So recently I've been nominated by my not one, but two of my teachers to go on a trip to London, England. Surprisingly the thing that is holding me back isn't my PsA. It's me being a homebody and missing my family for a week or more. Now don't get me wrong, my illness is being questioned, but the company is being very accommodating for when I go. They are allowing me to have access to a wheelchair while I am over there and also provided us with a 35%off discount for any adult who wants to go with me to stay with me if I can't participate in the activity. My teacher even said he would carry me up flights of stairs if needed. This is wonderful news and such a great experience that I may be passing up on. I just need a little pick me up about the whole thing because what girl wouldn't be happy to depart for London on her 18th birthday.
Congratulations, Morgan! What an honour to have been chosen for such a wonderful trip. London is an amazing city. Sybil’s description of it as “mind boggling” is right on. OK, you will miss your family, but there will be so much to see and do that you won’t have a lot of time to be homesick. JMHO. And missing them a bit is just something that happens when you go on a wonderful adventure! Kind of like when you play a sport – if you don’t play, you won’t have to worry about getting bruised or sunburned. But you miss the fun.
And I will say this: I have travelled many places as a person with mobility issues, and there is no place on this earth that is more accessible than the UK. I look back fondly on several wonderful days that I had in London, riding my mobility scooter. I went everywhere – trains, shops, city buses, tourist attractions, museums – without any major problems. (The Underground is a bit of a challenge because parts of it are ancient, but the staff is great, and there’s always a solution.) And people in the UK are SO incredibly accommodating and kind. We have a lot to learn in North America from those Brits!
The idea of a wheel chair is brilliant, and it will work well for you. If you are feeling fine, you will be able to walk and push your own chair. (I refer to it as pushing my imaginary friend. LOL) Or even one of your real friends! When you need to sit down, your seat is right there. When you just cannot walk any more, someone can push you. You will be surprised at how amazingly barrier free London is. In fact, to be honest, I had more fun, and I met so many kind and helpful people because I needed a bit of accessibility help or advice from time to time. And BTW, no teacher is going to need to carry you up the stairs. Unless he is young and very cute and you want to “milk it” for what it’s worth. LOL
A suggestion: beg, borrow or rent a wheelchar in the US. (Myself, I’d go looking for a used one.) One of the places where it will be the most helpful is in airports. You will be able to take it as far as the door of the aircraft, and then the luggage guys will put it into the hold. When you arrive at your destination, ta-da, there’s your chair! It sounds complicated and scary, but trust me, I’ve done it many times and it makes the job of checking in, boarding, and arrival incredibly easy and painless.
I am SO excited for you!
Oh, go and play! That sounds like a lovely opportunity in so many ways, and your family will be waiting when you return!
I say go! When I went to scotland a few years ago, my arthritis was at its worst. I had a lot of pain, but in the end it was SO WORTH IT. You’re going to have an amazing experience! Oh and to be celebrating your 18th birthday!? That’s the icing on the cake.
I find the hardest thing about travelling for me are the flights. I bring my own pillow and blanket, which I can either use for my neck, fold up under my knees, behind my lower back ect. I also get up and stretch a lot, walk around if I need to. Having an aisle seat is a must. Also I bring a little pot of tiger balm. I know some people who bring bags with them and get flight attendants to give them ice for that. Oh yes and an eye mask and ear plugs. I think next time I’m going to bring compression socks too.