Tips For Travelling With A Disability And/Or Chronic Illness

As someone who has been travelling solo for almost 20 years, as well as travelling with both chronic illnesses and disabilities for another 6 years, I have a lot of experience travelling both with and without needing assistance, so I have made a list of some tips for travelling with a disability and/or chronic illness.

• Plan and prepare
  One thing that we have to do a lot as disabled people, is plan in advance as there is often so much to arrange such as assistance. Make sure you plan in advance!
  
• Medications
  Make sure you get enough medications for your trip and keep a copy of your prescription so you can prove you are prescribed the items. Some medications are regulated differently in different countries, so make sure you check first to make sure your medication is legal and that you are carrying anything you may need (such as a copy of your prescription) and keep your medication in it’s original packaging.
  
• Pace Yourself
  I know you are on vacation, but make sure you don’t push yourself too much trying to see everything. Take breaks and pace yourself. Make sure to add breaks to your itinerary.
  
• Travel Partners
  If you are travelling with someone, check to make sure they are happy to go at your pace BEFORE you book the trip. Some people want to do everything and don’t care if you can’t, so make sure you agree what you will both do together and apart if needed.
  You don’t want to end up with someone who doesn’t want to spend time with you because they are faster than you due to disability. Talk about it first.
  
• Include The Hotel
  If you end up spending a lot of time in the hotel, make sure to include the hotel in your trip. Do you want a restaurant so you can get room service? Do you need specific hotel amenities? Would you be better in a nicer hotel seeing as you might be in it more often? Would you want a bar in your hotel for a drink at night? Things like that.
  
• Accessibility
  You should check to make sure that the places you are planning to visit are accessible for you. If you are in a wheelchair, you will need to make sure that the building is wheelchair friendly as not everywhere is.
  Sadly, so many places are still very inaccessible to many. Don’t assume you will be ok, check first.
  
• Assistance
  Many places such as airports and train stations, will help you if you are disabled. They often have wheelchairs they can push you in, but you usually need to arrange this in advance.
  If you need assistance, make sure you book it in advance so that you can get help. I have sadly booked assistance last minute before, and they couldn’t help me which was a nightmare, so make sure you book in advance to make sure they can help you.
  
• Adaptive Equipment
  There are some aids you can use to assist you on your trip such as wheelchairs, powerchairs, rollators etc. These can make it much easier to get around and make your trip more enjoyable. Have a look into them and see if something would work for you.
  I personally am a ambulatory wheelchair user which means that a person has some means to move without a wheelchair. I can move without one, but I can’t walk far or stand long so a wheelchair adds a lot of accessibility for me.
  
• Language Translator App
  If you don’t speak the language, make sure you get a translator app so that you can get help or assistance if needed. You could also learn some simple phrases in advance.
  For more travel app advice, check out this blog post.
  
• Travel Insurance With Pre-Existing Medical Cover
  Make sure you get travel insurance and make sure to declare any pre-existing medical conditions, otherwise you might end up stuck with a hefty medical bill if something happens and you haven’t declared any medical conditions. Don’t risk it!
  You can often choose to declare, but NOT cover the conditions. It varies depending on provider.
  Check out more tips on this on my blog post specifically about travel insurance.
  
• Passenger Assistance App
  Passenger Assistance is an app for assistance in UK train stations. You don’t need to call anyone, just set your train times in the app and state what help you need, and someone will help you on the day of your train journey.
  This was an app that was only made in the last year or so, as previously we had to call up the rail company to ask for assistance which was not only very inaccessible for many of us, but it was also very slow and old fashioned. Now you can arrange assistance in seconds using the Passenger Assistance app.
  
• Setup medical ID on your phone
  Before you leave for your trip, set up medical ID on your phone if you have it (such as on iPhones), and update it will your emergency contact, medical conditions and medication. This is very important in case of emergency.
  
• Give friends and family travel information
  Tell your relatives and friends where you will be and details of any flights, just in case of any issues. You hear about people going missing all the time, and I am sure it won’t happen, but it is best to give details of your travel information close, just to be safe.
  
• Have Fun!
  Most importantly, have fun! Doesn’t matter how much you do or how much you see, it is down to enjoying yourself without struggling or pushing yourself. Take it easy and enjoy all of it, not just the attractions!