2 years ago I broke a leg and at the same time badly hurt an arm. I was stuck to a wheelchair for a month (could not use crutches). So January went like that: 9 days hospital, 2 days at home, 1 month on a round the world trip.

It is now quite late but I am new to FT, so I did not know where I could thank the people who helped.

My thanks go to British Airways, Delta Air Lines and Air France. all in their very distinct manner helped and saved my trip.

They never gave me the impression I was a burden, always were ready to help even when I didn't need it.

A big boohh at American Airlines. For them I was a pain in the ***. They even asked me why I did not stay home until I was fit again...

As of that time, I have a completely different look at wheelchairs and people in them.

Why not break out your experiences into categories, and post them? I am sure what you learned would be interesting and informative for other FTers!

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by magexpect:
As of that time, I have a completely different look at wheelchairs and people in them.</font>

I hope so, but it's not the same as a life sentence to a chair. I hope you can see that?

I apologize for the rudeness above, it's a touchy subject with some.

Anyways, could you post some more of your experience traveling that way? How were the hotels for accessibility in various countries, how were you brought to your seat on the aircraft, did you visit rural areas? Would like to know more.

Well, I did not know that my comment was going to be of interest, but I'll try.

The trip started in a small village in Switzerland and because I did not want to go by car and leave it for an eternity at the airport, I took first the bus.
They have wonderful buses that are on air suspension so the driver can lower them in order to facilitate the entry. I just had to hop on one foot and the driver pulled the chair in. There is always space in the middle of the bus for chairs. I could of course have remained in the chair as the step was very low, but due to the fact that I had only one hand really available, I let myself be helped.

Next was the train. One just has to go to the counter and ask to be helped. One gives the destination and they pull the chair on a mini elevator on wheels and roll you up to be level with the floor of the train and you just roll in. There again, in every carriage the first compartment is reserved for chairs. When not used, the seats clap down. At the arrival station someone waits with the little lift and off you go. No additional charge, friendly personnel, all free from the Swiss Railways. You just buy a normal ticket.

At the airport, no problem whatsoever as everything is level. Where needed, there are elevators. One excellent thing too: One can check one's luggage through from almost every train station. This cost an additional $15.- to $20.- Dollars but well worth the price as one does not have to worry about luggage until final destination.

As soon as you reach the check in, you are taken in charge by the airline and you really have nothing to worry about. If you arrive well in advance they will bring you to the lounge if you are entitled, help you with duty free shopping and bring you to the gate. I found Air France and British Airways extremely tactful. They ask you if you want to manage up to the gate on your own or if you wish to be pushed. In the case where you want to be on your own, they take away everything from you that might be of hindrance and bring it to the plane. So in a way I just kept my wallet, boarding pass and Passport with me and rolled about shopping.
They just request that you arrive early at the gate so as to be the first to get on. They transfer you to a very narrow chair that fits between the rows and so bring you to your seat. They also tactfully inquired about lavatory at check-in so as to attribute a seat very close in case one has to go. I understand that some have pouches and they are well versed into emptying them if needed. I witnessed this on British Airways.

The boarding of the plane might be different from airport to airport depending on the plane arriving at a gate or staying on the apron away from the terminal. In this case one has to disembark last. Small trip to the back of the plane, transfer to one's own wheelchair and off into a truck with a cabin functioning like an elevator. These are not heated, so better be accordingly dressed in the winter. The transfer is very quick and soon you find yourself in the terminal where everything functions in reverse as for the departure.

I have the feeling this is getting long reading. If you wish to know more, I'll do so.

This would be a great topic a trip report from someone who did it in a wheelchair. We need to show the world that traveling is for everyone(: