Travel Without Limits #2

without limits

AUTISM CERTIFIED DESTINATIONS

Setting a standard with accreditation

TRAVELLING WITH A SUPPORT WORKER

The low down on how to make it work for everyone involved

Paralympian Ahmed Kelly

Access & inclusion in paradise

VOL 2 SEPT 2019 RRP AU$9.95

On travel & his bid for gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

+ New Zealand

Fiji for ALL

+ Road trips

+ India

Image: Makingtrax

Readers Photos

Image: Extreme Kid Productions

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01 - JEZZA became a tetraplegic when a canyoning adventure in the Swiss Alps went wrong. The lack of opportunities and infrastructure in the adaptive adventure industry inspired him to launch Makingtrax. makingtrax.co.nz

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Readers Photos

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02 - YASMINE is the founder of getaboutable.com. She has always been passionate about travel and adventure but has found it challenging to enjoy new experiences because she has become less mobile over the years due to multiple sclerosis.

03 - JAKOB had a stopover in New York on his way to Philadelphia to attend the first ever CHOPS syndrome symposium. This is where the syndrome was first discovered. Follow Master J on facebook.com/jakobengle 04 -FINLAY is a 14-year-old who lives with cerebral palsy. He loves nothing more than exploring New Zealand with his siblings Rosie and Lachie. He shares his adventures at grabyourwheels.nz

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Hello!

It’s been overwhelming and exciting to see the way the launch issue of Travel Without Limits magazine has been warmly embraced by people around the world.

We’re thrilled to help fill the information gap that’s existed for some time. Your enthusiasm has spurred us on to make this, our second issue, bigger and better.

We’ve again had the support of contributors with lived experience who have generously shared their travel tales. From taking to the high seas on a tall ship, navigating the chaos of India in a wheelchair and road tripping in an accessible motor home we’re sharing a range of ideas to help inspire you to travel. And our tips and tricks section will ensure you have assistance in planning for a day trip or a future overseas adventure.

We know a tropical getaway is on many people’s wish list. So, after a successful family trip to Fiji with our wheelchair user son I was keen to explore Fiji in detail, which we’re doing in a Fiji supplement. Fiji’s pristine waters, relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals have long drawn travellers to the country. Our aim is to help take the leg work out of the research and planning by sharing accommodation options, accessible transport services and access tips.

Travel is a sometimes activity for most people, so we hope this issue is a good balance of helpful day-today tips for accessing the community and aspirational travel ideas.

We’d love to receive your feedback on the magazine and please let us know if you have a great story lead.

You can contact me on julie@travelwithoutlimits. com.au We’ll be giving away a one year magazine subscription to our favourite reader’s letter.

Happy travels!

Julie

77 CONTENTS Access all areas

Travel

09 Disability support that works for you

27 New Zealand's Northern Nirvana A family friendly first-timers guide to the north island

14 When holidays bring fresh starts Mia's Big Adventure to Disneyland 17 Living with a life-limiting disease 20 Go to seat Postural support seat for children with special needs.

Founders Julie Jones & Janeece Keller

Contributors Abbi Brass Leila Bright Max Burt Executive Editor Allyson Dostert Julie Jones Buck Emma Green Sub-editor Samantha & Sarah Friggieri David Jones Marina Hanger Art director Mel Harrison Jon Wolfgang Miller Alli Holland

Marlena Katene Ahmed Kelly Yvonne Legoll Sylvia Longmire Brodie Palmer Kirsty Russell Seana Smith Genia Stephen Nicole Thibault Glenn Turnball Janet West

Published by Travel Without Limits Pty Ltd - ABN 90 633 273 560 431 Warringah Rd, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 Copyright © Travel Without Limits Pty Ltd 2019 ISSN 2652-0656. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Every endeavour has been made to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is correct at time of going to print. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Travel Without Limits Pty Ltd cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will be returned.

22 Travelling with a support worker Q&A with Glenn Turnball and the two support workers he travelled with

Tips & Tricks 84 Three strategies for successful autism travel 87 Places to stay & play this summer 89 Kids picks 91 Directory

34 I'm Motivated As Ever Interview with Paralympian Ahmed Kelly 36 Is India wheelie that easy?

Unexpected access at some of India's major sights 45 On the good ship Tenacious A sailing adventure with a wheelchair 56 Our home on wheels Tips for motorhome travel 60 Disney's magic replenishes 63 Autism certified destinations What they deliver for families with autism 66 Fiji for all A 16 page guide to access and inclusion in paradise

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Image: Maurizio Viani

News: In the know

BOOK REVIEW: MIKA & MAX When 13-year-old Mika is forced to attend a music festival with her family, she resigns herself to hippies, heat and embarrassment.

But nothing could prepare her for Max, who’s almost 10 and has autism. When the two of them join forces, a series of unexpected and life-changing events unfold. Mika & Max is a gripping and unusual novel for readers aged 10 plus.

Growing up the youngest of 3 children in Sydney, author Laura Bloom always knew she wanted to be a writer. Now she lives with her family in a small town in Northern NSW and is the author of many novels for children and adults, including Frankie, the first in the Dream Riders horse series, and Augustine’s Lunch, which was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Awards.

“I wanted to write a story about someone

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like my son Leo who, like Max in the story, is non-verbal and has autism spectrum disorder,” says Laura. “One day, when Leo was in primary school, someone came out to assess him and we went through a big checklist of all the things that he could – and mainly could not – do. Then the assessor met Leo and spent the afternoon with him, and afterwards she said to me ‘I would never have thought, from that checklist of his abilities, that I would meet this charming and funny and interesting person!’ Well exactly, I thought.

But to know that about Leo you need to take the time to connect with him – and he also needs to be in the mood to connect with you. You need to be ready for the opportunity – that's what Mika does in this story.”

Image: Medifab

HELP FOR HIDDEN DISABILITIES

TAKE AN EXTRA SEAT It’s fantastic to see the list of accepted supportive seating devices increasing with Virgin Australia, which now accepts the Model 27 Houdini Harness (Crelling) device as well as the Tomato Sitter. This is in addition to the other seating supports previously announced, which include the CARES harness, Carrot 3000, Carrot XL, Firefly GoTo seat and Meru Travelchair.

Keep in mind that there are some restrictions around the use of these devices, including that they may not be allowed in an exit row or in business class. If you intend to use one of these devices, you’ll need to advise Virgin Australia’s Guest Contact Centre on 136 789 when making your booking, allowing a minimum of 24 hours’ notice.

Busy airports can be stressful environments, especially if you or someone with you has a disability such as autism, dementia or anxiety – issues that aren’t immediately obvious. Thankfully, Brisbane Airport has developed a way for travellers to let airport staff know they may need support.

If you or someone you are travelling with has a hidden disability, you can request a hidden disabilities lanyard and information card. Wearing the lanyard or showing the card when you are at the airport is a way for you to indicate to staff that you may need a little extra help, guidance or time with the airport process.

Brisbane Airport staff have been trained to recognise the lanyard and to provide any help you may need at that stage of your journey.

To apply for the lanyard, fill in the Hidden Disabilities Form at bne.com.au well in advance of your trip to ensure it arrives in your mailbox before you leave.

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Kudos to Qantas WORDS: JULIE JONES

Last year, Qantas launched direct flights between Perth and London, which resulted in much hype in the travel industry. There was plenty of talk in the media about the impact on able-bodied travellers, so we thought it would be interesting to ask wheelchair users why they chose the service and the pros and cons they experienced when they travelled.

MAX AND JUSTINE, WHEELEASY Why did you choose the Perth to London flight?

It appealed because changing planes as a wheelchair user can be very time-consuming, and that can be very stressful if the second leg of an international flight is taking off soon! Obviously nonstop means no need to change planes.

What were the pros of the flight?

Apart from no stopovers, there are three key pros: 1 The new ultra long-haul planes on this route have a different aircirculation system, which means you’re less affected by jetlag.

2 Qantas is by some stretch the most disability-friendly airline flying long haul between Australia and Europe. For example, they provide Eagle lifts and some planes have bathrooms that can be temporarily converted to larger ones for wheelchair accessibility.

3 There’s time for one or two more movies.

Was there anything that made it difficult? No.

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JANET Why did you choose the Perth to London flight?

This was our first long-haul trip and we wanted to make it as easy as possible on our son, who lives with cerebral palsy. The direct flight immediately appealed to our family. We liked that there would be no waiting around during a stopover. We also considered the comfort we’d have knowing there would be appropriate bathroom facilities at Perth Airport. We flew from Sydney to Perth and broke the journey with a stay before the flight to London – we’d visited Perth before and knew of an apartment that suited our accessibility needs.

What were the pros of the flight?

We’d read that researchers had worked on the plane to ensure the circulation system reduced jetlag, which we found was true. We felt less jetlag and found that our son (the family member with a disability) stood up to the flight well. We appreciated not having to get on and off the aircraft at a stopover point, and we also felt there was less risk to our son’s wheelchair being damaged by local baggage handlers.

Was there anything that made it difficult?

The aisles seemed narrower; we found the aisle chair just fit.

Need support?

Join Hireup to access the Job Board feature. Whether you want to add to your team of workers, are seeking last-minute support or need a worker in another location (such as on a holiday), posting a job is a great way to find and hire Hireup support workers.

Disability support that works for you Life should be about doing the things you love and making time to enjoy the small things in life. With Hireup, you can get access to a network of support workers across Australia for a range of supports, including specialised and therapy support, personal and in-home care, and transport, among others.

SURFING REIMAGINED Northern Beaches local Kirk was seeking a surfing guide and some assistance when shopping. His degenerative vision impairment meant he required a guide for surfing, sailing and wakeboarding to keep his passion alive. Kirk connected

with Dan, a Hireup support worker and former surf instructor, and their timing couldn't have been better. Together they have become surfing buddies, and Dan is a part of a bigger support team.

“I now have four other guides via Hireup that I surf with,” says Kirk.

“I’m Kirk’s eyes basically,” says Dan. “We walk down to the beach, I tell him what size the waves are, the shape, the direction of the wind, where the rips and other surfers are. We paddle out together, stay close together and use a lot of verbal communication. After working as a support worker for 14 years, this is definitely a highlight!”

HIREUP HOLIDAYS One of Hireup’s first users, Nick, had always wanted to take a trip to London. Nick wasn’t keen to travel with his family, so he chose to travel with his support worker Tessa.

“She’s really nice – she and I have been friends for about 7 months,” says Nick.

They swapped dollars for pounds, summer for winter, and the Harbour Bridge for Buckingham Palace, but they wouldn’t swap each other for the world.

“It’s so much fun! We do all the Christmas things that I love and wouldn’t do with anyone else. We get to go to fantastic tours and amazing musicals!” says Tessa. “He loves going on adventures and he makes friends with everyone we meet.”

Together they’ll continue adventuring.

Next stop: Disneyland!

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Pack a Wonsie for Stress Free Outings & Travel Travelling is an exciting experience which everyone looks forward to, but it can also be a stressful time which requires careful organisation and preparation. When you’re travelling with someone who has additional needs, you need to do extra planning to cater for their requirements and any unexpected situations.

ONE FOR EVERY SITUATION Whether you’re going half way across the world or just out and about on a fun weekend, the last thing you want to worry about is if the person you’re travelling with has a unique behaviour which could be very difficult to deal with in a public and unfamiliar environment.

The Wonsie range of unisex kid- and adult-sized bodysuits are designed to make life less stressful by assisting with everyday needs. Their large onesies help to minimise unwanted behaviour, such as undressing in public, and provide easy access to nappies or other incontinence products, helping

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to prevent smearing and other anti-social behaviours.

A bodysuit is also a great option for people who are in wheelchairs as it makes sure that clothing won’t ride or bunch up, keeping the wearer comfortable and covered.

FEEDING ACCESS A popular part of the range is the Tummy Access range which was adapted with tube feeding in mind. These special bodysuits have a discreet opening at the stomach area allowing for easy access for tube feeding, keeping the body covered at all times for modesty and warmth.

ESCAPE ARTISTS If you have a magician who loves to undress (especially in public), the Back Zip Wonsie is designed to make escape tougher for any Houdini! The off-centred back zip helps to promote a comfortable sleep as it won’t rub against their backbone when lying down and the press-studded tab at the top of the neck helps to restrict access to the zipper.

COMFORT AND MODESTY All styles are suitable to wear day or night and come in different sleeve lengths for every season. The range has a lower leg length than regular bodysuits to fully cover nappies and to help minimise access for modesty.

All the suits are tag-free to prevent irritation from labels and are made from soft comfortable cotton for easy washing and durability.

ANY SIZE The best thing about the range is that there’s a size to suit everyone. Wonsie bodysuits come in hard-to-find sizes for toddlers through to large adults which make them very popular for the aged community too. Each garment is designed to look like regular clothes, just like their peers, so no one will know that they are much more than that.

Wonsie is proud to be a registered NDIS provider and offers worldwide delivery. wonsie.com.au

Sport breeds support Attending our first WCMX (wheelchair moto-x) event was an eye opener. My son Josh was 4 years old at the time, and seeing him at that event with his peers highlighted the importance of sharing social experiences with others in a similar situation.

When we returned home, I set about finding similar events through various organisations but found that Queensland, where we live, was lacking in junior camps.

I was referred to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), which offers grants. We were fortunate to receive a grant to attend the WCMX World Championships in the US. We’ve since returned several times to attend the event, and each time Josh grows more confident than the last.

Keen for Josh to have the same opportunities in Australia, I reached out to Luke Bailey, an incredible young up-andcoming athlete. Luke put me in touch with Wheelchair Sports NSW and Josh attended one of their Christmas camps. Again, my heart sang with joy as I watched him playing with his peers while learning new sports. While chatting to Paralympian Kurt Fearnley over lunch at camp, I lamented the lack of camps for juniors in Queensland, and at that moment I realised I would be the one to fill that gap

Josh at the Variety Kids Sports Camp WORDS: ABBI BRASS

and give local kids the same opportunities as those interstate and overseas.

I approached the CEO of Variety Queensland with my idea and got an enthusiastic response.

The camp idea was taken to the board of Variety, approval was received, and my dream camp began to evolve.

The inaugural Variety Kids Sports Camp was held in July 2019 at Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre. The camp is aimed at children aged 6 to 13, but the camp will accept them up to 17 years with a range of physical disabilities.

The first camp was fully funded for two days for 20 participants, 20 carers and 20 volunteers.

Variety Kids Sports Camp allows kids to learn new sports, such as track, tennis, adaptive dance, wheelchair skills, obstaclecourse racing and so much more. Kids get to meet coaches specialising in their areas of interest and hang out with some of Australia’s top Paralympians. Most importantly, they make new friends, gain confidence and resilience, and become more independent.

The impact on parents also can’t be underestimated. As a mum, it’s a relief to see your kid being a kid without fear of them being judged, bullied or labelled an outcast because they look or feel different.

Samuel playing tennis

Max trying out a Race Runner

Lilly giving camp a thumbs up

Images: Paul Donaldson

Sign up!

If you are interested in having your child attend the 2020 Variety Kids Sports Camp or sponsoring the event, email an expression of interest to abbi@ triplezeroball.com.au or sam@triplezeroball.com. au. For more information, visit variety.org.au/qld

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All for one, one for all The Shine Shed – All Abilities Play Centre opened in Campbelltown, in south-west Sydney, in October 2018. It is custom designed to meet the unique sensory, play and social needs of children, teens and young adults with a disability.

Here, the whole family can enjoy a great day out. Some of the unique activities on offer include a social skills group, Nerf battles, arts and craft sessions, and a birthday club for those kids who don’t have many friends to celebrate their birthday with.

The Shine Shed is fully accessible, with accessible parking, toilets and even an electric lift change table and hoist.

It is an absolutely incredible space – but don’t take our word for it! Yeran Bruce, supermum of 3 children with additional needs, shares why she loves visiting The Shine Shed.

“We are a family of 5 living in south-west Sydney, facing many challenges daily. Our eldest child Liam has severe cerebral palsy, our middle child Jack has autism and moderate developmental delay, and our youngest Evangeline has autism.

I live with ADHD and bipolar, and my husband Byron is the rock of the family. Liam is the social smiley kid, Jack is active and musically minded, and Evie is the comedian with a passion for comics. Going out into the community causes me anxiety because of the unknown and the stares and judgement from other people.

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The accessibility of venues affects each of us differently.

Accessibility to places and the equipment available affects Liam’s experiences. Lack of equipment facilities, such as hoists and appropriate bathrooms, affects – and limits – where we can go as a family. Jack loves to explore and is very fast – the chance of him escaping can make outings stressful and dangerous.

As Shine Shed regulars, we find it a safe, welcoming and accessible environment. I don’t feel anxious in this social setting.

Liam can participate and be involved in play and not just be an observer; seeing him in action on the equipment brings me so much joy! The swing and the flying fox are his favourites.

Liam’s toileting needs are met without having to go home and ending the fun early. Jack can have all his sensory needs met in a safe environment. Evie can have fun with her brothers and meet other kids who have similar needs.

We feel a sense of belonging and acceptance at The Shine Shed. The bond of peers and social engagement is priceless.

We love visiting on weekends and in the school holidays. It gives me a sense of relief that as a family we can have fun in a safe and warm environment.

The staff at The Shine Shed are amazing, accommodating and supportive, which also adds to our experience.”

To find out more, visit shineshed.com.au or call 02 4629 5555.

Splish, splash Hydrotherapy has long been regarded as a valuable activity in assisting people who want to maintain mobility, those recovering from injury and those desiring a low-impact way of exercising to combat ageing. So it’s hard to believe that so many people with a disability have had to fight to have the benefits of water activity recognised as more than just a ‘leisure activity’ in the eyes of funding bodies.

Swimming creates opportunities for social participation, enables mobility, provides exercise, aids weight loss, involves cardiovascular exercise, stimulates muscle tone, promotes blood circulation and, of course, encourages a dash of splashing and laughter with your family and friends, which is good for everyone.

Pool hoists have been funded through National Disability Insurance Scheme, National Injury Insurance Scheme, State-wide Equipment Program, Lifetime Care & Support Authority, iCare, MyAged Care and other funding bodies. Many people have even fundraised or received grants through Lions Club, Steve Waugh Foundation and Children’s First Foundation. So if you’re thinking about getting a pool hoist at home but don’t know where to start, here’s some key information for you.

WHAT THE FUNDING BODIES ARE LOOKING FOR • Reasons your local pool facilities are not adequate and why you would need the product at home.

• Value for money, including the longevity of use of the product, the quality of the product and the appropriate manufacture using materials that are suitable for water use.

• Demonstration of year-round usage, such as having a heated pool or spa in a cold part of Australia.

• Any mobility or quality of life benefits to the participant.

• How the product is going to positively influence the participant’s social or community participation.

• Easily adaptable products that can change as needs and mobility alter over time.

• Availability of self-use models to enable independence.

• Portable products that can be removed and reinstalled at another location in the future.

WHY PUBLIC POOLS MAY NOT BE FOR YOU You may not be able to utilise aquatic and leisure centres due to water quality or temperature, air quality, infection risk, behavioural circumstances, difficulty accessing them or inappropriate facilities offered.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN THE PARTICIPANT ASSESSMENT BY AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST • Is the pool or spa heated?

• Is year-round swimming available to the participant at home? If not, how many months of the year can it be used? How many years do you think the participant would use the equipment?

• Does your local pool have access via a hoist or ramp, accessible bathrooms with change tables or ceiling hoists (if relevant), convenient/adequate available parking? If not, the viability is higher to have the assistive technology equipment funded for you at home.

On a final note…

• Not all hoists are created equal – quality, safety and adaptability are key!

• Don’t forget to question whether a hoist can adapt to any level of disability and be able to change over time with accessories, customisations or attachments.

• Always buy Australianmade! It can be very hard and expensive to source parts for cheap overseas models and accessories, not to mention ongoing issues and servicing costs.

• With 35 years’ experience in the aquatic disability equipment sector, Para Mobility is the market leader in pool hoists and pool-access products across Australia and New Zealand. Get in touch with them via 1300 444 600 or customerservice@ paramobility.com.au

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Mia and family at the Paley Institute

When holidays bring fresh starts Travelling to the US and visiting Disney World is an adventure many parents have with their children. For our family, Disney World was just a side trip to what would be the biggest adventure of our lives.

