| We had only been back a few days from our trip to 8. | | | | wheelchair for use at the airport. Ask for a staff |
| Europe when Louise said she thought we might go to | | | | member to help you through to the plane. This has the |
| New Zealand next Christmas. It was then I knew the | | | | added advantage of giving you quick checking through |
| travel bug had bitten. All we needed was a golden | | | | customs. You'll be put in an "aisle chair", which is a |
| egg-laying goose and we'd be right. Fortunately for us | | | | wheelchair narrow enough to get you down to your |
| one came along and I know it's like finding a needle in a | | | | seat on the plane and you'll get taken to your seat first. |
| haystack for people with disabilities to be tripping over | | | | Unfortunately this also means that you'll be last to get |
| such a windfall, however we were lucky. But enough | | | | off, but don't worry; with the VIP service through |
| of multiple metaphors; New Zealand was great! Before | | | | customs you'll be first at the luggage carousel! And |
| we went, we asked people who had been where we | | | | ask for staff help all the way through as it will make |
| should go. Nearly all replied, "Everywhere's good". Not | | | | things much easier and quicker. |
| much help, we thought. Now we know they were right! | | | | 5. When traveling if you are disabled, it's very important |
| There are many reasons why an Australian disabled | | | | to book ahead. Unfortunately your days of just |
| tourist should go to New Zealand. For a start, they | | | | dropping into a town and grabbing somewhere to stay |
| speak English (well sort of. I had almost perfected my | | | | on the spur of the moment are over. We started |
| Kiwi accent, but the rest of the family forbade me | | | | booking accommodation almost a year prior and the |
| 'prectising' in the car). This makes communication and | | | | internet is a wonderful (and cheap) tool for this. Don't |
| understanding of our needs so much easier. | | | | rely on those 'wheelchair friendly' symbols because |
| New Zealand is so close to Australia, only 3 hours on | | | | sometimes they've been put there for no apparent |
| the plane, and so much cheaper than Europe. Even in | | | | reason. |
| their High Season car hire, accommodation and tourist | | | | Contact the owners directly by e-mail and check on |
| attractions were much cheaper than Europe in the | | | | steps, space inside rooms, doorway width, safety rails, |
| middle of Winter. Although food and petrol were | | | | bathroom configuration and accessibility generally. (In |
| dearer than Australia, they were still quite a bit cheaper | | | | fact, I could write a book on motel rooms-I have quite |
| than Europe too. | | | | a list of practical suggestions for improving them for |
| Like Tasmania here there's lots to see and do in a | | | | disabled travellers!) In general, I found it's better to |
| small area. Unlike the rest of Australia, you don't have | | | | exaggerate rather than downplay your level of |
| to drive for hundreds of kilometers between big 'tourist | | | | disability. That way you're less likely to end up |
| spots' (in New Zealand everywhere's a tourist spot!) | | | | somewhere unsuitable. |
| And it really is true that most New Zealanders are | | | | 6. You'll want travel insurance; if only to cover any |
| tremendously friendly and helpful. | | | | medical emergencies. We had to pay a little more to |
| Things for me seemed a bit harder than Europe in | | | | cover my "pre-existing condition", but it wasn't at all |
| some ways; but that was because with chronic | | | | hard to get. Most insurance companies will be happy to |
| progressive MS things get worse and it was a year | | | | cover for everything apart from your illness! |
| later. Louise was right though; it's a good idea to try | | | | 7. I bought a lightweight partially collapsible electric |
| these things while you still can. | | | | wheelchair especially for the trip. Luckily I bought it |
| Before You Go It's important for anyone to get | | | | early enough ahead to iron out a few teething |
| organized for a trip overseas, but when you've got a | | | | problems and to get used to using it (at the expense |
| disability it's essential! | | | | of our house, which has been gradually destroyed by |
| Here's some tips: | | | | my earlier miscalculations). |
| 1. Make sure you take plenty of any medication you | | | | 8. Louise began cursing the wheelchair early in our trip |
| may need. Never try to buy it overseas. It will be | | | | as its rather small battery began running out of charge |
| enormously expensive, or may not be available. Get a | | | | and I had to keep finding power points and wait for a |
| covering letter from your doctor and make sure the | | | | re-charge. In future we've decided to just take the |
| airline is aware. Needles are OK in the hold, but if you | | | | manual wheelchair overseas. It's a lot less bulky and if |
| need to take them as cabin luggage, you'll need to | | | | you've got someone to push, they'll appreciate the |
| make special arrangements. | | | | exercise! |
| 2. If you suffer from incontinence, for men I'd strongly | | | | 9. Don't forget your disabled parking pass, if you've got |
| recommend wearing a leg bag as it takes away a lot | | | | one. We tried to organise an NZ pass before we left, |
| of the pressure of trying to find a toilet in time. | | | | through CCS, but it didn't eventuate. So we just used |
| 3. You also need to choose a good airline and inform | | | | our Australian sticker and had no problems at all. In |
| them of your special needs. We've tried some | | | | fact in New Zealand you're very unlikely to encounter |
| cut-price airlines and a few wobbly luggage hoists and | | | | parking problems even in the peak tourist season. |
| tarmac steps later I can tell you it ain't worth it! Contact | | | | 10. And don't be afraid to say you could do with help. |
| the airline well ahead to arrange seating. We found the | | | | It's taken me a while to work this out, but most places |
| best place was up the very back, right near the toilets. | | | | are set up to cater for disabled people and are only |
| 4. Almost all airlines will take your wheelchair for free | | | | too happy to help if given notice. You might be |
| (that includes electric ones). You'll need to arrive at | | | | pleasantly surprised and even find yourself at the front |
| check-in a bit earlier to book it in and to get a | | | | of the queue for once! |