Embracing Surprises Abroad

It’s a good thing I like surprises, because I had no idea we’d be spending five days and four nights in a wild bird park outside Tokyo.  They said the showers would be cold, the sleeping arrangements were yet to be determined, and the mosquitoes would be plentiful.  They didn’t mention that it would be one of the best parts of the trip. 

The trip in question was a two-week adventure in Tokyo as a delegate on MIUSA’s Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disability Rights Leadership Exchange Program, for which I traveled with eleven other young adults with disabilities. 

This was not my first international trip, so I didn’t have some of the anxiety that first time travelers might have. I knew in advance that there might be some struggles along the way such as not being able to speak Japanese or not being able to find an accessible bathroom.  So, I went into it with as much of a “go with the flow” attitude as I could.  I also knew that I had to ask for help when I needed it, which is something I’ve learned over time.    

As a result of that “go with the flow” spirit, I feel like the trip went remarkably smoothly, even when things were not perfect.  Overall, Tokyo and Kamakura are very wheelchair friendly.  Our hotel was fully accessible, and we traveled from place to place on either an accessible bus or the Tokyo metro system. The accommodations in Tokyo were great, but I was unsure whether the Tokyo Poto Wild Bird Park would be accessible.

The bird park was an international work camp, and we joined other young adults from France, Spain, Korea, Poland, Taiwan & several other nations.  We spent the mornings clearing fields or building bamboo screens for the roof of the base camp.  It was so satisfying to do physical work because it defies the misconception that people with disabilities are helpless. 

In the evenings, we played as hard as we worked.  We cooked meals for each other that were popular in our home countries.  We talked about anything and everything, from travel adventures, to our disabilities, to popular music.  We stayed up late into the night getting to know each other. We had a blast just hanging out with our new-found friends!

The good times made the challenges of the bird park much easier to take.  Getting around the bird park was a bit more challenging than the paved streets in Tokyo, but it was nothing that a good set of tires couldn’t handle.  It had rained a couple of days before we got there, and there was quite a bit of mud.  In hindsight, having pair of gloves would have been nice.  The shower was outdoors, with a tarp as a privacy curtain.  A commode chair made it easier to use, and after working in the fields in the heat, the cold showers felt fabulous!

After two weeks, we were exhausted, and sad to leave our new found friends, but thrilled to share our trip with those back home.  In fact, it wasn’t until I got home that I realized just how valuable my MIUSA experience was.  It renewed my desire to tackle obstacles in my, and others’ lives.  It also increased my confidence to travel, even when things might not be easy.  After the MIUSA trip, I took a 2-week safari trip to Kenya with Wilderness Inquiry, where there are even less accommodations for people with disabilities.  Instead of approaching the trip with trepidation, I joined in excited.  As a result of my experiences on MIUSA’s trip, I knew that I’d be able to handle anything.

PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS:

• Put solid rubber tires on your wheelchair.  This way, there is no risk of getting a flat tire while you’re out exploring. 

• Make sure you have kept up with your chair maintenance before you go. Clean your axles and front casters to ensure they rotate properly.  Make sure you aren’t missing any screws or ball bearings, as repairs can be tricky abroad. 

• If you use any straps for your feet, bring an extra one with you, as these can sometimes get lost when chairs are packed onto an airplane.

• Approach your trip with an open mind and a sense of adventure.  Try the food, talk to the people.  Take advantage of every opportunity to try something new, even if you’re not sure about it.  When you get home, you’ll be glad you did.