Tales of a falling woman

Old Nov 30th, 2012, 01:22 AM
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Tales of a falling woman

“Tales of a falling woman in Italy”
or
should it be called “Leap of Faith”?!
or
“I did it my way”?

I wanted to travel in Italy and Switzerland.
First I had to decide if it was possible for me to do this.
My problem was I have problems with my feet, knees, back, left shoulder and an intermittent problem with heart rhythm.
I would also be travelling alone. As I have no family support I would also have no support back home to call if things went “pear shaped”.

The logistics of moving myself and my luggage through Italy, into Switzerland and back to Rome for the flight home was the challenge. I could not lift luggage, carry weight, stand in one spot for long, walk fast, stand up on jerky transport, needed to sit with a straight back without knees higher than hips, not sit for too long, or walk for too long, could only descend stairs right foot first then left foot down to right foot on each stair tread, not bend over often or for long. At any stage without warning my back could lock and I would not be able to move.

I’ve always been a psychologically “slower traveller”. I like to take the time to absorb the culture, architecture, history, landscape etc. I was a very active person (20k hikes and up and down gorges etc). My activities caused my problems. Born with hypermobile joints which have worn out. So now I am physically slower and limited so have even more time to enjoy the moment. Glass half full!

I decided that bus/guided tours were not for me – both physically and psychologically. These had never been my style of travel and now not something. I would enjoy or manage. I concluded that by the time I got safely to a place of interest from a bus on a guided tour, everyone else would be heading back to the bus! I also would have been a nuisance to everyone else - holding up the show. There was also a danger that I could find myself having to abandon the tour and waste my money.

So I decided to plan my own travel to Italy and Switzerland.

This is where Fodor’s forum came to the rescue in terms of information and travel tips.

Having researched where I wished to go and what I could see it seemed I would need 7 weeks.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 01:43 AM
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I am looking forward to reading more.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 02:00 AM
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Preparation was the key.
This required some effort but it was worth the effort.
Hope this report is of benefit to others who wonder if they can do it.

• Air travel – booked flights from Australia to arrive in Rome early afternoon via Dubai. Hotel room should be ready by then so could have access immediately. Booked aisle seats so could get out of my seat easily and walk around.
• Started learning Italian
• All hotel accommodations prebooked with options to cancel without penalty with reasonable notice if necessary. All with a spacious room, elevators, no low furniture, a good bed, a safe, a good full breakfast, a shower which could be stepped into easily, a location close to public transport. Not a risky location – I would appear vulnerable.
• Used Google etc to look at cities/towns and locations of hotels and sights etc. Also studied layout of train stations where possible.
• Two small pieces of two wheel rolling luggage. This allowed for forwarding one piece and taking a roller/backpack for side excursions. I needed to keep medications etc with me.
• Train tickets with seat reservations which I pre-booked first class on line through Trenitalia. No queuing for tickets (time wasting and painful), more comfortable seating and space for luggage between seats. Also there would be no-one to mind my luggage while I was buying tickets. I was lucky enough to score many mini-fares.
• A means of managing laundry at minimum expense and no hiking back and forth to laundromats. This involved flexible coated wire hangers and balloons (don’t laugh!, hotel staff probably did). This would be difficult for a family or even a couple . Travelling on your own does reduce the laundry load.
• Booked a driver from airport to hotel on arrival. No queuing at the airport after an exhausting flight from Australia for taxi/train/bus. I was not sure how well I would have travelled.
• Purchased a money belt and didn’t allow people to see/know I had one. Wore it under my clothes. Organised cash for the day before leaving hotel room. Had backup ATM/Credit cards.
• Took adequate local currency cash with me for a few days. Allowed time for me to locate a safe ATM for withdrawals.
• Took eReader and MP3 Music – might need some entertainment if I have a bad day and find myself bound to the hotel room
• Brief sightseeing notes for each location etc on my eReader (no problem reading mine in sunlight). What’s there to see, where is it, what were my priorities etc. No heavy guide books to carry. No iPad to lug about or worry about.
• Took a smartphone but turned off all internet services. I’m on holiday. Occasional use of internet cafes for emails.
• Took a digital camera
• Organised Txtlink on my mobile so could check my bank balances simply by texting a code. Balance came back as text immediately.
• Instead of my walking stick I took my walking stick/seat. A walking stick which folds out to a narrow canvas seat which enabled me to sit very comfortably anywhere I needed/chose to. I could have sold this for a million euros many times over such was the interest in it. I actually started guarding it with my life in case someone ran away with it!
• Purchased a smallish Hedgren over shoulder bag. Held everything I needed during the day out and about and camouflaged my security money belt
• My remaining major concern was how was I going to get on and off those trains with stairs with my luggage? I had learned that there was a service in Italy for forwarding luggage and also for assistance on and off trains. In Switzerland there was a service which forwarded luggage between rail stations. But I had been unable to organize anything with these services prior to leaving Australia. This was my Leap of Faith – go regardless!!!
• As an afterthought just before leaving, I packed my Disability Parking Permit. What a life saver! More on that later.
• I also took one of my banks Travel Cards loaded with Euros – to save some bank fees

