Traveling with Accessibility Challenges: A Lesson in Resilience and Discovery

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

confucius

Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also present challenges, especially when faced with a sudden injury or mobility issues. For us, our 2024 end-of-year trip to Aruba and Curacao took an unexpected turn when I, Ryan, suffered a serious fall just weeks before our departure. With a fractured heel and damaged Achilles tendon, I suddenly faced the possibility of canceling our long-awaited vacation. However, as we navigated the complexities of traveling with a disability, we discovered the abundance of support and accessibility options available to make travel easier for those needing accessibility services. This experience not only opened our eyes to the struggles of those with mobility challenges but also taught us valuable lessons about the power of asking for help, resilience, and embracing every adventure, no matter the obstacles.

A Sudden Setback

Every December, we take a shorter trip to unwind, reflect, and explore new destinations. In 2024, we planned to visit Aruba and Curacao. However, seven weeks before our departure, the unexpected happened. I fell about 8 feet from a loft, landing on concrete. The result was a badly fractured heel and a damaged Achilles tendon. It could have been worse, and I’m thankful for that, but the pain was intense. I was told not to weight bear for at least two months. I considered canceling the trip, but Joelle, who has been challenged with health and mobility issues, encouraged me to push forward.

Joelle’s Determination

Joelle has consistently refused to let health problems or injuries hold her back, and she’s faced many, and one of the most memorable moments happened when we traveled to Mexico City. On our second day, Joelle fell while climbing a pyramid on the last step. She was knocked unconscious, badly bruised, and bleeding from many wounds. Despite the injuries, she insisted on continuing the tour. Thankfully, she always carries a complete first aid kit; she is a nurse, so we treated her wounds before proceeding.

We kept a brisk pace over the next few days, resting more than usual. Joelle needed frequent bandage changes and pain meds. When we returned home, we learned she had minor fractures in her ankle, wrist, and nose. Oh, and I contracted COVID during the trip but didn’t realize it until I became ill when we landed, adding salt to the wound.

By the end of it all, I jokingly said I might have aged more because of Joelle’s fall in Mexico City. But this experience taught me that, no matter the obstacles, we must push through when we can. Her determination stayed with me as I debated whether to cancel our trip to Aruba and Curacao.

Deciding to Go Forward

As the trip approached, I was still struggling with my injury and mobility. I was in a lot of pain, and it felt like traveling would be impossible. However, like Joelle’s resolve in Mexico, I decided not to let my injury ruin the experience. This trip was momentous, too: I would reach my 50th country; how could I pass that up.? What I didn’t anticipate was how much I would learn about accessibility and how it would completely change my perspective on traveling with a disability.

Another surprising realization was that getting out and doing things was the best thing for my attitude. I found that, rather than staying at home and feeling sorry for myself, being active actually made me feel stronger and more capable. The more I pushed myself to move, the better I felt. I realized that I could handle the challenges, and my spirits lifted as I gained confidence in navigating life with my injury.

Embracing Available Services When Traveling with a Disability

One of the first things we discovered was that traveling with a disability or recovering from one depends on utilizing the services offered by airlines, hotels, and activities. There’s a wealth of support available, but you have to be willing to ask for it. At first, I hesitated; I didn’t want to burden anyone or seem like I couldn’t handle it. But once I let go of that pride, everything became much more manageable. There was no reason to feel embarrassed to need assistance. I had to give myself permission to slow down and take breaks, which isn’t something I’m good at.

Thankfully, there was always a fun spot to grab a cold brew whenever I needed a break.

Airline Assistance: A Game-Changer

I checked in online for our flights and let the airline know that I would need a wheelchair. As soon as we arrived at the counter and gave our names, they called for a wheelchair without needing to ask for one. Having an escort allowed us to skip to the front of the line at security and passport control, which was a huge relief. The airline staff and wheelchair assistant were kind and professional, making the process smooth. As an added benefit, Joelle could accompany me through the entire process, which I hadn’t expected. While tipping wasn’t required, we made sure to tip generously since the assistants made such a difference, especially when going through customs.

I strongly recommend allowing extra time when using accessible services at the airport. While you may be prioritized at the front of the line, some steps will still take longer. For example, I wore a boot, and the TSA required me to remove it, which is entirely understandable. The process of removing and reattaching it took extra time. Additionally, you may need to wait for wheelchair attendants to arrive.

In our case, we flew United Airlines, which was exceptional in its support of my needs. To learn more about its accessibility services, check out its webpage on Accessible Travel. All airlines have similar services. There are laws in the U.S. protecting those traveling with disabilities. The Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights is well worth reading.

Accessible Hotels: A Smooth Stay

Once we arrived at our hotels, we discovered that many offer wheelchairs upon request and accessible rooms, allowing us to adjust our preferences accordingly. It was reassuring to see that hotels had already considered the needs of travelers with mobility issues, even overseas. Additionally, many hotels were incredibly accommodating with parking, letting us park right at the entrance as we navigated and got settled in. This small but essential detail made check-in much more straightforward, saving us both time and effort.

When I was first injured, we had a local-hosted trip planned to Gettysburg. The hotel was kind enough to move me to a handicap-accessible room. During this trip, I used my scooter to get around and participate in most activities. Since my injury was recent at the time, I did need to allow time to elevate, ice, and rest my leg.

