Traveling Abroad: Why You Must

Trust me, I know what you're thinking. I've been where you are and yes, it was scary and nerve-wracking. The very idea of it brought to the surface fears I wasn't even aware existed.

I mean really, why should I -a quadriplegic-put aside every comfort I've built and nurtured all these years to travel to another country?

And it's not just wheelchair-users who are susceptible to this anxiety. No, these concerns run the gamut of disability culture. If you have a visual impairment there are many things that make your life easier and more enjoyable. Your home is built around your needs and whims. Your books and periodicals are in Braille or large print. Your computer talks to you. Odds are pretty good you won't have all of these advantages in a hut in Guatemala, right? Right.

Same if you're hearing impaired. At home you have TTY or TTD. You may even have a text-messaging program with your cell phone or one of those nifty Blackberries. Your favorite television shows are closed-captioned. Will you have such conveniences in Barcelona or Botswana? Perhaps some, but most likely not all.
So why bother? Why trade all away all that's comfortable, safe and familiar to venture to a foreign land that doesn't have anything close to the Americans with Disabilities Act? Well, consider the following comments from people who have taken that leap and lived to brag about it:

• "International travel with MIUSA provided the opportunity to meet spectacular people and witness breathtaking sites...Ultimately, the life-changing experience inspired my pursuance of subsequent international travel, enhanced my awareness and appreciation for diversity, and increased my confidence to transcend literal and figurative barriers." Grant Broshears, exchange participant to Japan
  
• "Growing up, I really didn't want to get outside my comfort zone to experience a new culture because I knew that its inaccessibility and newness would pose too many hardships. Going abroad taught me how to deal with inaccessible environments, come up with creative solutions, and adapt to different situations...I'm more open to new experiences and I'm much more self-assured." Jennifer Fitz-Roy, exchange participant to England
• "Traveling abroad has given the hunger for more adventures in my life. It has added the element of unexpected challenges coated with a thick layer of fun and surprises. I would love to visit many other countries in the future; this trip planted the seed!" Alice Ho, exchange participant to England
• "I guess the difference is that I have a lot more faith in my own abilities now, especially my ability to adapt to new situations." Summer Horton, exchange participant to England
• "I would not say that I had a low opinion of my abilities, but I had always been afraid to travel abroad. As a visually impaired student it is hard enough to adapt to different situations. So when I thought about going to a place where the people, places, language and everything else was different, it seemed that it would be impossible...now that I am back I feel I can do anything." Paul Grenier, exchange participant to Japan

As a person with a disability who is traveling abroad you have the unique opportunity to grow as a person and to aid others in their personal development. I can't begin to tell you how many people were both surprised and enlightened by how much they gained from meeting some of the groups I've traveled with through my experience with Mobility International USA.

By hosting trips for young people with disabilities to travel internationally and by having foreigners with disabilities participate in programs here in the United States, MIUSA has been at the forefront of challenging people and inspiring them to make genuine changes in their lives and in the lives of others. Many communities have been substantially affected by the spirit and philosophy of these exchanges. Lives have been transformed. Curious about how you can be a part of such an event?

Get ready to take notes:
Tenacity is always a virtue in this field. You'll need to diligently pursue involvement with the organization of your choosing. Have you always wanted to volunteer in another country? Initiate contact with your nearest Peace Corps affiliate. Want to teach English as a second language? Various companies worldwide can help you in this quest. As always is the case nowadays, the Internet can be a most valuable resource. Put in the time and the effort.

If you're a student, one of your best resources is your university's Study Abroad Office. It exists to help students take advantage of these opportunities. In many cases, you can also take part in a different university's exchange program.

A word of advice -- be persistent and DO NOT allow yourself to let fears and doubts dissuade you. And a word of caution -- not everyone out there knows just how easy it can be to adapt a situation to meet your specific needs. Often you'll need to actively teach people how they can best work with you. You just might be the first person with a disability to enter their offices.

No one expects you to know all the answers. You may not know where to get seizure medication in Venice. You may not know the rules and regulations about bringing a guide dog to Australia. Traveling abroad will raise a lot of questions that most likely have never occurred to you. And that's where MIUSA's National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) help. Since 1995 NCDE, a project sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, has provided free information for people with disabilities interested in studying, researching, teaching or volunteering abroad.

Many of you live in or near cities that have valuable resources for you. The National Youth Leadership Network is one such group. The YMCA can be another. See if one of these organizations exists near you and initiate involvement with them. They can open your mind to so many new ideas that will make a difference in your life.

I want to reiterate: I understand your concerns. I feel where you are coming from. Please, allow me to share with you a sampling of my own travel experiences in hopes of enticing you to take the chance. As a quadriplegic-a full-time, card-carrying wheelchair user for the past 25 years-I have:

• Had lunch while on the inside of a volcano in Costa Rica.
• Played chess with a blind Russian man on the banks of Lake Baikal, Russia. (I lost.)
• Hung out on a beach in Siberia. (In July, it's actually hot.)
• Ridden the accessible subway system in Berlin all day long.
• Cruised the Champs Elysees with a stop to check out Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
• Performed on stage with a wonderful actors' troupe at a theatre in England.
• Gone shopping in Austria.
• Marched on behalf of disability rights in the streets of Mexico.
• Sang karaoke into the late hours of the night in downtown Tokyo.
• Shared countless laughs and tears with a great number of people from across the globe.

I'm looking forward to a lot more similarly memorable opportunities. Please consider giving yourself a chance to expand your universe. There's a whole world out there just waiting to grow with and learn from you. Don't miss out!

Here's hoping we pass one another in the airport!