I agree, Scarlett. Well said.

"well, as adults, those are their decisions to make"

starrsville

That someone has trouble making decisions does not mean that they are not adult.

And if I advise, even strenuously, against someone doing something, I understand that this may disappoint those enthusiastically in favour of the action, but this doesn't mean I'm demeaning anyone, anymore than those giving suggestions in favour of the action are somehow implying that the OP is too immature to manage or make decisions without their help or assistance.

That said, the subject of this thread provided me with the impetus to go and look up some of the restrictions on the "preexisting conditions waiver" clause in policies such as Travelex. Wading through that document's fine print is an exercise in itself.

As RufusTFirefly pointed out on another thread, it would likely take a lawyer to get a company to pay for emergency medivac to a hospital back home, as opposed to a local one.

Scarlett, remember it's just a board, not to mention we aren't privy to all the facts. Dinna fash yourself lassie, as the Scots say.

People with disabilities can obtain 2 free booklets detailing which parts of London's public transport system they can use by emailing [email protected] supplying their name and postal address. The booklets will be sent anywhere, worldwide.

http://www.everybody.co.uk/ Guide for accessible accommodations, touring, etc

http://www.justmobility.co.uk/shop/ has motorized scooters for hire

www.wheelchair-travel.co.uk disabled travelers in the UK

www.undiscoveredbritain.com A travel agency that plans trips for the disabled travelers, slow walkers, or others who wish to travel independently with a little help

Thank you ladies..
Shalott, great info!

The only insurance I know of that flies you to another hospital in another country, would be Travel Insurance when going to somewhere like Nepal, where they will fly you to India ( my son bought that policy)..

At times, we've digressed from travel advice to marital advice based on information from the OP. I'm not quite sure that's appropriate.

To me, it's just not appropriate to talk about a poster in the third person on an internet board and come up with the conclusion that she's not in a place where she should be planning a trip. To me, that feels demeaning.

Who cares if Melissa actually goes on the trip - now or later? I'm sure many of us have planned trips that they don't end up taking in the near future - but perhaps when circumstances change, they take it later. I know I've planned several trips (with the help of this board) that I'd catch a flight for in a second if I had the time off and/or the money. I do hope I celebrate my next birthday in Tuscany...but I'm planning away whether or not I actually make it - or not.

So, if I'm in a situation similar to Melissa's would I apprecite a stranger telling me that it is inappropriate FOR ME to plan a trip at this time? I think not. If I were in Melissa's shoes, I think the travel plans would help distract me from what is going on right now. I would find it pleasurable to plan a trip that my elderly, dying daddy might enjoy. I think my daddy would appreciate the gift of just that - the planning....whether or not either of us admit aloud that he may not be actually strong enough to make the trip.

If we got there and had a medical emergency, I know that with internet access, I have a wealth of friends a few keystrokes away who would help me figure out what to do next. Fly home? Find a hotel near the hospital outside of Paris? Decide whether or not the operation should take place in France or should I fly my parent home? How do I know that? Because it has happened at least once on this board. And the moral support the distressed Fodorite was given was probably as appreciated as the travel advice.

Back to Melissa. So Melissa "wastes" time to plan a trip to London for her elderly father that he is not able to take. Well, if I found myself in that position, I think I would take pleasure in actually taking that trip at some time in the future - knowing that my father's spirit would be with me every step of the way. It would be a wonderful thing to see the things my daddy would want to see. It would actually make me feel closer to my dad - and maybe help me learn more about him after he has gone. On my own, I would not find my way into military museums, but I imagine I would learn more about his life experiences about taking the time to do it - and only because I planned it earlier for his enjoyement.

So, for me, it would be a positive thing to plan such a trip. If I were able to take it in the near future with my dad would be wonderful. To take it down the road accompanied only my dad's spirit would be wonderful. To plan to distract me when life's reality got too overwhelming (even if I never take the trip) would be a gift.

To have someone on a travel forum tell me I should not be planning the trip at all - well, I would find that insulting, demeaning and none of your business.

So well said...<i> If I were able to take it in the near future with my dad would be wonderful. To take it down the road accompanied only my dad's spirit would be wonderful. To plan to distract me when life's reality got too overwhelming (even if I never take the trip) would be a gift.</i>

Thanks, Scarlett.

Melissa needs good thoughts, not scolding.

It worries me that she's not checked back in. I hope that doesn't mean bad news.

Topping this for Melissa

ttt