Client 1272: Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type 2- Berlin Germany - for a long weekend to see a university friend
"That’s why it’s so special to receive the support from CS Disabled Holidays. It allows me to do something that someone without a disability in my situation would not think twice about. It takes away the concerns of each of the additional costs of traveling, and allows me to ensure I have the appropriate care and equipment in place to relax and enjoy my holiday."
Thanks to the generous support of CS Disabled Holidays, I was able to spend a long weekend in Berlin in July 2022. I went to Berlin to visit a friend who had moved over there for work. It was great to be able to spend time with him, having not been able to see him often over the past couple of years due to the pandemic and then his move away. It became a mini reunion from university with other friends also able to join! I really enjoyed the opportunity to be toured round the city by a “local” and to discover the trendy parts of the city, with a bit of the classic tourist sightseeing as well (Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin Wall etc.) I had spent a year living in Germany as part of my university degree, so I also loved the opportunity to show off and dust off some of my German.
I am 29 years old. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular condition which causes muscle weakness. I use an electric wheelchair for mobility and live independently with the support of a Personal Assistant to provide assistance in my everyday living.
It’s amazing how quickly the costs can add up when travelling as someone with a disability, even when going for a short time to a relatively nearby destination. Once you add up the costs of suitably accessible accommodation, flights, the rental of specialist mobility equipment, accessible taxis and food & drink (with the price doubled for accommodation, flights and food & drink since I require a PA to travel with me), it becomes a very expensive trip. For just 4 nights’ away, this came close to £2000.
This is way more than it would cost someone without a disability who could do the European getaway “on the cheap” (i.e. no double costs of flights, staying at my friend’s house etc.). That’s why it’s so special to receive the support from CS Disabled Holidays. It allows me to do something that someone without a disability in my situation would not think twice about. It takes away the concerns of each of the additional costs of travelling, and allows me to ensure I have the appropriate care and equipment in place to relax and enjoy my holiday.