Globetrotting with Disabled Don

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From Amazon:

Driving on the wrong side of the road, an accident up the Alps, Force 10 storms, seasickness, being robbed of 200 euros, a brush with bats, blocked toilets and other mishaps…travelling with (or without) Don had its moments!

Dawn thought her journeys abroad were over when she married Don. He flatly refused to fly. Surprisingly, plenty of opportunities to travel the globe by car, ferry, and cruise ship presented themselves.

Venturing to France with Don, who has spina bifida, family friend Geoff, who’d had a stroke, and four-year-old Tim, as well as 89-year-old Harold, certainly added an extra perspective.

Written with warmth and humour, this ten-part memoir spans over thirty years and touches on some of the challenges that wheelchair users and disabled people face, as well as Dawn’s role as a carer.

Dawn has discovered that travelling with a disability is usually difficult, sometimes scary, and often funny.

But it’s always an achievement.

My Review:

This is a story of success despite health issues. The writing style infuses jokes that give a lightness to the narrative within. It also opens the eyes of non-disabled persons so that they can see how obstacles can be preventive and what can be done to make sure areas are adaptive to those who use devices to maintain life and move around. More ADA areas at events and on cruises or planes are either needed or more helpful, especially when checking in for a flight, ask for wheelchair escort and you will be escorted from point a to point b quickly and efficiently by staff. You will be escorted onto the plane, and you will be met on the gangway for escorted to your connecting flight. This book did not go into what helps in airports as those were never used. I added that part because of my own disabilities. This book does tell you what works and what doesn’t work when traveling with anyone who has special needs. A conversational read filled with laughter and fun.

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