I am like you: very blessed to have been able to do a fair amount of traveling. What I have learned is that the US is very accommodating when compared to our much older neighbors across the pond. My wife and I spent 2 hours in Paris looking for an accessible bathroom! Because it is so non-accessible, they don't see people with disabilities so they don't think about it. Consistently I would be sent to a staircase and told to just go up or down the stairs and I would find an accessible bathroom. How was I supposed to get up or down the stairs? They don't see people with disabilities because it is not accessible and so the thought does not occur to them.
I have learned to ask a lot of questions before traveling. I have learned that there is a difference between an accessible room and a modified room. (At least in Paris, we need a modified room.) People are very nice everywhere and it is easy to find people who are willing to help. They just may not know what to do because they do not see it.
My suggestion: ask a lot of questions before traveling.
Michael
When my wife was alive yes, it was hard to travel, but we did and she loved everyminute of it. The airport part was probably the hardest part other than our trailer, which I had modified to a certain extent. Disney takes very good care of people with disabilities and we found that a lot of campgrounds, as long as you stayed at the major ones, were also accessable. I still love traveling but with my own problems now I find that it is getting harder, and again, especially the airport part. The airports are so big and trying to get around in them can be quite a job.
Hello Snoboy,
Thank you for sharing a part of yourself with all of us. I bet Disney is very accessible, and am glad you pointed that out for others to take advantage of for their own traveling needs.
The airports can be quite difficult and inaccessible, as you said. I just arrived home via Newark Airport and today was my day of rest! So much walking - my legs and feet took a beating. You are quite right about that. I wish that US and European airports would make life easier for those of us with a disability.
I wish for you much luck and good health.
Best in health,
Cathy
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Hi Cathy,
I'm so glad to hear that you are able to go on this trip and that your husband is also in good shape to travel. I hope that you have a great time (btw, I'm enjoying your photos on FB).
I've done so much traveling in the past two years that it's hard to remember each trip. But one thing which I've come to figure out is that for each day on the trip, I need to have an equal number of days for rest afterwards. For longer trips, I need rest time during the trip as well. Even 'travel' which is done near home requires recovery time.
This recovery time is one of the non-visual MS things which I think is too often overlooked. It's something which almost seems to catch me by surprise. Somehow I think that 'this time will be different' especially if at the beginning of the trip, I feel strong.
So my recommendation would be to schedule the necessary downtime during and after travel to keep your body and mind healthy.
And accessibility varies so much from location to location and situation to situation that in general more would be better. Accessibility can always be improved.
Lisa,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. Yes, we all need down time before, during and after travel. We need to care for our bodies more and more as each year goes go, particularly with our MS.
Yes, accommodations differ from place to place. You just came from a special venture in activism - this is surely a key issue for people with MS to speak up about.
Let me add my thanks for your good wishes about my husband and I being able to travel. Unfortunately we are sitting here waiting at the airport for a (much) delayed airplane to take us home. Tomorrow morning I can rest - my husband will have to go to work. I have learned that when you travel you have to be ready for anything. Just like with our MS, right? Anyway, thanks for your kindness. And thanks for representing all of us at the National MS Society conference - it means a lot!
Best,
Cathy