A friend took me to the airport on Sunday 6 May.
The adventure begins!!
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 02:59 AM
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At the airport
My friend holds my luggage whilst I establish whether I am able to take my walking/stick seat and TENS machine (back recovery device) into the cabin. I was very reluctant to be parted from my walking/stick seat and TENs. Permission was granted.

The airport staff decided that I required assistance with boarding etc. The staff member said he was not sure where the plane would be landing in Dubai – he was right about that. It meant that I was taken to a special area and assisted to board. One of my fellow passengers was severely disabled and wheelchair bound. His condition humbled me. Isn’t it wonderful that assistance is available for such people to travel?

The flight was comfortable enough. Good company. A man from Australia who years ago was living in England and had met his English wife when both of them on holiday in Spain. They married later. Perhaps I should go to Spain?

We landed in Dubai away from the terminal. Passengers were required to walk down the stairs to leave the plane. Not me though. I travelled from plane to ground via a mobile lift. Then I was transported in disabled bus, golf carts and wheelchairs for a long time. The staff was wonderful. I had been through Dubai airport in 2007. It was large then but even larger now. Once again I was assisted to board.

I had interesting company on flight Dubai to Rome. I sat between a young Italian lady returning to Sicily from Japan where she had been employed in wine marketing and a young man secreting bottle after bottle of Emirates wine in a bag. Emirates staff looked puzzled about the volume of wine he was “consuming”.

We land in Rome. Once again I am assisted off the plane. My wonderful Italian assistant collects my luggage and finds my driver. I was wheeled out a special side exit. No queue, no waiting, nothing. What still puzzles me is that I entered Italy with no one asking for or looking at my passport or luggage. My assistant and my driver take me and luggage to the car which was quite a distance away.

When we reach the hotel the driver takes my bags to the foyer, porter takes to room and

I AM IN ROME!!!
How easy was that? I could hardly believe it.
Tomorrow I will go trainspotting to see if I can get on those trains.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 03:27 AM
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Congrats on taking the leap of faith. Looking forward to the details along the way!
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 05:37 AM
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So glad that you were able to travel.
Gives me hope for 20 years from now ;-))!
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 06:51 AM
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Congrats and looking forward to reading more!!
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 07:59 AM
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Yippee!!
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 08:21 AM
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ttt my mother traveled all over, blind and with a broken immune system but with back up, sounds like you are doing great.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 08:24 AM
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You are very courageous! What a planner!! I am in awe of everything you took into consideration. I think a lot of folks who have given up travel will be buoyed by your trip report!!
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 08:34 AM
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What an inspiration you are! And brave. You're joining my Pantheon of heroines.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 11:23 AM
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I too am in awe. I thought I was a planner but you put me to shame. I am so glad you took your leap of faith and I will be reading right along enjoying all your adventures.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 12:44 PM
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I have some mobility issues myself, and I in awe of you as are all the others who have commented above!

I have a few specific questions.

Can you please tell us the name of your walking-stick/chair and where one might purchase it?

How and when did you make arrangements for aid in deplaning and getting to the spot in Rome where your driver met you?

Many hotels advertise their rooms as having either a bathtub or shower. How did you know that yours would have a shower? And how did you keep from slipping in Italian hotel showers, many of which have slippery tile floors?

And finally - what the heck did you do with those balloons?
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 01:01 PM
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Yes, definitely you are an inspiration. Your post proves obstacles are just minor glitches on the road. Looking forward to the rest of your sojourn.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 04:25 PM
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For tom18,

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...nverts+to+seat

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...othing+hangers

http://www.amazon.com/Safe-er--Grip-...+security+bars

My dad took the security bar with him when he traveled, but not every shower surface would accommodate the suction cups. You need to avoid grout lines, so time dimensions have to be just right. Don't forget to take it with you when you leave!
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 05:30 PM
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Joining your journey . . .
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 06:45 PM
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Thanks followers.
In answer to questions:
Walking stick/seat:
My Dad had one which is what motivated me to look for one
Is a Coopers Countryman folding seat. http://www.surreymobility.com/daily-...ding-seat/1455.