Major life-changing surgery for our 5-year-old daughter Mia was the catalyst for our journey to America. While pregnant with Mia, we learnt she would be born with a rare limb difference called proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD). Her severe version of PFFD means she has an almost non-existent femur and no functioning hip socket. The chances of having a child born with Mia’s type of PFFD is 1 in 500,000 to 1,000,000, leaving me feeling extreme loneliness despite the support of family and friends.

We spent Mia’s first year in a haze while endlessly researching treatment and

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specialists across the world who may offer assistance. Dr Dror Paley, a US-based specialist, was recommended by many in PFFD support groups, so we made an appointment for Mia while he was in Sydney. He agreed with a local surgeon that Mia needed paley modified brown rotationplasty, a complicated 12-hour surgery that would see her leg turned around 180 degrees. This would leave her foot facing backwards, her ankle joint would become her new knee, and her knee and little bits and pieces would be turned into a functioning hip joint. This surgery is not performed in Australia. The cost of it would be $300,000, for which there is no government support.

When Mia was little, we started a Facebook page called Mia’s Big Adventure, which sums up the process from research

WORDS: LEILA STEWART

to fundraising to surgery. Raising $330,000 involved the support of local charity Specialist Medical Resources Foundation in Wagga Wagga, sausage sizzles, cake stalls, market days and black-tie balls. Kindness and support came from far and wide, leaving us overwhelmed by the generosity.

In December 2018, we set off on Mia’s Big Adventure, with flights donated by Delta Airlines. She was still wearing the foot-onfoot prosthetic that had enabled her to walk freely since she was 2 years old. We’d heard varying stories from others about clearing customs with a prosthetic leg – some good, some bad. Mia decided not to wear her leg, so I put it in my carry on and it proved easy, with security waving us through once I explained.

To break up our journey, we stopped in Los Angeles for a few days. Travel with two

Mia & Andie at Disney World

kids has its moments, but we used a stroller to help with tired little legs. When we travelled from Los Angeles to Florida, Mia was wearing her leg and security at Los Angeles International Airport asked her to take it off so they could swab it and scan it. Her little face looked so worried, but we assured her everything was okay, and the security team softened the experience by handing the girls some stickers.

When we told the girls we were travelling to Florida, we promised them we would go to Disney World. I’d never really been desperate to go to a Disney park when I was growing up, but walking into Magic Kingdom for the first time and seeing the castle was pretty special.

Mia struggled with walking long distances and so did her little sister, so the special tags from the customer service desk meant we could take the stroller through or right up to the gates of rides. We had a magical time at Disney World and we will definitely try to

Mia

get back there when the girls are a little older.

After a magical week at Disney, we headed to West Palm Beach for Mia’s surgery. The time in hospital was probably the hardest week of our lives. We thought we were mentally prepared for what was to come, but I don’t think anything could have prepared us for the true reality of it all. Mia’s surgery went from 8am to 8pm, and she came out so puffy and agitated. I had a very real moment while sitting next to her, seeing her little leg that was now backwards, of wondering what in the world we’d done!

She made it through hospital, through the cocktail of drugs, the hyperbaric chambers and all the poking and prodding like a champ. We stayed at Quantum House (similar to Ronald McDonald House) for 10 weeks during Mia’s recovery. It was a wonderful place that was hard to leave; it was so lovely to be surrounded by people who truly got it, as they were all going through similar experiences.

For our return trip to Australia, we opted for Delta Comfort Plus to give Mia – and the rest of us – that little bit of extra leg room for the nonstop flight home. We couldn’t fault Delta Airlines; we gate-checked the stroller and Mia’s walker and received priority boarding. Three flights made up our journey home and we were grateful the process was so smooth.

It all seems a blur. Now we are back to physio and getting Mia fitted for a prosthetic. We’ve loved sharing Mia’s Big Adventure with others. Our mission has always been to support other families and educate the greater public about limb difference. Mia has an infectious smile and a ‘never say die’ spirit, and we are totally in awe of how she takes everything in her stride. Our health system is great, but sometimes you have to go with what you think is best for your child and do everything you can to get them to where you believe they need to be – even if that means travelling for surgery.

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The safer way to sleep Sleep issues are a particularly common pain point for the family caring for a loved one with special needs, and it’s one that can be difficult to resolve.

Whether you’re at home or on a holiday, it’s important to ensure safety. The manufacturer of The Safety Sleeper comes from a place of understanding.

Owner Rose Morris was a desperate parent of a toddler with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum and a baby on the way, not knowing what she was going to do without the possibility of sleep in her future.

Out of desperation, Rose designed The Safety Sleeper because nothing on the market fulfilled her needs.

When searching for a special-needs bed, there are many options available, so it’s important to consider the following: THE FRAME You’ll want to buy a bed that provides a stable structure and prevents tipping – the frame of The Safety Sleeper is designed to be compact and centered under the mattress to do just that!

THE SIDES Look for slanted slides that provide space between the bed and the headboard or walls. This will prevent your little one from injuring themselves on hard surfaces outside of the enclosure when experiencing seizures or engaging in self-harming behaviours such as head banging.

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THE MATTRESS Choose a fully enclosed mattress covered in medical-grade fabric that is taut to the frame. This will prevent your child from falling out and tearing, grabbing or biting through it. It’s also a good idea to ensure it is washable so it can be easily kept clean.

THE CONVENIENCE The Safety Sleeper is designed to be portable – perfect for those who need to move it around the house or take to medical trips, respite facilities, conferences, family visits or on holiday. The bed can be assembled in just minutes and comes with an air mattress and suitcase for easy travel. Users of The Safety Sleeper often share that the bed assists in sleep training and soothing when experiencing meltdowns or sensory overload, so it’s important to provide the consistent sleeping environment to which the user has become accustomed, regardless of where in the world their travels take them.

THE MANUFACTURER For more than 10 years, The Safety Sleeper has been the bed of choice for thousands of families across the globe. Since day one, the team’s commitment has remained the same: to help families find safe and secure solutions that best serve their needs. The Safety Sleeper was born of Rose’s desperate need for a lifeline, and the Avant Innovations (avantinnovations.com.au) team is grateful for the opportunity to share it with the world.

Living with a life-limiting disease WORDS: ALLYSON BUCK

As a family, we’ve always felt that travel is important to living a full, rich life. We felt that the best way to create real and lasting memories for our whole family – including our two older kids, who would have to face losing their brother earlier than they should – was to travel as much as possible as a family. We are aware that eventually travel will become difficult, if not impossible, with our son Sam, so we are determined to get in as much as we can. In his short life, Sam has been to 44 states in the US and 22 countries.

Sam’s diagnosis of vanishing white matter disease (VWM) at 2 years of age was out of the blue. Our seemingly healthy boy had no sign anything was wrong until he fell, bumped his head and was unconscious for a matter of seconds. When we stood him up after the fall, he didn’t show any sign of pain but collapsed in a heap, unable to bear weight on his legs.

A neurologist diagnosed VWM, a rare genetic brain disease for which there is no treatment or cure. There was no timeline, but we were told that over time Sam would lose his motor control and die. Our worst nightmare had come true.

VWM causes the white matter in Sam's brain to disappear and be replaced with water. This happens over time and with any sort of stress – a bump on the head and fever being the most common, but anesthesia, many medications or even a scare can also cause a sudden loss of white matter. Once the white matter disappears, signals can no longer get from Sam's brain to his body. This causes a loss of motor control, though Sam will remain cognitively aware. There are fewer than 250 living

cases of VWM worldwide, and most kids only survive 5 to 10 years following diagnosis.

Overnight we had run out of time. We had so many plans for things we would do with our kids in the future, but we no longer knew how long that future would be.

My husband and I decided within hours of Sam's diagnosis that we wouldn't coddle or 

Sam with his sister, brother and Mom Allyson

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Sam and Allyson exploring Death Valley California

protect him. That we needed to let him live fully and focus on giving him the best life we possibly could, filled with as many of life's experiences as possible, even if it meant that took him from us sooner. Life has to be lived, no matter how long we have on this Earth. In our opinion, a short life filled with experiences and memories is worth more than a long life spent without.

Sam is currently 8, weighs about 36kg, uses a wheelchair full time and is unable to bear weight on his legs, meaning he’s unable to stand or help with transfers. He has hand tremors, meaning he needs help eating and drinking, has slow speech and is incontinent. At this stage you probably think we are crazy for leaving the house at all, but with our goal to give Sam a full life and make family memories for us all, we set about travelling and fulfilling our plans, even if it’s not easy.

We tried to travel around Europe while Sam was small, knowing that travel in Europe, Asia and South America would be difficult with a wheelchair. Last summer, when Sam was 7, we did our last trip to Europe with him, seeing Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria. It was a fantastic trip but hard with Sam as we had to carry and lift him out of his wheelchair a lot, and we knew that we would not be able to do something like that with him again. For that reason, we have focused on US travel (we live outside New

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Sam with his sister and Dad Nick at Honomu, Hawaii

York City) and our mission is to get Sam to all 50 states of America.

We have found the US to be very easy to travel with a disabled child; most tourist sites are at least partially accessible and the people are extremely helpful. In particular, we love the National Park system. All the major sites at all the National Parks are fully accessible, and there are always a few short trails and hikes we can do with Sam’s wheelchair. Each one is magnificent in its own way. We have travelled all over the world, but for natural beauty the US is hard to beat. The parks have a fantastic Junior Ranger program for kids where they complete a booklet, take a pledge to protect our natural resources and earn a badge.

The kids love it and have ranger vests

they pin all their badges to. In addition, the whole family gets free lifetime access to the parks when we visit with a disabled family member. With Sam we have free admission to every national park in the country.

Mountains? Glacier can't be beat. Beach?

The gulf coast of Florida has the whitest sand I have ever seen. Desert? Death Valley and White Sands National Parks are incredible. Animals? You are practically tripping over the bison in Teddy Roosevelt National Park.

Naturally, travelling with Sam’s disability is a challenge, but we’ve picked up a few tips and tricks that make it easier.

We always rent a car when we travel – public transportation is not reliably accessible anywhere in the world, and

generally not easily available in the US. We usually get a minivan or SUV to fit the wheelchair and luggage, and it makes it easier to lift Sam in and out of the car. Distances are vast in the US; on an average roadtrip we can drive thousands of kilometres, so we always spend hours in the car together, sometimes driving each other crazy but most of the time just being together. We always travel with a large vinyl, felt-backed tablecloth that we can lay out on the side of the road for diaper changes. I usually sew 2 of these tablecloths together so the vinyl side is facing out on each, which makes a very large, lightweight and inexpensive changing mat.

When we travel in the US, we don't plan our trips. We decide what we want to do on a day-to-day basis, and we don't book any hotels outside the first night or two.

We know we are rarely more than an hour away from a decent chain hotel. We book something online mid to late afternoon and have never had any difficulty finding a place to stay (though obviously this doesn't apply if, for instance, you want to go to New Orleans during Mardi Gras). This gives us the flexibility we need when travelling with Sam. Timing varies because often you can only see a limited area with a wheelchair, so sightseeing goes quicker. Sometimes you have to wait for an accessible tour and other times it just takes a while to get in and out of the car. We have found that not planning takes the stress out of travelling with Sam. We never have to rush, we see how we feel on the day, stop if and when we want, and find some place to crash at the end of the evening. Something that makes this possible is travelling with a blow-up pool (a square kiddie one with a padded inflatable bottom) for Sam to sleep in. This gives us the ability to stay in any hotel room because we don't need an extra bed for him.

We always look for accessible activities in the area. We have tried to make sure Sam can participate in as many activities as he can, and we always have a back carrier with us to go hiking and get upstairs when needed. We always loved skiing, so we still do it – Sam goes in a bi-ski. He has also water-skied and kayaked. There are many accessible programs available if you search.

Travelling is difficult with Sam, so why do we do it? When you are the parent of a disabled child, it’s easy to become a little absorbed in your own life and your own

Sam loving his travels

problems, mostly because there isn't a lot of time to think about much else besides what needs to be done at that moment. Travel gives us a perspective that we can't get at home. There is nothing like being alone at the top of a mountain or driving for hours through open countryside without seeing another sign of life to give you a sense of perspective; to make you realise how fleeting and ultimately tiny your life is.

Travel absolutely brings us closer together as a family. At home we all get caught up in our day-to-day activities – everybody doing their own thing while together in the house. But when we travel we have a forced togetherness, which has made us a close unit. Then there are the memories of the experiences we’ve had: a black bear walking in front of our car in Glacier; peering into an active volcano in Hawai‘I; hiking down a canyon where the edge was too close for comfort in Canyon de Chelly; skiing down a mountain with Sam in

a bi-ski; kayaking on a calm lake. These are the memories we’ll still have long after Sam is gone.

Can we do everything we want when we travel? No. Do we wish Sam was healthy and our vacation options were limitless?

Of course. But if Sam were healthy, we wouldn't be out there doing it – we wouldn't be travelling half as much as we do now. We would be doing more organised holidays that keep our kids out of our hair instead of holidays where we are together, a family of five, a unit figuring it out as we go along. We are creating so many memories as a family in the hopes that these memories will help sustain us long after Sam is gone. We hope that the bonds we have created through shared experiences will allow us to lean on each other when much more difficult times inevitably come.

Want to follow the Buck family’s journey?

Find them on Facebook @SamVsVWM

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Take a seat Travelling is a fun and exciting adventure for the whole family, however it can be challenging for those with a child who has additional support needs.

Planes, restaurants and hotels don’t cater for children who need extra postural support, so the GoTo Seat could be your lifesaver!

WHAT IS THE GOTO SEAT? The GoTo Seat is a lightweight, portable, postural support seat for children with special needs. You can attach it to almost any seat, including a dining room chair, plane seats and swings. It consists of lateral supports that hug tightly around the child, keeping them supported and upright. The GoTo Seat has a five-point harness, the choice of a standard or advanced headrest, and an optional floor sitter, which is a fantastic help.

At a hotel or friend’s house, you can sit your child in the GoTo Seat on the floor and know they’ll have the support they need, making it ideal for an inclusive playtime! It also has an optional pressure-relief cushion, which is great for extended periods of sitting, such as on long-haul flights.

Plus, since it folds flat, it can easily be stored until its next use.

WHO CAN USE IT? The GoTo Seat is suitable for children from ages 1 to 8 and up to 30kg. It is fully adjustable; the headrest and lateral supports can be moved up and down to best suit your child.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN WE USE IT? While flying The GoTo Seat is great for ensuring your child has the

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support they need while flying. It’s especially important on long flights, to ensure they are comfy and well supported. Not only does it make it more comfortable for the child, it also helps the parents to be relaxed without having to hold and try to support their child for an extended time. There are two airlines in Australia that allow the GoTo Seat to be used on their planes: Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways.

At dinner With the GoTo Seat, your child will feel included at the table.

Out and about At a sports game or the movie theatre, you can take the GoTo Seat and attach it to one of the seats. This will allow your family to enjoy the experience knowing your little one can also enjoy the action.

Picnic time With the use of the floor sitter, your little one can sit in their GoTo Seat on the picnic rug and be at the same level as everyone else. It’s also great for sibling playtime!

On play equipment The GoTo Seat fits in some playground swings. It can also be attached to seats in gokarts and other ride-on toys or activities.

While shopping The GoTo seat fits into shopping trolleys, making a family trip to the supermarket a whole lot easier.

Complete the set Get your hands on the WeGo Stroller. Designed to fit the GoTo Seat, it’s lightweight and perfect for travel, helping your family to go almost anywhere. Visit activerehab.net.au to find a stockiest near you.

Personal touch Mogo Wheelchairs (mogowheelchairs. com.au) has a reputation for custommaking wheelchairs that fulfil the needs of their clients and reflect their personalities. Mogo Wheelchairs offers a range of options for adults and children, and in addition to providing custom wheelchair builds, it is the Australian importers for Batec Mobility.

“We also offer Jay, VArilite, Roho, ADI and Spinergy products, providing you with endless options for creating the perfect wheelchair,” says owner Leon Callahan.

The Mogo Wheelchairs team understands that wheelchair users often want accessories to complement and personalise their chairs.

“The accessories we stock aim to make travel and day-to-day life easier by providing practical solutions to common problems,” says Leon. Here are the most impressive ones available.

SMARTWHEEL Most of you have heard of the Freewheel, an attachment that enhances the off-road capacity of a manual wheelchair by raising the front castor wheels so they don’t dig into rough surfaces.

But have you heard of the SmartWheel? The removable steering and pushing aid for cobblestones, forest soil, gravel, snow, beach and uneven terrain fits wheelchair models for all manufacturers. The SmartWheel can be attached to a wide variety of clamps and adapters anywhere on your wheelchair and also fits folding drivers such as Sopur Xenon, Sopur Easy and Ottobock Avante-garde. It also offers the convenient addition of StrapOnWheelz, which are designed specifically for snow and sand.

WHEELCHAIR BAGS New-age wheelchair bags are now available at Mogo Wheelchairs. Aside from looking awesome, they’re full of handy details that are designed to make your life easier.

The Kinetic range, available in a grey melange colourway, provides a modern twist on wheelchair bags. The universal fixtures are super easy to connect to your wheelchair, and the smart design ensures your bag won’t come off unless you want it to. This offers added safety when out for the day or travelling the world.

The Kinetic Clip-On Tablet Pack will fit a tablet up to 10 inches in the main pocket, with a second pocket available for your charger or mobile phone. It provides a safe way of travelling with your technology and keeps it within easy reach.

The Kinetic Snap Briefcase is perfect for safely carrying your laptop when you’re on the go. The snap-top cover with a zipper underneath keeps everything safe and secure, and a quick-release clamp makes it simple to take on and off as needed.

If you’re just carrying your phone and keys and want them within easy reach, the Kinetic Small Pouch is just the right size bag for a chair user. It quickly and easily attaches to the chair tubing, making it convenient and practical.

Mogo Wheelchairs supplies all of these produces and, through lived experience, understands your needs.

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Travelling with a support worker The idea of travelling with a support worker may seem daunting, but if there’s a destination you really want to visit and you need the extra help, engaging professional help may turn that dream into reality. To understand what a trip with a support worker might look like from both sides of the fence, we asked Glenn Turnball and the two support workers he travelled to Canada with – Yvonne and Brodie – to share their experiences.

GLENN’S PERSPECTIVE Where did you want to visit and why?

I had wanted to experience Canada for a long time. My sister lived there for more than a year and my brother had holidayed there – they both loved it. I love ice hockey and scenic areas, and had researched how they fared from an accessibility point.

We hear you had support for the trip.

We’d love to hear about the logistics in choosing who would support you.

I chose two amazing individuals for different reasons. One is a mad sports fan like myself and is very chilled out. The other has extensive experience in my complex support needs. I used Hireup for the Yvonne & Glenn

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logistics and it allowed me to choose both support workers and negotiate hours (including time for trip planning), and I didn’t have any roadblocks in organising my support. My two workers had even looked up and had information on disability service and equipment-based organisations in the main areas in case my wheelchair broke down!

People are always keen to know about how to negotiate pay and work hours when travelling with a support worker.

How do you work out what’s fair?

With honesty and openness! With Hireup, my support workers and I were able to work together on what would work for us all. We talked through hours of support, meals, activities. With activities, if it wasn’t something either worker wanted to do, I would cover the cost. If they were interested in going too, they paid. They paid for their own travel insurance, while I paid for accommodation and flights. Both had time off, but we ended up all just hanging out for the entire trip!

I would suggest sitting down with the workers with your budget and working out together what works for all parties.

What were the highlights of the trip?

The Rocky Mountaineer train was amazing.

It wasn’t entirely accessible, but the company was so supportive and helpful. It was quite an adventure!

The Alaskan cruise was great, and although not all of the activities were accessible, I had an amazing time and experienced things many only dream about!

My brother gave me a list of experiences I had to complete while I was there, which was a lot of fun too.

We know that even with the most meticulous planning there can be challenges. Did you have any? How did you move through them?

A definite challenge was accessibility. It is somewhat risky when you’re not sure what it will be like until you’re there. We researched a lot! A big part of it for me was to plan a lot with my support workers. I felt if my family were the ones doing it, they may have felt it was too risky or got nervous about how it was going to work.

I got a flat tire over there, but my amazing support workers took it in their stride and found a mechanic to assist.

