Tips for Travelling With A Disability! [CC]
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- Опубликовано: 7 окт 2024
- Here are my hard won lessons for travelling when you have a disability, illness or any special need! Not kidding about the 'hard won' part- let's just say I felt the pain so you don't have to!
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My ex made me feel I ruined an entire vacation because of my disability and not being able to chase his entire family around Oregon. Sadly, it was when I was recalling what a good vacation it was, and he was like no it wasn’t, you wouldn’t do anything, LOL I dumped the insensitive bastard
Emily Rachel Gilley Bravo!
Emily Rachel Gilley good for you 👍👍👍
I always book a wheelchair for when I arrive at my destination (longhaul is a killer). You won't need to stand in a queue at immigration either. They normally put you in a separate queue, so you'll be attended to more quickly.
I hire a mobility scooter when I'm in the US. We do the theme parks in Florida. I hire one for the whole holiday. It actually works out cheaper than hiring one at the park on the days you go. Plus, unless you're at the park first thing in the morning, the scooters will all be gone. You can use it all the way from your car to the park as well.
I was on my scooter at Universal studios (was with my hubby and son). This woman says "oh, it's so hot today!! Wish I'd thought of that to get around too!" As she points at my scooter. I said "I don't have a choice actually!" Woman looks confused. I get off the scooter and hobble into the toilets. My hubby said this look of horror came over the woman's face when she realised I wasn't on the scooter because I couldn't be bothered walking in the heat, and that I actually needed it as I have a disability! The joys of invisible illnesses.
I was glared at like I was on it so I could "queue jump" at rides too. Seriously!
Staff were absolutely wonderful, but the general public were horrendous most of the time. I was stepped on, hit with bags etc. If I said excuse me, people wouldn't let me through. It's a real eye opener. I'm relatively new to this, and found it very upsetting tbh. The 2nd year I used the scooter I asked for all the assistance I needed at rides etc, whereas the first year I was shy about asking, and wore myself out queuing for rides! So stupid! If you need help then ask!
My top tips traveling with chronic illness: bring food you can eat, take the wheelchair (you might be fine for boarding, but after a long flight why use precious energy when you can save it for holidays) and if you can afford it, splurge a little on your hotel. Our holidays are very rare, but if I can enjoy my time alone in the hotel on a bad day, my companions can enjoy their more physical outings.
Yes to the splurging on the nicer hotel!
One thing I do hate at airports is when people talk about me like I am not there or capable of answering for myself. They tend to ask whomever is traveling with me "Can she walk?" "Does she require assistance?" and I am always thinking "SHE is right here and can answer for herself thank you very much!"
I've had mobility issues for years and can only walk so much before ending up in pain. I went to Ireland with a group of friends 2 years ago and simply told them that when I needed to stop, they could drop me off at the nearest pub to wait for them. It was a little awkward only the first time because when they came back to get me (and every time thereafter), they found me having a lovely time chatting with the locals, trying out local favorite foods and drinks, and generally having a wonderful time. Plus, the locals usually told me about things to see that tourists might never discover. I may have missed some of the castles, some of the museums, and some of the views, but I probably had more fun than they did some days and took the opportunity to really get to know the people of the country. Sometimes, it can be largely (at least partly) in how you look at it.
I hate it when people say 'the chair is not here yet soooo maybe you can just walk?' Like, no? I have a chair cause I can't walk. At all. Not even when it suits you. Sorry.
Eugh I know right...
Lol exactly!! 'oh you know how you can't walk, instead of not walking, can you like, walk?'
It's ironic cos when you're in a wheelchair people will be SHOCKED you can so much as stand or walk short distances, but once they don't want to help u it's the reverse
what is equally annoying is when they try to put you in a wheelchair and take you to the gate and you're all 'I'm partially sighted. That affects my eyes, not my ability to walk straight' and yet they still insist in you sitting in that wheenchair so then you feel like a real phoney the whole time they're wheeling you about.
omg I just can't fcking believe that these situations are real... this makes me so fcking angry, how the hell people can be so ignorant and rude....fcking idiots
Jixie Dye That’s probably why they run out of wheelchairs for people who actually need them lol. Not your fault at all, it’s their ignorance. Let me just conjure up my power of levitation real quick and we’ll be off...lol
As someone without disabilities I'm very negatively surprised by how ignorant people seem to be.. "Oh, I see you need a wheelchair. We don't have one right now, so could you just walk please?" What on earth makes them believe it's reasonable to make this request? I just don't get it.
