The Six Knows of Preparing to Travel
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- RollingRains
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Georgene A. Bramlage
- RollingRains
- RollingRains
- biogardener
- vicarioustravlr
- RollingRains
- Skull13
- RollingRains
- RollingRains
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» RollingRains - Re: Welcome!
In response to message posted by tamara_peters:Tamara,
Thank you for the welcome to the community! Since my disability is an ambulation restriction I'll have lots to learn about travel from anyone who is willing to teach me from the perspective of their disability.
Scott
-- posted by RollingRains
»
Georgene A. Bramlage
- Re: Welcome!
Way to go, Scott! Very comprehensive first article. I also think your first set of links are terrific...especially the oxygen one. Will be showing your topic to my husband as soon as he is ready to travel again.
We traveled to Ireland in June, 2003 for ten days to look at gardens. All in all, the journey and facilities were pleasant, but not all facilities what we would term handicap accessible...ie restrooms on upper floors in restaurants and department stores with no lift available.
More later...regards
-- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage
» RollingRains - Re: Thank you
In response to message posted by biogardener:Biogardener,
You are welcome.
I grew up halfway between the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain Ranges about 150 miles north of Mt. Rainier in Washington state. I still recall my very last hike not long before I was paralyzed. It was with my friend Marc near Bogachiel Peak in the Olympics. This time next month I will revisit the area for a Suite 101 story on the Olympic Rainforest. I hope this, and all my pieces, will be enjoyable virtual travel for you.
When I was first paralyzed I thought that being quarantined by the wheelchair was tough. It was lonely but several extraordinary people reached through with their love. Over the years I've come to see that invisible disabilities can be even more lonely -- few pick up the clues about how differently we often perceive "simple" day-to-day life.
Tschüß!
-- posted by RollingRains
» RollingRains - Re: Re: Welcome!
In response to message posted by Cercis:Cercis,
Erin Go Braugh!
(Not a drop of Irish blood in me but I have been told I inherited the Blarney Gene.)
Have not visited Ireland yet but I found a well accommodated bed & breakfast, Green Gables, in Oxford about 1.5 miles from Christchurch and the High Street. Wonderful hosts as well. ( http://www.milford.co.uk/go/greengables.... )
Lodging on a short visit to Abergavenny in Wales was less commodious - but the area merits the gymnastics it can take to see it!
( http://www.abergavenny.co.uk/ )
-- posted by RollingRains
» biogardener - Invisible disabilities
You are so right about invisible disabilities. While traveling on the transit system, I had to listen to neighbors discussing how they had to work for a living while other people were collecting disability insurance, hinting that I was ripping off the system. Little did they know that I would have loved to work for a living, because I had the career of my dreams.You can read about how I tried to pull myself out of the despair:
-- posted by biogardener
» vicarioustravlr - to Rolling Rains
I've done little traveling myself, but as the director of a senior center, I see many people come and go. A traveler I know recently undertook what he consider to be the last ambitious trip of his lifetime. He went alone to Australia against the advice of his friends. He came home safe and sound. I suspect that his years of travelling had reinforced for him all of the "knows". I appreciate your complete and commonsense column and look forward to your next. I will be sharing this site and your column with the many travelers I see coming and going through the senior center. Many thanks!-- posted by vicarioustravlr
» RollingRains - Re: to Rolling Rains
In response to message posted by vicarioustravlr:Dear Vicarious,
You are most welcome! I am happy that the article will circulate to the benefit of those who you serve.
And don't worry, there are many more articles in the pipeline. This is "small potatoes" compared to what you'll see in the future here.
-- posted by RollingRains
» Skull13 - Re: Re: Welcome!
In response to message posted by RollingRains:Scott...I'm one of the people that Tamara mentioned. Your article was just fantastic. I have a severe and disabling case of Fibromyalgia but I have the "Advantage" of needing a cane and often even a wheelchair so that my disability isn't quite so "invisible."
Travel for me is a nightmare. The thought of overseas travel is a fantasy. Cruises are a slightly closer dream. Air Travel is an insult to all of us though.
I live within 15 miles of airport in Charleston, SC and it impossible to get a direct flight to the New York area in a full sized seat. The options offered to me are fly in a shoe-box that will take away the use of my legs for a day or two to either Atlanta or Charlotte, NC and then change planes to First Class ($$$)on to Newark or LaGuardia or be driven to Myrtle Beach for nearly 3 hours (have to stop along the way!) and go First Class ($$)to Newark. Oddly, it is cheaper to go from Myrtle Beach by nearly $700 to 800 than either Atlanta or Charlotte!!! No matter...it means that the trip is virtually too costly before I even get past plane fare!!!
All the online liars, the local travel agents, the airlines (including customer service supervisors) have told me that they are doing everything "by the law." The ADA really blows!
I think that every airline employee should have to get on and off a plane at least once a month riding on one of those back boards they put us on till they figure out something more humane. They treat pets in the cargo area better!!!
Enough! Sorry... I won't even get into hotels not allowing us into their better rooms. Oops!
-- posted by Skull13
» RollingRains - Re: Welcome!
In response to message posted by Skull13:Rev. Don,
I can feel your frustration!
IMHO, the idea of having airline staff simulate the experience of travel with a disability is an excellent one. I have led architects and social workers through the process to good effect.
Unfortunately, even with ADA, your situation is too common. A very pervasive counter-trend has weakened the effect of the legislation over the years. Who was it that said, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty?" Some, such as yourself when you fly, now pay a physcial price for that liberty's diminishment.
Some respite may be on the way. See coverage of lawsuits against Delta Airlines: www.newmobility.com/review_article.cfm?id=804&action=browse
-- posted by RollingRains
» RollingRains - Listed as "Article of the Month" at e-bility.com
This article was honored as Article of the Month for January 2004 at e-bility.com. You will find it under the title "Travelling with Disabilities." E-bility is a resource for travelers with disabilities based in Australia.-- posted by RollingRains
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