In a message dated 5/5/00 9:07:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< ParkinsonsNZ <[log in to unmask] >>

In reply to you question of travel tips for people with Parkinson's,
perhaps I can be of some help to you.   I (CP) for my wife Joyce
PWP 56/15years do a lot of international travel for business and
Joyce comes with me a few times a year.

First comment:
Travel in Germany and Holland
Last year we took a train from Frankfurt to Amsterdam.
Joyce uses a three wheel battery powered scooter.
The Frankfurt hotel arranged with the local taxi company to
  have take us with their "handicap" taxi which is a hi-top
  ramp equipped van.
Additionally, in Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain and
Italy
  there are TRAVELER AID organizations.
After making the necessary preadvices to them (got the tel. number from the
hotel)
  They actually met us at the handicap entrance of the main train station.
From
  that point until the train departed they took over.
With Joyce's scooter (or it could have been a wheelchair) they escorted us to
the
  exact car where we had seats reserved.
To our amazement, there were two healthy train workers waiting for us with a
  mechanical lift especially made to fit the width of the chair/scooter and
the train
  door entrance.
In two minutes Joyce was belted in and raised to the level of the train where
she
  scooted herself into the car.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In Amsterdam, the workers were waiting for us at the traincar door and the
exact
procedure was repeated in reverse up to the Holiday Inn (near the main
station).

in all the other countries the taxi companies ARE REQUIRED to maintain a
number
of handicapped van taxies.   These are available on request subject to prior
commitments.

Your travel agent can get the phone numbers of the large taxi fleets and the
Travelers aid office so you can plan your trip accordingly.


One down side comment.
European countries today DO NOT HAVE in place the legislation that requires
public facilities  (hotels, resturants, clubs, department stores etc) to have
exterior
ramps or special elevators for wheelchairs.  Of course, restrooms are not yet
accomodating either.  You must pick and choose accordingly and be creative in
this respect.   Needless to say that the smoking laws we have here America do
not exist by law anywhere else.

HOTELS:
Try to stay at large Chain properties (Days INN,  Holiday INN,  Tulip
Hotels), and of course the first class/delux hotels and reserve the Handicap
room.  Its usually on the main floor,  closer to the elevator,  have larger
entrance doors and extra large bathrooms complete with all helpful and
thoughtful conveniences.

In South Africa it is not so organized but the Holiday Inn's where we stayed
ALL arranged our needs to be taken care of with smiles and with great
efficiency.

In Nairobi, Kenya (the city hotels) did the same but you MUST be in contact
directly with the Safari Tour Company and make your own arrangements.  Its
not hard.

Scandinavia is absolutly ready to receive handicapped citizens.

DO NOT EXPECT ANY ASSISTANCE OR CONVENIENCES IN EASTERN EUROPE except in
Budapest, Hungary, Warsaw, Poland and in Prague, Czech Rep.  ONLY THE LARGEST
HOTELS have facilities.... The streets are not kept up and operating with a
wheelchair can become comical and dangerous.

The middle east Gulf States,  Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia have
wonderful airlines and hotels but South America/Caribbean have only some good
airlines and hotels.  The facilities are better than Eastern Europe by far
but once outside the main cities (why would you go anyway) there are almost
none.

ISRAEL is the only exception and the laws are like our here in America.

To offer a final suggestion.....TAKE A CRUISE....ANYWHERE AND ON ANY POPULAR
CRUISE LINE....   ITS THE EASIEST, MOST CONVENIENT AND THE MOST ENJOYABLE FOR
THE CP AND THE PWP.  just tell them when you make your reservation that you
need a handicapped cabin...thats all!!!!!!!

Tomorrow, Joyce and I are traveling to the Costa del Sol in southern Spain
for this years holiday.  We rented a ground floor two bedroom private house
150meters (by scooter) from one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe for
$400 A WEEK,  rented a large station wagon to carry the scooter for $500 FOR
THE MONTH and a European cell phone to keep in touch for $90 FOR THE MONTH.

Oh yes,  ALL airlines leaving from America MUST carry the scooter or any
other handicapped items  FREE....NADA...NO CHARGE regardless of their weight
or size.   ITS THE LAW....

By-the-way,  GREYHOUND IN NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA  offer  FREE transport for
any Care Giver accompanying a handicapped person.  Check and reserve in
advance.

If anyone has any specific questions about foreign travel please feel free to
contact us.

HAVE A GOOD TRIP.