SunnyUnnie I was once in a wheelchair at the airport because it was too big for me to use my crutches to get around. When it came time to go through the metal detector, the guy looked at me, said “can you walk through it?” I said no, because at that moment I couldn’t, and he looked scathingly at my crutches, then at me again, and kinda clicked his tongue in annoyance. I had to wait 20 minutes for another very annoyed woman to come pat me down. Like I’m sorry your airport isn’t disability friendly, but I’m not sorry I’m disabled.
My friends love going on trips with me! Having a disabled friend comes with perks like: great parking spots, getting to skip to the front of the line at security in the airport, and learning about access issues! I was very proud of my friend the other day for [politely!] telling off a family for parking in a disabled parking space without a placard.
I personally don't suffer from any physical disabilities but i find that I always gain new insight and a new appreciation whenever i watch your videos. Your upbeat personality sometimes gives me that much needed boost, i go through cycles when i get depressed and find it very hard to care about myself and sometimes i cause myself more harm than good. I love that you are so honest and i like that a lot of what you say can also help people like me who just want to be able to gain a better understanding to hopefully be of help to anyone if i can. I also love your personality and your style. You are so funny, insightful, kind, as well as positive. Thank you so much for using some of your precious energy to creat such great content. Keep going you are amazing:)
My tip is to always have medical insurance. And to travel with all your meds in your handbag. I once had to practically crawl to a pharmacy to get painkillers, and the friend with me couldn't do it because she had no idea what I needed. So yes, tell your travel companions everything. Oh, and there was that one time when the plane would've made an emergency landing for my sake but the whole trip was across the ocean, so I had to just sit in the toilet, vomiting my guts out, while the cabin crew panicked. It ended with me getting wheeled out of the plane in a stretcher and heading straight for the hospital. Thankfully my bff was very supportive during this time and she stuck by me as the whole drama unfolded. So yes. Insurance and meds. So important.
The connecting flight thing resonated with me the most. Happens every time 😐 Great tips! Thank you! Another tip, don't eat the plane food on long haul flights. Try and take something with you to tie you over. I sometimes don't want to go to that effort and end up trying to eat what they give me and am so incredibly ill. Which is the last thing you want on a plane with like 2 bathrooms 😳
MY daughter and grandchild have severe allergies to certain foods, she is very articulate, and communicates very well with waitstaff when going out. I am so proud of her. I need to learn to ask for more help than I do because my pride gets in the way.
Jessica I literally love you right now! I have been having episodes just like you described as "rag-dolling" from CFS and I've been to a bunch of doctors and no one has been able to figure it out. I'm definitely going to my doctor to see about having CFS. I can not describe how happy I am to finally feel like I'm not crazy. Thank you so much for being so open about your disability. I have been feeling so hopeless and this really turned my day around!!!
top tip from my best friend, if you have fibromyalgia or joint problems, go to Thailand and get a massage every day, you will feel much better!
I had a massage every day when we were in Malaysia and I've never been in less pain in my life! x
Travelling disability tip: Look up whether or not some places have privileges or benefits or discounts for disabled people. Trust me. It can save you quite a bit of money and time in some cases (especially at airports).
This is adorable! Even family sucks on vacation sometimes. The trip when I decided to just acknowledge my disability and have a hot chocolate at the cafe while they went skiing was the best.
Lauren's Hope Medical ID is a company that makes stylish medical IDs. I have one of their bracelets and it feels like a nice piece of jewelry, not just a tag.
My only tip is to have someone in your life who's very comfortable making angry phone calls on your behalf for when the airline inevitably screws up your accommodations.
Thank you for the reminders that we aren't burdens and deserve to have fun and not be embarrassed. I need those reminders so much and you are honestly one of the first people to ever say it that actually gets it.
I appreciate you more than I can put into words. I've watched so many of your videos in the past few days since finding you. I have laughed, I have cried, I have cheered, I have felt more valid than I ever have before. I'm so encouraged by the fact that you exist.
It’s still a set. It’s just a set of fewer glasses.
I canceled my trip to Japan with husband to visit his family, after a month in the hospital I had to be honest with myself, I wasn’t ready- it was one of the hardest things I’ve done. I also agree about the medications... oh I haven’t needed this in awhile I’ll be fine- bam! The plane hits turbulence and I’m screwed, I can barely breath the pain is so severe but oh guess what I left the my fast acting mess at home.
