Smoothing the Way?
April 27, 2010
I was reading The New York Times today, perusing the business section, fascinated with all the drama and high jinks of our financial institutions, when I stumbled upon an article that quickly caught my eye, “Smoothing the Way,” about new regulations to make travel easier for people with disabilities.
It’s nice to know that foreign carriers are subject to the same rules as US carriers if they landed, were ticketed or originated in the US. It’s also good to be reminded about the Americans with Disabilities Act. And yes, yes, airlines allow oxygen (call their medical desk for information) as well as service dogs.
But we already know that people with disabilities are becoming more of an economic force as society ages. What we don’t know – and what the article purports to explain – is how these changes are smoothing the way. Are the chairs which carry people who cannot walk onto planes getting better, or the people assigned to the task more knowledge about how to use them? What happens to the service dog allowed on a flight once it lands on foreign soil? Is it still subject to quarantine rules, or has that changed too?
The reporter then goes on to talk about accessible taxicabs but doesn’t really mention which cities have accessible cabs – New York for one. I assume the reporter lives in NY if she writes for the Times, but perhaps she is a stringer who lives in Fargo, ND or she was very bored with the topic and this isn’t why she went to journalism school anyway. Who knows?
Then she goes on to discuss that accessibility means different things to people. This is no news flash for people with disabilities. We all know there is no perfect world out there and we have to make the best of a less than ideal situation.
Perhaps rather then relying on a few quotes from people with disabilities, if the reporter really wanted to know what traveling is like for a person with disabilities, then travel with one.
I know we, people with disabilities, are not as interesting as the heads of investment banks or as tragic as West Virginia miners; after all, we live to fight another day. But we deserve a well thought out article that addresses our concerns in an intelligent way. After all, we are survivors of our own daily battles with life.
Be Travel Wise
April 25, 2010
Maybe in our younger days, we never would have thought about travel insurance, or much else, just the excitement of going abroad. Well, the times have changed – and so have we. So if you are planning a trip abroad, travel insurance is an important consideration, especially if you have a disability.
Here are some simple rules of the road you should consider when you think about acquiring health insurance:
- Medicare does not cover medical or hospital costs outside the USA.
- If you have private insurance, check to see what your coverage is outside the US and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.
- If you have coverage, be sure to have your insurance card with you.
- If you decide to buy supplemental medical insurance, check the reputation of the company by reading customer reviews and talking to people who have purchased insurance. Customer service is very important when you are in a foreign country.
- If you have used a travel agent to plan your trip, they generally will offer medical insurance for travelers. Check out the coverage offered.
If you have a pre-existing condition, have a doctor’s letter explaining the nature of the illness, which should be packed with any medication in its original containers.
Take an extra pair of glasses just in case, and have any equipment you plan to take with you checked out before you leave.
A good website to begin with is http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips
Expect the best to happen, but it never hurts to plan for the worst.
Two for the Road
April 18, 2010
Planning a vacation always requires thought. Where to go, what to do and how long to stay are just a few of the questions that come up. Imagine how much more complicated it is when one of the partners has a disability. You have to ask new questions: what can we do together? What can one of us do while our partner is busy with a more strenuous activity?
In short, the goal is to find a place that works emotionally for both partners, both individually and as a couple. This can involve a painstaking search for balance. It can be challenging to construct a mutually satisfying trip if one person likes long hikes in the wilderness or vigorous kayaking, and the other is wheelchair-bound and prefers sedentary pursuits.
In a way, it reminds me of the days when I traveled with young children. One of our most successful family holidays was a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. Our older child, a girl, loved American history; our son enjoyed physical activity and kept reminding us that school was finished for the year, so we’d spend one day in Williamsburg and the next day at Busch Gardens. We learned we had to plan a mix of activities that included some things for each child, some things for the adults, and some things for the family as a whole.
Of course, it’s sometimes possible to find new activities that both parties enjoy and can participate in together. When one person enjoys being out in nature and the other requires a relatively tame level of physical activity, bird watching could be the answer. Or going to a concert series or plays in a bucolic area, where one person can go hiking while the other enjoys more culturally based activities. You can start with a place and work from there, or use an activity as your starting point. Either way, solutions will be found to satisfy both partners.
As everyone knows, the secret to a happy relationship involves compromise. Planning a trip is no different, whether it is a combination of interests or alternative trips. Whatever it takes to enjoy your trip with your special person is a good beginning for happy memories.
Remember – you can travel – all it takes is a willingness to move outside your comfort zone, a willing spouse to work with, and the capacity for creative problem solving – and off you go on an adventure all your own.
Do you have stories you’d like to share? Any ideas, thoughts or comments of what worked, or didn’t, on your trips as a couple? Please post your comments below.
Wheelchair Paradise
April 11, 2010
I came upon a website for people with disabilities who were interested in a home swap. It’s a vacation home exchange from the Swedish Independent Living Institute (ILI) is a center specializing in “consumer-driven policies for disabled peoples’ freedom of choice, self-determination, self-respect and dignity,” that you can find at http://www.independentliving.org/vacaswap.html The site has listings, not as many as I’d like, from all over the world
Many people might wonder if I’m sane as I say this, but I think it’s a terrific idea. Wouldn’t it great to spend a couple of weeks in another city, perhaps one you’ve never even considered, in a home or apartment that was outfitted to be as convenient for you as your own place? Perhaps it would be a cozy apartment in Chiang Mai, Thailand or a house in Sweden just outside of Stockholm? Imagine taking a peak into someone else’s world as they take a peak into yours?
Naturally, this sort of home exchange would take a good deal of planning and back-and-forth discussion, perhaps even a manual about what to do in various common scenarios. But if it were done properly, you’d not only save you a lot of money, but I imagine you’d also have an experience to cherish forever.
Do you know anyone who has done this and how it worked out for them? What reservations might you have and what kinds of discussion would you need to have to make you more comfortable with the idea?
Don’t let Little Pills become a Big Problem!
April 4, 2010
One thing you certainly want to remember when you’re packing for a trip is your prescription medication. Those small pills can become a big problem if you lose them — or if you don’t have as many as you need. Fortunately, a little bit of advance preparation can help avoid possible hassles later on.
- Keep your medicines tightly closed, preferably in their original containers. If you’re traveling by plane, keep them in your carry on bag. Checked luggage can get lost. And, depending on the length of the flight, you might have to take them while on board.
- Store extra medicine separately, or carry extra prescriptions, so you’re prepared for any contingency.
- If you’re traveling across the globe, you’ll want adjust your medication times to conform to the time zone of the country you’re traveling to. Some people like to use an extra wristwatch set to their home time zone to avoid confusion.
- Carry contact information for your doctor and pharmacy, a list of each of your medications and dosage level. You may not need any of this, but if you do, you’ll be glad it’s easily accessed.
- Remember: even in this age of increased airport security, you may bring as many medicines as you need. However, “if the medically necessary items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you must declare to one of the Security Officers at the checkpoint for further inspection.” For detailed information about traveling with medication, see http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1059.shtm
- Finally, in an emergency, contact your embassy or consulate, which will probably have a list of recommended local hospitals and doctors.
Of course, traveling should first be fun, but a little precaution beforehand never hurt anyone.
