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The Six Knows of Preparing to Travel

© Scott Paul Rains

"Vacation" is a magic word. Use it in a conversation and people are likely to momentarily spirit off to their private bit of paradise; disappear to somewhere that exists between fantasy and the world-as-we-know-it. But even Harry Potter puts in long hours of preparation to work his magic. So, what's the magic formula for conjuring up a charmed vacation?

First, open up your own personal travel style for inspection. Add a pinch of experience from each of the Six Knows below and you will spice your formula with the wisdom of other travelers with disabilities. Stir it up with a friend or travel agent. Then get out there and see the world!

Know Yourself

Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Take it from me, it's not worth carting along on the road with you either.

First off, ask yourself: What would make this vacation a success for you? Try to answer that question even before you decide on a destination, a reservation, or a travel companion. Pare down to the nonnegotiables. Are you looking for quiet rejuvenation -- or exhilaration? Do you have strict budget limits -- or room to splurge? Does success mean having sun, snow, a tropical rainstorm -- or are you content with whatever comes along? Do you have "must includes" for your trip such as a food, an event -- or a language?

Secondly, review your physical health. Do it with your physician if necessary. How is your physical strength? Your stamina? Your immune system? Are you in physical pain that would influence your travel plans? Are your medications working correctly and do you have enough to bring on the trip?

What about your mental health? How is your emotional resilience? What's the recent pattern of your moods? Are your dreams or fantasy life telling you something about how you might react to travel right now?

Know Your Equipment

Take responsibility to know your own equipment. Know their equipment too!

Do you know it as well as, if not better than the people who sold it to you? Have you made a toolkit with everything you need for repairs? Do you pack it in carry-on, not checked luggage? Have you prepared an instruction sheet, with illustrations, on assembly and the disassembly of your equipment? How many languages is it in? Did you arrange for an equipment check-up before you left? Have you brought along replacements for items that frequently fail? Do you know of vendors at your destinations that can repair your equipment in an emergency? As preventative maintenance for yourself as well as looking out for others in the disabled community, do you know how to report equipment failures to your vendor and the manufacturer? How to pass along with any suggested solutions you may have?