That leads to my suggestion to use ice on injured or sore areas regularly. Even in a wheelchair, I got tired quickly, and my injured foot grew sore and swollen from the strain of travel. We brought our reusable ice pack. Most hotels have ice machines, but if the hotel didn’t have ice machines, they were happy to deliver them to our room for free, a simple yet effective way to stay comfortable.

Restaurant Sensitivity: Seating and Assistance

Whether dining at the hotel or a freestanding restaurant, we found that staff were always sensitive to where we were seated. They took extra care to place us in areas where others would not bump into me and where I felt safe. It is always okay to ask for assistance when needed, whether it is to adjust your seating or to get help navigating through space. The staff’s attentiveness and kindness made all the difference, and it truly allowed us to enjoy every meal without feeling rushed or uncomfortable.

Activities for All Abilities

What surprised me even more was the activities that provided help when traveling with a disability. Museums, cultural sites, and local tours had wheelchairs available for use, including electric ones at times. This was a game-changer, especially for larger spaces or more extended tours. Having the support we needed allowed us to truly enjoy the activities without worrying about how we would get around.

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Renting or Purchasing Mobility Equipment

Both Aruba and Curacao also have businesses that rent mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs and scooters. This was comforting, as it meant that if I needed extra support, we could easily rent what was required. Having access to this kind of service made the experience so much more manageable and enjoyable. As we researched for this article, we learned that it is readily available in many countries, or where you may live or travel.

Ryan purchased the scooter he had used at home for months through Amazon. He chose a used one for around $100, and it even had a basket. It was less expensive than renting one, and it quickly collapsed to get in a car, too. Here is the Amazon link to that scooter.

A Valuable Learning Experience

Despite the pain from my injury and my limitations, this trip became a powerful learning experience. While my injury was temporary, it opened my eyes to the struggles of those with long-term disabilities.

I have immense respect for travelers dealing with health challenges, whether facing mobility, chronic pain, serious illness, or other issues. I can’t fully imagine the difficulties they face, but seeing people with severe mobility and health issues travel internationally, endure long flights, and persevere leaves me in awe. The resilience and determination I witness in others are truly inspiring.

The World Is Accessible

One of the biggest realizations was how much of the world is accessible to people traveling with a disability. There is this misconception that people with disabilities are restricted in where they can go, but that is not true. With little planning and a willingness to ask for help, you can travel to almost any destination. The services we found in Aruba and Curacao, wheelchair assistance at airports, accessible accommodations, and accessible tours, proved that accessibility is just about knowing what services are available and being open to using them.

Overcoming the Challenges

Despite the unexpected challenges, this trip became more than just a lesson in logistics; it became a testament to patience, adaptability, and perseverance. As I struggled with my injury, we learned that overcoming obstacles isn’t about avoiding them but responding to them. Every hotel, every airline staff member who assisted us, every tour guide who helped me navigate rough terrain, and every act of kindness made a world of difference.

What stood out most was the importance of leaning on available resources for people traveling with a disability. What initially felt like burdens, requests for wheelchair assistance, asking for special seating, or needing to take things slowly, became tools that helped us enjoy our trip. These adjustments allowed us to savor each moment, even amid adversity. Yes, there were frustrating times. There were moments when I was exhausted, and navigating steep paths or standing for long periods was tough. However, the beauty of the islands, the culture, and the joy of traveling kept us going.

The most incredible realization was that challenges, whether physical or mental, are often part of the journey. Rather than viewing them as obstacles, we saw them as opportunities for growth. With each challenge, we adapted and found creative ways to keep moving forward.

Our Promise to Ourselves to Keep Exploring

This trip reaffirmed something vital for us: travel is about the journey, not just the destination. Sometimes, the journey presents more considerable challenges than expected. However, we’ve learned that much of the world is accessible, even with mobility limits and obstacles. Our commitment to exploring remains strong. No matter the health challenges, we’re determined to keep traveling and embracing new experiences. At times, we may adjust our destination, but there are many more to discover.

The key lesson is that travel is not about perfection. It’s about adapting and enjoying moments as they come. For every challenge we faced, we found solutions. It was humbling. We saw how airlines, hotels, and activity providers focus on accessible experiences. With that support, we felt empowered to go further and push ourselves beyond expectations.

Final Thoughts

In a world where the unexpected can happen at any time, we have come to understand that the joy of exploration is worth every bit of the effort it takes. We are committed to continuing our trips, facing every new destination with an open mind and a willingness to ask for help when needed. Our promise is simple: no matter the setbacks or health challenges that come our way, we do all we can to continue exploring. The world is full of beauty, culture, and stories waiting to be discovered, and we try not to let challenges hold us back from experiencing it all.

It is about embracing every adventure with resilience and an open heart, knowing that, in the end, the most meaningful journeys are often the ones we take despite the challenges.

© 2025 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved

FYI

The federal government has an informational website for people traveling with a disability abroad. Each country has its own laws regarding discrimination against and accessibility for persons with disabilities. You can find information for travelers with disabilities in the Local Laws & Special Circumstances  section.  In some countries, there is little to no requirement for accessibility so it is well worth checking it out.

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