There is a recent television advert for a popular bank (if such a thing exists) that stresses the importance of knowing and understanding local customs. The bank of course suggests that it is their expert knowledge that makes them such a perfect choice for business banking customers.
As a disabled traveller, it’s certainly true that people from around the world treat those of us with wheels, crutches, frames, canes and other assorted “disabled” apparel differently.
A number of years ago I was in the Middle East (a destination of two halves for the disabled traveller, either fabulously easy to manage areas, or areas of real obstacles and difficulty. Check out reviews for the Middle East at www.disabledtravelguide.co.uk). I was enjoying a wheel around a local market with family members and, because the ground was somewhat uneven (understatement), I was relying on others to push me rather than make unrealistic requests on my arms.
As we passed by tables of rugs, scarves and Arabic hubbly-bubbly pipes my brother in law said “oh wait here a minute, I just want to look at the table we just passed”. As I sat taking in the view of the market, the comings and goings of the traders, and the haggling rituals that took place between locals and tourists, I felt my brother in law retake the handles of my wheelchair and again we set of down the market track.
We passed a stall, then another, and another - scarves, rugs and souvenirs began to blur, we were travelling a little faster than usual. I must digress for a second to explain that Simon is not the best wheelchair pilot in the world as his attempts to push me through a plate-glass window and an earlier, death defying effort, to take me (chair included) up a speeding escalator will attest to.
Even with this history I was surprised at the high velocity, ninety degree turn we made into an area clearly reserved for boxes, packaging and general rubbish, but not half as surprised as I was when I turned around to find not Simon at the helm of my wheelchair expedition, but a random Kuwaiti gentleman complete with aviator glasses and cigarette. Not a word passed between us and to this day I’m not sure whether the look of disbelief that must have been on my face registered at all with him.
The advert for the bank doesn’t mention the fact that in some parts of the world, people might feel it perfectly acceptable to wheel you, unrequested, into a small refuse area if they think that you and your wheelchair are an inconvenience to them getting past. (I must stress that I Love the Middle East and visit the area regularly:)
In contrast I discovered on a trip to California that I should not sit in my chair close to a shop doorway or entrance to a mall. Coming from the north-east of England I would often take the opportunity to bask in the glory of the sun while my wife enjoyed some retail therapy (not something you get to do very often in Newcastle upon Tyne- plenty of shops, no sun). However, in sunny California I discovered that people were willing to cross roads and go out of their way to ask me if I needed help or assistance with the door and so I learned to park a little further away.
Equally I’ve never met anybody quite like the Irish to ensure that regardless of steps, cobbles, narrow doorways and obstacles, if you want to get into a certain pub, they’ll make sure you get into the pub (after all, NOTHING should stand between a person and their desire for a pint of Guinness!).
At disabledtravelguide.co.uk reviews can be left for Hotels, Locations, Attractions, Holiday Destinations and Music Venues anywhere in the world, all from a disabled perspective. We don’t yet have a category to leave a review for the people we meet.........maybe just as well.
Sean Gorman is a writer, stand up comedian, and the creator of Disabled travelguide.co.uk
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