ilivewithadisability.com

I recently had cause to use a wheelchair (and may I note for the record, it had a very pretty red flag on top). Due to pride, major insecurity and vulnerability I have stubbornly refused the aid of a wheelchair, preferring to walk as much as possible, which leads mostly to my detriment. The first and only time I used a wheelchair I encountered many stares and whispers. I found it on the whole, a very upsetting experience. Prior to this, I have given very little thought to the day to day emotional aspects facing people in wheelchairs. We take it for granted. I know I will never do so again.

This caused some self-reflection on my part as to whether I had stared or commented within hearing. I am happy to say from memory the things I mentioned were (with feeling) ‘poor them’ or ‘how brave they are for getting out and about – I would be too frightened’. But to my regret, what I can never be sure of is if there was enough distance between so as not to overhear my murmurs and inadvertently made them self-conscious. When in actual fact, I was in awe of them. Perhaps people were saying those things about me but I misconstrued them. It is something to ponder another time, but for now I would love to know of your experiences and whether, like me, there were any stirrings of wheel rage (see below).

As I was being wheeled around the airport in Sydney, I was dumbfounded at the lack of attention paid. It is not as if we want special treatment, but hello? We can’t exactly help it, so please look where you are going and fortunately those wheel prints on the back of your pants are totally in right now. It was NOT a wheelchair friendly environment. I got to thinking about all those people who are permanently confined to a wheel chair. What if they wanted to go overseas? How would it work for them and their companions? So my mind took off, devising different scenarios, if it was me what would I do? So I thought I would do a little browsing around the net and I discovered this incredible website http://www.newdisability.com/wheelchaircruises.htm. Disability cruises! Just what I was after! (For those who get sea sick, do not despair, I have another site for you). In the interview with a Disability Travel Expert the following questions are raised: Is it easy for a wheelchair or mobility scooter user to take a cruise these days? Are most cruise ships wheelchair accessible and wheelchair user friendly (toilets, showers, etc)? Are people with disabilities, such as wheelchair users well accepted on all cruises? Would it be easy for a person with a disability to travel alone on a cruise? Do many do it? It is worth checking out.

For those of you who are not fans of the open sea, I did some more digging around on the internet and was quite happy with the number of results that turned up for holidaying wheelchair users. So if you are thinking of putting off traveling because there is not enough support – hop on Google and see what great possibilities are available.

Now, I wouldn’t be a true Aussie if I did not make at least one recommendation to come see my fair country. And in true Aussie fashion, one needs at least one camping experience, yes, in a tent! I can already hear the ‘what are you crazy?’ remarks so, I gave Australia a real challenge to come up with a wheelchair friendly holiday with tents, and I was not let down. Have a look at this site http://www.wheelieeasy.com.au/?page=holidays. I am so proud of Australia right now!

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI.