When I first was injured, I thought it would seriously hamper my ability to enjoy my life. You see, since I retired I have been what you would call a world traveler. I have been everywhere I can think of, and I'm now going around on my second trip. Unfortunately, now that I am disabled, it seems like I can not get anywhere. I can't take travel wheelchairs up the hills of Machu Picchu. I can't even go on many of the cruise ships that I am accustomed to frequenting. Still, I didn't realize that I can continue to have a good time in my old age. There are many options for disabled travel that make things easier for those of us with handicaps or disabilities.
You see, disabled people make up a more substantial part of the population than you might realize. The problem is that many of them become isolated after they develop their disabilities and give up on disabled travel. Basically, if you are seriously injured you can handle it in one of two ways. You can either shutdown and be isolated, or you can be defiant until the end, insisting on enjoying your life. When I first was injured, it seemed like I would do the first for a while. I never investigated disability travel, and spent a few months sitting inside just watching TV. Then I realized that my life didn't have to be that boring. I began to look into disabled travel options.
Because so many seniors have disabilities, disabled travel is actually a fairly well-developed market. Disabled travelers can go almost everywhere nowadays. Although I will never get to go to the North Pole – a lifelong dream of mine – I will still be able to live life to the fullest in my old age. I can take travel wheelchairs with me on the road, go on ships with handicap accessible ramps, and generally get around to almost everywhere I wanted to go to before through disabled travel accommodations.
If you are a disabled traveler, I advise you to not despair. Disabled travel can still take you to many of the most exciting destinations in the world. Although you may never dance again, you can still watch other people dance and enjoy the vibrancy of this, our beautiful earth. The feeling of overcoming my disability and insisting on continuing on is a powerful joy. It doesn't completely make up for the loss of my legs, but it comes close.
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