{"id":1927,"date":"2018-09-14T13:51:18","date_gmt":"2018-09-14T17:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/?p=1927"},"modified":"2018-09-14T13:51:18","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T17:51:18","slug":"faq-solo-female-wheelchair-traveler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/2018\/09\/14\/faq-solo-female-wheelchair-traveler\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most FAQs I Get as a Solo Female Wheelchair Traveler"},"content":{"rendered":"

I get it. I’m not what you’d expect. Yes, you can’t swing a dead cat these days without hitting a travel blogger, and more and more women are traveling alone all over the world. Even wheelchair users are taking to the skies and seas more frequently as access sloooowwwwly improves. However, it’s not every day that you bump into a woman writing about traveling on her own…who can’t walk at all. At least, that’s what I’m told! I’ve been traveling solo as an accessible travel blogger for almost three years, and people are always asking me questions about my experiences. So, I thought I’d share with you the ten most frequently asked questions I get as a girl traveling alone on her electric scooter…<\/p>\n

\"parliament<\/a>1. Why do you travel by yourself? \u00a0<\/strong>I absolutely love the freedom of being able to see exactly what I want and when I want. I take a LOT of photos and videos for this blog, and sometimes that takes a while to set up. It requires a lot of wandering and exploring down streets without any real destination. Not every travel companion is down for that sort of day. All that being said, I often hire accessible tour companies and guides when I travel, so I’m often not truly alone. I also go on one trip a year with my best friend of 19 years, and I’m incredibly lucky that we can spend so much time together at once and still miss each other after the trip is over. But I do love the confidence that solo travel provides and the independence it gives me.<\/p>\n

2. Do you travel for work or for fun? \u00a0<\/strong>Yes and yes. I choose my destinations based on their accessibility, and I’ve been to places as a result of that process that I never would have visited if it was purely for personal travel. I enjoy every day of my travels as if I were on vacation, but I’m also absorbing every experience through the lens of accessibility (or lack thereof) so I can write about it for my blog readers. I’m also making connections with tour companies and guides that I have since used to provide my travel agency<\/a> clients with outstanding service. I’m only now starting to go on sponsored (paid for) tours and trips, which involves a bit more work and writing. However, I still enjoy the visit and have a ton of fun!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>3. How do you pay for your travel? \u00a0<\/strong>I have several sources of income, and I pay for 99.9% of my travel experiences out of pocket. I’m a 100% service-disabled Air Force veteran, which means I receive a pension from the US Veterans Administration. This pays for my living and medical expenses. However, I’ve had a consulting business<\/a> for nine years that has been my main career – and continues to be. I’m a subject matter expert on Mexico’s drug war and border security, and I’ve actually written two books on these issues<\/a>. I still write articles every month for American Military University’s InHomeland Security site<\/a>. I also write freelance about accessible travel for outlets like Lonely Planet, the Matador Travel Network, and\u00a0New Mobility<\/em> magazine. Finally, I started a travel agency – Spin the Globe\/Travel<\/a> – just over a year ago, and business is growing off the charts.<\/p>\n

4. Why\/how do you travel with a scooter if you can’t walk? \u00a0<\/strong>While the power chair I use at home is infinitely more comfortable, I travel with a scooter for several reasons. Most importantly, it comes apart into four pieces and fits in a regular trunk. I can transfer into a sedan taxi in case there aren’t any wheelchair taxis available at my destination. The front wheel size makes it easier to cross gaps and go over obstacles, with the front tiller providing support. A scooter also has no protruding pieces or wires, and mine only weighs 92 pounds, making it easy to fly with and less susceptible to airline damage.<\/p>\n

5. Aren’t you scared to travel alone? \u00a0<\/strong>Every single time I leave the house. I’m a control freak and I try to schedule or arrange as much as I can before I leave home. However, you never truly know what to expect until you arrive. I’m also afraid of flying despite the fact I fly dozens of times every year. That being said, the thrill of the destination trumps any fears I might have, and I also derive a huge amount of satisfaction and self-confidence from overcoming my travel fears.<\/p>\n

6. How do you manage transfers\/self-care by yourself? \u00a0<\/strong>Every person’s level of disability is unique. I can’t walk because multiple sclerosis affects very specific muscles in my legs that prevents my from lifting my legs and feet. However, I can still stand up with support. This allows me to self-transfer from my scooter or power chair to a bed or toilet or shower seat\/bench. Putting on pants and shoes remains one of my biggest self-care challenges, and most frustrating! But I manage. I also have a very tried-and-true system for carrying my belongings with me. Check out the video below for some tips on traveling solo!<\/p>\n