It’s important to have the mentality that

anyone does with travelling, disability or not: all the moments, even the challenges, are a part of the experience!

Lastly, if you were giving a friend tips for travelling in Canada, or tips for travelling with a support worker, what would they be?

Use a travel agent for a bit more peace of mind. Think about the ‘what ifs’, but don’t dwell on them. Use a service provider like Hireup – one that allows you full choice and control of who you book and how you work it out. Have a folder with all required info, your health needs (just in case!), equipment specifics, etcetera. Pre-book as much as you can, and communicate your needs to the company ahead of time, whether it’s an activity or accommodation.

And, as far as Canada goes, make sure you try BeaverTail (Canada's famous doughnut & pastries).

YVONNE’S & BRODIE’S PERSPECTIVES What made you say yes to supporting Glenn on his trip, and how did you go about assisting him in making the trip happen?

Yvonne: Glenn and I have known each other for quite some time. We have a similar sense of humour, are both pretty easygoing (even though he is super, super laidback), and we feel very comfortable around each other.

Over the years we have built a very solid, trustful relationship, not only with each other but also with his family.

Firstly, we focused on the actual trip and put all the other logistical aspects aside. We went to libraries together, collected brochures, had other friends and family involved to give us tips and tricks and slowly built up a great repertoire of information we could work with.

Yes, there were logistical concerns, as Brodie and I had never supported anyone overseas. We thought, what if he falls sick again? What if his wheelchair breaks down?

How do we transfer Glenn onto the plane seat? Where do we get a hoist from? Do we take a hoist or rent it overseas? What do we need to take in case of an emergency?

Between Glenn, his family, Brodie and I, we identified concerns very early on and worked together to find solutions and create a plan. We involved people who could be part of the solution and made sure that we all communicated a lot, including with family members. If Brodie and I would have not been so comfortable around Glenn’s family, it

Yvonne, Brodie & Glenn

would have been much more difficult.

Overall, it was a very easy decision for me to say yes to Glenn. He is a great bloke, we get along well, he engaged a second person that I felt very confident with who has skills that I don’t have, and I felt honoured to be approached by him.

Brodie: We were very lucky in the sense that Yvonne and I both got along with Glenn really well (otherwise we wouldn’t have even made his shortlist I guess), and also got along well with each other. Knowing that the people you would be spending a lot of time with are also people that you get along with and can have open and honest conversations with really helped. Because you have to be really honest with them – like any good relationship – and have some tough conversations during your time together. And those conversations start from the first day of planning.

We asked Glenn about the logistics of choosing someone to support him. We’d love to hear from you about how you worked out what would work for you.

Yvonne: From the beginning, Glenn’s family was conscious about our working hours.

Glenn’s sister proposed a fair schedule between Brodie and I that we agreed on; it was quite simple and included time off. I believe it can be super easy to work that out together as long as you communicate your needs and concerns and be honest.

From a support worker perspective, if there were concerns, I would have mentioned

them to the family. Concerns should not be considered a taboo topic; it is about ensuring everyone is safe, feels they are working within their scope and can have fun together too. At the end, everyone involved just wants to be part of making a trip like this happen as smoothly as possible.

It turned out that Glenn, Brodie and I hung out the whole time as we just enjoyed each other’s company. If someone needed some time out, and that included Glenn as well, we communicated with each other and made it happen.

What were the highlights of the trip?

Yvonne: The biggest highlight for me was seeing Glenn so happy and content. I was able to really get to know him, and we had many conversations and spent time talking about lots of different things.

Also, the overall trip was one big highlight for me. It’s not often someone can say they had to work in the US and Canada, go on a cruise, ride on the Rocky Mountaineer through the Canadian Rockies and stroll through the streets of Banff! In particular, Tracy Arm fjord was stunning and whale watching was just amazing – we loved every minute of it.

We know that even with the most meticulous planning there can be challenges. Did you have any? How did you move through them?

Yvonne: It’s true that things never go 100 

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Glenn

per cent to plan. I was lucky to know we had Brodie in the team, as she is very resourceful and clever. Being confident and relying on each other is important – for Glenn as well as for us as the support workers.

During the planning period we quickly realised that wheelchair-accessible rooms, wheelchair-accessible activities and wheelchair-accessible vehicles do not necessarily mean universal accessibility for all. Asking the right questions such as ‘Does the bathroom have a wheel-in shower?’ or ‘Are there any steps to the building?’ were important.

Brodie: The planning stage was tough.

Glenn meet an amazing travel agent who helped with a lot of the bookings and travel logistics, so it was basically just down to Glenn choosing the places to visit and picking out what activity he wanted to do at each location. With that being said, because Glenn uses a power chair and is not able to complete independent transfers, it was a lot more education and extra questions to give the travel agent – getting the detail about the specific sizes of spaces, what a hotel’s ‘accessible’ room really means, transport accessibility, availability of aisle chairs/spare manual chairs if needed, battery information and requirements for flights… There was a lot to think about, and every situation and location needed to be checked.

Looking back on the trip, some of my favourite days were the ones when things didn’t quite go to plan (although I wouldn’t

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Yvonne, Glenn & Brodie

have said that at the time). For example, we’d booked a bus from Seattle to Vancouver, but when we arrived they told us that it didn’t have a hydraulic chair lift, despite us having confirmed it at the time of booking. We thought we had two alternative solutions: wait around all day and get an overnight train, or wait for the company to organise a suitable bus the next day. I prefer to avoid confrontation and was ready to search for a hotel in Seattle for the night, but Glenn was not impressed. We ended up with the provider footing the bill for a taxi from Seattle to Vancouver with door-to-door drop off, and an interesting border crossing in between.

So planning is great, but sometimes all the planning in the world doesn’t mean things will go as expected. Be prepared to be flexible and have the confidence to tell people when something’s just not good enough.

In terms of problem-solving, it does help if one of you is a bit handy on the tools and everyone has a pretty good idea of how all of your technology and gadgets work. Asking for help is also fine – Glenn had a flat tyre one day and we met a lovely man at a car dealership who got him back up and moving quickly.

Our top accessories for the trip were spare straps and spare bits of foam, which came in handy for any aisle chairs, train or plane seats that weren’t going to work too well for Glenn. And the classic toolkit of screwdrivers and spanners that you know fit all of the bits and pieces is invaluable. Oh, and a bit of

occupational therapy improvisation goes a long way too!

What do you think a person hiring a support worker should consider?

Yvonne: You or your loved ones are in the driver’s seat and have full choice and control of who will be right for you, where you want to go and what you want to do. You know best who you like and get along with, so trust your gut instinct. It is a privilege to be chosen to be supporting a person with their travels.

Be open about your expectations and chat about pay, free time and any other arrangements or negotiations around, for example, food and entry fees.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Yvonne: During the trip, Brodie and I were very much aware of the goals Glenn set for himself. Besides being on his dream holiday, we always made sure that: • He had the opportunity to improve his communication skills (for example, giving him time to use his communication board) and make his own decisions.

• He was supported to be as independent as he could be.

• With particular activities (such as standing up in his chair unsupported to see Tracy Arm fjord), he was subconsciously working on his strength.

Follow Glenn on Instagram @Glenn.canado

31 Queenstown: An experience for all the senses

40 Moroccan dreaming Achieving a bucket list trip with lots of support

34 I'm Motivated As Ever Interview with Paralympian Ahmed Kelly

48 Comfort zones are overrated One avid travellers top 5 experiences

36 Is India wheelie that easy?

Unexpected access at some of India's major sights

52 A fresh take on old traditions Road tripping with a wheelchair 60 Disney's magic replenishes

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TAILORING TOURS TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS When occupational therapist Marina Hanger found herself designing and leading wilderness and adventure programs for people with visual impairments, she had no idea it would result in her running her own business.

Ability Adventures (abilityadventures. co.nz) was founded in 2008 as a way to support people with disabilities and older people to enjoy the adventure of travel. As tour planner, Marina now focuses on creating tailored accessible tours and disability travel services.

“I love the fact that I get to break down the barriers that prevent people from experiencing all that New Zealand has to offer,” says Marina, who has more than 30 years’ experience as an occupational therapist, working with people with a wide range of disabilities. “I prefer to find solutions to overcome obstacles, which comes from my background as an OT.” Marina’s occupational therapist experience plays a huge part in successfully planning a tour or holiday itinerary with suitable activities as well as accommodation, travel and dietary needs. Knowing what needs there are to be considered and how to

Testimonial time

“It takes an enormous amount of trust to book a holiday with an overseas tour company – this is particularly true when a member of your party has a substantial disability.

Concerns ranging from the suitability of the transport, accommodation, bathroom access and activities all play a big part in the decision-making process. Ability Adventures surpassed all of our expectations and then some. We would recommend them to anyone wanting a fully inclusive holiday experience.”

Jess and Rob Silberstein, Australia

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identify solutions allows people to go beyond just ‘playing it safe’ with a cocooned trip.

One such trip involved a family from Sydney who wanted an inclusive family holiday that enabled everyone to interact and participate equally in the experience. The brief was for an 18-day tour of New Zealand’s South Island for 4 young children, 1 adult who is a wheelchair user with a significant physical disability and another adult.

The trip was 8 months in the planning and involved a lot of communication to establish both the specific needs of each family member and what types of things would make the trip truly memorable for everyone.

The holiday encompassed the lower half of the South Island, beginning in Christchurch, then taking the Lewis Pass to the West Coast – Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Dunedin – before returning to Christchurch.

Because the family lived in an apartment in the centre of a large city, Marina could tell they would get great pleasure from some of the simpler things, like boiling the billy for a cuppa, having picnics in the bush, exploring trails and staying in small country towns.

“It’s about putting the experience first and then finding a way to make it happen,” she explains.

The range of activities included swimming in hot thermal spas, kayaking, helicopter rides over Franz Joseph glacier, bushwalking, picnicking, gondola rides, boating and more.

In almost all activities, the wheelchair user was involved.

At first the clients thought Ability Adventures was very ambitious with the itinerary, but their misgivings were soon set to rest.

Another of her most memorable assignments is when Marina organised

a tandem biking adventure for a group of three blind and vision-impaired friends. The 5-day trip began near New Zealand’s highest mountain – Aoraki/Mt Cook in the South Island’s Southern Alps – and finished 300km away in the seaside town of Oamaru. The ride followed an epic mix of off-road tracks, purpose-built cycle trails, unsealed and sealed roads, past stunning glacial-fed lakes and snow-capped peaks before following the country’s main Hydro Electric System through to an incredible area of rock and fossil formations. The group was supported by 3 pilot riders and a support vehicle/driver.

“The cycling was predominantly downhill, descending 780m over the course of the trail before reaching the Pacific Ocean at the finish,” says Marina, who organized and led the journey.

Although by the end everyone was grateful to be sitting on something other than a bike seat, all were buzzing from the challenge and excitement of the trip.

“You should always be testing your limits, or you will never know what you are capable of.”.

NEW ZEALAND’S NORTHERN NIRVANA WORDS: KIRSTY RUSSELL

New Zealand is the perfect destination for families wanting to dip their toes into international travel. We chose New Zealand for our first overseas odyssey with our kids for several important reasons: 1 It’s a short flight from Australia.

2 There’s no language barrier.

3 We’d be able to self-drive and choose our own itinerary.

4 It was familiar, as I’d travelled their previously.

5 It has cultural similarities to Australia.

6 It’s safe.

While New Zealand was the ideal option for our first overseas adventure, it was still a huge leap of faith for us. Travelling with three kids – two of whom are autistic – tested our planning and perseverance. I can remember feeling physically ill the night before the flight and hardly getting any sleep because I was so anxious about it. I was literally terrified! I had no idea how the 

Nathan and kids at Huka Falls

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Kids looking at Lake Taupo

Family posing on way up to summit of Rangitoto Island

kids were going to cope with the confines of the plane, the pre-packaged food, the air-pressure changes or being so close to strangers. The fear of everything going wrong, with no chance of escape, was very real – and that was just the flight! However, our trip to New Zealand ended up being one of our best holiday experiences.

We kept to the North Island for ease of travel and for familiarity; I had travelled there before. We decided to self-drive and base ourselves for a few days in a few locations to avoid continuous travel. In the end, we spent 3 nights in Auckland, 3 nights in Taupo, a single night in Napier and ended with 3 nights in Wellington. Making the decision to limit our destinations was the right one. It meant the kids could relax and it allowed us to pace ourselves and have easy days when needed, helping us all to rest, recharge and recover.

There were many highlights on our family friendly New Zealand adventure. Here’s a taste of what we loved most about the fascinating North Island.

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AUCKLAND

Despite being challenged by lost luggage, missing car seats and unconfirmed tour bookings in our first 24 hours there (it was not the start to our holiday we were hoping for!), we enjoyed our stay in cosmopolitan Auckland. Featuring harbour views and lots to do, our family enjoyed exploring the city on foot, experiencing the best of this accessible city.

One of our highlights was taking the ferry to Rangitoto Island, one of the ‘newest’ islands in Auckland Harbour.

The ferry ride provided a unique view of the city from the water before we explored the island’s volcanic past. The highlight for us was securing our own sample of volcanic rock from one of the cooled lava flows on the island.

A trip to the Auckland War Memorial Museum was another highlight – it introduced us to New Zealand’s rich history. Meanwhile, the Weird and Wonderful Discovery Centre was a hands-on mecca, keeping the kids out of

mischief while secretly educating them at the same time.

Checking out the view from Auckland’s Sky Tower was also a high point for us… literally! On clear days, you can see as far out as 80km from the main viewing platform. One of its most famous features is its glass floor, which allows you to look down onto the street below. It’s great for thrillseekers but not so great for those who fear heights (like my poor middle daughter).

TAUPO

After staying in a self-contained unit in Auckland, we spread out in a holiday park cabin when we stopped in the resort town of Taupo. Located on the northern end of Lake Taupo, the town is in the heart of the geothermal region of the North Island, an hour south of Rotorua.

The kids loved the freedom of the caravan park, especially having a dip in the thermal spring hot tub. With a jumping pillow, playground and kids’ activities, they were able to decompress, stretch out and enjoy

Kids posing in front of Carter Observatory

being on holidays. After a morning out exploring, it was a relief to head back to the cabin, knowing it could meet all our kids’ sensory needs.

While in Taupo, we soaked in views of the magnificent lake, which sits in a massive volcanic caldera. Huka Falls, where the mighty Waikato River churns onto rocks before taking an 11m drop, was a spectacular sight. We also spent a fascinating afternoon at the Volcanic Activity Centre, which features an earthquake simulator and other interactive activities.

We took a daytrip north to Rotorua, via the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, to see the heart of New Zealand’s geothermal region for ourselves. While the pools and geysers are stunning, the sulphuric odour that accompanies these wonders is overpowering. It was a rough day for my son – with no escape from the odour, he struggled with sensory overwhelm, which stole much of his enjoyment of the day. Nevertheless, it was an experience we’ll never forget.

NAPIER

Our solitary night in Napier was not enough!

We stayed there to break up our trip south to Wellington, but we would’ve loved to have spent more time there to further explore this seaside city.

Located on the east coast of the North Island, Napier is famous for being the main centre in the Hawkes Bay wine region, as well as for its art deco architecture.

Completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, the city was rebuilt in the style of the times, and this glorious architecture is still beautifully preserved today.

We loved exploring Marine Parade, home to a bike track, water fountains, playground, sunken gardens and the iconic Sound Shell, an art deco stage surrounded by a gorgeous colonnade. It was the perfect place for a lateafternoon outing, allowing the kids to let off some steam after the drive from Taupo and letting us soak up some of the town’s atmosphere.

Next time around, we’ll definitely stay longer to check out more of this wonderful

While New Zealand was the ideal option for our first overseas adventure, it was still a huge leap of faith for us.

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city and its surrounds. There’s the National Aquarium to explore, MTG Hawkes Bay museum to visit, and the view from Bluff Point to appreciate. Napier is definitely worth adding to your itinerary!

WELLINGTON

The capital city of New Zealand was the surprise packet of our holiday – it is a wonderful place to explore with kids. The CBD is mostly flat and easy to navigate on foot. There are playgrounds aplenty, cafes and eateries, and so many family friendly attractions to explore.

We loved walking along the harbourfront of Oriental Bay, with its restaurants, attractions and playgrounds. Riding the cable car to the botanic gardens perched high up overlooking the CBD gave us amazing views of the city and delivered us to the wonderful Carter Observatory.

Home to Space Place, an interactive, educational place, the observatory also has a planetarium and telescopes to investigate the night sky.

Te Papa museum, right on the waterfront, was a favourite with our kids. This architecturally bold building houses some of the most interactive museum exhibits

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you’ll find anywhere, fun and free. We also loved checking out The Beehive, the most distinctive building in the parliamentary zone and home to New Zealand’s government.

Weta Workshop, home to all things Middle-earth, held us all spellbound. There are guided tours, props from the Lord of the Rings movies and the Weta Cave, which is more than just your average gift shop. If you happen to visit Wellington International Airport, you’ll encounter giant art installations above the food court featuring Gollum and other memorable LOTR characters too.

Wellington Zoo was another highlight.

With hundreds of animals to meet, we spent half a day there and particularly enjoyed the Australian part of the zoo, with its roaming native animals. There’s a variety of places to eat and play areas to explore. My kids got a kick out of the oversize insect and reptile play equipment at the Playground Hub. Overall, our first overseas experience was a huge success. New Zealand opened our eyes to the benefits of travelling as an autism family, and we came home with more confidence and an increased desire to keep exploring the world.

5 reasons our trip was a success

01 Visual itineraries We created a travel story that laid out exactly what we expected to do each day, helping to manage expectations and anxiety.

02 The right planning We made the effort to seek the kids’ input to engage them in the holiday, including asking for outing suggestions that incorporated their special interests.

03 Noise-cancelling headphones Our kids didn’t even know that we had taken off – they were so absorbed in what they were listening to, with the help of their headphones!

04 Rest time Taking it slowly and not pushing too hard every day helped us manage anxiety and stress.

05 Keeping a record The kids documented the holiday in their own way, which helped them better process their experiences there and back home.

QUEENSTOWN: AN EXPERIENCE FOR ALL THE SENSES WORDS: MARINA HANGER

A tour of New Zealand is not complete without a visit to Queenstown, long considered one of the most scenic destinations in the world, and one of the friendliest.

A growing number of travellers with disabilities are ticking Queenstown off their bucket lists, and local tourism operators are responding with more disability-friendly visitor experiences and service options – so much so that Queenstown has truly become a destination for all the senses.

Queenstown’s stunning vistas are available from every vantage point; from the downtown lakefront to the top of the gondola, you are spoilt for choice in where

you can access the arresting views of the surrounding mountains – aptly named The Remarkables.

Downtown Queenstown is alive with opportunities year-round to shop, eat, drink and explore. There is plenty of variety within a short distance, and the wide pedestrian zones and walkways along the lakefront make it easy to take in the local sights and sounds of the town centre.

Winter offers plenty of snow-related action and there is always lots happening on and off the mountains during the annual Winter Festival in June.

Summer visitors revel in the excuse to do everything outdoors, dining alfresco or just

enjoying the sunshine. The town is filled with people from early morning until well into the evening, making the most of the balmy twilights that stretch late into the night.

To venture further into nature, there are walkways and tracks suitable for a range of fitness levels and accessibility that lead you deep into the landscape, including those suitable for travellers in wheelchairs and on mobility scooters.

The birdlife in the area and the proximity to the surrounding wilderness provides a peaceful backdrop of stillness punctuated by the high, clear notes of native tui and bellbird.

For a change of perspective, why not sign up for a helicopter ride or scenic flight to View from Skyline Queenstown

In the know

The local i-SITE visitor information network and online tourism websites provide a comprehensive list of tour operators, accommodation and service providers for visitors with different levels of ability, along with equipment rental services and transport companies with vehicles for disabled drivers and passengers.

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Skyline Queenstown Gondola

Arrowtown

take in the views from the air? Or you could head out onto the lake with a day cruise or private boat charter.

For more of a physical challenge, you can choose from guided hikes in the mountains or tandem bike tours, some of which have sight-assisted options for the visionimpaired. Spending the day travelling the network of walkways and cycle trails that weave through the surrounding valleys inevitably involves calling in at a well-placed cafe or local winery along the way. There can be no better reward for your efforts than to sample some of the delicious local fare on offer.