I purchased in Australia before my Total Knee Replacement through Comfort Discovered in New South Wales. They posted to Western Australia. www.comfortdiscovered.com.au

A UK product distributed by Sunrise Medical in Midlands.
It functions as a walking stick (the length suits my height), is light to carry, kind on the hands, leans on things (eg your leg) without falling which frees both hands to get your money, ticket out etc. Mine is a medium. The handles also allow you to push yourself to a standing position.
There are various other branded tripod seats available but I have found this one the best for me. I feel very stable on this.

Deplaning: Thanks for that word. I was rather stuck on what to call it. Disembarking and deboarding didn't sound right. The arrangements were made at my departure airport in Australia where I was assisted to board. So when we landed at Dubai, Rome etc those of us with arranged assistance waited for all others to leave the plane. We were on the books so we were expected, fetched and into a wheelchair.
Linking up with driver: The Rome airport assistant took me to the area where drivers were waiting with their signs with passenger names. From memory I showed my assistant the booking I had, he showed it to someone with more English and the message got through.

Showers in hotel rooms: I checked out hotels and photos of their rooms, bathroom access, furniture etc on-line. I read some reports from previous travellers. I chose good three star hotels, not chain hotels. When making enquiries for booking I made it clear that I had some mobility issues and that I needed a shower I could step into easily with room to move. My hotels turned out to be much better than I expected - in fact I could not have asked for more. If I had come across danger of slipping I would have put a towel FLAT on the floor. I always had plenty of towels to spare because I was alone in double rooms.

The Balloons:!! I have a feeling I read this tip somewhere on Fodor's.Some people use inflatable hangers with some success. The motivation is to separate the layers of the clothing to speed up drying. Also supports the weight of wet clothes. So I took balloons and balloon tags (my hands don't allow me to tie up balloons). Hang clothes on wire hangers, hang in bathroom (twist the top of the hanger if necessary), shove a balloon up or down shirts and trousers etc. They dry faster. As long as you are not wetting carpet etc and leaving the bathroom clean and safe no one seemed to mind. I would love to be able to tie balloons into balloon art so that I could provide more entertainment to hotel staff on my next trip!

Next I shall tell my Rome story - more pleasant surprises.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 08:33 PM
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Rome
First night in Rome
My hotel room is perfect for my needs. Very good bathroom complete with bidet. Luggage has been placed up on waist high shelf. Good cupboard space with safe, television. Great bed. Desk and chair. Window to open and look out and down to street and Opera House.

I go for a stroll to get the lay of the land. Restaurants within 20 metres. Discovered small internet café around the corner, tabacchi to buy bus tickets etc, coffee shop with snacks, fruit stall on the corner and grass and trees/shrubbery outside the Opera house. I’m amused by the traffic, horn honking and the parking. Smart cars are definitely the way to go! I’m looking forward to my 10 days in Rome.

I had tickets for Galleria Borghese for the day after tomorrow so tomorrow is trainspotting day and how to get around Rome. I had a good dinner in the company of two ladies from Ireland and England. I score ice from the hotel which I use to settle down the swelling in my “new knee” and have a perfect sleep.

Next morning
My hotel has thoughtfully put me in a room on the same floor but far enough from the breakfast room. Breakfast is wonderful. Everything you could possibly wish for. In fact these breakfasts were so good that I did not wish to eat again until mid afternoon. I must tell you there is an advantage to this. The crowds are always smaller when everyone else is eating lunch eg bus tours.

Time for trainspotting! I set off for Rome Termini rail station which is within walking distance. I study the platforms, the hawkers, the opportunists, the desperate, THE TRAINS, buy a Rome map, find an elevator to access shopping and metro under the station, purchase a Roma Pass. I observed the poor people checking the ticket machines to see if any change has been left behind. I observed the people attempting to “assist” newbies at ticket machines. It was all as I expected it to be because of my research on Fodor’s, Seat 61 etc.

Added entertainment was provided by the tackling of a man on a train by some officials who was then handcuffed to a pole. Later I realized this was the Leonardo di Vinci train so perhaps he was trying to leave the country. Then there was the injured policeman who left in an ambulance from the side of the station. None of this alarmed me.

