The giant Jesus

Traveling with disabilities can be done! Today it is easier than ever!

Ciao again Bellisimi (Beautiful Ones)!

The title of this post just makes me laugh out loud. The reason for this is an hilarious movie I saw with Peter Sellers a long time ago that never fails to crack me up no matter how many times I see it.

Peter Sellers; I Can Walk!

I also laugh out loud because shortly after my hip replacement surgery, as I tried to wrest myself up to an incredibly painful standing position, one of my friends took on Monsieur Ball’s goofy accent and cried “You can do it Chief Inspecteur! YOU CAN VALLLLLLK!”

I immediately gave up my attempt and collapsed laughing.

So if you have trouble walking, I hope this has brought you some belly laughs!

If you are travelling, however and are worried, fear not! There are ways to go about it and have a great time despite your disability.

Here are some valuable tips I have learned first hand that will make your voyages a lot more fun!

1) Don’t hesitate to ask for a wheelchair at the airport.

Airports all over the world are equipped with wheelchairs and people to help you. Even if you can walk short distances, I recommend ordering a wheelchair because many times your connecting flight gate can be a LONG walk away. There is no charge for this service, just arrange for wheelchair help when you purchase your ticket.

When you have someone transporting you, you skip a lot of lines and you don’t have to worry about where your connecting flight gate is as they have all that information. You don’t have to kill yourself trying to negotiate a long walk across an airport with a cane, a limp and carry on luggage.

Be advised though that sometimes the airports are not as Johnny on the Spot as you would like. Apparently there is a great demand for wheelchairs.  I had to wait 45 minutes for a wheelchair in Dulles airport in Washington DC last night while they rounded one up. I almost missed my connecting flight but they were willing to rebook me on a later flight if that occurred.

My advice is to order the wheelchair and leave plenty of layover time so that you don’t stress yourself out about making your connecting flight.

2) Make sure you have small bills for tips!

You do want to tip these guys as they are making your life A LOT easier! A couple bucks is great and much appreciated. In Germany the tip was not accepted but I am sure they appreciated the thought.

3) Be aware of traffic patterns and customs in different countries.

This is a bit tricky as there is generally nothing written about how to negotiate traffic while crossing streets in various countries.

My advice is to watch the people near you as they cross. In Rome the pedestrians simply launch themselves into the traffic stream when there is no traffic light and the cars stop. It is incredible. I have heard that if you make eye contact, you are to yield the right of way. I have no clue as to the truth of that statement. I always follow another person who looks like a local and do what they do.

I also got very adept at shoving my cane into the street and having the traffic magically stop. It is quite amazing.

4) Get a fold up cane

I got one at CVS pharmacy before I left and I love that thing! When I got a bike in Florence, it folded up and fit in the basket so I could take it with me. It also fits into the seat back pocket in an airplane and is as strong as a normal cane. When you take it out, it snaps into position like a saber and is quite impressive.

Florence

5) Rent a bike if you are able to use one.

If you are like me and have trouble putting weight on your leg, rent a bike! It is a great way to see the cities even if you are not disabled. There is no describing the feeling of freedom you get when you can move great distances at will suddenly after having had trouble doing so.

The bike saved me in Florence, Prague, Warsaw and at home. It has also given me trips that I will never forget as you see a side of the city you don’t see otherwise.

6) Use the goofy tour buses!

Go ahead a get on those big goofy tour buses! In Rome and in Florence, they have giant, red, open topped tour buses that scream “TOURIST!”” I have read blogs that denigrate these things and make it clear that the author would not be caught dead in one of them. These are the “Hop on, Hop off” buses.

You buy one ticket for the day and you can get off at any attraction you want, then when you are done, wait ten minutes for the next one and hop back on!

I have to say I LOVE THEM! From the top you can get an entire tour of the city for a few Euros. Even if you are not disabled, you can get an overview and decide what attractions you want to see up close. It is brilliant! And the buses pick you up from a street stop so there are no staircases to negotiate like with the metro.

