Handicapped travel

The travel bug is knawing again.

My wife and I would like to go to China or Australia.

I have Osteo-arthiritis (hips, knees, shoulders) and can walk only short distances. Stairs are difficult and stairs without handrails are nearly impossible.

I would like to take an electric scooter to get around. Does anyone here at Dave's have experionce with travel groups who can accomadate someone like myself?

Or any other suggestions except to stay home.

George, I do not know any specifics but China would be a bit of a challenge. Even though it is modern in Hong Kong and Bejing much of China would be considered a developing country. But cities might present more barriers than wide open spaces. John Hockenberry who is a reporter for 20/20 is a parapilegic and he covered the Gulf War in Northen Iraq. He wrote a book called Moving Violations. The way he did it was to hire locals to help him through some pretty challenging situations. . You could easily hire a Chinese person or even two to be assistants. I guess it is about motivation and flexibility as well as being humble If you and your wife are up for a challenge and the trip of a lifetime, go for it!

Loretta

Edited because I posted the same thing twice.

This message was edited Jan 14, 2005 9:03 AM

Oh my gosh I finally have a question at the garden that I can help with. Mostly I just learn and ask questions here. I have been a travel agent since 1976 way too long. I now just do groups and conventions so I am a little out of practice with tours but here is the web site for 2 companies that should be able to help you they are a little pricey but very good very reputable and very accommodating.

http://www.abercrombiekent.com/

http://www.maupintour.com/

I can check with some of my friends still in the leisure side of travel to see if they can think of any more and let you know. It sounds like a wonderful trip to me (want to bring along your own personal travel guide???)

Sandy

Hey George, I don't know about travel groups but pay my way and I'll go along and help! Hee hee hee.. Purely self--less reasons of course.. :) Good luck! I hope you are able to do that, traveling is just the best!!

Nicole

George, in 1996 I went to New Zealand and Australia in a group of 24 persons. Several of us were cane users, and we managed to keep up, but it was strenuous. The tour was arranged to allow for "rest" time but even the best of tours seem leave the travelers feeling as though they're being herded. Still, it was a wonderful experience and I'm glad I went. In both countries we were treated like friends by everyone we encountered, and the scenery was breathtaking. I'd recommend that you try for the smallest group possible to have more flexibility - but that feature might be more expensive (?). Also,the larger groups travel around by bus, which can mean tedious effort in getting on and off. A group of eight or ten persons plus guides traveling in vans might be easier, although there is something to be gained from the camaraderie of the whole group together. You are wise to seek out such a trip - enjoy!

Well this is not a trip of a lifetime, just the first where I am very limited.

We have been to Hong Kong just before the new airport opened our plane was well below the tops of the builldings when it banked to the right and made a sharp turn. It was not quite straightened out when it touched down. We could not see much but that must have caused the pilots hearts to speed up..

Then the next year we visited Tokyo and Kyoto. The eleven story shopping mall was an awesome sigtht.

In 2002 we went to Oahu, Hawaii. I could manage only two blocks at most. Then In August a client took me salmon fishing in Thorne Bay, Alaska. I was using a cane then but managed to get in and out of a skiff with the cane and an oar.

In 2003 Singapore. What a beautiful place and such happy people.

Last year Portugal, Spain, Morroco. This was the first trip in a long time that was fully escorted. That trip was awful for me. Stairs everywhere and no handrails. The fancy marble stairs end a couple feet shy of the wall so you cannot even lean. When my finger got slammed in a taxi cab door it was only a minor annoyance.

So this year I intend to take an electric cart.

Can anyone tell me about Australia? I would like to see the middle east but am sure that that is not a place to go these days. Scandanavia would be interesting also.

We live fugally and then once a year go on a trip for a week or ten days.

George, Like Old_Rose, I've been a travel agent for more years that I care to count, most of which was specializing in leisure travel. (As opposed to booking trips for businessmen.) Here would be some of my recommendations...

Agencies/Operators

Flying Wheels Travel (tel. 800/535-6790; www.flyingwheelstravel.com) offers escorted tours and cruises that emphasize sports and private tours in minivans with lifts.

Access Adventures (tel. 716/889-9096), a Rochester, New York-based agency, offers customized itineraries for a variety of travelers with disabilities.

Accessible Journeys (tel. 800/TINGLES or 610/521-0339; www.disabilitytravel.com) caters specifically to slow walkers and wheelchair travelers and their families and friends.

Organizations

The Moss Rehab Hospital (tel. 215/456-9603; www.mossresourcenet.org) provides friendly, helpful phone assistance through its Travel Information Service.

The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (tel. 212/447-7284; fax 212/725-8253; www.sath.org) offers a wealth of travel resources for all types of disabilities and informed recommendations on destinations, access guides, travel agents, tour operators, vehicle rentals, and companion services. Annual membership costs $45 for adults; $30 for seniors and students.

The American Foundation for the Blind (tel. 800/232-5463; www.afb.org) provides information on traveling with Seeing Eye dogs.

Publications

Mobility International USA (tel. 541/343-1284; www.miusa.org) publishes A World of Options, a 658-page book of resources, covering everything from biking trips to scuba outfitters, and a biannual newsletter, Over the Rainbow. Annual membership is $35.

Twin Peaks Press (tel. 360/694-2462) publishes travel-related books for travelers with special needs.

Open World for Disability and Mature Travel magazine, published by the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality , is full of good resources and information. A year's subscription is $13 ($21 outside the U.S.).

TERRE-, this is such a treasure!!! I thought my tripping days were over, but maybe there is hope yet!!! THANK YOU!
Pati

Dave's Gardeners always have a solution....how wonderful George, I hope ya'll have a great trip! Jo

There is another, that used to be a favorite of mine. www.eldertreks.com.

They are set up for people over 50ish, but they don't do the "If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium" kind of trips. They offer unique, off the beaten path type of travel experiences, where you can really get to meet the people and experience the culture. Some of their trips are more "active" than others, but you can chose what level you are comfortable with.

Well we are going to Taiwan in mid-April for 6 days. We are staying at the Grand hotel which has a very nice view. Will post some pictures when we get back.

George, have fun, and post pics when youg et back.