If it’s an adrenaline rush you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. Queenstown is where the first commercial bungy jumping and jetboat tours originated, and the choice of adventure experiences here continues to grow. Many operators provide options for a range of disabilities – and, yes, that includes bungy jumping off a bridge from a wheelchair! For some activities there may be specific requirements like a doctor’s certificate, so it pays to make enquiries before you travel in order to avoid disappointment.

Like all international tourist destinations, Queenstown is not without its share

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of culinary experiences. From 5-star restaurants and gastropubs to local eateries and takeaway outlets, your tastebuds will be well catered for with an array of food choices using locally sourced fresh produce to suit all palates and budgets. As the locals are generally a friendly bunch, you’ll find most chefs are willing to cater to different dietary requirements. If you can’t decide which to try first, your accommodation provider can point you in the right direction, so be sure to tap into their local knowledge.

A visit to Queenstown is not complete without sampling the local wines and craft beers. Central Otago boasts some of New Zealand’s best wineries, including awardwinning pinot noir, chardonnay and other varietals. There are new microbreweries popping up all over the place, and most local pubs will have craft beers on tap.

If pampering is your idea of holiday heaven, why not book a spa treatment during your stay? There are more than 30 spas and wellness centres in and around Queenstown, offering all manner of treatments and indulgences designed to make you feel well and truly spoilt.

Whatever sensory experiences you seek, Queenstown is the perfect place to find them.

Writer Marina established Ability Adventures (abilityadventures. co.nz) in 2008 as a way to support people with disabilities and older people to enjoy the adventure of travel. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry and 30 years’ experience as an occupational therapist.

Here are her recommendations on accessible activities in Queenstown.

• Take a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the steamship TSS Earnslaw.

• Soak up the panoramic views from the lakeside trails, which can be taken in either direction from the town centre.

• Step into the depths of winter with a visit to Minus 5 Ice Bar. • Learn about local wine production and enjoy the flavours of the region on a Gibbston Valley Wine Cave Tour and Tasting.

• Enjoy a ride in a Skyline gondola to the lookout for views of The Remarkables.

TRAVELLING WITH A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY SCOOTER The demand for accessible travel has increased significantly over the past 10 years, and with a bit of planning and the right cover, you can absolutely take your wheelchair or mobility scooter travelling with you. Here are our top tips for travelling with mobility equipment.

PLAN AHEAD

Do your research on the accessibility provided by your carrier, hotel and destination before you set out.

DOUBLE-CHECK

While some airlines, cruise ships, train services and hotels provide accessible options for full-size scooters and electric wheelchairs, some providers may not.

Always call ahead to confirm before finalising your booking.

ASK FOR ADVICE

Contact your manufacturer and/or mobility equipment supplier to ask their advice about whether your equipment is suitable for your destination and the terrain there.

BE PREPARED

At a minimum, carry spare batteries and inner tubes (if appropriate) with you in case you blow a tyre. It’s also a good idea to find the nearest wheelchair/mobility scooter shop to your accommodation, in case of emergencies.

GET COVERED

It’s important to remember that having the right insurance policy is critical when you are travelling. Blue Badge Insurance offers a comprehensive policy with unique features and benefits specifically for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. These include: • Repair or replacement of a damaged wheelchair or scooter.

• Third-party injury that protects you if you

hit and injure somebody while using your equipment.

• Third-party property to protect you if you damage somebody else’s property with your equipment.

• ‘New for old’ replacement for a total loss for equipment up to 2 years old (from new).

• Personal items that get lost, stolen or damaged while using your mobility scooter.

• Cover while being transported overseas by air or sea.

• Repairer network for fast and fair claims handling.

For total peace of mind, it’s a great idea to insure your wheelchair or mobility scooter before you travel. If you have a pre-existing policy, make sure it covers you while you are overseas. Consider the specialist services provided by the team at Blue Badge Insurance, who understand the importance of your independence and mobility.

Visit bluebadgeinsurance.com.au or call 1300 304 802 to find out more.

For full details of the conditions, terms, limits and exclusions and to decide whether this cover is suitable for you please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement at www.BlueBadgeInsurance.com.au.

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‘I’M MOTIVATED AS EVER!’ We lured Paralympian Ahmed Kelly from training just long enough to have a chat about travel and his bid for gold in Para Swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

AHMED, TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. Before coming to Australia my brother Emmanuel and I lived in an orphanage in Baghdad, Iraq. We were both born with severely underdeveloped limbs after potentially being exposed to chemical weapons before we were born. Humanitarian worker Moira Kelly came into our lives and soon organised for us to come to Australia to receive medical treatment. Later she decided to put us through school and, before we knew it, Australia became our home.

In 2002 I underwent surgery to remove my legs below my knees. Once my medical needs had been taken care of, Moira organised for me to be homeschooled.

Before arriving in Australia I’d never been to school and Moira was concerned how

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I’d manage at the local primary school. My learning accelerated within 6 to 8 months through homeschooling and I was keen to transition to a traditional school setting. I started in Year 1 as a 9-year-old (children would normally be 5 or 7 years old) and thought it was fantastic to be among other kids. I was like a sponge and really enjoyed my schooling.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU ENCOUNTER WHEN YOU TRAVEL? As an athlete I travel quite a bit. In 2010 I travelled to Berlin; it was my first big trip since coming to Australia and I did learn a few lessons on that trip.

On the plane I took off my prosthetic legs as they had become sweaty. But after we landed and when I went to put them back on, my legs had swollen so much, they wouldn’t fit. I needed to ask a flight attendant for a face cloth to bring down the swelling. I’ve now learnt not to take my prosthetic liner off on the plane. The legs are okay to come off but unfortunately the liner must stay on.

Some hotel rooms also have challenges for me. On my first trip, the room I’d been booked in to had a bath with a shower over it, which made it very difficult for me to use. I also find that because I’m on my knees when I shower, some taps in the bathroom are too high to reach.

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME OR MANAGE TRAVEL CHALLENGES? After travelling regularly I’ve learnt what’s within my scope and what’s outside of my scope. I’m not afraid to ask for help. For example, on the plane I find it hard to cut up food myself. I’ve found if I ask the cabin crew, they are helpful with opening up containers and even cutting up the food for me. I also need to ask for assistance with getting my carry-on luggage into and out of the overhead lockers. I find the majority of fellow passengers and cabin crew are patient and helpful.

Another challenge is the confined bathroom space on planes. The door handles on the inside of these bathrooms can also

Image: Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

be difficult to operate. In the past I’ve asked the cabin crew to assist by opening the door when I give a light knock as a signal that I’m ready to come out from the bathroom. Again, they’ve been happy to assist. I’ve found Etihad Airways, Qantas and Singapore Airlines have larger bathrooms.

TELL US ABOUT A HOLIDAY OR TRIP YOU’VE TAKEN THAT WAS A SUCCESS. WHAT MADE IT A SUCCESS? I’ve been lucky that each trip I’ve taken has been smooth. Because I travel with a team, we have a team manager who checks out all the accessibility for us. I also find the helpful attitude of people makes my travels a success.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TRAVEL TIPS? WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW THE FIRST TIME YOU TRAVELLED? I’ve learnt small changes can make a difference. Something as simple as choosing a travel wallet that doesn’t have a zipper (which is difficult for me to unzip multiple times) makes my airport experience quicker and easier.

Travelling regularly, I’ve found I can speed up the process at security by being

open to questions. I let them know I’m prepared to be assessed openly in public.

I’ve never been asked to take my legs off, but I have been asked to remove my shoes, so having them loose and ready makes it quicker.

I’m always vigilant on a flight to keep hydrated and do stretches for my wellbeing.

I learnt the hard way with liquids within my suitcase and recommend keeping them in a zip-lock bag. Once I had liquid spill throughout my luggage and I was not happy!

Lastly, travel with a light powerboard.

There are never enough accessible power points in a hotel room, and by travelling with a powerboard you only need one adaptor for the country you’re travelling to.

WHAT DOES TRAVEL MEAN TO YOU? Travel offers new opportunities and the ability to learn lots of different things about myself and the country I’m travelling to. It gives me the chance to make new friends and learn how to handle new situations. I always try to be myself and attempt to learn even a few words in the local language.

When I travelled to Rio our swimming team tried to learn a bit of Portuguese so when we went to dinner we could briefly acknowledge the local staff.

WHAT IMPROVEMENTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE FUTURE IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY? It would be great to find a way for wheelchair users to easily access the aircraft bathrooms.

And for me it would be easier to eat with firmer airline cutlery – like they have in business class. This is because firmer cutlery is able to fit inside my arm cuff, which is velcroed on.

TELL US ABOUT THE NEXT EVENT YOU ARE TRAINING FOR AND YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE. World Championships are on this year in September in London and I think a fair few world records will be broken there. I’m hoping the Aussie team does really well and it provides a confidence booster in the lead up to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Currently I’m training 6 days a week. I do 8 to 9 swimming sessions and 2 to 3 gym sessions a week. I’m building towards my third Games, which will be in Tokyo, Japan.

The challenge will be to keep up the high intensity but I’m as motivated as ever!

If you’d like to follow Ahmed, you can do so at facebook.com/ahmedmkelly and instagram.com/ ahmedmkelly, and follow the Paralympic team’s progress at facebook.com/AUSParalympics

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IS INDIA WHEELIE THAT EASY? WORDS: MAX BURT IMAGES: JUSTINE O'BRIEN

It was 1989, my first visit to India. I shielded my jetlagged eyes from the glare of the midday sun. My white Bristol taxi bumped down the freeway from the airport towards central Delhi.

Suddenly the driver jerked the steering wheel to the left; a cow ambled towards us in the fast lane. After narrowly avoiding the sacred beast, normal service was resumed and we continued our drive towards Delhi.

For me, that trip to India was a unique blend of the everyday and the fantastic. And the cow incident was a perfect example of the sorts of things you experience only in India.

30 years later, I reflected on that first visit to India as my wife Justine picked up our bags from the airport luggage conveyor belt. The juxtaposition of the mundane and the fantastic was exactly why I had wanted to come back.

"India has changed so much" everyone told us in the weeks before we set off on our month-long trip. Well, yes, it has undoubtedly been dragged into the 21st century, particularly in regards to technology. In many ways, India is as advanced as many countries in the developed world. For example, the streetfood vendor by the side of the road could easily have put down his mobile after a successful trade on the NASDAQ. As Justine and I rolled out of the airport, we were hit by the

Max testing out India's ramps

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magical realism of India. In front of us loomed the frowning figure of an Indian soldier with a semi-automatic machine gun on his hip.

"Sorry sir, you can't go back in there," he grunted.

"But our guide hasn't turned up yet – he’s stuck in traffic and I really need an accessible loo," was my reply.

"Security," he replied.

So for the next 2 hours we waited for a bathroom break while our helper Goutam and his driver persevered through the Delhi traffic to collect us.

Goutam accompanied us throughout our entire trip. He was there to take some of the strain off Justine by pushing my powered wheelchair when necessary and loading and unloading it from our car. Our driver was Guru, an effervescent, highly skilled, cheery man who accompanied us for more than half of our journey until we needed to fly from Jaipur to Udaipur.

4 hours after landing, we checked in to our hotel and I was able to use the loo. At check-in I’d been so desperate to get to our room that I hadn't been bothered to argue about the extortionate wifi costs the hotel wanted to charge us. Hey, this is India and we are foreigners – some things don’t change.

The next morning we woke to the sound of eagles crying as they swooped through the city mist and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the breakfast at our hotel.

After breakfast, we were introduced to the first of our excellent guides: Ahmer, a writer who supplements his income with tourist dollars. He led us on a tour of the main sights of Delhi. After visiting Humayun’s tomb, Qutub Minar, Bangla Sahib, Old Delhi, Red Fort and Parliament, it was clear to us that the Indian Tourist Board takes the issue of accessibility to its public monuments very seriously, and has invested accordingly.

Before this trip, I had promised myself I would take photos of every ramp I came across to tweet later. I’d imagined that India's newfound attention on responsibility and being more inclusive meant there would be a few ramps – but Justine and I were both taken aback by just how many there were! They were available at every turn, apart from where the laws of physics dictated otherwise. Many were sensitively integrated into monuments; some were temporary; occasionally some were crude additions to an otherwise beautiful building; a few didn't strictly adhere to building codes. Altogether, it put developed nations to shame. I don't know whether the level of access was driven by a commercial imperative to attract more visitors, or if a sensitivity to those who find it more difficult to get around is hardwired

Max taking in the beauty of the Taj Mahal

Safety first

If you don’t want to be struck down with Delhi belly, it’s best to be a little paranoid and avoid ice or anything that has been washed in unboiled water.

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On the few occasions where a ramp had been overlooked or would have been impossible to install, India’s population of 1.3 billion means there is no shortage of muscle to lift a wheelchair over an obstacle.

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into the Indian DNA. But here is a country that, despite the obvious challenges, made every effort to make the mobility-impaired feel part of the party in its public buildings.

On the few occasions where a ramp had been overlooked or would have been impossible to install, India’s population of 1.3 billion means there is no shortage of muscle to lift a wheelchair over an obstacle. And I was surprised by just how eager, helpful and welcoming the locals were. It wasn't just the hope of making a few rupees (although clearly that was an unsaid expectation) – there was also an obvious desire to make everyone feel included. They wanted to make the experience pleasant, and they were proud to show off the welcoming side of India.

After leaving Delhi, we had similar experiences in Agra and Jaipur, the other 2 corners of the "Golden Triangle" tourist circuit.

All the main attractions (including the Taj Mahal) have been made accessible where possible.

As we expected, things became more challenging when we headed to the less touristy Udaipur and Varanasi – but even then we were surprised. For example, much of the breathtaking Udaipur City Palace complex is wheelchair-friendly because a previous Maharajah was a wheelchair user. Here, an original 1920s lift is reached by the most majestic ramp I have ever seen.

But, don’t get me wrong, travelling through India in a wheelchair wasn’t always a bed of roses.

I imagine that everyday life for wheelie-using residents would be very challenging, largely because the issue of access is a long way down the list of societal needs that should be addressed. Generally speaking, the Indian-built environment is simply not conducive to wheelchair use, nor do most private businesses have anything approaching flat access. Consequently, venturing out of the bigger hotels for an off-the-itinerary meal relies on prior research conducted by your tour operator or guide. And, for the most part, accessible venues are thin on the ground. On the other hand, many hotels are like palaces (in fact some were palaces), so it's difficult to resist the temptation to stay put.

On the subject of hotels, if you usually find yourself struggling

for space in hotel rooms, you will be delighted by the size of Indian accommodations. Unless you are travelling on a very tight budget, bedrooms are generally cavernous. And roll-in showers are frequently available if requested in advance (double-check this with your guide or tour operator before arriving).

The experiences we had in one tiny part of this vast country exceeded every expectation, apart from in one area: air travel. In our experience, wheelies with powered wheelchairs should at the moment avoid domestic air travel in India, travelling instead by road if they can.

As wheelies, we are accustomed to arriving at airports early to catch flights. In India, you need to turn up at least 3 hours before you fly for even the shortest domestic flight. We took three internal flights – one we boarded by the skin of our teeth, on another – for the first time in 19 years – I was charged excess baggage for my wheelchair.

I think it’s the security worries, the fact that there are no universal procedures, the sheer unpredictability of everything and the lack of English that makes flying in India more stressful than in other countries.

Our final flight saw us arrive in Varanasi, a city some say most represents the "real" India. For others it is the spiritual capital of India, a city that draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters. The celebrated author Arundhati Roy wrote "Never forget your own insignificance … and the vulgar disparity of life". Varanasi forces you to face these feelings head on.

Pilgrims need to navigate many steps down to the bathing/ worshipping ghats that line the river. This presents challenges for wheelies. If you are flexible, resourceful, willing to be carried and not reliant on a powered wheelchair all the time, it is definitely worth getting down to the river banks and making the most of being in such a spiritual destination.

Overall, travelling in India, whether in a wheelchair or not, is a spiritual experience. In most instances, physical obstacles can be overcome, and I would urge any wheelie with spirit to give it a go.

If you’d like to follow Max, you can do so at wheeleasy.org

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MOROCCAN DREAMING WORDS: GENIA STEPHEN

Travelling the world with my kids is something I’ve always fantasised about. Our youngest was born with significant medical issues and disabilities. For the first 6 years of his life, we took exciting flights in planes and helicopters several times a year – to our paediatric hospital. Travel wasn’t even on our minds.

Fast-forward a few years into the future and things are very different. Our son still has medical issues and disabilities, but he no longer gets regularly air-lifted to a paediatric hospital. The boundaries of our world have become wider and wider.

Morocco, one of the northern-most countries of the African continent, has been on my bucket list since I was a teenager. But I wasn’t sure how I would manage to travel with my elderly father-in-law, my 11-yearold son who uses a wheelchair and eats a blended diet via g-tube, my 13-year-old son, my husband, a friend and supporter, and my not-so-in-shape self. Travelling to a country in which we didn’t speak the language, where gender roles and expectations were

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Guide Houssaine

very different from what I was used to, where bartering and haggling are both an art and a science, and where accessibility was not even a footnote on the national agenda was somewhat daunting.

Enter El Houssaine Ichen, or Houssaine for short. He operates Disabled Tourist Guide (disabled-tourist-guide.com), an accessible travel company that specialises in helping people with disabilities travel in Morocco. Houssaine contracted polio at the age of 3, which left his legs paralysed.

With the use of braces and crutches, and speaking 4 languages (currently working on 2 others), Houssaine navigates the inaccessible country on behalf of his clients.

The Disabled Tourist Guide was exactly what we needed to travel Morocco the way we like to travel: backpacks, authentic cuisine, clean but not too touristy accommodations, and getting to – and inside – some amazing sites.

We arrived in the early evening and Houssaine met us at the airport. After a short van ride to the old city, we

disembarked in the entryway to what appeared to us to be a rabbit warren of people-, donkey- and moped-crowded alleyways with thick, high walls without windows and large ornate locked doors.

Our luggage was quickly placed in a wheelbarrow by men who seemed to appear out of nowhere and was whisked away down a dim corridor, quickly engulphed by the darkness and crowds.

Another stranger tried to convince us to hand over our son in his wheelchair; we politely but firmly declined.

Houssaine – unperturbed and aware that this was all a courtesy service of the lovely and welcoming riad that we would moments later check in to – waved us along. Huddled close to each other and scurrying to keep close to our guide whizzing along the uneven streets on his crutches, we pressed forward. This, my friends, was a culture shock.

We spent the evening and the next day exploring Jamaâ El Fna, getting our bearings and enjoying the friendly people

and delicious food. A warning, though: the haggling and, ahem, assertiveness of the sellers in the medina is very different to what we are used to. It was intimidating.

Then we headed for the Sahara in an accessible van Houssaine hired for us.

Now, a word to the wise (which I was not): travelling from Marrakech to the Sahara and back in four days requires a lot of time in a van. And a lot of that time is hairpin roads through the High Atlas Mountains with a driver who has no fear of heights, no travel nausea and speaks no English. When we asked how far it was to our next stop, the answer was always “3 hours”. Was it worth it? Yes. Would I recommend planning it that way? No – most certainly not. However, in addition to being dizzying and occasionally terrifying, the drive through the mountains was spectacular. We passed one Berber village after another, eventually stopping at UNESCO World Heritage site Ait Ben Haddou, famous for its Cassbah and fortified village. Sadly, we didn’t have time to visit the village.

Genia & her son

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We had lunch in Ouarzazate and carried on Boumalne Dades, admiring the scenic drive along the road to Tinghir. We arrived in Tinghir near the Todgha Gorges as the sun was setting. We stood in the dark of the valley, looking up and around a full 360 degrees as the sun set on the mountain tops all around us.

That night was memorable. The food was spectacular thanks to the advocacy and negotiation of Houssaine, the amenities were not. Our rooms were on the second floor and there was no elevator. The bathrooms were tiny. The building had no central heating and was made from the thick stone and cement wall common in the area (read: it was cold). Our friend got up before dawn to shower so that he would be available to help everyone, but there was no hot water. The hotel staff failed to mention that hot water was only available later in the morning after someone started the wood fire in the hot-water heater on the roof of the building.

