Ladies on the Highway: Can a lady with disabilities journey on her personal?
Sweet Harrington: Nicely that is dependent upon her incapacity, her degree of independence and the way a lot help she wants. Typically talking, in the event you want help with private care and getting out and in of mattress at house, additionally, you will want it on the highway. However to be trustworthy, in lots of international locations you may rent an aide for a fraction of what it prices within the US. And with the web, it’s simpler to seek out these providers prematurely. With correct planning, generally, it may be carried out. However I’d warning girls to strive a brief journey near house to work out the kinks earlier than embarking on a two-month backpacking journey.
WOTR: What are the principle journey challenges dealing with girls with disabilities?
Sweet: Discovering actually accessible transportation will be problematic. I’d say that in most creating international locations you want to have the ability to settle for bodily help (carrying and lifting) the place bodily entry is missing. If that’s an issue for you, I’d recommend you keep on with among the extra developed international locations.
Security can be an element. It’s an element for all solo girls vacationers, however it’s much more of a priority when you have got a incapacity. The perfect recommendation I may give on that’s to concentrate on your atmosphere and take note of that little voice inside you that claims “this isn’t proper”. For instance, it won’t be that good of an thought to have a male aide allow you to into mattress. Attempt to discover a feminine one as an alternative.
WOTR: Which international locations would you advocate for probably the most accessible journey?
Sweet: Actually Western Europe, New Zealand and Australia are on the prime of my record. Truly, New Zealand is gorgeous and certainly one of my favorite international locations to go to. The persons are useful, there’s a excessive degree of entry and there are numerous accessible backpacker hostels – you may seek for them on Funds Backpackers Hostels. The accessible ones are marked with the worldwide entry image, however in fact, it is best to inquire immediately in regards to the particular entry particulars earlier than you ebook a room. Considered one of my favorites is Globetrekkers Lodge in Omapere.
WOTR: And are there any locations to keep away from?
Sweet: That may rely in your journey quotient. Most creating international locations lack bodily entry however private help is available. Jap-style loos in among the extra rural locations in Asia can also current issues however there are workarounds. For instance, you may carry a feminine urinal in case you are unable to squat. However once more, this takes some advance planning. Most of the journey private hygiene suggestions for ladies typically will apply.
WOTR: When girls with disabilities journey, what particular preparations ought to they make in the event that they’re touring solo?
Sweet: First off I recommend that they community with a incapacity group of their vacation spot nation. With the web, it’s fairly simple to do. The Worldwide Incapacity Alliance has some good hyperlinks, however you may also contact your nationwide organizations to see if they’ve a counterpart in your vacation spot nation. The objective is to seek out somebody there who can let you know extra about entry and maybe provide you with just a few assets for locating a private care aide.
Mobility Worldwide may also be useful resource. Though they specialise in worldwide exchanges for folks with disabilities, they’ve plenty of good assets and data on their web site helpful to solo girls vacationers who’re disabled. One other supply of knowledge is Hostelling Worldwide as lots of their properties are accessible. You can additionally keep in a monastery. Monastery Stays has numerous properties which are accessible: simply search for that little blue wheelchair image.
No matter lodging you select, at all times ask people to explain their entry, as requirements fluctuate vastly between international locations. It’s additionally a good suggestion to ask them to e-mail you a photograph as a result of an image is value a thousand phrases – possibly much more with regards to entry. And final however not least, keep away from sure or no questions. In lots of locations within the Far East, it’s thought of impolite to reply any query with a no, so that you may get some deceptive data in the event you go that route.
WOTR: Can girls with disabilities journey in creating international locations?
Sweet: Appreciable effort has been made domestically in some locations. Entry won’t be as much as Western requirements, however bodily help is at all times out there. India involves thoughts as certainly one of these locations. They’re making enormous strides in making issues extra accessible, but it’s nonetheless tough stepping into some distant areas. Is a visit there attainable? Actually, however you might want to go in realizing what to anticipate. The identical goes for Thailand.
WOTR: What advance preparations are wanted?
Sweet: First, I counsel future vacationers to play a wholesome recreation of “what if”. In different phrases, ask your self what you’ll do in the event you encountered quite a lot of obstacles in your journey. For instance, what would you do in case your wheelchair broke down in Kuala Lumpur? A attainable resolution can be to discover a wheelchair restore facility there that may service your wheelchair. Take that quantity with you whenever you journey, so that you’ll have it shut at hand when you find yourself on the highway. Oh, and in the event you can’t discover a wheelchair restore store or medical gear outlet, then search for a bicycle restore store. Bicycle mechanics are often fairly versatile and may a minimum of make some momentary repairs to most gear.
I additionally advise emergency evacuation insurance coverage that doesn’t exclude pre-existing situations. I’m not an enormous fan of journey insurance coverage, particularly on funds journeys, however you probably have an accident, medical evacuation can price as much as $100,000. So purchase a yearly coverage immediately from a visit insurance coverage firm. When you have any questions ask your insurance coverage agent, not a journey agent. The previous will often get you a greater deal on a coverage that may fit your particular wants.
In fact, be sure to have sufficient of your prescription medicines to final all the journey, and by no means carry them in your checked baggage. And carry a replica of your prescription. It will not be legitimate exterior the US, however a minimum of a international physician will know what to prescribe.
And naturally, carry a small wheelchair restore equipment with you. This must go in your checked baggage as it should possible be confiscated from you on the airport safety checkpoint.
And final however not least, study the fundamentals of wheelchair journey, discover out what you may count on and discover ways to defend your gear whenever you fly.
