Re: International travel CMT

[Guest guest]

,

Where in Europe? Although, from a travel/disability

standpoint I guess it doesn't really matter.

First of all, Europe is very disabled-unfriendly. Not

because they want to be but because everything there is

so much older than in the states that they simply can't

retrofit buildings, etc. to be handicapped accessible.

Depending where she is going, it may be a challenge to find a hotel equipped

with an elevator. This may be why you were counciled to take a wheel-less bag

-- easier to carry up narrow flights of stairs (yeah, right). You can usually

get a porter to help but your

daughter will have to be okay with asking for help, especially if she looks

able-bodied. Generally, Europeans don't expect tips for services which may also

be why they don't jump right out and take your bags from you like they do in the

states

The bigger, chain (American-friendly) hotels will have

elevators but they may be very small. The hotel I stayed at in France last

November had an elevator that barely held me and one bag (and I'm small) -- had

to back out of it

Gretchen is right about the cobblestones Also, Europeans walk a lot! There

is public transportation readily available but it requires a lot of walking to

and from the depot. It can be very exhausting.

Definitely explain your daughter's limitations to her teacher and any chaperones

before they leave. As a young girl, I would never have asked for help even if I

needed it. Make sure her adult sponsors will help her get her luggage upstairs,

etc.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you for all your advice. I am sending my older daughter with

to help her. I am so glad my oldest can go. I feel less stressed.

The teacher is nice but has no clue about CMT. Would you take a bad with wheels

or without?

[Guest guest]

,

Definitely WITH wheels. I even have my laptop in a bag with wheels because it's

too tiring to carry through airports and such. Airports do have carts but you

can't always use them past security checkpoints.

I'd say she could take bag without wheels if she planned to check those on the

plane BUT she'll still have to carry them around at the other end.

So, wheels...definitely wheels Another thing...any

bag that she carries on the plane may have to go into the overhead compartment.

I can't ever get them up there...sometimes people help, sometimes they don't.

Make sure she can 'manhandle' any carry-ons easily.