I’ve got a medical ID that looks like a gold and silver bracelet with hearts! It’s super cute and lists the most basic information about my medical conditions. ( really my name and what they are) it’s kinda a tiny bracelet...
Good idea I need to do that!!
My experience as a person whose disabilities do not affect my movements but who does often travel with ppl who do is: always leave extra time for everything, carry a stick (ppl are idiots but they do understand person with walking stick = do not obstruct), take drinks and snacks (if flying ensure that your water bottle is empty so you can fill it up past security,) if are taking a flight you should contact people airport/carrier in advance and book any access aids you can, print off responses and pack them with your ticket, I find it is less likely they will fuck around if you badger them in advance (if you yourself cannot do this everyone has someone in their life who loves this stuff like phoning etc) - go to any reception desk when you walk in the front door and say that you need this help you contacted them for facilitates and how does this work (see small panic when they realise nothing has been done and watch them phone ppl and be annoyed/embarrassed), ensure you are in what ever designated area/que at all times by politely badgering staff .
also if in a country where you do not speak the language carry a notebook/cards with words/symbols/pictures of things that you will need to communicate like the disability symbol etc.
"leave extra time for everything" is great advice for anyone with a disability! x
I am currently binge-watching videos like this because I am going to France with my partner in a couple of days. We both have disabilities and we have never travelled that far on our own - without our families. (we live in Austria) We have been preparing as well as we could and I hope it'll all go well. I find airports really overwhelming but since I am with them, I know it'll be easier.
If you don't like/need medical bracelets, a card in your wallet with your medical info can be useful. I have rheumatoid arthritis, which is unlikely to be the cause of an emergency medical issue, so I don't need a bracelet. But I want doctors to be able to find which meds I'm on to prevent interactions (and also so that they give me my meds in case I'm unable to take them). As well as an emergency contact.
Woah "ragdoll" is what I have every couple of days for ~an hour. Every doctor I've spoken to has been bamboozled by it because they haven't seen it as a long COVID symptom, but you describing it as an extra strong bout of fatigue is such a lightbulb for me.
Since discovering your channel yesterday and probably watching 12 hours of your videos so far, I've learned SO MUCH about chronic illnesses and mobility (and your lovely wife and baby and doggies!). It's been so illuminating and I'm really thankful for all the content you make ❤️
Those are some great tips. I especially like the liability one. I always feel like I am just a hassle when I go on vacation with someone because I need extra help. But you are right, I am awesome and they are lucky I even want to spend time with them!! ;-)
That's the right attitude! x
I think one of my top tips is making sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical expenses and to check with the insurance company that your pre-existing conditions are covered. Oh and look into getting a European Health Insurance card if you are travelling within Europe. Another thing I find helpful is to get your medical conditions / meds etc all written down in English and the language used in the country you are visiting for paramedics or doctors if necessary. If possible it’s good to make sure you have enough money to get home if you are too unwell to stay for the duration of your holiday too. X x
+Sophie Savage That is excellent advice, thanks Sophie!
Get all your allergies and things you can't eat written down by someone in the foreign language of your destination before you leave.
Narnendil Great idea! I make these lists even when traveling domestically. For instance, when we visit Walt Disney World, we have a list of food allergies and it is so much easier to hand the list to the chef.
@@amielawson8344 i had a bad exprice traveling with food allergies so now i always have a card that show when I eat out and i only travel places were they speak English
@@carolineroellinghoff377 We are so very cautious. It has added some stress and difficulty with traveling because you just never know, that is why we love WDW, they always take our allergies seriously the chefs at the sit down restaurants are AMAZING! They custom make us meals if nothing is safe and we have truly enjoyed every one of them.
Some problems everyday on my commutes everyday. I'm not able to walk very long distances so I walk with a cane and need it after standing too long, so it gives some looks from people if I want to leave te train and I stood for the whole trip because nobody was in the mood to stand up. So I whip out my foldable cane and leave the train, that leaves people embarrassed all the time
Whenever I first traveled by myself with a group of students there was a lot of walking and I was worried about that because I have a hard time walking and keeping up with people cuz I have cp. When we were there I didn't feel rushed and didn't lag too far behind and when I had to go slower up the Eiffel tower the people behind me insisted that it's ok to take my time I said they could have gone around me because I didn't want to hold them up but they didnt. That was very nice. They never left me far behind like my family does when we travel
I may never be "disabled", but have health issues that make travel frustrating. Thank you for the tips, they'll definitely help next time! ❤️
Really great tips there Jessica! I'll bear these in mind when I am going away next week. Traveling anywhere with M.E. Is never easy! I admire your tenacity! Great video! X
Thank you! Doing most anything with M.E. is a pain but there are so many amazing things I want to see and do I try to manage myself as best I can. Good luck on your travels! x
I think it is also really important to have numbers of people that can help you if something goes wrong at the airport. I know in America all airlines are supposed to have a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO) available at all times when the airlines are in service. If that doesn't resolve the issue then the Department of Transportation’s consumer protection hotline can be called.
