Tips for Overseas Travel to Costa Rica
Tracee Garner won’t say she wasn’t nervous, but she knew the opportunity to participate in an international exchange program was an experience that could make a difference for her. Tracee was completing her first year as a Liberal Arts Studies student at North Virginia Community College when she heard about an international exchange organization looking for delegates with and without disabilities to go to Costa Rica last summer.
“It was a big step for me to decide to go,” shared Tracee. “I talked to my parents and said I want and especially need to do this. I needed to do it because I wanted to know that I could be independent, and live without the luxuries or the accessible, high-tech. accommodations I was used to. I use a wheelchair and I thought I'd never have the chance to travel without my parents. This was a chance to push my comfort limits, to be dependent upon persons I didn't know and having to entrust and direct them in my personal care needs.”
With preparation and planning, Tracee had a very positive experience on the Costa Rica Exchange Program. She was one of 15 participants between the ages of 18 and 24 from around the United States who traveled to Costa Rica for three weeks in July. They shared experiences with Costa Ricans with and without disabilities, visited schools and learned about the education system for people with disabilities in Costa Rica. The program also included cultural activities, including viewing the depth of a volcano from the rim and taking an aerial tram through the tropical rainforest.
Tracee shares her tips on air travel below:
"A three-week international exchange program in Costa Rica was just a transfer away. While I was excited about this opportunity, as a disabled person I worried not about the potential inaccessibility of the country, culture shock or other aspects that might present barriers for me, but how my experience getting on and off the plane would be. Although I initially had serious reservations about my air travel adventure, my trip to Costa Rica with Mobility International USA couldn’t have been a more positive experience.
"I learned quickly that the airline personnel didn’t always know what to do when it comes to helping to transfer a person with a disability. Although they may have received formal training, it is different having to help in a real situation. Each person with a disability is different, and what may work for one person doesn’t mean it will work for another. In fact, for my personal care at home I find it is sometimes better hiring personal assistants who have not been formally trained because they may be more likely to listen to my instructions instead of making assumptions that what they have been taught will work for everyone.
"Before I let any of the airline personnel begin to transfer me, I found it useful to be assertive and give brief instructions on how they could best assist me. I pointed a lot and used phrases such as, “Grab here and not here,” or “When you have my (legs, arms, etc.,) you’re going to move this way to get me here.” I made sure each person knew his or her destination.
"I also brought a sliding board, which is very effective for transferring me to places that are level to, or have a slight down slope with, the height of my wheelchair. In using a sliding board, some key points I found that really helped get me to my destination were to have people hold on to and lift with the elastic of my pants, under my armpits and under my knees. People holding in these key areas helped me move easily to where I wanted to go. I learned that wearing pants or shorts with tough material and a thick elastic band that can withstand pulling or has loops (jeans are perfect) provided a great place for a person to really get a good hold of and grab on to. Another helpful item to bring is a transfer belt. It can be secured around one’s waist (like a seat belt) and instantly it creates something for a lifter to grab on to.
"Something else I learned is that only newer aircrafts, and sometimes only first class seats, have armrests that flip up. Sometimes if there is space available, passengers with disabilities can ask to be moved up to first class, where not only do the seats have more width but there is also more room for the transferring helpers to maneuver. However, if this is not possible, a useful tip for transferring to seats with immovable armrests is to sit on a towel or blanket that’s folded lengthwise over the airline seat. Then by ensuring that the flaps of the towel stay over each side of the armrest, the people assisting can have something to grab onto when it’s time to be lifted up and out of the seat. In addition, the towel can be used to help in scooting back or sitting up straighter during the flight.
"Another aspect to consider for air travel is the stowage of one’s wheelchair. I was advised to take a manual wheelchair, but I didn’t have one, so I rented one. The morning of the flight, my manual chair broke so I couldn’t take it and had to take my electric one instead. Based on past domestic flight experience with my parents, I knew there was a part on my electric wheelchair that as a result of airline personnel handling always needed tightening. So, I brought along a cheap tool kit that included a wrench to tighten parts. I also found that buying a bungie cord and having a hand pump available for tires with tubes is very helpful. Another good option is to invest in tubeless, hard wheelchair tires.
"As I look back after having this international experience, I am inclined to try doing things differently -- especially in new situations. Although as people with disabilities we know ourselves best, we should be open to suggestions and willing to try new transfer approaches. Some new settings will be very challenging, but if we take a moment to think about it, we’re sure to find a new way to do it. After all, isn’t our middle name as people with disabilities, 'Adapt'?"
