Travel is an important part of a large portion of the population. Some people travel for pleasure and others for business. For the most part it can be quite stressful and often overwhelming. Have you ever wondered how people with limitations with disabilities do it?
Since becoming physically limited. Traveling has become very different and much more difficult to do. Although the Department of Transportation has made it much easier for people like me to travel by plane. It is still something I have yet to try.
Although traveling by plane is not something I have done. That has not stopped me from traveling and getting to where I want to go.
MY TRAVELS
In these past eight 8 years I have gone all over the country and outside the country as well. I have traveled from South Carolina where I currently reside to Michigan, Iowa, California, and Mexico . I have also been to every state that borders South Carolina along with passing by every state along the way.
I found a way to travel all over the country by land. Every trip has been such a fun road-trip experience. I have many physical limitations, but we found a way to avoid letting that be an excuse not to travel.
My favorite trips have been my road trips to Mexico and California. Those two trips have been the longest, but the best ones to date. The trip to Mexico took about two days and a half. The trip to California was a little longer nearing the three day mark.
There is usually a lot of planning that goes on before taking any trip. For example i have to organize it as follows
MY TRAVEL CHECKLIST
- First we decide when and where the trip will take place
- Then we make sure that our destination has the access and accommodations that best suit my situation
- We then plan the road-trip to make sure that I am as comfortable as I can be to make for a stress free trip.
- Next is the worst part which consists of packing and this part is extremely important because I have a lot of medical equipment that I have to take with me on every trip. This is stressful because we can’t afford to forget anything.
- Once we have a plan and we are packed we are ready to go and we begin our trip.
- When we are on the road we prioritize the experience and try to enjoy the ride and avoid focusing on anything else.
TRAVELING CROSS COUNTRY
All of this makes for a pleasant trip and makes traveling more often a possibility. When I travel I know that perhaps it might be tiring and things might not go to plan, but you have to enjoy every part because it’s all part of the experience.
Traveling with a disability is not easy, but nothing good comes easy. I have been fortunate enough to find ways to travel and get to experience things I never thought possible.
I like to travel and because I travel often, I have noticed the lack of accessibility for people with disabilities. There is still so much that needs to be done so that traveling is easier and more accessible for people with disabilities. The travel industry. needs to evolve and become better to meet the needs of all those people who require accommodations and extra help. I haven’t had the opportunity to travel by plane because of how difficult it seems and how little attention is given to this highly important topic.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
What has been your experience with traveling while being physically limited? How do you manage to travel and what would you like to change? Leave your thoughts and/or questions below