I really don't get it. Why do people give bad comments? I adore her, my choice, and she explains a lot for people that are in this situation.
As somebody with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, I'm always looking for ways to make my life easier. I'm planning a trip shortly and just discovered a service called Welcome Pickups where you can arrange for a local person to meet you at the airport and take you to your destination. They will even pick up anything you need like a sim card for your phone and bring it with them when they get you. They will be fluent in your language as well as the local language. I haven't used them yet but I'm going to try them out and I'll try to remember to report back.
I have to admit I wish I had the support you do... But I'm so happy you do! Ty for the liability part. I actually tried to get life insurance for myself to help my family when I do pass. I can't get it anywhere they did tell me I am a liability. Like wow didn't know my life has a price tag. Apparently it does for some of us.
Fun is mandatory. It will now commence, and will end in one hour. BEGIN! 😝
This is all soooo good! I wish I would've followed this advice when I was in college!
When in doubt take or rent mobility aids. It is better to be safe than sorry. Mobility aids especially wheelchairs, scooters and/or power chairs can make a big difference in what you can do. There also are specialized chairs like beach wheel chairs. Even if you don't pre-rent equipment have the information on where you can rent and what is available if you decide you need it. A rollator walker can provide a great place to sit down when you are tired. Check your destinations to see how wheelchair accommodating they are if you know you are going to be using one. You can also decide what type of mobility aid you take based on where you are going.
Thanks for sharing! I always keep a bright yellow paper with a large font with all my medical information when I travel in a red first aid pouch. It's the most obvious place to find medical info, and honestly, a piece of jewelry is just too tiny to have all that information readable. I also have a few blank lines for "reason why I am here today" which has been very helpful
DO NOT LET OTHER PEOPLE TALK FOR YOU! Be your own advocate. 🐓
Kimberly Wolf yes yes yes!
But also, bring a trusted advocate if you sometimes find that difficult. For instance, my mom is my best advocate when my anxiety gets so overwhelming that I cannot deal with things. I bring her with me to the doctor, I still have her speak to my college when necessary, I even have her order my food sometimes. I know how to advocate for myself and I’m very good at it, but the nature of my anxiety is such that sometimes I can’t.
Gracias gracias gracias!! Me estas dando una gran mano para lidiar con mi discapacidad ❤ love you from Argentina!
Also, extra cushions for the airplane, a seat cushion and lumbar support are critical for me. Then I can bring the seat cushion with me so that I always have something soft to go under my butt when I'm sitting on a bench or a hard restaurant chair. Currently using a backpackers self inflating cushion that is light to carry around and provides some padding.
Some Airlines are much better than others at accommodating people with disabilities. I try to do research regarding the Airline I wish to use. I also make sure I call ahead of time and confirm special arrangements including wheelchair assistance. When in doubt get wheelchair assistance! In America if you are traveling alone you can actually have someone YOU KNOW take you to your gate and be at your gate when you land. That is incredibly useful instead of relying just on airport staff. Think twice before releasing the wheelchair assistance person at the gate. Flight attendants often can't/or won't help you in the hallway to the plane, with your carry on luggage or help you get settled in your seat.
I love that you use the word rag doll I’m gonna start doing that now!!!
THIS LOOK IS EVERYTHING
If you are traveling with a group I think it is important to have alternative things to do if you aren't going to be able to participate in an activity. If everyone wants to go on a hike then I might just stay back at the hotel and sit on the beach or even take a nap to regain/conserve energy for later activities. Maybe there is this nice little coffee shop that you can sit at and relax. Try plan ahead for things you will really enjoy doing on a vacation and can do alone or with one other person. "You all go ahead. I really want to check out this local art gallery." :)
I couldn't put my bags in the overhead luggage area and the flightattendant refused to help cause I didn't look like I would need help :p
Laura van Koppen yep. I got the “I can’t see it therefore it does e exist” attitude more than once.