7) Focus on what you CAN do and not what you can’t

I am pretty mobile with my cane and with bikes but I know that there are many who are wheelchair bound. This does make travel more challenging but you would be amazed at how much you CAN see and do.

Some of the most amazing views I have ever seen were up at the top of a mountain in Southern Italy next to the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Maratea. (The statue is in the first photo in this article.)

View from the top, Maratea

As I recall, that area was wheelchair accessible for the most part. There was even a ramp going into the church there. Also, the drive up there is loaded to the gills with gorgeous views that you can see from the car or from any of the little turn outs that have been placed there just for people to stop and take it all in.

Many of the hill towns do have access for wheelchairs. You probably will not be able to explore all of the tiny vias and alleyways there but the main piazzas and some churches are wheelchair accessible.

8) Research websites of hotels and attractions before you go.

There is a wealth of information there on accessibility and, in most areas that cater to tourists, people do speak English so you can call them and get all the information you need.

9) Give yourself time.

This is important even for those who are not disabled. Things in other countries do not necessarily function in the same way they do here. This is very true in Italy where I spend most of my time.

Getting things done there is an art form. I found this out when shopping for a handbag supplier in Florence. After three visits and chats, we were finally able to get down to business. In a normal business day in the US, I might be frustrated when faced with that BUT I made great friends, got valuable lessons on handbag manufacture and a history lesson about the area.

In Italy and possibly in other European countries, it is all about the process, not necessarily the result. Enjoy the process. It is a HUGE part of the experience.

Frustration for me, almost always has to do with lack of time. I have learned to schedule less in a day and be ok with cancellng something if I am tired or if something else has taken longer than I thought.

My trip to Florence was wonderful but it was tiring. Being able to give up something and rest when I needed to was vital to having a great time there. I didn’t see all the attractions I wanted to see but I had some fantastic experiences and that is really what travel is all about.

When you are tired, you get frustrated easily, you become forgetful and it is just NOT FUN!

As they say in Italy, “Va piano, piano” Go gently!

10) Focus on the experiences NOT the attractions

Every tourist destination is literally packed with attractions that everyone tells you you MUST see. Well, guess what! You don’t have to! There is no law that says that when you are in Florence for example, you have to see every Rafael, every Michelangelo, every Botticelli and Caravaggio ever painted or sculpted.

I would rather spend an afternoon gazing at one fine piece of art that really speaks to me than whizz through gallery after gallery viewing everything superficially because it is something I must not miss.

Choose wisely and know you will be back. That is the key! If you have a wonderful experience, making accommodations for your  challenges, taking your time, doing what you love, you will want to come back so much that you will make it happen.

Those who don’t like travel almost invariably have been on trips where they had to run around like crazy to see everything. Their schedules were planned out in advance down to the last second which was stressful and frustrating.

Give yourself the treat of a fabulous experience even if you spend a whole afternoon in a handbag store finding out what makes a fine handbag versus a poor one and hearing the history of a family who has been in the business for years.

Go on a patisserie tour and sample a little bit at each one. Or sit on your balcony overlooking the river with your dinner in your lap and marvel at the beauty of a European city.

Attractions will be there next time but the lovely man who wants to chat over coffee will not. Go with your heart, not your calendar.

There has been so much awareness and accommodation for people with disabilities. There is no reason to avoid travel because you are disabled. Yes, it has its challenges but if you take your time, do your homework and plan on being flexible, you can have a great time with fewer frustrations.

Obviously there are degrees of disability and you are the only one who can judge whether you are up to traveling. If you are not, stay tuned here and I will take you on virtual tours of all the places I visit.

Also please feel free to contact me if you want to!

XO Chris

The post You Can Do It! YOU CAN WALK!!!! 10 Tips for Traveling with a Disability appeared first on Chasing La Bella Vita.