Once I got an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Fashion Design, I planned to transfer to a four year university to continue my studies in costume design and theatre. This goal first lead me to what I did the summer in between -- an exchange program with Mobility International USA (MIUSA) to England focusing on disability rights, leadership and the arts.

All of the delegates came from different backgrounds and had different disabilities ranging from spinal cord injuries (I have an SCI at the C5-C7 level) to cerebral palsy and hearing and vision impairments.  Delegates came from different areas of the United States as well.  We traveled first to Newark, New Jersey, where we met and stayed one night for orientation.  I was so anxious and nervous to meet everyone.  I had already spoken with some of the other participants online and now that it was the real thing, my stomach was in knots.  I was also nervous because I was traveling alone on my flight from Chicago to Newark – something I had never done before. 

We left for London the next morning and it was a great thing.  Even though we had just met, we all helped each other in any way we could.  Some pushed wheelchairs, guided the blind, helped carry luggage.  It was teamwork. Then we got off the plane and did it all over again for the next couple of weeks. 

Once in England we stayed in Portsmouth at the University of Portsmouth and experienced English culture with local host families.  My family was great.  I had three brothers who were smart and funny and could imitate an American accent.  We were lucky and got to see the Queen, who was scheduled to visit Portsmouth for the Golden Jubilee.  As a group, we also participated in a theatre production and dance and performance arts workshops.  These were interesting for me because it is something that I am interested in and it was part of the reason why I wanted to participate in this program – the special focus on the performing arts. 

We also learned about the British Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which is pretty similar to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).  We met with people with disabilities living in England and learned how they live their lives.  For example, we met with Nabil Shebang, one of the founders of a theatre company for disabled people.  He was a radical individual who participated in protesting, a big activist.  That was pretty cool to see – someone taking a different approach to getting his voice heard. 

We also met actor Charles Hampton at the Deaf Center in Portsmouth and participated in a few skits with him. One thing that was very important to me was learning about the deaf community.  I had never been able to communicate with a deaf person.  I learned that sign language is a completely different language just like Chinese and Spanish.  I am very grateful that the deaf delegates had the patience to communicate with me and others whether it be in writing or by learning a bit of sign language.  I also realized that some things such as going to movie theatres aren’t accessible to them because of the lack of captioning.  From this experience I plan to be more involved in the deaf community. 

From Portsmouth, we went to Liverpool (home of the Beatles) were we stayed at the Greenbank Sports Academy.  The place was great and was completely wheelchair accessible.  They had handcycles that were available for rent and an accessible gym where community members played various wheelchair sports such as basketball, rugby and others.  Even more impressive was the fitness room.  That is something very difficult to find within our own communities outside of a hospital setting.  I was very impressed. 

In Liverpool we visited the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), where we learned about a unique program of study that focuses on Disability Arts.  We also participated in improvisational skits and had an opportunity to be in a writing workshop.  For many of us it was an opportunity to try things we had never tried before or that we didn’t think we were interested in. I think everyone enjoyed coming out of their element and trying new things.  Last we returned to London and visited the Shakespeare Globe Theatre which was amazing and made entirely of wood.  We had an opportunity to have fun in London and take in some sightseeing.  I would love to return to London because there is so much to see that I didn’t get to.

Traveling between cities within England was an interesting experience.  Transportation was one of my biggest concerns before I left the United States. I, like other delegates, am used to the accessibility in the U.S. but knew from past experiences to France and Mexico that other countries are not as wheelchair accessible and accommodating as the U.S.  Since I have difficulty transferring out of my chair on my own, I was afraid I would have a problem.  It turned out to be just fine. Most taxicabs in the UK had ramps and a space in the center where there is enough room for a wheelchair.  Most of the bus routes in Portsmouth and London are accessible; however, not all tube stations are accessible.  We rode on trains from Portsmouth to Liverpool and then to London.  The trains were wheelchair accessible, though they had only one or two spots for a wheelchair, which meant that not all of the 5 wheelchair users in our group could stay in their chairs.  We had to be flexible and work together.  Some transferred out of their chairs allowing those that had more difficulty doing so to stay in their chairs.  We all learned about each other and what would be easiest for one another.  We all tried to make the trips and experiences fully enjoyable for each other.  However, it was our responsibility to let others know when we needed something or preferred things done a certain way. 

On our last day we had a farewell dinner and I was able to see how much each of us had brought to the group and how much we would take from interacting in the group.  We all went back home to our lives but returned a little different.  More confident.  More open-minded.  More flexible.  I’m not sure what it is but I feel different.  The people I met were wonderful.  Not just the other delegates but also the leaders and interpreters who were part of this group/team.  I have made lasting friendships, this I know for sure.  And, I think one of the best things I have taken from this trip is the energy and spirit and conviction of the other delegates.  I hope that my contribution impacted them as much as I was impacted by each of them.

Overall, this was a positive experience and I encourage other young adults with disabilities to participate in this program in years to come. MIUSA also provides technical assistance, consultation and many publications concerning international exchange and the disability community.