The restaurant didn’t have a blender, so they did what any self-respecting Moroccan host would do: they called around to people in the community until they found one we could use to prepare food for our son’s

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blended g-tube diet.

Several men gathered in the tiny kitchen (some chain-smoking cigarettes), watching and encouraging us while we used a low-powered, community-sourced blender to make food and then push it through a fine sieve so that it was g-tube compatible. They were friendly, interested and even offered some (totally unhelpful) suggestions.

When we set off early in the morning, we drove through the gorge, sheer rock walls soaring several stories high on either side of us, evidence of river flooding trickling alongside our vehicle. A few Moroccan merchants lined some of the wider edges of the gorge, their colourful wares flapping in the brisk wind driving through the narrow space. We drove and drove throughout the day. In the late afternoon, we arrived in Merzouga at the edge of the Sahara. Weary but excited, we prepared for our camel caravan into the desert to find the tent where we would spend the night. Then we discovered that it would take up to 3 hours on camelback to reach the camp. Up to 3 hours with my exhausted son like a wet, heavy noodle on the back of a camel without his

custom seating. Even our power-lifting elite athlete friend was uncertain he could provide that level of support for that long while perched on the back of a lurching camel!

Our guide made other arrangements.

We took a wild ride in a Toyota LandCruiser that flew over the sand dunes. We had to leave my son’s wheelchair behind in locked storage. This was not ideal for a couple of reasons: 1 The fact that our hosts had an expensive high-end 4x4 vehicle ruined our white Eurocentric fantasy about our night in a traditional nomadic tent. (Kidding!)

2 My son had to be carried everywhere. At age 11, he doesn’t love this. (Not kidding!)

We had a brief camel ride, watched the sunset alter the colour of the sand dunes, listened to musicians sing and play the Tam Tam drums, and slept beside 25 strangers on mats in the sand. Oh, and it briefly rained that night. But the fact that my kids were able to experience the Sahara in the rain just blows my mind. It raises the bar for what I believe to be possible!

If you’d like to follow Genia, you can do so at goodthingsinlife.org

"The fact that my kids were able to experience the Sahara in the rain just blows my mind. It raises the bar for what I believe to be possible."

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TRAVELLING THE WORLD ON A LUGGIE Fold, Pack, Travel. This is the freedom that's offered by a new generation of portable mobility scooters. Clever engineering has transformed the lumbering, awkward beasts of yesterday into the nifty and lightweight yet still sturdy travel scooters of today.

Australians struggling with anything from dodgy knees to degenerative conditions are increasingly taking advantage of these slick mobility aids. They have freed up the traveller to explore without assistance, through cities and over boardwalks, on trains and cruise ships, without the extensive planning and struggle that used to take place.

Maureen Corrigan, a retired health professional and compulsive traveller, marvels at how much easier the scooter makes things.

“The scooter lets me go where I want when I want – it's perfect for that! There’s none of this waiting around for someone else to push me,” she says.

Maureen is just one of many people rediscovering adventure in a way that was unthinkable even 10 years ago. Her scooter of choice is the Luggie. It was the first of this new type of scooter to gain popularity, and is arguably still the best of the pack. Sitting on one, you can feel that it's well-built and stable, and riding around is intuitive and smooth. With puncture-proof tyres and upgraded suspension, the Luggie is both tough and comfortable. And because the motor powers the rear axle – not the front, like some of its competitors – it can handle bumps and slopes with ease.

Scooters like the Luggie have been designed specifically with travel in mind – and indeed people like Maureen have taken theirs all over the world. When travelling by plane, there are some easy regulatory hoops to jump through and a few forms to fill in, but by now airliners are used to accommodating mobility scooters.

Another Luggie user, Scott Sanderson, has braved the Northern Lights and Alcatraz. For him it makes adventure

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possible – something he once thought he’d lost. He isn’t a fussy traveller – he just likes to drink in new places for their history and atmosphere. The scooter enables that in a way that makes him forget it’s there at all.

When asked about his most fond memories, he shares “Going around the streets of Paris with my wife, the cafes, the museums, just being able to get out and about”.

Scott also knows how smoothly things run at airports for someone with a folding scooter.

“They let you drive your scooter all the way down the tunnel, right to the door of the plane, before they take it off to the cargo hold. And when you get off, it’s already there waiting for you. Very simple,” he says.

In less than one minute, the Luggie can be folded into a compact shape that is small enough to fit into the boot of a car. It also has the option to be folded into a flat board-like shape that can then be levered into the boot, effectively halving the weight for those who otherwise might find it a bit tough.

To learn more, visit scootersaus.com.au

Mel at the helm of Tenacious

ON THE GOOD SHIP TENACIOUS WORDS: MEL HARRISON

Sailing has always been a love of mine.

The freedom of being on the water, especially since ending up in a wheelchair at 14 years of age, attracted me to the journeys offered by Jubilee Sailing Trust. The charity’s unique mission is “to give people of mixed abilities and circumstances the freedom to explore their ability, potential and place in the world through inclusive adventures at sea”. I experienced all of this and more, making it a life-changing voyage for me.

Knowing my adventurous personality, a work colleague told me about Jubilee Sailing Trust’s wooden tall ship Tenacious, which was touring Australia in 2017.

A total of 17 voyages were on offer for people of all abilities. This beautiful ship – 65m long and 42m high – is designed for people with disabilities to be active crew members and sail the vessel alongside people who don’t have a disability. Lifts on the ship enable crew with a mobility restriction to reach the bridge, the under

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Everyone is part of a team on Tenacious, and people with disabilities are encouraged to participate and meet their full potential, making this a wonderfully inclusive experience. Not once did I feel different, nor that I couldn't do something.

deck and the bowsprit. Braille signage throughout the ship assists people with vision impairment to navigate their way, and accessible bathrooms and individual cabins makes the ship inclusive for all. A sling attached to the bed means you can strap yourself in when you sleep for safety during rough seas, and a ceiling hoist can be provided for those needing it for wheelchair transfers.

Tenacious offered the perfect set-up for me, and it was not long before I decided to set sail on the voyage from Hobart to Sydney. The idea of sailing over the Bass Strait both excited and terrified me. But in February 2017, after convincing my close friend Michelina to join me, we sailed for 10 nights. I’ve travelled extensively, but I can honestly say that this sailing voyage was by far the best holiday I have ever had, despite working for a lot of it!

Life onboard is indeed very structured, and as a full member of the crew I had to do my share of work to make the ship move.

The crew consists of 9 permanent members and up to 45 volunteers. Most voyages will have 4 watches and up to 10 people participating in each one. On our trip we had about 24 volunteer members divided in 3 different watch teams. During a watch, duties include being a lookout, steering the helm and filling in the log book. The hardest watch for me was the one from 4am to 8am – not only is it early to get up, but it’s also the coldest time of the day. When not on

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watch duty, jobs include helping to set and pack up sails.

When I heard about happy hour, I was excited, thinking we were going to get a drink or two. But the reality was disappointing – happy hour on Tenacious involves everyone on the ship cleaning for an hour! Not a drink in sight.

The 10-day trip over the Bass Strait concerned me initially, as I knew if I couldn’t handle it I would be stuck onboard the whole time and unable to leave. The only sailing I had done previously was out of my wheelchair on either an 2.4m dingy or a 7m ship – and that was only ever for a few hours at a time.

Balance for me was definitely different; my core had to be switched on the whole time as controlling the wheelchair was harder, and at times I had to rely on people to assist me – for someone who likes independence, that was hard. There was also the fear that I was going to fall out of my chair, especially when the winds became rough. But the ship’s accessibility and the way people accommodated me made the whole experience enjoyable, and I thrived on the voyage.

Everyone is part of a team on Tenacious, and people with disabilities are encouraged to participate and meet their full potential, making this a wonderfully inclusive experience. Not once did I feel different, nor that I couldn't do something. With assistance, I helped set sail, participated in

the watches and go to the top of the crow’s nest. As they hoisted me up, sitting in a wheelchair, I had an amazing view of the harbour. I was also able to climb out onto the bowsprit with my cabin mate, a French girl named Annabelle. It was exhilarating going over the Bass Strait in almost full sail with Annabelle calling the dolphins in French, me in English, and much to our delight we spotted 8 dolphins below us. Although amazing, it’s quite scary too when you are hanging over the ocean with just a rope net under you. I burst into song with Rod Stewart’s famous ‘I am sailing’. Despite that, lasting friendships were made and I’m still in regular contact with people I met on that sail.

I recently flew to Europe to sail Tenacious for the second time. Loving the first trip so much, I couldn’t wait to return to my happy place. On the voyage from France to Holland, I was joined by my previous cabin mate Annabelle and my good friend Jane, a first-time sailor. The experience was just as great and it was amazing to be able to participate in the Tall Ship Regatta, along with 50 international ships. The festivities continued with parades and crew parties, and we could see the impact of the inclusiveness of Tenacious on the sailors from across the world.

Since my first trip there have been improvements to the ship – the main being the different types of assisted climbs now available. Some of my fellow crew members

who were wobblier on their legs still got to climb with support, others who have limited use of their arms and legs were hoisted in their wheelchair. I had the opportunity to sit in a sling and pull myself up with my arms.

I didn’t believe I could do it, but the staff and crew members encouraged me to give it a go. It was an amazing feeling using just my arms to climb the 20 odd metres, something that without this ship I would never have tried. It’s wonderful to see people with disabilities enabled to participate within their ability, but also to see them push their limits and fears as well.

The experience for me was life-changing.

It helped me feel more confident in myself and forget that I had a disability, and I made lifelong friendships. Those sailing without a disability also benefit from seeing how, with a little thought and time, barriers can be removed, and they see that at the end of the day people with disabilities can be included in everyday activities and adventure sports.

I highly recommend sailing on Tenacious through Jubilee Sailing Trust.

It not only caters for people with mobility impairment but also vision impairment, hearing impairment and cognitive impairment. If you want to experience adventure, inclusion and fun at the same time, this is your trip!

Writer Mel Harrison is the founder of Sitting Low Reaching High. Learn more at sittinglowreachinghigh.com

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Marlena & Bert meeting the penguins in Dubai

COMFORT ZONES ARE OVERRATED When we travel, we can summarise exactly why we do so in two words: culture and experiences. I have been blessed over the years to experience the joys of travel and all that it brings. It becomes addictive as it interrupts and challenges my everyday living at home.

Being a wheelchair user and an avid traveller means that before, during and even after a trip, one becomes a great researcher.

Effectively we become our own travel agent (even if we have one), googling, researching and exploring what is available at destinations all across the world.

The idea of a wheelchair user, or people with other disabilities, exploring the space of adventure tourism may appear to be a unique concept, or in some situations be considered an impossible task. However, over the years I’ve been lucky to have had the support to achieve some insane activities that might not spring to mind for

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those with disabilities. Life is an adventure, and here are the top 5 experiences I’ve had.

WHAT: SNOWMOBILING WHERE: HAKUBA, JAPAN Planning for a trip to the snow can be a challenge at the best of times. I went on this adventure to Japan with my high school.

It was my first time to the snow and my assistant wasn’t a competent skier, so we nutted out a plan to keep me entertained on the snow while my more able-bodied peers skied. A snowmobile was the answer and proved to provide an amazing experience. The guys at the ski resort of Hakuba 47 ensured my three days on the slope was memorable and my need for speed was well and truly catered for.

Wheelie tip: Take a manual chair (and some muscle) to the snow so you can easily jump on and off the gondolas. It allows for better access overall. Side note:

WORDS: MARLENA KATENE

The guys at Hakuba 47 will treat you like royalty.

WHAT: MEETING PENGUINS WHERE: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Dubai has so many activities you can do, including sanddune buggies, desert safaris, skydiving over the Palms or simply shopping at the world’s largest shopping mall (while watching the famed Dubai fountains). In the middle of the desert, going skiing in the snow isn’t the first thing that crosses one’s mind, however it’s Dubai, and in Dubai nearly anything is possible. Dubai Ski is built within the Mall of the Emirates and gives tourists the opportunity to ski, snowboard and even have a close encounter with penguins. It’s not a cheap experience, but there are a wide range of packages to suit everyone’s interests. Not all the activities are possible – it really depends on your needs. Meeting

the penguins was an incredible experience and one I never thought I would do in Dubai. The close encounters are available twice an hour throughout the day. It begins with a trainer talk about the 39 penguins that call Snow Park home and information about their conservation efforts. Of course, the part everyone waits for is the penguin encounter and having photos taken with the animals.

Wheelie tip: A penguin is very curious, and it’s not common for them to see a wheelchair. At first they will be a little standoffish, but they eventually come around. Contact the venue a day or two before your arrival to give them the heads-up that you’d like to visit and advise them of your needs. They will allow a carer in for free with you and do everything in their power to give you a great day out. A manual chair is a must for this ski park – it would be hard to get around without one.

WHAT: SELFIE WITH THE POPE WHERE: VATICAN CITY This was a random experience for me. After a Contiki trip to Italy, we decided to return a few years later as we were in love with the place. If you have been to Rome, I’m sure you can relate.

The second time around for us it was more relaxed, and we got to see the city at our own pace – this included a trip to Vatican City. We went on a Tuesday and, as we were leaving, we were asked if we were going to the Papal mass the next day in the Square. It wasn’t on our agenda, but as the saying goes, when in Rome… We were advised to arrive early and to position ourselves at the left barriers at the front entrance. We were told that if we got there early they could guarantee a great spot. So we arrived early and the scenes were reminiscent of a Myer stocktake sale – people were lining up waiting to get the best spot. However, for me, a

wheelchair user, they ushered me in early to the very front, right near the stage. This is standard if you have a disability and ask the right question. We got the prime spot, and after the mass the Pope came down to bless us, give us some beads and even agreed to a selfie. The crowd went wild and he just laughed it off. I don’t think it was his first selfie judging by his body language.

Wheelie tip: Do the Vatican tour the day before to get your bearings. Arrive early (7am) on the day, take lots of water (as it will be a long, hot day) and get that iPhone charged for your selfie!

WHAT: BASE JUMPING WHERE: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA BASE is an acronym for building, antenna, span and earth. As an avid skydiver, I was encouraged by a friend of mine to explore the possibility of becoming the world’s first person with cerebral palsy to BASE jump. It was after my 14th skydive that I researched some other fun things to do and I came across a guy in America who was offering tandem BASE jumps. There were only 3 people in the world who were doing such an activity, and this guy, Sean Chuma, was the best in the business. So, after some research, I contacted him and sent links to my previous jumps. To my surprise he came back with a “Yer, I can take

you. Can you come to the US?”.

As I had just got back from there, I told him it may be the next year. His response? “Well I’ll be in Kuala Lumpur in two weeks if you want to come there – we can jump off the KL Tower.” To cut a long story short, we scrambled together our arrangements and got there. For a wheelie, BASE jumping and even navigating around Kuala Lumpur was an adventure.

Wheelie tip: Anyone can do anything, even BASE jumping.

Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t tell your mother what BASE jumping is before doing it. Show her the videos after the event – it will go down a lot easier!

WHAT: CONTIKI TOUR WHERE: EUROPE, SCOTLAND AND THE US (OTHER COUNTRIES ARE AVAILABLE) Like most kids finishing school, I went through a stage when my social life declined a little. Being non-verbal and a wheelchair

Marlena meeting the Pope

user made it somewhat harder to just pick up the phone to go over to friends’ places, which got to me to a degree. While I made new friends in my business course, after school there was a void in my life. I enjoyed travel, so I decided to go on a Contiki tour. My first tour was through Europe with 50 other travellers who were mainly Australians.

I have since done three Contiki tours and have made lifelong friends. Being stuck on a bus, you get to know people in a very social environment. When Contiki tours finish, you stay

close to people – I have been to Bali with a group of 8 of my Contiki friends since, attended weddings, couch-surfed and had many Contiki friends stay at my house. Contiki tours are a must to consider, especially if you have a disability.

Wheelie tip: Be upfront about your disability prior to the trip, provide the support your disability requires and be openminded with fellow travellers about your disability. Contiki is fast-paced and not for everyone, but the social rewards are worth every cent of these trips.

If you’d like to follow Marlena, you can do so at YouTube - theaacjournalist Facebook - Marlena Katene Twitter -@aacjournalist

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GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD Integrity Car Sales and Rentals is a family run wheelchair vehicle specialist that imports purpose-built accessible vehicles for sale and rent. Here, we learn more about why they do what they do.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO BUSINESS?

A few years ago, we were contacted by a friend who had been involved in an accident. He needed a wheelchairaccessible vehicle and, since he knew we had lived in Japan for 12 years, he hoped we could import one for him.

After seeing how the vehicle made him mobile again, our business was born.

Since then, we’ve continued to serve the needs we see emerging.

WHAT NEEDS ARE THOSE?

Developing a rental fleet to meet the demand of those who couldn’t afford to purchase their own accessible vehicle, creating a ‘try before you buy’ plan so people can trial a vehicle to ensure it will meet their needs before they purchase it, delivering vehicles to rural

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areas to make the delivery process easier on families, and ensuring we have a range of vehicles available to suit everyone.

ARE YOU LINKED WITH THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME (NDIS)?

We are NDIS providers, which means for more than 2 years we have been able to: • Have vehicle modifications funded for participants who have bought one of our vehicles as a secondhand already modified vehicle; under current Vehicle Modifications Operational Guidelines, vehicles that are 5 years old and 80,000km can secure funding with the Vehicle Modification Assessment Template.

• Supply rental vehicles funded by the NDIS to participants who unexpectedly require a vehicle, are having their own car modified, have rental in their plan, or choose to rent a car to access family and community.

SO INTEREST IN VEHICLE RENTAL IS INCREASING?

Yes. We are seeing participants who have funding for a rental a few weekends or a week a month because it’s not viable for them to own their own vehicle. They are requesting this funding in their plans so they can choose to access the community in the way they wish to.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR INTEGRITY CAR SALES AND RENTALS?

In response to calls for rentals in more remote areas, we are developing satellite rental sites in Adelaide, Brisbane and greater NSW, such as Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Central Coast and Newcastle.

To find out how Integrity Car Sales and Rentals can benefit you, visit icsar.com.au or call 1300 935 222.

4 MUST�PACK ITEMS FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS WORDS: JULIE JONES

01 WHEELCHAIR LOCK

Some attractions may require a wheelchair user who is able to transfer from their wheelchair for an experience to leave it behind. It’s not always possible to leave it somewhere secure, so a wheelchair lock offers peace of mind – you’ll know the chair is secure and will be there upon your return.

02 BASIC REPAIR KIT

Ask your wheelchair supplier to provide you with a basic repair kit. Items like spare bearings and any bolts or fittings that are unique to your chair may come in handy.

Basic tools like Allen keys, spanners and screwdrivers that suit the fittings will enable you to do repairs on the move – but make sure they are packed in your checked luggage, otherwise they may be confiscated by security.

03 DISH BRUSH

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Muddy paths, dirt and sand can accumulate in wheelchair tyres, making it a messy travel companion. Travelling with a dish brush makes it easy to clean the tyres before putting the chair into a hire car or returning to your accommodation.

04 A SPARE BAG

When handing a wheelchair over to baggage handlers, it’s advisable to take off any removable parts, including the cushion, non-fixed armrests, joystick and headrest.

For ease, carry an empty bag that you can put all of these parts into at the plane door.

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A FRESH TAKE ON OLD TRADITIONS WORDS: SYLVIA LONGMIRE

Nothing says summer holiday like a roadtrip!

I live in the US, and roadtripping with your family here is a tradition that’s as old as the first car. Ours is a really large country, and sometimes there's no better way to see the nooks and crannies of small towns and stunning natural landscapes than by car. However, throw a family member in a wheelchair into the mix and things can get a little complicated.

In my little family, I happen to be the wheelchair user – and the driver. I am extremely lucky to be the owner of a wheelchair-accessible van, largely due to my status as a disabled veteran with access to grant money. My van represents my freedom almost as much as my wheelchair, allowing me not just to travel across the country but also do simple things like go to the store, meet friends for lunch or visit the hair salon.

It allows me to live my life the same as people who don't need wheelchairs.

As someone who works from home and sets my own hours, any day of the year is eligible for a vacation. However, summer breaks are especially meaningful for me because it's when I have custody of my two sons, who live with their father during the school year. Starting around March of every year, I start the planning process for our summer. I pick out two or three week-long summer camps first, then start choosing a roadtrip destination.

