Part of the excitement of travel is getting out of your comfort zone.
However, if you have accessibility issues, this can be more terrifying than exciting when on the road. Hearing stories about wheelchairs being damaged by airlines and people being dropped by employees enlisted to help them makes the idea of leaving home less than comforting for those with mobility issues.
Adventurer and inspirational speaker Aron Anderson hasn't let these stories stop him from seeking out some of the world's most far-flung destinations.
Anderson is an avid traveler and sportsman who has tackled some incredible challenges: He has skied across Antarctica, climbed the Kebnekaise and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as swam across the Sea of Aland. However, Anderson has been confined to a wheelchair since the age of 9, after surgery to treat cancer in his lower back.
He has some advice for those with mobility issues seeking similar pursuits: Take it one small step at a time.
TravelPulse sat down with Anderson to find out what keeps him on the move, where he's off to next and how to handle traveling in some of the least accessible places in the world.
TravelPulse: You have been to the corners of the world, what do you have planned for your next adventure?
Aron Anderson: I recently received a wild card invitation to compete at the 2017 Ironman World championships in Kona, Hawaii, which I'm really looking forward to. I haven't been to Hawaii before, so that will be a lot of fun!
Before that, I will also hike to Trolltunga in Norway. If you're not familiar with it, I recommend you google it. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world.
TP: How do you stay focused and keep your head in the game when conquering a mountain such as Kilimanjaro or crossing Antarctica?
AA: My main strategy is to complete the adventure, one small step at a time. When climbing Kilimanjaro, I would set my sights on a rock about 100 meters ahead and have that as my goal. Focusing on the summit would have been too far away for me to stay motivated.
TP: Is there any adventure that you wouldn't try?
AA: I've thought about giving Mount Everest a try but when I looked into it, I realized the risk was too great for me. I love my life too much for that!
TP: What are some of the travel concerns people with mobility issues face that aren't obvious to those without accessibility issues?
AA: Air travel, when you're in a wheelchair, is usually not a big deal. Airports tend to be accessible and friendly to wheelchairs. It can be more difficult to go by bus or train since the accessibility usually isn't as good.
One thing that can be good to keep in mind when traveling by plane is that, sometimes, it takes a while to get your wheelchair when you have a connecting flight. It's wise to book your flights with some margin for error.
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TP: How can companies and organizations better work with individuals who have mobility issues?
AA: One thing that really annoys me when traveling with SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) is that I can't book my wheelchair online. Instead, I have to call to get registered. As a frequent flyer, this takes a lot of time and feels really antiquated. Some other airlines have the possibility to register the wheelchair online and I really love that.
TP: No one can anticipate everything in advance. What do you do when you are confronted with a situation and your accessibility is challenged?
AA: A few years back I booked a "hotel with elevator" in Paris, but when we checked in, the receptionist told us that the elevator only stops at "half-floors". After a few minutes of arguing with the hotel, we managed to get a refund and they helped us find a nearby hotel with an elevator that could deliver me to the same floor that our room was on.
Now, I try to avoid situations like that by calling the hotel in advance, which of course is time-consuming, or by booking through a site like Handiscover.com that verifies the accessibility of the hotel.
TP: Has your equipment ever been damaged during travel? What would you recommend to someone who finds themselves in that sort of a predicament?
AA: I've traveled quite a bit with wheelchair sporting equipment that has been damaged a few times. I've been really lucky not to have any trouble with my daily wheelchair but, when possible, I always ask the cabin crew if it's possible to keep my wheelchair in the cabin, which is always preferable.
I also bring a spare tire for the chair in case I get a flat.
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TP: In light of what happened on the United Airlines flight where a passenger arrived to find their wheelchair damaged, what advice would you give to companies and organizations who provide services to disabled travelers?
AA: I think companies should try to educate their crew to understand that the wheelchair is actually somebody's "legs" and, without their chair, they won't be able to function.
It's really important to remind everyone of this so they take special care of the wheelchair. Accidents are going to happen from time to time and, when they do, the airline should be ready to act quickly to fully-compensate that passenger.
To me, this includes compensation for hotels, rental cars, etc. for everyone who's traveling together if the trip needs to be cancelled.
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