Laura van Koppen that's awful! Just be blunt and say I have a disability, can you help me please, as I can't do this by myself. You can contact the airline in advance and ask for assistance. The cabin crew will have a list of passengers with disabilities, so they know who you are. Plus, you can board the plane early if you need assistance. That way you don't have people pushing past when you're trying to organise yourself. It'll give you more time and space. I used to be cabin crew for a large airline, and dealt with all these things. Now I'm the one requiring the help!
I had them tell me they couldn’t place my bags overhead because it could be a liability for them, then watched them cheerfully offering to help an elderly lady (who did not need or want help). They told me to have my traveling companion do it. That was my then-9 year old daughter, very tiny for her age, so that really wasn’t going to work either. Thank goodness for good samaritans.
To be completely honest, I have such terrible anxiety sometimes it *has* been worth it to make myself sick to avoid embarrassment. But I've learned to pick my battles, too.
I have MG it's also called The Rag Doll Auto Immune Disorder, I know exactly what that is like. I hate when I can't lift my head or open my eyes!
I've had some really bad experiences, too. It's really frustrating and exhausting. I always make arrangements for assistance ahead of time. l I just get really embarrassed about bothering anyone in the first place, while at the same time being disappointed in the service industry for not having better common sense and courtesy! There's a plague of apathy. I dislike traveling and always end up having to change planes because I've gone from Washington State to Miami, Fla.. It's grueling and torturous. I always try to be kind and explain that I need help, but the looks they give! I'm traveling again soon and I'm dreading it!
Sometimes you just don’t go. Cause you know you’ll be a drag. Eventually people stop asking you. You want to go.
But having a panic attack and leaving early just ruins the event/trip for every else.
Add you know it’s commented on when your not there. So I just don’t.
Partly Cloudy Optimist Let the people inviting you know that because you have a disability you need a refuge or other way to accommodate your disability in case you have trouble - a spare bedroom or other space you can have to yourself, and bring the things you use at home in the situation, so meds, a book or sketch pad or maybe you go for walks. If they can’t/won’t accommodate you, then they’re losing out and you can do better. If you’re clear about what exactly you need, most people are willing to help if they can. My peoples know I may have to leave the gathering for a while or even the whole event and that I’m fine on my own so long as I have what I need, and they provide it. No one gets upset now that they understand. New people will need some educating but as Jessica says, a cheerful request gets a positive response (usually)
RUclips recommended this to me the night before my first time traveling with mobility aids
That was lucky :D
ur such a delight
Wait what? I contacted several times airlines because I need a lot of extra stuff for my disability and they always said I had to pay for the extra bag if I wanted to bring it. :O
You're amazing person
Great recommendation! You both look so cute!😁
Thanks!
I like your last tip jessica :) its really good to be positive keep going :)
Look at Lauren’s Hope for an medical ID bracelet!
Pretty good advise!
Great tips X
I've got three autoimmune diseases and things wear me out way easier than other people so I actually prefer to travel in the evening so that way I rest all day and then when I get where I'm going I can go straight to bed.
I wonder how many people have had problems with flight attendants not allowing for proper pre-boarding. In other words, not allowing people with disabilities and traveling with children pre-board before able bodied people. I had a horrible time trying to pre-board when they called elite members at the same time. If this is a consistent issue then I'm going to ask for proper pre-boarding at gates when I travel.
👍
i love your hair :-)
ugh, airplanes are so bad about accessibility!! it's the worst
I have discovered today that recovering from covid + recovering from a celiacs episode is not a good time to accidentally make yourself have to walk a mile uphill to your motel room after a full day of walking and doing things and then hitting a wall lol. Rewatching this because I need to stop pretending I don't need these tips lol.
Ribena on a cream carpet!!!! How unthinkably bad!!! Rubbish!!!! 😱😱😱😱
New sub here 👍
Sigh...asking for help seems to be the hardest thing for most humans to do.
If someone made subtitles for this video, I would greatly appreciate it :)
Sorry about that- subtitles are in the works! My subtitling friend has been really busy recently but they are coming soon :)
Miss Jessica Kellgren-Hayes There's no rush at all, feel free to take your time :) I appreciate that subtitles will come though, so thank you very much! :)
I want her and Jenny Lawson to write a novel together.