One summer I was really excited and really worried about going to England with a group of 11 people who all had disabilities of all different types.

I worried about what they would be like, how I would communicate with them, whether they would like me, and whether I would like them.

I have cerebral palsy.  Before this trip, I’d never had the opportunity to interact this closely with other people with disabilities, especially with disabilities different than mine. We spent 18 days traveling together - learning performing arts, performing a play, using public transportation, visiting historical sites, riding the train and talking with each other long into the night.
 
I learned a lot about myself from this trip, especially about how I interact with other people.  Up to that point, my experiences with disability and accommodations have mainly centered upon wheelchair use since that’s how I get around.  I was less familiar with visual and auditory disabilities and accommodations. However, on the trip I made many friends with different types of abilities and disabilities and learned a lot about different people's experiences and daily lives. It opened my eyes and mind to the diversity of experience among people. This was perhaps the most important and long-lasting effect that this trip had on me.