On the road with a disabled traveler
Sarah is a writer and radio journalist who travels around the world for assignments. Previously, she was a reporter and producer in Minnesota, and a clinical researcher in Philadelphia and Atlanta. Cerebral palsy affects her mobility, so she appreciates practical solutions that make it easier to carry supplies, navigate a crowded airport, cross an ice-covered sidewalk or trek through the sand.
From Minneapolis to Eugene, Seattle to New York, Hemel Hempstead to Marseille, Dakar to Lisbon and back to Dakar again with so many stops in between, this has been a year in transit. I need durable luggage, and a packing system that lets me fit as much as I can into a small space.
I didn’t want to take on the added costs of checking luggage or the risk of losing a checked bag. It’s difficult for me to walk while carrying heavy gear, so I’ve found four travel products to help me:
I’ve had this hard-shell suitcase for years. It comes in different colors and sizes—mine is yellow, and a carry-on size (20 inches). It has four spinning wheels, so I don’t have to tilt it to pull it alongside me. When the zipper in the center is expanded it may be too wide for carry-on, but I like that the option to expand your suitcase is there if you need it. It is well-worn with many scratches, but the zippers have not broken, and the handle hasn’t jammed.
Images (2): Yellow Amazon Basics expandable suitcase with luggage tags around the handle in a well-used condition; inside of suitcase, which is black with a zipper divider.
One of the most helpful travel tips for me has been to pack as lightly as I can. I prioritize items I need for mobility, like shoes with ankle support and an extra trekking pole. It’s okay to go on the road for a while with one less t-shirt, one less tube of sunscreen—that can be replaced on the way.
Here I am, with my gear, on the road in real life.
__________
Do you have any insights to share about packing or traveling with a disability? Share your comment below!