What are some of the biggest obstacles you come across as a Disabled person when travelling?
“Travelling with a disability is expensive. I can’t sit upright on a plane seat for too long; I always have to travel business so I can lie down to take the weight out of the back of my neck. Most airlines insist that if you’re in business class, one of your care team is also there with you, so that doubles the price. When you arrive at a destination, you’ve got to think of other types of transportation, for example, vehicles that cater to wheelchair users. The costs mount. I’ve learnt not to rely on anyone else to be able to provide, so when I travel, I always overpack and make sure I’ve got everything – when I go to Thailand in January, I’ll be taking five suitcases.
“It’s also annoying seeing hotels making changes just to tick boxes. There’s a hotel in Phuket that is one of the best hotels in the world, and they do not let you book in for dinner unless you are a guest, but they don’t have any accessible villas available in the hotel, so disabled travellers just can’t go there. It makes me feel like they don’t want to see me there. It’s discriminatory. I want to eat in a restaurant and not have to get lifted by five staff because they don’t have a ramp – plus there’s the risk of being dropped and put in hospital.”
Grand-Hotel du Cap-FerratChristian Horan
What advice do you have for other Disabled people looking to travel more in 2024?
“Ring ahead to the hotel to tell them what your needs are. Double and triple-check the transport logistics from getting off the plane. Do not let an airline break your wheelchair; if they do, hold them accountable. Make sure you travel with all of your wheelchair information because they have to check the batteries are safe to fly, so when you check in for the flight, make sure you have that information ready and available.
“Expect something to go wrong, but try to be present – you have to work so hard just to get to your destination, and even after you arrive, you can get lost in the stress of it all, especially if you have a negative experience flying. It can leave a lasting effect on you, but learn to draw a line underneath it. We only get this one life – it’s a gift, and most people with a disability like mine know that that gift can be taken away. So, try to be present, and once you’ve reached your destination, try to relax and take it in.”
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived is available on Sky and streaming service NOW