Our roadtrips contain pretty much the same elements as those taken by any other family. We stay in hotels with bouncy beds and fluffy pillows. We stop in scenic and historically significant places. We buy way too much fast food, pick up snacks

Sylvia & her boys travelling

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at service stations and argue over who is allowed to buy what packet at the shops. But what makes our roadtrips different is the hours and days and weeks of research and planning that have to happen before we even open the garage door.

As a professional accessible travel writer, I'm usually travelling a combined five months out of the year. Last year I flew more than 209,000km and spent 130 nights in hotel rooms across the world. If there's one thing I've discovered in my years of travelling in a wheelchair, it's that hotel designers don't really believe that wheelchair users have families. One of the biggest challenges I come across each year is finding a hotel room where the 3 of us – or 4 of us when my Mom comes along – can sleep comfortably, and where I can shower and use the toilet safely. I've managed up until now thanks to all-suite hotels that have rooms with

separate bedrooms, but it usually comes at a very steep price.

My first attempt at a roadtrip with my kids was in 2017. My best friend lives about 9 hours away from me in North Carolina, and she has 2 children roughly the same ages as mine. The plan was to drive to her house, spend a few days there, then all drive together 2 hours west to an indoor waterpark for a couple of days. From there, my Mom and the boys and I would drive back home to Central Florida. Fortunately, everything went well, but I definitely learnt a few things.

The first is that driving 9 hours in one day is not a good thing for my body. At the time, I had an accessible Ford Explorer, which was really comfortable most days, but certainly not for 9 hours in a body that routinely deals with leg spasms. I also learnt that driving time for adults is definitely not equivalent to driving time for kids. They need to eat

Sylvia & sons roadtripping

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more frequently, go to the bathroom more frequently and definitely complain about the time more frequently.

In 2018, my answer was to visit a place that was a bit closer to home. I chose Atlanta, which is one of the largest cities in the US, largely because there are so many family friendly things to do in a relatively central area. We had an absolute blast! We visited Legoland Discovery Center, the World of Coca-Cola museum and the incredible Georgia Aquarium. Most touching for me was watching the boys play in the Fountain of Rings with dozens of local kids in Centennial Olympic Park.

I knew 2019 was going to have to be something special, or else I ran the risk of disappointing my boys, who were becoming more and more spoilt as travelers. To ease the pain of driving so many long hours, I decided to create an itinerary with several stops, with shorter distances between them.

I also wanted my boys to learn something, in addition to having silly fun. The plan was to drive 4 hours to our state capital of Tallahassee and visit Florida Historic Capitol Museum. From Tallahassee, we would drive another 3.5 hours to Lagrange, where we would spend three nights at a brand-new indoor waterpark. On the way home, we would spend one night on beautiful Amelia Island.

Not everything went according to plan this time, but that's what made it the best roadtrip yet. My original plan was to stop at a car museum in Tallahassee before heading north. That morning, it just sounded so

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boring, so I busted out my trusty Google Maps and decided to make a slight detour to one of the largest military aircraft museums in the country. I made sure that most of our trip did not include major highways, and we saw so many beautiful small towns in southern Georgia on the way to the indoor waterpark.

We also saw a huge peach and pecan plantation with an enormous visitors center, and my Mom and I vowed to stop by on the way to Amelia Island. It was amazing! I had the best peach cobbler of my life and tried peach ice-cream for the first time. The boys got to enjoy the playground next to the store and even play on 5 old tractors.

We arrived at Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island just before sunset that day. It had been raining the entire day, and I was hoping it would stop before we arrived because I wanted to show the boys something special.

Luckily it did, and I was able to take them out on a beach wheelchair access mat. It was their first time seeing one, and they thought it was pretty amazing that their Mom could actually go out to the beach in her wheelchair.

That was a really special moment for me.

The next morning, it was time to head home. I was ready for my own bed, but I felt like that special time with my kids was ending too soon. The important thing is that, as a mother in a wheelchair, this summer I was able to give my kids a very special gift: a normal childhood holiday experience.

If you’d like to follow Sylvia, you can do so at spintheglobetravel.net

TRIED & TESTED TURNY In 2018, Ali and Amin, two of the brothers who own Mobility Engineering, set off on the roadtrip of a lifetime from Sydney to Perth via Melbourne and Adelaide.

The aim of the adventure was to test the capabilities of the Turny Evo Swivel Seat. The brothers wanted to see the opportunities it could unlock for people living with disability and where it could take their customers.

Travelling for four weeks, they drove from Sydney to Canberra, on to Ballarat, Melbourne, Adelaide and across the Nullarbor to Perth. The Turny didn’t

miss a beat along the way and really showcased how a user would be able to engage with the sites and views. Rather than seeing everything through a window from inside a car, the Turny allows its user to get out of the vehicle to experience their surroundings. Most importantly, getting out of the vehicle is effortless with the Bluetooth smartphone-enabled device.

The Turny is easy to install and can be fitted to the front seats (driver or passenger) of most vehicles. It can also be fitted to the rear seat of some vehicles.

Some clients are finding that their

Turny can be fully funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); it can be moved from one vehicle to the next if you sell your car, which assists with funding. The NDIS won’t normally fund vehicle conversions and adaptations on older cars, but they will consider funding the Turny on older vehicles because the seat can be transferred to another car in time if needed, extending its longevity.

Mobility Engineering offers trials of the Turny across Australia. Want to try it out? Call 02 9482 4572 or email info@ mobilityengineering.com.au

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OUR HOME ON WHEELS WORDS: SAMANTHA AND DAVID JONES

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Matthew roadtripping

We have met many people with a family member with a disability on our travels – they all have amazing stories to share and are very impressed with the setup we have.

Australia has so much to offer travellers.

Believing nothing is impossible, we set about finding a way for our family to explore the country, despite our challenges, which include a son with high medical needs. A modified motorhome is our solution, and we’re now enjoying the freedom it offers.

Our son Matthew was born with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is a fulltime manual wheelchair user. Matthew is non-verbal, requires assistance with all of his daily living needs, is tube-fed with a blended food diet and requires 24-hour care. Matthew has an extensive list of medications daily and a very strict meal routine to accommodate them. He goes to school when he is well and my husband David and I are both now stay-at-home carers. The plus side to this is that we can travel together during the school-holiday breaks.

Matthew loves travelling in our modified motorhome and watching his DVDs while on the road. The motorhome has made our travel so much easier, as we can pull up and change or feed him in a comfortable situation. In the past we’ve found roadtripping in our car difficult as there’s nowhere to change a person with a disability in most public toilets.

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Alicia & Matthew in the motorhome

Wheelchair access to the motorhome

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The Avida (formerly Winnebago) wheelchair-accessible motorhome was our pick over a caravan as our son’s car is modified with a rear ramp, so it’s not possible to attach a towbar to tow a caravan.

Our motorhome has a wheelchair lift on the rear left side that allows the wheelchair to enter, and we had wheelchair restraints fitted next to the rear passenger seats so Matthew can always be included and attended to while travelling. We also added a washing machine, as Matthew’s washing is never-ending. The motorhome has an extended bathroom floor to allow the space for a shower chair, and the rear double bed folds down to allow the wheelchair to enter.

We also travel with a Toyota Noah wheelchair-accessible car that we tow behind the motorhome on a trailer. It includes a generator fitted into a box on the trailer, which allows us to stop and heat and blend his food when needed. Ensuring we can meet Matthew’s dietary requirements has always been a struggle for us when staying in hotels.

We’ve only had the motorhome for a year, so we haven’t ventured too far yet.

We started with Victoria and western

5 tips for motorhome travel

01 Travel with a variety of board and lawn games for the family to enjoy.

02 Watch your weight limits – we only pack enough clothes and food for four days and then wash and restock.

03 If a campground has a caretaker’s number available, call ahead to confirm availability.

04 The WikiCamp app is helpful in finding good camping locations.

05 Remember, being self-contained means you can make do camping on the side of the road if need be.

Queensland and learnt a few things along the way. We usually stay at showgrounds because they allow bigger motorhomes – between the motorhome and the car, we’ve got 14m and 7t. We joined the Showgrounds, Sports and Rec Grounds Camping Facebook group, which shares the showgrounds in Australia that allow camping and the facilities available. We really like the free camping spots, as the motorhome has solar panels and our generator is there for the extra power needs.

When we plan our trips, we search for places that are close to shops and hospitals. Another reason we tow the car is because Matthew loves shopping and it’s a little hard to park an 8m motorhome in the Woolworths carpark! We have met many people with a family member with a disability on our travels – they all have amazing stories to share and are very impressed with the setup we have.

Travelling with a motorhome does have some challenges, like fitting into a particular spot or knowing if we can use the generator without upsetting other campers. But we’ve always overcome any of these challenges.

We carefully research the facilities available at each stop and spread our time between the free camps and time at powered sites with facilities. That way Matthew can go out for a drive and walk around the town.

Matthew getting sick while we travel is obviously one of our concerns, but we have insurance that assists with this. Ken Tame Insurance offers a service that allows us to speak with a doctor and have scripts sent to the nearest chemist as needed.

As Matthew is getting bigger, we will start to have more challenges with lifting and bathing him. The motorhome isn’t fitted with a ceiling hoist or lifter, so we may need to look at a larger motorhome, which will have to be custom-made. This will be at a much greater cost, so for now we are enjoying the freedom of travelling and sleeping in the same vehicle with an aim to one day travel across Australia.

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DISNEY'S MAGIC REPLENISHES

WORDS: ALLI HOLLAND

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Alli & husband Liam at Disneyland

Alli, son Asher & husband Liam

Liam & Alli with friends in the US

In an attempt to forget that my 40th birthday was looming, my husband and I booked a trip to the US to escape. With every fibre of my being I wanted to take our son Asher with us.

I wanted him to share in the magic of Disney, to show him Universal Studios, and for him to join us when catching up with good friends.

But, sadly, Asher lives with a rare genetic condition, epilepsy, autism, a severe egg anaphylaxis, a portacath that requires regular flushing and is medically fragile. Asher always needs to be close to a paediatric hospital because he can crash quickly and go into septic shock.

Deciding to travel without our boy was agonizing, and a week before our departure I almost cancelled. But family and friends reminded us it was important to nurture ourselves as parents. It was 11 years since my husband and I had taken a trip together overseas, and in the years since we’d been through a lot. Everyone told us Asher would be fine and we’d return all the better for taking time out – and they were right.

Leaving Asher required detailed planning

for every possibility. We consulted Asher’s paediatrician, complex-needs nurse, carer, grandparents, teacher and principal. We made medical notes, action plans and a book that listed everything about him.

When booking the trip, we bought travel insurance that offered ‘cancel for any reason and return home’ cover in case we needed to rush home.

To prepare and help Asher with us being away, we made social stories about the trip.

Asher’s medical team, family and friends were all on hand to make sure he had the best care, making the trip possible.

Knowing Asher was in good hands, we were able to take off on our holiday, but it felt weird and took time to shift gears. It was hard to get used to not being a carer, with no medication routine and no tube feeds.

But once we gave ourselves permission to enjoy and make the most of this once-in-alifetime trip, it was magical; the stress began to melt away and we had an amazing time!

We chose Disneyland for its reputation for being the most magical place on Earth. After

Alli enjoying Disneyland

visiting when I was a teen, I’d always wanted to go back to share it with my husband.

We’ve had a lot of sadness in our lives and it was just the place to put a bit of sparkle back and catch our breath. We returned home from our holiday with more energy and spark. We hadn’t realised how tired we were until we experienced relaxation.

While away, we kept in touch with Asher and his class by sending photos and talking to him on FaceTime. Asher, meanwhile, learnt how to wrap his grandparents around his cute little finger and was spoilt rotten.

And, of course, we brought him loads of treasures from our trip, including videos we made for him, which he loved.

We’re now planning a family holiday to the Sunshine Coast, where Asher will love cruising along the sand in a beach wheelchair with the sun on his face.

Our trip to the US as a couple was both the hardest and best thing we’ve ever done.

We learnt that it’s okay to take time to replenish ourselves so we can continue the journey. It was good for the whole family.

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EXPLORING NEW ZEALAND WITH EASE New Zealand has so much to offer as a holiday destination, and hiring an accessible vehicle offers flexibility and the option of spontaneity. In this country, travelling is easy – the roads are good, the locals are friendly and the food is excellent. The scenery is endlessly varied and constantly changing, with many surprises within the course of a short drive. In the morning you can be at an accessible beach and by lunchtime you can be viewing (or relaxing in) thermal pools. Later that day, driving up a dormant volcano may offer the opportunity of snow play. Such is the diversity of experiences available within a couple of hours’ drive.

STAY AND PLAY

Consider staying at a place for 3 to 5 days and making daytrips from there.

Accessible accommodations are easily available, at prices from budget to premium. Get in touch with the team at

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Freedom Mobility (freedommobility.co.nz) and they will link you to their former clients’ recommendations. Their knowledge doesn’t just stop there, either – check in with them for a list of accessible activities featuring walks, playgrounds, views, fantastic local food and wine, boat trips and more.

MAORI CULTURE OR MIDDLE-EARTH?

Maori culture is rich and thriving; you can experience authentic cultural performances, enjoy hangi (a traditional Maori feast cooked in the ground) or visit accessible museums that hold artifacts and tell tales of history.

Then there’s Middle-earth. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, you’ll want to visit Hobbiton to explore the shire where Frodo and Bilbo lived. Or you could visit Weta Workshops in Wellington, where the special effects for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit franchises were created.

GETTING AROUND

Freedom Mobility offers a variety of accessible vehicles for hire, including 7-seater vans, medium-size vans and VW caddies. If preferred, cars with hand controls, left-foot accelerators and swingout seats are available, as is free GPS and child seats. Before booking, consider the size of your travelling group, the luggage and equipment you’ll have with you. If you need advice, call Freedom Mobility on +64 9 869 3976 or email getmobile@ freedommobility.co.nz

AUTISMCERTIFIED DESTINATIONS WORDS: NICOLE THIBAULT

Travelling with kids can be a challenge.

Travelling with a child with autism can go beyond challenging. Some parents actually believe it to be impossible, but it’s my hope to change that belief.

According to autismtravel.com, 87 per cent of families with a family member with autism don't take family vacations!

The good news is that 93 per cent of the families polled said they would be inclined to travel if there were more autism-friendly or even autism-certified

destinations available to families.

My son was diagnosed with autism when he was 2.5 years old, and for a few years post-diagnosis we didn't travel much as a family; with his sensory issues, it seemed very daunting. But my husband and I always wanted to make family travel a big priority, so we began to travel again when he was about 5 years old.

At that point we were a

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We had to leave more than a few restaurants due to sensory overload of food issues, and needed to escape certain locations due to crowd levels and anxiety.

Smoothies at the swim up bar

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family of five with three little boys, and there were certainly times on our travels when things were difficult for my son and travel plans did not go according to our itinerary.

In those beginning years of travel, we had to leave more than a few restaurants due to sensory overload of food issues, and needed to escape certain locations due to crowd levels and anxiety. Now my son with autism is 14 years old, and we’ve never stopped travelling.

Our trips have gone from long weekends in a low-sensory destination to week-long cruises, caving expeditions in Mexico, swimming with dolphins and looking for sea turtles while snorkelling in Turks and Caicos.

Whenever we travel to a new destination, our family does a lot of preparation before we even get on a plane. We discuss the destination at length, talking about the accommodations, activities and modes of transportation it will take to get there. We look up images and videos about all of these details so very little will come as a surprise

to my son. We are well acquainted with the destination before we even arrive.

We've found great success travelling to autism-certified destinations recently.

These destinations are certified by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Educational Standards (IBCCES).

By working to gain their status as certified autism centres, these destinations have trained their staff in autism awareness and have put many accommodations in place for families with autism, like sensory guides and quiet rooms for guests who need sensory relief.

Our family travelled to Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort last October (the Beaches Resorts actually have advanced certified autism centre status). My boys spent hours at the waterpark, drank as many smoothies as they could at the swim-up bar and spent hours on the white-sand beach. The only issue we had, besides a little travel anxiety, came from my youngest son – he has sensory processing disorder and had difficulty with the volume of the nightly

children's shows. While he wanted to stay and watch the shows, he wasn't able to stand the volume levels, so we had to find other evening activities. We were sad to say goodbye to the resort and the boys can't wait to go back!

Another recent successful trip was to Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida.

Discovery Cove, as well as Aquatica and Seaworld Orlando, are all certified autism centres, so I was very confident about taking the boys there. The decision to go to Discovery Cove was a spontaneous one, as we were in town when they announced their certified autism centre status, so we decided to go the next day. We did not prepare for the day as we normally would, so the boys were pleasantly surprised with the quiet tropical surroundings and amazing activities. My middle son loved the aviary and getting to feed the many kinds of birds living there, and my youngest son loved swimming with the fish and rays in the reef.

While my son with autism enjoyed the quiet environment of Discovery Cove, he

has anxiety about swimming with fish and sea creatures, so I was unsure how our dolphin swim experience would work for him. However the two dolphin trainers were very accommodating with him, giving him extra time to get used to being in the water with the dolphin and talking him through the procedures of touching and petting it. He was hesitant, even resistant about swimming with the dolphin, but with patience and kindness from the trainers, he was able to swim out into the pool, hold on to the dolphin's fin and ultimately swim with her.

The photo of me and the boys at Discovery Cove is one that I will always cherish. My son with autism overcame his anxiety to participate in such a fun activity with his brothers and ended up having a wonderful time. His comfort zone grew larger that day, and he now knows he can continue to try new things and grow from our travel experiences.

If you’d like to follow Nicole, you can do so at facebook.com/stssv

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FIJI There's fun to be had for everyone

69 Bare necessities Tips to help pave the way for a smooth journey 74 Fiji for the win Why Fiji has become a favourite destination for travellers with autism spectrum disorder Braeden with the local Fijians on Robinson Crusoe Island

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77 A Fiji of firsts Travelling in Fiji with a wheelchair

FIJI

Know before you go Sandy beaches, palm trees, a chilled island vibe and friendly people – Fiji has all the classic hallmarks of a tropical paradise. It’s no wonder then, that each year thousands of travellers choose this South Pacific archipelago for an island getaway.

With over three hundred islands to choose from, Fiji is an amazingly versatile destination. Known best for its luxury

WHEN TO GO

honeymoon, lively backpacker and family-friendly options, these days there are increasingly more accessible options available.

Over the coming pages we’ll share some first-hand, recent experiences of travellers in Fiji. We have also included a selection of hand-picked providers who go the extra mile to help ensure that guests of all abilities can enjoy their experiences.

Fiji is blessed with warm temperatures year round. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from early May to October. At this time rainfall at its lowest.

Temperatures are milder and the humidity not as stifling.

November through to March can be hot and humid and, as it’s the wet season, higher rainfalls are to be expected. The wet season also brings with it an increased risk of tropical cyclones.

There are other factors, including pricing and crowds, to take into consideration before deciding the best time to visit.

July to August is the busiest period, along with late December and January due to the Australian and New Zealand school holidays. Prices will be higher and resorts busier during these times.

HEALTH

Water in Fiji is generally safe at resorts.

However, we advise drinking bottled water with an intact safety seal to avoid the risk of stomach upsets. Care should also be taken with food. Thoroughly cooked food is safe, but not if it has cooled or been reheated.

Fiji’s medical facilities are good but smaller and not necessarily comparable with those of more developed countries.

Doctors operate in private practice and hospitals and pharmacies are available and accessible in major towns. Many resorts also have an on-site nurse and/or doctor on call in case of emergencies.

Fiji does not have malaria but Dengue Fever can be a risk if proper precautions are not taken. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Ministry of Health website.

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FIJI LOCAL CUSTOMS

Most Fijians are religious and quite modest, and it is important for visitors to be respectful by dressing accordingly. Save beachwear for the beach and keep shoulders and knees covered when visiting villages.

Fijians are amongst the friendliest people on earth and it is not uncommon to be invited into their homes. They are also unfailingly polite so should you accept such an invitation be gracious, remove hats and shoes before entering and always thank your host.

The drinking of kava is one of Fiji’s best known social rituals and an essential experience for adults, but it is not appropriate for children to partake due to its numbing side effects.

The Fijians are big hand shakers but never touch someone’s head – including children – as it is considered bad manners and it is important to always ask permission before taking photographs of local people.

