Accustomed to being able bodied, it was a shock to discover that I’d tweaked my back seriously enough to demand days of rest during the busiest time of year. I’ve checked in with my chiropractor and acupuncturist, but the best thing seems to be rest – along with alternating ice packs for 20 minutes with an hour of warming up. It’s humbling. While I’ll be home for Christmas perhaps you or someone you know can use some of the holiday traveling tips for disabled travelers in the links below.
With time to think, instead of running around, I’ve been thinking about the last Christmas with my father who was limited to traveling with a motorized chair. We had a wonderful dinner with the family. I’ll never forget his shining face as he sat at the head of our full table, pontificating as he loved to do.
Accessibility Guide: When a disability is an ever-present reality, it’s easier to just pass on the holiday fun. With a little planning it’s easier. Here’s a great site with a guide to accessible activities in San Diego.
Top Ten Tips: Justin Skeesuck of The Disabled Traveler was on KUSI in San Diego to discuss the top ten tips you need to know when traveling with disabilities this holiday season. You can hear his story and interview from the Gathering Road Podcast here.
His website, The-Disabled-Traveler.com, is a wonderful resource and connection to a great guy. He was interviewed by yours truly recently and you can hear his story, along with plans for his family trip to Hawaii.
Keep his traveling tips in mind this season. I hope you won’t need them but as I’ve discovered – you just never know.
Be well wherever you may roam.
Elaine J. Masters
Travel writer, co-host of San Diego Travel Massive.
Travel ease books and audio for flyers and drivers at: www.DrivetimeYoga.com