I then looked for the Sale Blu office which provides assistance to the disabled. The language barrier was a problem. I showed them my pre-booked tickets and that Disability Parking Permit. The Sale Blu staff were wonderful and booked my assistance for boarding/deboarding trains for Naples, Florence, Padua later in my trip. This was an enormous relief since my travel depended on my being able to board and deboard trains. I’m overjoyed. I’m having a great day! It gets better.

It’s time for me to find out how to get to Galleria Borghese tomorrow morning. I inquire at the tourist kiosk out the front of the station. I find out which bus to catch from where and get two tickets. In an earlier life I would have enjoyed a walk out there and back.

Then the lovely young Italian lady enquires whether I’m 65 or older. I’m not. She’s eyeing off my walking/stick seat. I show her my Disabled Parking Permit. Well, would you believe it … she says I get free travel on most Hop on/off sightseeing buses!!! She takes me across the road to one of the buses and shows me the bus, tells me to show my permit, introduces me to the conducter. I still have no jetlag so I decide to go. I go up the top and go around twice – my legs needed a rest and it was a good orientation to Rome. I had intended to use one of these buses as an orientation but did not expect to get it free of charge.

I cannot begin to tell you what a difference this mode of travel made to my stay in Rome. I used these buses without going up top again. There is a disabled seating area adjacent to the middle door. The view at traffic and street level is very entertaining! It’s especially amusing in peak hour traffic. The various bus groups have slightly different routes which increases options for getting closer to places of interest. The audio tours also vary in quality and emphasis as regards information. Note: Green lines and that brightly decorated City Sightseeing bus group do not provide free travel to aged or disabled.

More later!
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 10:40 PM
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The next day I’m off to Galleria/Villa Borghese. If I had my time again I would not board a bus in peak hour as it meant standing up on a very crowded bus. On the other hand the press of bodies kept me upright but I could not see where I was going! I enlisted the assistance of a younger Italian lady and she was able to tell me when I reached the appropriate stop.

The tickets for the Galleria are good for only two hours. I had read that many able bodied people found two hours insufficient so I had booked two tickets with two hours between them. This was perfect for me. The staff took me up in an elevator. After two hours, I bought a takeaway lunch and went out into the parkland for rest and relaxation. Very peaceful and restorative. In fact I believe this would be a perfect place to go if you are in Rome and need to reconnect with nature. Then I went back into the villa for a further two hours. It was a fabulous exhibition and a wonderful day.

Rome was a perfect place to satisfy my interest in art, architecture, history etc. I had a Roma Pass which entitled me to free/reduced entry to many places I was interested in. It was no longer needed for travel since I now had a preferred mode of travel. Yes it takes longer to get from A to B on Hop on/off but that can be an interesting good thing when your body is flagging.

Of note to those with a mobility issue:
I had not expected to achieve much at the Colesseum but I wandered in there anyway. I discovered an elevator down the far end at the Colosseum for the exclusive use of the disabled.

Luck at the Colesseum:
As I waited for the lift to descend some other people arrived. Many of whom did not appear disabled but I assumed were friends/family of the disabled. Up we went. A young lady produced a key, waved it in the air, led us around and let us in this locked gate. She held my water bottle whilst I climbed the stairs. We were right up the top as far as you could go at the Colosseum. After we went back down I realized this had been a case of mistaken identity. This was a special paid for tour. She had assumed I was part of the group. I had assumed she was caring for the disabled. I had jagged a special tour quite unintentionally!

I had a wonderful time in Rome. I achieved value for my Roma Pass even though I was already getting free transport. My days were filled with art, sculpture, architecture, people watching, many incidental weddings (including an Orthodox wedding in the church near Trevi Fountain), scoffing wonderful coffee, having wonderful dinners with people from all over the world. Though I was invited to join people going to Trastevere etc at night, I declined because I needed to recover from my day in order to manage the next day.

I won’t bore my readers with the details of everything I saw during my stay in Rome. I shall list the sites I managed to visit and enjoy for the benefit of those who have mobility issues.

Galleria Borghese, Colesseum, Circus Maximum (from above), Capitoline Museums, Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Altemps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna, Vatican Museum, St Peter’s Bascilica, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Museo della Civilta Romana, Galleria Doris Pamphilj, Palazzo Barberini, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, The Cimitero dei Cappuccini.
Least favourite – Trevi fountain and Piazza di Spagna.

It’s time to move on from Rome. I’m off to Naples.
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Old Nov 30th, 2012, 11:33 PM
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Great attitude. Thanks for sharing.
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