PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Out in the World

Simply mastering the skills to get around in a wheelchair carrying out the activities of daily living and functioning in one’s community can be a challenge for many of us. I can still remember learning to drive a car with hand controls and trying to overcome the belief that my feet were going to move the pedals. Eventually, though, we can all reach the point and acquire the means to venture further afield so that traveling becomes second nature and integral to our lifestyle.

But even after years of traveling in a wheelchair, some challenges unique to our demographic continue to present themselves. I personally continue to find that accessibility for wheelchair users is sorely lacking in most hotels and recreational facilities. These sorts of problems are what led United Spinal to initiate its ABLE to Travel program and to make it a member benefit.

ABLE to Travel is the fruition of years of experience of making arrangements, not only for staff who use wheelchairs, but also for member athletes who compete nationally and internationally. Our travel agents know the right questions to ask to ensure that every detail falls into place. If you have not already availed yourself of this service and are bitten by the travel bug, I urge you to call ABLE to Travel (toll-free, at 888-211-3635) no matter how short an excursion you have in mind. A successful trip will certainly stimulate you to travel again, and you are certain to be well served when you use ABLE to Travel.

Thanks to the advocacy and education efforts of individuals and organizations like ours, we continually gain new ground in accessibility. Even if progress moves more slowly than we like, every small victory counts and even small improvements add up. As we each make our separate and collective efforts to educate others about our needs and rights, accessibility features will become more commonplace.

I cannot emphasize enough that there is no better educational tool than simply being visible. So please get out there and be seen! There’s a big, wide world waiting to be explored. And remember, travel can teach you a thing or two, as well.

If you are considering traveling and feel hindered in any way, please contact me. I’d be happy to do whatever I can to help ease you into a well-deserved vacation or traveling adventure that will bring you pleasure and open your horizons. Write to me at Chesselton@unitedspinal.org or call me at the 800-4042898.

Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers, and please remember those who made the supreme sacrifice for their country on Memorial Day.

Clair Russell Hesselton, PhD
President