FOOD

Fiji is better known for its beautiful beaches than its food, but the islands’ wealth of fresh produce, combined with multicultural influences, make for a healthy and tasty local cuisine.

Root crops, including sweet potatoes, taro and cassava, coconut and fresh seafood form the basis of Fijian cuisine.

Food is traditionally prepared over an open fire or in an underground pit (lovo). Reef fish, mussels, crab and lobster are frequently consumed but other meats are less common, with the exception of slow-cooked pig, which is prepared for special occasions.

Food is heavily influenced by the Indo-Fijian culture with colourful curries and spices adding a flavour packed element to dishes. Western food and children’s menus are readily available in resorts for fussy eaters.

For those with more adventurous palates, must-try dishes include the marinated meats of the lovo and kokoda, a dish of fresh fish marinated in lemon juice and coconut cream with diced tomatoes, spring onions and chillies.

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Bare necessities: Fiji WORDS: JULIE JONES

Braeden & Amelia on the village tour with Robinson Crusoe Island

Travelling to a new destination can be daunting, so it’s always wise to have a few travel tips up your sleeve. Knowing what to expect helps pave the way for smoother travels and assists in determining if your accessibility needs can be met. This issue, we profile Fiji to see if it’s right for you.

ACCESSIBILITY

Fiji’s access is not easy for wheelchair users, but what the country lacks in accessible infrastructure it makes up for with locals offering an inclusive attitude and muscle power. For people travelling with a family member with autism, the calm environment and nanny programs offered at many resorts will help the whole family have time to relax. For travellers reliant on remaining in their wheelchair (such as those who cannot transfer without a hoist), it’s important to stay at a resort with good access. Denarau is one area where level concrete paths make getting around easier for people with mobility restrictions.

NADI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Nadi International Airport provides modern facilities, including air-bridge access to get on and off planes. On arrival, airport staff are generally quick to assist people by expediting the immigration process. Standalone accessible bathroom facilities are available inside the airport’s arrival and departure terminals, however no adult change facilities are available.

TRANSPORT

The majority of travellers to Fiji are seeking a relaxing holiday, so an airport transfer fulfils their transport requirements. If this is the case, Tourist Transport Fiji (touristtransportfiji.com) can assist with its fully accessible van service. The vehicle allows passengers to remain in their wheelchair while being whisked to a hotel or resort. For travellers looking to explore further afield, standard vehicle hire-car rental is available.

ACCOMMODATION

Good accessible accommodation is available at many of the larger hotels and resorts. As always, it’s important to make enquiries and ensure the hotel’s facilities (not just the room) will meet your needs.

GROCERIES

If you’re travelling with a family member who has dietary requirements or food preferences, take some food with you – but make sure you check that it can be brought into the country, and declare all food items

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Roadside fruit stall near Nadi

to customs upon arrival.

A New World supermarket is not far from Nadi International Airport and is stocked with a large range of groceries, including many brands you’d find in Australia. Cereal, bread, fresh milk, biscuits and items for self-catering are all available. And don’t forget to visit the local farmers’ market or roadside stalls for fruit. If you, or someone you are travelling with, is a chocoholic, BYO chocolate – it’s super expensive in Fiji.

PAYMENTS

Tours charge up to 5 per cent for credit card transactions, so consider travelling with a pre-loaded travel money card and cash.

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ATTRACTIONS

While staff will do everything possible to ensure guests with a disability are included, it’s important to note that physical access for wheelchair users is still emerging in Fiji; standalone accessible bathrooms, ramp access and beach wheelchairs are not common yet. However, it’s rare to be left stranded, with the locals’ positive can-do attitude kicking into gear and muscles deployed to assist wherever possible.

At the end of the day, it’s a good idea to research your holiday well, ask questions and go as far as to ask for photos if you are still unsure. You’ll then know if Fiji is the right destination for you.

Braeden & crew on Captain Cook Cruise

FIJI

Head on over to Hilton Located on Denarau Island, a short drive from Nadi International Airport, the luxury 5-star Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa is the ideal option when looking for an accessible and accommodating Fijian holiday resort.

The ideal destination for a romantic holiday or a family getaway, the resort is equipped with various amenities to ensure you have an enjoyable and relaxing holiday experience.

Wide open pathways wind through the expansive resort, with ramps leading to all ground-floor villas and suites. All restaurants also have ramp access, ensuring you can easily access the resort’s highly regarded food offerings. Making getting around even easier, Hilton Fiji’s Bula Bus continuously runs the length of the resort (2.5km in total) from the early hours of the morning until late at night, transporting you from the reception to your room and between the resort’s various restaurants, pools and leisure activities.

A variety of room types are available –

beachfront guest rooms are the ideal retreat for couples, or you could upgrade for extra space and facilities in a 1- or 2-bedroom villa or 3-bedroom residence, which come with separate lounges, self-contained kitchens and private barbecues.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, be sure to visit KORO, Hilton Fiji’s exclusive adults-only pool, restaurant and bar. At KORO, you can relax by the pool while enjoying the peaceful surroundings before devouring lunch at the adjoining restaurant, which boasts a Mediterranean tapas menu and plenty of fresh seafood. For an extra level of indulgence, you can book in a rejuvenating spa experience at Hilton Fiji’s spa, conveniently located next door to KORO. Those with families are also well catered for, with plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained throughout the day. The impressive on-site kids’ club caters to all children, including those with special needs.

There are also plenty of family friendly

dining options. At Hilton Fiji’s signature restaurant Maravu, you can enjoy panAsian style food. Meanwhile at Nuku, Hilton Fiji’s family friendly all-day dining venue, you can enjoy a selection of fresh seafood and grilled meats, along with delicious comfort foods and international cuisines.

The resort’s location on Denarau Island allows convenient access to Port Denarau and other local attractions, all accessible via connecting paved walkways or the local Bula Bus. Hilton Fiji’s commitment to accessibility is aligned with Hilton Worldwide’s vision for all hotels and resorts across the world to offer all guests an enjoyable and seamless experience.

Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa hiltonfiji.com +679-675-6800 reservations.fiji@hilton.com

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FIJI

Discover a perfect Fiji for everyone Unpack once and wake up in a different picturesque location each day on a Captain Cook Cruises 3-, 4-, 7- or 11-night Fiji cruise aboard the 130-passenger, fully accommodated MV Reef Endeavour cruise ship.

Every cruise is a voyage of discovery across sparkling aquamarine waters to untouched islands of coconut trees and white-sand beaches. Visit Fijian villages and schools and explore their heartwarming friendly culture. Interact with local children and experience a touching Fijian church service and a traditional village Sevusevu ceremony, Meke and Lovo feast.

Enjoy the colourful and breathtaking underwater world on daily guided snorkelling tours. Can’t swim? Float along on escorted glass-bottom boat tours.

Avid divers and beginners can scuba dive with Viti Water Sports, a PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, offering passengers two different dives daily. And don’t worry – MV Reef Endeavour is equipped with a hydraulic platform, making boarding and disembarking a breeze.

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Onboard, adults and kids can be pampered at the ship’s Senikai Day Spa, swim in the freshwater pool or jacuzzi, relax on the open top deck or simply watch the dramatic South Pacific scenery go by while letting the caring Fijian staff do the rest.

Delicious alfresco lunches, casual barbecues and table d’hote dinners are all prepared fresh onboard, with specially designed menus using fresh local ingredients. Most dietary needs can be catered for.

A complimentary kids’ club is available for children aged 5 to 9. They’ll be able to make new friends, have lots of fun and learn about the Fijian culture. The kids’ club operates between 9am and noon, 2pm and 5pm, and 6pm and 9pm.

All cruises depart from and return to Denarau Marina, and weekly cruise departures include the 3-night Mamanuca and Southern Yasawa Islands cruise, the 4-night Mamanuca and NorthernYasawa Islands, and the 7-night Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands cruise. The 4 Cultures Discovery Cruise and Colonial

Fiji Discovery Cruise (each 7 nights) and 11-night Lau & Kadavu Discovery cruise depart on selected dates throughout the year.

Fares include accommodation, all meals, all land and water activities, onboard entertainment, kids’ club, onboard wifi, 24-hour self-service tea and coffee bar, post-cruise transfers to Nadi and Denarau hotels and Nadi airport, and use of the ship’s facilities.

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji partners with Cure Kids Fiji, working to overcome urgent child health challenges in Fiji to achieve significant improvements for children, their families and communities throughout the country. Captain Cook Cruises Fiji also helps facilitate Rheumatic Heart Disease screening in the remote Fijian villages and schools it visits on its Yasawa, Mamanuca and Lau Group Islands itineraries. For further information and bookings, visit captaincookcruisesfiji.com

FIJI

Getting down and dirty While swaying palm trees, azure waters and white-sand beaches have long been Fiji’s main tourist drawcards, its interiors offer adventures aplenty. Remote forests, stunning waterfalls, enriching hot springs and spectacular mountain plateau views await adventurous travellers, and Go Dirty Tours Fiji offers award-winning quad adventures to experience it all on four wheels.

Tours depart from Nadi and are offered twice daily, with morning and afternoon departures. The quad bikes are top of the line, complete with back rests, which provide some exciting possibilities for travellers with mobility or accessibility needs. The team is also very willing to make the tours accessible to anyone who is capable of riding safely on the bikes.

Each trip is led by an experienced local guide, all of whom are known for being extremely patient with first-timers and those with additional requirements.

Tours commence with a kit-out in safety gear, which is all provided, before a practise

drive and then, once comfortable with operating the quad, it’s time to hit the road.

Five tours are currently available – they range from a pure riding experience to programs that combine ATVing with other activities. Experience life with villagers in the mountains, incorporate a helicopter ride, visit local children at school, pamper yourself at the mud-baths and hot springs, or zipline your way through lush greenery.

Track types are varied and may include getting on-road in Nadi, hitting the dirt in the Nakala Mountains, getting up through pine trees and adventuring over rough tracks, through mud puddles and river crossings to take in the incredible views from the ridges. Go Dirty Tours Fiji has exclusive access to tracks, land, river and villages for you to explore!

The ATV tours operate rain or shine, with options for all ages and various abilities.

If you’re looking for a unique, exciting and unforgettable way to see, taste and feel the real Fiji, Go Dirty! For more information or to book, visit godirtytoursfiji.com

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FIJI

Fiji for the win WORDS & IMAGES: SEANA SMITH

Castaway Island Kids Club

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Image: Seana Smith

Image: Lucy Little

FIJI

Simon, James, Lucy & Daniel

Fiji has become a favourite overseas destination for families who have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A trip to this South Pacific country often marks the first overseas holiday for a child on the spectrum – and it’s no wonder this is the destination of choice!

First and foremost, it’s the warm and caring Fijian people who make holidays so good. Bronwyn is a mum of 2 children on the spectrum. Her family chose Fiji for their first overseas holiday as she’d been advised by friends that the locals are very supportive of those of difference. This was definitely her family’s experience.

“Fiji is a great place to take autistic kids,” says Bronwyn. “Fijian people are wonderful and just have a better, natural way of relating to autistic kids.”

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

In Fiji’s favour is also the short flight times between the east coast of Australia and Nadi, where most holidaymakers fly in to. Nadi is just 3.5 hours from Brisbane, 4 hours from Sydney and 4.5 hours from Melbourne.

And there are other advantages, says Bronwyn: “English is the first language, so if things go wrong it would be easier to manage than other South-East Asian countries.”

Fiji has many resorts situated pretty

close to the airport. Denarau, which has several good resorts, is just a 30-minute drive away. While Denarau doesn’t have the best beaches, you can hop onto boats at Port Denarau to visit many of the stunning islands.

The Coral Coast, where the beaches and coral reefs are much better than at Denarau, is about a 2-hour drive from the airport, and most resorts provide their own transport connections.

Fiji has many delightful island resorts too. These are accessed by ferry from Port Denarau or by seaplane or helicopter if in a hurry. Some are very close – about an hour by boat – and others are much further.

Fijian resorts are incredibly well set up for families, with many having nannies who can be hired for 1:1 care at very reasonable rates.

Some holiday packages include a nanny, which can be even more cost-effective.

Lucy took her child with high special needs and travelled with friends who have a daughter with Asperger’s. She was also impressed.

“Fijian culture places a high value on family and children,” says Lucy. “Every Fijian we met smiled and looked us in the eyes. They were super helpful in terms of accommodating the walking frame and didn’t even blink an eyelid at the squeaks, shrills and ramblings of our little travelling mate with Asperger’s.”

RESORT LIFE

Bronwyn and her husband have taken their children to Fiji 3 times. Each time she has spoken to the resort in advance to explain her children’s needs. One high point was having the same nannies on both visits to Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on the Coral Coast.

“They were very friendly and had a strong desire to learn more about how to support autistic kids,” notes Bronwyn. “On our second trip, I brought some resources that I thought would be good to share with them. I think that the resort has a wonderful attitude towards making each visitor feel special, and for those with extra needs they have solid systems and processes for communicating with staff on what that need is and how to cater for them.”

Bronwyn and her family also had a holiday at the Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, where nannies, known as ‘Buddies’, come as part of the package.

“They are simply amazing,” says Bronwyn. “The kids spent a lot of the time during the day with the Buddies and they had the most amazing time; from jumping off the pier and bushwalking to a waterfall to swimming in the kids’ pool and going down waterslides, to kayaking and other activities – they were going out and having adventures of their own!”

Steven Andrews, General Manager of

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FIJI

Image: Lucy Little

Daniel meeting staff at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort

Castaway Island, has seen an increase in families with autistic children over the past two years.

“The resort aims to help children fit in with group activities, providing one-on-one supervision as required.”

Steven advises families to give a lot of information on their child’s abilities and disabilities. Castaway Island now has an autism-specific questionnaire for families to fill in.

“This way, we can prepare beforehand the best staff to be the nanny, and we know if the child will be able to be taken care of in the kids’ club,” says Steven.

Castaway Island also has long-standing visitors, like the family that has holidayed with their son Max since he was 2 years old (Max is 24 now).

“We believe that the continuity of our staff has a lot to do with families and children feeling comfortable seeing familiar faces year after year,” says Steven.

Renee, who took her daughter with Asperger’s to Warwick Fiji on the Coral Coast, highly recommends using a nanny.

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“She would come and take our daughter to the kids’ club and supervise her there, or just play on the grass near our villa while we napped or read or got massages or whatever.

It helped us feel like we’d had a holiday too, and it was an inexpensive way to do it.”

Renee also suggests taking a more relaxed attitude to some things when away.

“Little things, like choosing not to fight about the food she was (or wasn’t) eating and (her lack of) sleep, made a big difference to us all. It’s a holiday – if they live on icecream and chips for a week, it’s not going to kill them! Taking that approach really helped us all relax and enjoy the break a bit more.”

OUT AND ABOUT

“For those who are averse to smells, you can get some very effective mozzie-repellent bands,” says Lucy. “Daniel had his around his ankle but Miss S just had hers discreetly clipped to her clothes.”

She also says that parents may need to advise the Fijian people about their own child’s quirks.

“Fijians can be a tactile, huggy, touchy

and affectionate people, and for children on the spectrum this may be a trigger for stress.”

My own family has visited Fiji twice; my son, who has ASD, just adores water and loved both the resort pools and the wonderful reefs. Here are some tips from my clan: prepare your child for the flights, the holiday, the resort and the activities by making social stories; harness the immense power of YouTube and show your child short videos of the resort and the sorts of activities they can get involved in; take food, even if you don’t think it will be an issue – better to be safe than sorry.

And one final piece of advice from Lucy: “Consider getting your child a medical bracelet, necklace or tags that can be attached to shoelaces or even zipper pulls, or wear an autism symbol ribbon or shirt with an autism message or organisation logo so that strangers get a visual reminder.

This worked particularly well at the airport when Miss S had a mini meltdown and we were allowed to go through a faster security check.”

FIJI

A Fiji of firsts WORDS & IMAGES: JULIE JONES

Seeing our son’s reaction to the first warm ‘bula’ greeting at Nadi International Airport, I knew we’d made the right decision to holiday in Fiji. Being such a social guy, he reveled in the attention and the warm embrace of the Fijian people. But choosing to holiday in Fiji wasn’t a simple decision – we knew its untouched beauty would come with access challenges.

Braeden enjoying the pristine waters at Tivua Island

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FIJI Go Dirty Touring

My husband and I were regular visitors to Fiji before children, so our desire to share all we loved about the country and the warmth of the Fijian people trumped any concerns about accessibility. Instead of deciding it would all be too hard, we worked on the principle that knowledge is power. So we diligently researched all elements of the trip and packed for every possible scenario.

When we found activities we thought would be a winner, we contacted the tour operator for more information. Our luggage included unusual items like non-slip matting and a luggage lock (not for our bags but to secure our son when doing certain activities without his wheelchair).

All our planning resulted in an exhilarating holiday. Many firsts were achieved for our son, and there was much joy for the whole family being immersed in Fijian life.

Our first day was spent on a reconnaissance mission. We visited many of the companies we had contacted in advance to see if we could make the experiences work for our son. Armed with the non-slip matting and various straps, we took trying before buying to a new level. We thought it’d be best to know whether an activity would work before paying and being disappointed.

GETTING DIRTY

Tivua Island

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“Don’t miss any puddles” was the sage advice offered by our guide Bill on our Go Dirty quad biking tour. Since this was the first time my son was able to join a tour of this kind, my husband was determined to make the most

FIJI Braeden chilling on the beach at Tivua Island

Braeden & Amelia meeting locals on the Robinson Crusoe Island tour

Testing out the Freewheel on Natandola Beach

of the unique opportunity, so all puddles were hit! The resulting joy was infectious.

The Go Dirty quad bikes, unlike the majority used on tours, have a back rest, which allowed us to safely strap our son on behind my husband. I won’t lie – as the tour started and we were joining the somewhat erratic Nadi traffic, I was nervous. But we soon turned off and found ourselves bouncing along a rocky, puddle-filled road surrounded by lush green countryside. Locals wandered along with farming machetes in hand, goats skittishly ran away and the odd cat meandered along the roadside. We were seeing a different side of Fiji, which ultimately led us to the ‘wow’ moment of the tour: a clear view of the islands in the distance. As lovely as the view was, the novelty for our son was the ride, made all that much more special because we could enjoy it together.

ISLAND DELIGHT

As a couple, we’d enjoyed many drop-a nd-flop stays on Fijian islands, but our on-the-go son isn’t one for lingering poolside for a week. Daytripping to the islands was our solution. A friend recommended Tivua for its pristine waters, activities and the practicality of a jetty.

Captain Cook Cruises was honest about access, so we knew we’d need extra muscle to get around once on the island.

Equipped with a Freewheel attachment, we hoped we could get the wheelchair across the sand and position ourselves close enough to indulge in the delicious buffet lunch, while within easy reach of the pristine waters for swimming. Staff effortlessly lifted our son’s wheelchair on and off the boats, took over pushing the chair through the sand and checked on us

regularly. Our son basked in the attention and loved the safe, shallow water for swimming. Our daughter loved having her hair braided and took a nap in a bean bag on the beach. Hubby and I took turns having massages under the cool of a bure to the sound of guitar strumming and the staff’s take on an Ed Sheeran song. The day was bliss and worth the extra effort it took to make it happen.

At the end of the trip, our daughter declared “Fiji is my favourite holiday ever!” – high praise indeed from our well-travelled teen, but it summed up our collaborative mood. While Fiji’s wheelchair access is not easy, we found what the country lacks in accessible infrastructure, its people make up for with an inclusive attitude and muscle power.

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FIJI

A PEARL IN THE PACIFIC Fiji is an amazing destination full of authentic and rich culture and known for sun filled lazy days by the beach.

Seeking a more adventurous holiday though? Fiji’s Adventure Capital of Pacific Harbour has it all! Choose to do as much – or as little – as you like. The Pearl Resort, Spa & Golf Course finds itself right in the heart of all the fun and adventure, offering the best of both worlds: Island feels and mainland thrills; Stylish and modern accommodation as well as an amazing mix of relaxation, culture and fun activities. From world famous diving, snorkelling, island trips to kayaking…Pacific Harbour has it all and

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so much more. The resort also offers free in house activities for adults and children, movie nights under the stars and cultural evenings.

Situated absolute beach front on one of Fiji’s longest white sandy beaches guests can enjoy a dip in the ocean at any time. A gentle slope and pure white sand make for an easy access to the ocean.

Accessible rooms and walkways make it a breeze to make the most of this stunning location!

Watch the sunset during Happy Hour overlooking the marina while listening to the nightly live music. Sounds like a dream? Book now!

The Pearl Resort, Spa & Golf Course offers 24 reception, 24 hour room service, five fully licensed restaurants and bars, a gym, day spa and a daily activities programme.

Pacific Harbour is a resort town on the main island of Viti Levu located 2.5 hours by ground transfer from Nadi International Airport and has a town centre with a selection of shops, restaurants, cafes, doctor’s office and a supermarket. Suva, Fiji’s Capital is a 45 min drive from Pacific Harbour, worth a visit for its museum, parliament and old colonial buildings. thepearlsouthpacific.com

FIJI

Experts on the ground Tourist Transport Fiji (PTE) Ltd (TTF) is Fiji’s premier transport operator and ground handler, having been in operation for more than 36 years.

Based in Nadi, Fiji, TTF is conveniently located at Nadi International Airport. No-one has a more experienced team nor modern fleet to offer a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transport and ground handling solution in Fiji.

TTF meets the needs of more than 200,000 passengers each year, offering the following services: • Fiji’s modern and most environmentally friendly fleet • Airport arrivals service and greeting lounge area • Tours, reservations and ground handling service • Conference and incentive groups handling • Personalised private transfers • Regular seat in vehicle services connecting all international flights from all resorts • Dedicated groups, tours and series department • Day tours, adventure travel and sightseeing • 24-hour transport and customer services • Fiji’s only wheelchair-accessible vehicle service provider As specialists in tourist transportation, TTF knows and constantly meets the expectations of all its customers and ensures staff are fully trained in safe practises and customer service to deal with any situation. TTF has a close association with many tourist-based operations in Australia and New Zealand, and its commitment to highquality operations is expected.

No company in Fiji has a better understanding of visitor transport and ground handling requirements than TTF. It ensures safe practises and a very high level of responsibility at all times. All drivers and staff are internally and externally trained, and vehicles undergo rigorous maintenance and are monitored by GPS tracking on a 24/7 basis.

TTF has FJ$8.5m public liability insurance in place and motor vehicle liability of FJ$32m. All insurance offered has a worldwide jurisdiction, including the US and Canada. For more information, visit touristtransportfiji.com

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84 Three strategies for successful autism travel

88 Adventuring with a wheelchair

86 Three accessible animal adventures

89 Kids picks

87 Places to stay & play this summer

91 Directory

Allyson & Sam White Sands National Monument

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BRIGHT STARS Any travel involves organisation – flights, hotels, tickets, perhaps car hire. Added into the mix is the necessity of ensuring that you have all of the healthcare supplies you need, and that everything arrives at your destination in one piece and on time. For many people, this will include supplies that are bulky or heavy, and who wants to take up valuable packing space when it’s not necessary?

BrightSky Australia has been a registered provider for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants since 2013, and supplies specialised healthcare products to participants in all states and territories.

With its extensive knowledge of specialised

healthcare supplies and the NDIS, they have come to understand a lot about the needs of people when travelling. Its customer care team includes people with disabilities – they have first-hand knowledge of exactly how important those supplies are to you!

Its well-developed transport network means they can get products to you whether you’re travelling interstate, internationally or just a couple of hours away – and the delivery location can be adjusted as you travel. It’s not unusual for BrightSky Australia to deliver to several locations (free of charge for online orders over $50!) for a customer during their journey. Better yet, if you’re concerned

about privacy, discreet packaging is available on request.

The BrightSky product offering covers an extensive range, including continence products, mobility and daily living aids, respiratory products, wound care, skincare, ostomy consumables, and nutritional supplements and specialised foods. If you are unsure about what product will best suit your needs, the experienced team of customer care consultants and clinical nurse consultants can provide brandneutral advice. Visit brightsky.com.au or call 1300 886 601. All proceeds from BrightSky Australia go towards supporting people with disabilities.

International Travel

Depending on your destination, it may be a good idea to order your supplies before you leave and take them with you. BrightSky Australia can advise which option is best for you.

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3 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL AUTISM TRAVEL WORDS: KIRSTY RUSSELL

The prospect of travelling with a loved one on the autism spectrum can seem daunting. There are so many challenges to overcome, such as dealing with change, lack of motivation, sensory triggers, social interactions, intense special interests, anxiety and unexpected behaviours. There’s always a sense of uncertainty with autism, even in familiar and well-known environments, so it’s no surprise that the thought of taking a leap and travelling somewhere new can seem an impossible dream for most autism families. However, nothing is impossible. The key is in understanding that fear lies behind most of these challenges and identifying an approach to manage this fear, to better support autistic individuals.

Over the years, we’ve discovered a system to better support our autistic children when travelling. Focusing on their sensory needs, giving them the reassurance they need via social stories and engaging them in the holiday by incorporating their special interests has allowed us to overcome their fears and travel overseas on multiple occasions.

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Focus on sensory needs

Sensory triggers are a huge barrier and can derail even the most positive of experiences. Strange smells, funny food, heights, plane travel, car sickness – these sensory threats can overwhelm kids, triggering an involuntary response leading to unexpected behaviours, meltdowns and shutdowns.

Understanding the sensory needs of your child will help you anticipate potential sensory triggers and plan for sensory overwhelm. For instance, we knew the intense sulphur odour in Rotorua would be too much for the sensory needs of our son, so we decided to stay an hour south, near Lake Taupo, to reduce the impact of this sensory threat.

To ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable holiday for everyone, pay attention to potential sensory triggers and try to eliminate them. If this isn’t possible, develop strategies for dealing with them on the go, so you can reduce the chance of sensory threats derailing your trip.

KEY POINTS • Put together a sensory kit (noisecancelling headphones, ear muffs, chewy jewellery, fidget toys, weighted items) to reduce overwhelm.

• Take half-day excursions so there’s time to decompress and rest in a safe place.

• Work on sensory regulation therapies with therapists before travelling.

Provide reassurance via social stories

Social stories help reduce anxiety by providing a narrative that describes what’s going to happen. They provide a script to follow for communication, demonstrate expected and unexpected behaviours, give positive reinforcement and provide reassurance in new situations.

Search for existing social stories online or create your own in Microsoft Word. You can then convert the file to PDF to load onto your child’s device. Share them with your child as often as possible before travelling.

Just be careful not to be too prescriptive in your wording in case things change.

Kirsty and family enjoying some Disney magic

Include pictures, facts, maps, activities and as much information as possible to provide reassurance of what’s to come. You can also include fun facts, a daily activity and any other information that will capture the interest of your child.

KEY POINTS • Social stories and visual itineraries answer the why, what, where, how, when and who questions for kids.

• Having a visual guide gives kids reassurance and helps them feel less anxious when facing new situations.

• Taking the time to develop social stories limits the unknowns, helps manage expectations and provides a guide for behaviour.

Incorporate special interests

While special interests can sometimes be a barrier to participation at home, consider incorporating them into your holiday, either as a destination, activity, theme or experience. Special interests can calm kids and give them a sense of control and certainty away from home, and they’re a vital coping strategy to manage stress and anxiety.

Selling the holiday is also much easier if you can promise an outing that caters to their special interest, giving your child something to look forward to. When we travel, we ensure that each member of the family has an outing that includes their special interest. For instance, our son has always loved escalators, elevators and safety signs. While he’s never been a fan of shopping, he enjoys checking out all the signs in a shopping centre, so we use that as a motivator when we need to head out to the shops on holiday. Incorporating special interests into your trip can help support your kids and minimise their fears.

KEY POINTS • Special interests can be a powerful motivator for kids, giving them a reason to look forward to a change in routine.

• Enjoying special interests can keep kids calm and settled while away from the security of home.

• Incorporating special interests into a holiday provides reassurance.

If you’d like to follow Kirsty, you can do so at positivespecialneedsparenting.com

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01

3 ACCESSIBLE ANIMAL ADVENTURES 01 Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne

Werribee Open Range Zoo offers a 40-minute Safari Tour with commentary. Through arid landscapes and savannah grasslands there’s the opportunity to spot some of the world’s most endangered species, including bison, addax, rhino, zebra and ostrich. Guests needing to remain in a wheelchair can do so on this fully accessible tour.

02 Sea World, Gold Coast

Sea World Gold Coast offers a dolphin experience designed especially for people with a disability. A pool hoist provides easy access to the wheelchair-accessible platform.

03 Low Head Penguin Tours, Tasmania

Watch the Little Penguins arrive on the beach at Low Head (near Launceston) and waddle up to their burrows. A wheelchair-accessible platform is available for viewing.

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02

03

PLACES TO STAY AND PLAY THIS SUMMER

WORDS: JULIE JONES LOCATION LIST PROVIDED BY: PARAMOBILITY

Australians are an outdoorsy bunch, so with the warm weather approaching it’s good to know there are a variety of ways for people of all abilities to get out and enjoy the water.

Beach wheelchairs are now readily available to loan for free at many beaches, but that won’t suit everyone – many people prefer swimming in a pool.

While pools and spas in the US are required by law to be equipped with a pool chair or hoist to ensure anyone can enjoy a swim, it’s not mandatory in Australia.

However, right across the country there are businesses that are seeing the value in being inclusive to all. We hope this taster list of places to play and stay encourages you to get out and enjoy the warmer weather.

• Shelly Beach Tourist Park at Bateau Bay has a Kingfisher pool chair. shellybeachholidaypark.com.au • Byron Bay Rainforest Resort has accessible accommodation, a pool with ramp and an aquatic wheelchair. rainforestresort.com.au

New South Wales

Queensland

• Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre at Homebush is equipped with two Pelican pool hoists, aquatic chairs, adultsize change tables and a ceiling hoist. aquaticcentre.com.au • Raging Waters Sydney has an aquatic wheelchair and accessible change table. ragingwaterssydney.com.au

Victoria

• The Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula are equipped with a hoist and sling, chair and accessible bathrooms. peninsulahotsprings.com • Parks Victoria has made boating access that much easier at Patterson River Wharf by providing a hoist and sling. parkweb. vic.gov.au

• Sailability Club Wharf Tin Can Bay in the Gympie region offers boat access with a Pelican pool hoist.

• Sea World Gold Coast offers access with a wheelchair platform and pool hoist for

visitors keen to do the dolphin experience. seaworld.com.au • W Brisbane offers guest access to the pool with a hoist, sling and aquatic chair. marriott.com.au • Magnetic Island Community Pool offers a hoist and sling – call ahead to book the equipment. townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au • The Westin Brisbane offers Brisbane’s only accessible swim-up bar, with a Kingfisher seat providing pool access. marriott.com.au

South Australia

• At Adelaide Aquatic Centre, Determined2 offers immersion therapy using scuba equipment, with access made possible thanks to a Pelican pool hoist with sling chairs and change tables. determined2.com.au

Western Australia

• Crown Towers Perth has a hoist and sling as well as a chair. crownperth.com.au • Beatty Park Leisure Centre has a hoist and sling as well as a chair. beattypark.com.au

Braeden using the aquatic chair at Raging Waters (formerly Wet n Wild Sydney)

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ADVENTURING WITH A WHEELCHAIR WORDS: EMMA GREEN

Julie Andrews, one of my favorite actresses, is well known for her song ‘My favourite things’, so I thought I’d share a few of my favourite things to do when I travel. But first, a bit about me. I am 24 years old and a passionate traveller. I am a full-time wheelchair user who lives with cerebral palsy and uses various communication methods, including PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) and eye-gaze.

I’ve been roadtripping, camping and travelling since I was 6 months old. I’ve been to 22 countries, exploring them on motorbikes, bicycles, canoes, cruise ships, police boats, speed boats, trains, London’s tube, planes, tour buses, double-decker buses, regular buses, pony carts, cars and vans. I’ve been hoisted onto planes and carried onto planes, and maybe one day I’ll be able to step onto a plane or even stay in my wheelchair on a plane. I don’t want to ever stop travelling. As hard as it is, I’ve narrowed down a top 5 ‘best of’ list of travel experiences.

01 Exploring The New Forest,

Hampshire, England In 2016 I was lucky enough to explore The New Forest and Exeter beach (Devon, England) with Simon Mulholland and his pony Obama from Pony Axe S. It was such a

Emma enjoying a ride with Obama and Simon

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privilege. Simon and Obama took me where my chair couldn’t go. Obama galloped through the water and over the sand, through the mud puddles and the forest. I loved it. My chair got really muddy in The New Forest, so be prepared to clean it before you get back into your van. One more tip: Wrap up warmly because it can be very cold on the beach. Oh, and bring bananas for Obama – he loves them!

02 Trying new foods

I’m more adventurous than the rest of my family and like to try new foods. On my first cruise I ate snails! They were chewy and garlicky. My mother was helping me and trying not to gag. I’ve tried lots of different cheeses in Europe, noodles in Singapore and Hong Kong, and I love the food in England. I’d be happy to try snake or crocodile too! I have to be careful with textures and sizes of food, as I choke easily.

I also have to be careful about food hygiene and where and how my food is prepared, as gastro is not my friend.

03

Exploring parks and cities I love Hyde Park and Kew Gardens in London. Central Park in New York is fun too.

The Shambles in York, England, is very old with bumpy streets, but I love it.

04 Catching up with family and friends

I enjoy catching up with family and friends when I travel. I have friends all over the world, including Australia, Canada, US, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Spain, Thailand, Holland, Hong Kong and Chile. I love to talk to them when we catch up because I miss them. Conferences like ISAAC, AGOSCI and Communication Matters are a sneaky reason to travel; I make new friends and catch up with old friends at conferences.

05 Testing travel boundaries

I like testing boundaries when I travel. On our cruise to the Pacific Islands, I had two strong men lift me in my chair from the cruise ship onto the tender to get to an island that didn't have a port. In Tasmania I tackled a hiking track that wasn’t meant to be accessible. To attend a wedding function, I was pulled up a mud ramp by six strong men when the party was up a flight of stairs and there wasn’t a proper ramp. My uncle built a mud ramp for me to get up and then they winched me back down. They said The Shambles in York isn’t accessible; I got around okay, but I couldn’t get into all the shops because I didn't have my portable ramp.

Travel isn’t always easy if you use a chair full time, and things do go wrong. We usually laugh about it afterwards, but some things aren’t funny – like the time I fell out of the aisle chair and onto the tarmac at Frankfurt airport, or when I flipped the aisle chair in Brisbane. But getting lost is funny because you find new places and try new things.

Travel is exciting, and I think everyone should give it a go.

KIDS TIPS We asked two of our young Travel Without Limits readers to share their travel tips.

What we received is practical, insightful and delivered with a dash of humour.

Mackenzie, 9

I love summer because I love spending time at the beach and having fun. In the summer holidays, my family likes to go camping because we love travelling, meeting new people and going to the beach. My favourite summer destination is Rainbow Beach in Queensland because I love the Carlo Sand Blow where I can make huge echoes. Family holiday time is special because I love being with my mum. My favourite family holiday memory is caravanning up the east coast of Australia with my mum for six months. I swam with a dolphin, held a snake and patted a crocodile. I’ve always dreamed of going to Darwin because I’ve heard it’s nice up there. After reading the book How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, I really want to visit Whoville, but I think Dr Seuss made that place up – he always makes up new words.

The next Australian destination I’d like to visit is somewhere very, very quiet, like a rainforest.

The next international destination I’d like to visit is Samoa because I love the beach and it’s quiet and slow-paced. The best thing about life right now is that I’m turning 10 this summer and I’m very excited about it!

Georgia, 11

My favourite season to travel in is summer because I love the beach and swimming and eating mangoes.

Last holidays, my family went to Mollymook Beach on the south coast of NSW. It was great because I could easily access the beach and the ocean in my new Hippocampe beach chair.

Next holidays we are planning to visit Byron Bay and Tamworth, and I’m really looking forward to hopefully trying horseriding on our friend’s farm. My favourite destination that I’ve visited is Batu Batu in Malaysia because the water was so clear and amazing. Family holiday time is special because everyone is together and it’s much more relaxed than school time.

My favourite family holiday memory

is visiting Disneyland in Anaheim. I got to go on lots of rides and everyone was super helpful. I’ve always dreamed of going to the snow because I would like to go zooming down a mountain.

After listening to the Harry Potter audiobook, I really want to visit Universal Studios Hollywood because that’s where The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is. And maybe England so I can see the castles! The next Australian destination I’d like to visit is Uluru, as it looks amazing and I’ve never seen the desert. The next Asian destination I’d like to visit is Singapore because I was born there and I’d love to go back to explore it some more.

The best thing about life right now is my friends and my family.

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NO MORE LINE IN THE SAND Beachwheels Australia (beachwheelsaustralia.com) has long been associated with facilitating accessibility to our beautiful Australian beaches for people of all ages and abilities. Its flagship all-terrain chairs (ATC), the Sandcruiser® and the Sandpiper®, are readily available on many beaches for all to use, sometimes provided by councils, surf clubs or other community organisations.

Today, more and more wheelchair users are acquiring their own ATCs to secure the freedom they offers users and their families.

The easily recognised Sandcruiser® and Sandpiper®, with WheelEEZ® large balloon wheels, have been enhancing the quality of life for families for many years. For some it has meant bringing them together to spend a morning at the beach, a day at an outdoor festival or to get away for an annual family holiday. It has always been about everyone being able to participate and be included.

Beachwheels Australia is proud of its locally made Sandcruiser® and Sandpiper® and are recognised for the ability to facilitate the ultimate off-road experience for all

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wheelchair users.

This means constantly evolving and expanding to accommodate the needs of the families they meet and work with.

Furthering the range is Delta Buggy, a rugged yet lightweight all-terrain buggy.

Being compact and easy to collapse makes it ideal for jogging or hiking. The Delta Buggy can easily be fitted with a conversion kit that allows it to be towed behind a bike.

Adding WheelEEZ® balloon wheels makes the Delta Buggy even more versatile in assisting with navigating soft sand and uneven terrain. It comes in fun, vibrant colours and is available in sizes from small to extra large, catering for users up to 90kg.

The Hippocampe® All-Terrain Chair is another option for accessing the great outdoors. With the ability to push, pull or self-propel, it suits a variety of experiences, including beaches, parks, trails and even the snow.

In attempting to offer products that allow accessibility for everyone, affordability becomes a real consideration. The new look WheelEEZ® Conversion Kits will simply and

affordably convert a manual chair to an allterrain chair. It’s possible to use superseded chairs that may be collecting dust at home or inexpensive chairs acquired second-hand specifically for this purpose. The result is that, for a fraction of the price, the user has an all-terrain chair that will facilitate the same ‘off road and into life’ experiences that other more expensive products offer.

Environmentally, these wheel kits are a great way to upcycle, giving obsolete chairs a new purpose.

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without limits

GET DOWN AND DIRTY AS YOU DISCOVER FIJI’S REMOTE FORESTS, ENRICHING CULTURE, WATERFALLS, MUD-BATHS, OR HOT-SPRINGS ON ONE OF THE MOST REVVED UP, THRILLING ADVENTURES OF YOUR LIFE!

Q U A D B I K E ' A L L WE A T H E R ' A D V E N T U R E T O U R S F O R T H E WH O L E F A M I L Y Proud TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Recipients 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

WWW.GODIRTYTOURSFIJI.COM /GODIRTYTOURSFIJI

TTF upgrades to the latest wheelchair accessible vehicle to a new level with BraunAbility. Special properties are:

Play, Relax. Experience.

MODERN STYLISH ACCOMMODATION ON ONE OF FIJI'S LONGEST WHITE SANDY BEACHES ISLAND FEELS & MAINLAND THRILLS DO AS MUCH - OR AS LITTLE - AS YOU LIKE

TTF has the only wheelchair vehicle in the tourism industry in Fiji.

For more information, please visit www.touristtransportfiji.com

FAMILY SPECIALS AVAILABLE

stay@thepearlsouthpacific.com | www.thepearlsouthpacific.com +679 773 0022 www.thepearlsouthpacific.com

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JAKOB is a 7-year-old who lives with CHOPS Syndrome – he is one of just 16 people in the world to be diagnosed with it. His travel is often linked to therapy trips and he’s been lucky enough to visit California and New York. His favourite was a trip to Disneyland.