Category: Helpful Tips

Wheelchair accessible taxis in Tahiti & Moorea

Wheelchair accessible taxis in Tahiti & Moorea

youshouldgoanyway

The first thing I did after booking my tickets to Tahiti was look for an accessible taxi service in the area. While I didn’t find any that were outright advertising as wheelchair accessible, I did find two companies that make do with what they have.

The first was Robert Carpentier who has a van with a portable ramp. When boarding, we made sure the ramp was on a curb to make the angle more do-able. I use an electric wheelchair and sit fairly high, so inside I was ducking down during the transit, but it was ok for short distances. If you use a taller chair, you may want to confirm that you’ll be ok.

Robert picked me up at the Papeete airport and was waiting for me when we came out of baggage. He took us directly to the ferry port where we headed to Moorea.

You can email Robert here: carpentier.r59@gmail.com

Robert was helpful in connecting me with Taxi Gisele on Moorea for our trips there. When we arrived at the port, the taxi was waiting, also with ramps for me.

We had a little trouble because these were two individual ramps made more for manual wheelchairs whose wheels align. But we made it work. The great thing was that because these two taxis communicated with each other, Robert actually sent his ramps over on the ferry so my future trips with Taxi Gisele would go more smoothly.

We booked a 5-hour tour around Moorea with Taxi Gisele as well and it was totally worth it! Got to check out the distillery and a bunch of great photo spots in addition to the dolphin and turtle sanctuary at the Hilton resort.

You can contact Taxi Gisele for Moorea trips here: pahigisele@mail.pf

Helsinki commuter trains are very wheelchair accessible

Helsinki commuter trains are very wheelchair accessible

youshouldgoanyway

It’s always great when public transit is easy and accessible and requires no intervention from staff to get my wheelchair on a train. Helsinki’s train system falls into this category.

The train is perfect for getting from/to the airport to the Helsinki city center. There are two trains, the I train and the P train that make a loop with points at the airport and the main downtown Helsinki train station. You can take either, the only difference is the direction they move — either clockwise or counterclockwise around the loop.

There is no need for a ramp and there is ample space on board and a designated are to park your chair. People were very nice when moving their baby strollers or bikes and in general the Finnish people will be helpful whenever necessary.

The train is inexpensive and fast and I was glad to have used it during my trip. It runs frequently and the stations were level and accessible. You can check out the routes and timetables on the HSL website.

Don’t think about it so much

youshouldgoanyway

There is a fine line between being prepared and over-thinking something. Dealing with a disability often requires advance preparation. However, preparing for the worst can often change into expecting the worst. When this happens, you miss out on a lot because it’s easy to convince yourself not to do something.

If you have ever had the chance to jump off a diving board, particularly a high dive, then you know what over-thinking can do. It will freeze you right there, on top of the board, your hand up to your face, your knees quivering. Over-thinking stops you from jumping. “Don’t think about it, just jump!” someone yells. This is the same advice you hear people yell at that scared jumper just about every time.

So don’t over-think it next time you plan to do something. Grab your phone, your supplies, everything you know you need, and just go. This applies to everything — making calls, asking for help, traveling, getting a job, going to school, and trying anything new. If it helps, write a list of things you need “just in case.” Get those things and stop your worrying right there. Use the list next time and you won’t even have to think about it.

What to do with a new diagnosis of muscular dystrophy

youshouldgoanyway

So you’ve just gotten home from the doctor who said that you or your child have muscular dystrophy? What are you supposed to do now?

Many people email me this question and I tell them pretty much the same thing — “Keep on living!”

Of course there is some mental shock. That will wear off. You might even find yourself frantically searching for information about muscular dystrophy. That might be why you’re here right now.

You are allowed to feel all sorts of things — frustrated, mad, upset, panicked, and overwhelmed. Of course you are. I am here to tell you that it will be okay.

So what can you do now? Here are some suggestions:

1. Read more of my posts. Hopefully you’ll come to find that despite having muscular dystrophy it is possible to have a fun and happy life! I’m happier now than ever and it has been 25 years since I found out I have muscular dystrophy.

2. On the other hand, stop reading about it! Take a break from the Internet. If you are reading about medical things and studies and all the non-personal things about muscular dystrophy, stop! Take a break! Worry about these things when you’re in front of your doctor. One thing about the internet is that you can be looking for information about a hangnail and pretty soon you’ve diagnosed yourself with cancer.

3. Look at how it is right now. Unless you’ve been ignoring symptoms for a very long time, odds are you came about a diagnosis because you noticed some small things and a few difficulties here and there. Right now is not 10, 20, or 30 years from now. Worry about that later. Right now hopefully and probably isn’t too bad for you. Nothing has really changed, you’ve just gotten a name for it.

4. Plan something you can do now. Why wait? Many people put off doing things because they think they don’t have time, but they don’t have time not to! The problem is that they don’t make time. If a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy is good for anything, it’s good for creating some urgency with the fun life things. Focus your energy on planning something fun like a trip or an outing instead of worrying about the disease.

5. Find others in the same situation. The beauty of Facebook, Twitter, and the rest of the internet is that it’s fairly easy to find people who are in the same situation as you. Contact your local Muscular Dystrophy Association office and see if there are support groups or events you can attend. Gravitate towards the positive people. You’re not alone.

Hopefully these tips will help you in the moments now where you are overwhelmed. If not, come back to them later. And of course feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Check out “My Beckers Story”

youshouldgoanyway

If you haven’t seen Brad’s website, My Becker’s Story, then check it out.

Whenever I read his posts, I am reminded of where I used to be several years ago. It’s difficult for me to always remember or capture some of the stresses associated with having muscular dystrophy and Brad’s latest post about “weak days” reminded me a lot about what I used to deal with myself.

It’s odd to me that I just wrote “used to deal with.” It’s natural to assume that having muscular dystrophy is a constant downward progression. For me, however, once I started using a wheelchair my life seemed to take a huge jump upward since it made more things possible. I’d have to say that from a mobility, freedom, independence and stress standpoint I am probably better off now than I was 10 years ago.

But in hindsight I gained a lot from going through that period of strained mobility. I appreciate mobility more now. I’m happier but also aware that I am happier, so I appreciate feeling better too.

Another reason I like to read his website is that Brad keeps going after what he wants and likes to do. He has done many car reviews and has some great thoughts on disability programs in Canada. So go check it out!