Being a Resilient Traveller

The Resilient Traveller by Cathy Ruggles

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I have been a solo traveller since 1999. Having already gone to Hawaii once through winning a sales competition, I made it a mission to go back again before the end of the millennium. A friend that was supposed to go with me cancelled at the last minute. I could have rescheduled the vacation, but what if something else came and the trip got postponed a 2nd or 3rd or 4th time? That was when I decided to go alone. Granted, Hawaii is not a place one normally travels to solo, but I did and enjoyed the freedom of doing everything I wanted with no long discussions on where to go or what to do.

Although it was my first solo vacation; I wasn’t totally like a fish out of water. I went to a “Sightseeing tours and fun things to do while on vacation” presentation. That was when I learned about making an itinerary of various tours and activities to make my trip the absolute best packed with wonderful times taking me out of my comfort zone in some cases and doing something I never would have even considered had I not attended the presentation and seen the short video. A submarine that submerged several metres in the ocean. The steep, narrow stairs scared me, but once I sat down, I was thrilled. I have yearly MRIs so being in an enclosed area didn’t bother me.

After that solo vacation, I became a seasoned veteran going to Jamaica yearly. I always prepared a checklist. Every vacation I do something different and see different parts of the island. Also, since ’99, my health has changed significantly, and I’ve had to amend my travel itinerary to suit my mobility issues. I walk with a cane now and am unable to do a lot of walking. As well, I now research tours, hotels and excursions for travellers with limitations without feeling like I’m missing out.

It's important to always research beforehand what resorts, hotels, destinations are accessible for all to avoid being disappointed and possibly having to go to another hotel more accessible and accommodating. I make a 30 day countdown once I’ve booked my flight and hotel – sometimes booked separately depending on any discounts offered. I pack, repack, and repack again ensuring I have only what is needed and not more of what is not. Something many travellers don’t research when going to different destinations is laws and cultures. What is acceptable at home, is not always acceptable in some destinations.

I haven’t had any issues with airports regarding needing a complimentary wheelchair and porter to take me around the airport through customs and straight on to the plane. Though I can walk from the door of the plane to my seat, smaller wheelchairs are available to escort passengers to the seat.

Another extremely important note which sometimes might get overlooked is to always keep jewelry, laptops, tablets, and cell phones in your carry on. Passports and cell phones with boarding pass must be readily available to scan at a kiosk. It saves time and aggravation of looking for it when checking in. As well, all medication needs to be kept in its on bottle and placed in the carry-on luggage or handbag as well.

Travelling with a disability requires even more resiliency. As mentioned earlier about researching what hotels and resorts are accessible for all, sightseeing can sometimes be a challenge. Making sure the tour is accessible for people that might have some limitations on what they can go on. Asking if wheelchairs and assistance are offered also prevents being disappointed last minute.

Something else that I now require while travelling and even while I’m home are afternoon naps; due to not getting enough sleep at night.

If medication is used, sometimes a doctor’s note is required, depending on the type of medication. Airports have been stricter in recent years with medication acceptance / allowance on planes.

Although it’s not always easy to do, personally I find having an upbeat personality reflects how I am treated in turn by other people - whether travelling or going to the grocery store. When I think about how active I used to be compared to having mobility issues and limitations, it does dampen my spirit at times. Not being able to go on certain tours or attend events affects my mental health but I don’t dwell on it for very long. That’s a rabbit hole no one wants to go down as it can keep you from enjoying the things you can still do.

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