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Planes...
Talk
to them! Ensure
that everybody - from the agent you buy your ticket from to
the airport staff - knows exactly what your needs are, both
in the airports and during the flights. Don't feel you're
being fussy, having your trousers torn off during a bad transfer
will ensure that you're fussier the next time. Airports and
ground staff are generally extremely efficient when given
good instruction.
Seating.
During check-in, ask for the seats most suitable for you -
bulkhead (more legroom), moveable armrests, close to toilet
etc.
Tools.
Wheelchair users, pack your tools in your main baggage, or
they'll be confiscated at security checkpoints.
Medication.
It's quite possible you're main baggage will go astraw en
route, ending up in Honolulu while you're bumping along a
dirt track in Tanzania (hmmmmm... where would you rather be?).
To avoid major problems, pack essential medication and a few
items such as catheters and urine bags in your hand luggage.
[thanks Sarah for reminding me of this point!]
Stay
put! Stay in your own chair until the door
of the aeroplane. You never know when Air France are going to
decide to strike, and ten hours sitting in the departure lounge
in a standard airport chair is nobody's ideal day out.
Swop
cushions. Ask the smiling stewardess/steward
nicely if you can exchange the aeroplane cushion with your own.
They are only ever fixed with Velcro and not only is yours more
comfortable but better for your skin. The staff may suggest
you just sit your cushion on top of the original, but tell them
(nicely again) that you'll be uncomfortably high and run the
risk of having small children throw paper aeroplanes at the
back of your head. I always try to be pleasant to aircrew during
this discussion, while letting them see I won't move from the
aisle until I get my way.
Toilet
tricks on board. Everyone has their own needs but
what I do is work the toilet routine around the flights. I
have a suprapubic catheter, and for long flights I connect
an overnight bag and my assistant/travel partner takes this
surreptitiously to the toilet for emptying (in the darkness
during the film is good!).
trains
Most countries' railways have
individual rules and regulations governing assistance for
disabled travellers. See the World
Guide for specific advice.
...and
automobiles
You'll be hiring local taxis
and possibly using minibuses or buses depending on your ability.
The biggest danger (apart from the obvious things like unroadworthy
vehicles and inexperienced drivers) is seating. As with flying,
you must try to use your own cushion if you use a pressure
relieving cushion. Always ensure you've plenty of water and
food for your planned journey, and a backup plan for if you
don't get as far as you wanted.
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