Traveling Alone With Disabilities

Traveling alone for some can be a daunting thought, but traveling alone when you are disabled takes on a whole new meaning of scary. There is so much unknown. Will there be accessibility? Will people be willing to help me? What if I go somewhere and I can't get around? These are just a few of the questions that run through a disabled individuals mind when thinking about going anywhere, let alone traveling to somewhere they've never been.

I can answer these questions fairly simply. Being disabled myself, and requiring the use of a wheelchair, I am familiar with traveling and venturing into the unknown. It is definitely scary at times, but I've learned to overcome that fear by remembering a few key things. First, no matter where you go, you got there somehow, so if things aren't accessible simply turn around and go back the way you came. This isn't exactly a solution to seeing the thing you may have wanted to see, or doing the thing you may have wanted to do, but it's just a way of overcoming the fear of even trying. You can always just turn around and go back the way you came. No harm, no foul.

Second, sometimes people are TOO willing to help; in other words, I've had numerous people ask me if I need help even when I'm quite obviously fine. I've also had people actually physically try to force me through something I didn't fit through (don't do this BTW), and more often than not people will ask me if I need a hand reaching something on a shelf just because I looked up! Generally people are good and decent and if you are in need of assistance you will more than likely find it without much effort. If you can't find help from a stranger, you should be able to find someone who works for whatever establishment you're visiting who will more than likely be happy to help you in whatever way possible.

My third question I suppose is very similar to the first; "what if I go somewhere and I can't get around?" Well, that's the same answer as the answer to "will there be accessibility?" Anywhere you go, you arrived there somehow, so if you can't get around simply turn around and go back the way you came, or find another area to visit that is accessible.

Obviously, before going anywhere, it's a great idea to do your research. Most places, whether they are large tourist attractions or not, will have at least general information available. Calling ahead and simply asking is a viable option as well, but remember that able bodied people don't always realize what the true meaning is of "accessible". I've gone a few places that claimed to be wheelchair accessible, but in fact were not. I can't even count the number of botched ramps, hidden door buttons, etc that I've encountered.

Accessibility has come a long way in the last 20 years, and it will only improve with time. Newer establishments are more likely to be fully accessible, another thing to keep in mind when traveling. Going to older historic places can be a big challenge unless they've been retro-fitted with wider doorways and ramps.

It took me many, many years to overcome my fears of going anywhere alone. I guess you could say I had a bit of a phobia of it. I learned to overcome my fears and have been traveling alone for a while now. It's not as difficult as it might seem, and there are lots of ways to stay safe and still have a great time! I will touch on the safety issues in another post. Just remember to do your research. Call ahead and express you needs if you must. Plan accordingly. Life's too short to let anything hold you back from doing the things you love!

Thought Of The Week: Being Disabled Sucks

For those who have been lucky enough to never have had to experience what it's like to be disabled, it's more than just an inconvenience. It can be terrifying at times. Imagine getting ready to go on a trip, but every hotel you call has beds that are too high for you to climb into, and there are no ladders or any way for you to get into them. That's the only way I know how to describe the feeling I just experienced. Add to that, it's not as if I can just sleep anywhere. My body is so racked with pain and so bent and tight, that the only way I can almost sleep is on my side with a pillow between my knees and of course my legs bent (because they don't go straight). I'm also 6' tall so I don't really fit just anywhere.

Because I am unable to stand up at all, I need a bed that's low enough that I can just transfer over from my wheelchair. In other words, a platform bed. All the hotels near U of M that offer discounts to patients don't have them. If I could still stand up, this wouldn't be an issue, and I could save a lot of money by booking with a hotel that offers discounts, but since I can't stand up, and can barely even transfer from my chair to any other surface, I had to find a hotel that offers platform beds and pay the price. It was either that or stay in a cheap, seedy motel really far away from U of M. Because of U of M's location, everything is expensive! How in the world do they expect someone like me to be able to afford this! Especially if I have to go down there multiple times! Thank God for my GoFundMe page and all my amazing supporters who have donated so far! Bless you all! I knew this was going to be a big expense, but until I really started making the plans and calling around for an accessible room (and bed), I had no idea what I was truly facing.

These are the kinds of things someone like me faces every single minute of every day. If it's not the bed issue, it's the bathroom doors aren't wide enough for my chair (yes, even the "accessible" rooms). Or, the doors are wide enough, but they open IN to the bathroom so once I'm in there, there's not enough room to close the door because my chair is in the way. People who have never had to experience being in a wheelchair and being confined to one, don't really understand all the tiny issues that become huge issues for us. Even my friends and family say to me, "I would have never thought of that -- it's amazing the things we take for granted." How true. My life is filled with nothing but obstacles; from too narrow doorways to rugs on the floor that my casters get caught up in, to things on the floor that I have to bend over and pick up because it's not like I can just step over them. It's a constant battle to just get from point A to B.

So, I found a hotel with platform beds, and it's only about a mile from U of M. It's actually a very nice hotel, and wasn't too insanely expensive, thank God. I am looking forward to relaxing there Sunday night before my appointment on Monday morning. I guess if I have to go through all of this, at least I can stay in a nice hotel and enjoy some small luxuries as best I can. I'll just eat less.

Never Give Up