit on the boat and see all of the sights with ease.

I do not know your financial situation, but purchasing an electric scooter might be in hand. They run around 600 to 800 dollars. You can take them on international flights for free. You might need to let them know 48 hrs ahead that you are using one. On short flights, you must let them know in advance. Transport on the plane is still free. I have one and have used it for the past 6 years all over Ireland, UK, France, and Spain. Mine is called a Shoprider Scootie Jr.. Shoprider has a newer model out but it does the same thing.

Look into Shopmobility; this "scheme" is nationwide. I don't know about availability in London, but their website has a map showing locations all over Great Britain. Shopmobility rents power scooters at very reasonable costs. I have limited mobility and found this option made even walking tours in York and Bath possible for me. Cathedrals will have wheelchairs, but they are usually manual type; York Minster let me in on my scooter. Museums may have wheelchairs or scooters; Culloden has scooters. Websites of attractions and museums will have information about how accessible they are and what is available.