I have always wanted to take the children travelling. I always thought that as they got older the camping trips would expand further a field to France, Denmark, Holland, Belgium etc.

I wanted them to see the raw beauty of these places as I had when passing through whilst sailing or working there.

With getting sick that dream became buried along with me the person who I am. The mother I wanted to be …..

On the 16th of August I got on a train. Not only that, I drove ‘herbie’ my rascal 301viva wheelchair which has a mind of it’s own and had already thrown me out of him twice !!

I’d never been on a train before whilst being disabled and it was the first time I was going off to do something because I haven’t done anything like this before either. You can’t really prepare for it so I anxiously jumped in at the deep end or that’s how it felt.

My daughter was with me for support and the staff provided amazing assistance at the stations.

I was on my way to an event, it was the Superherotri series on the 18th of August at Dorney Lake Windsor.
The Superhero Tri, powered by npower, invites people with all kinds of disabilities to fly solo, or unite with family and friends to take on unique triathlon challenges.

I was doing the 20km handcycle, I’d joined up with TeamBrit for the day it was an amazing experience.

Team BRIT are a competitive motor racing team consisting of disabled drivers. Many are ex or serving military troops who have sustained serious injuries and are disabled.

They are a competitive racing team who race against teams of able-bodied drivers on a level playing field .

Jamie Falvey was my captain who bravely took on both the swimming and the running part of the triathlon as our runner unfortunately had an injury.

It was great to meat Sally who has been keeping in touch and supporting me and Dave who played a huge part in putting the team together and some other people.

Unfortunately after my event I was so tired and not being used to such things I couldn’t cope with too many stimulants . I wanted to but just ……anyone who suffers from neurological disorders knows what i’m talking about.

So i completed my first adventure! Now I’m thinking im invincible……. What next ?

Can I have that adventure with the support of the kids and me working together? Not hubby’s thing . We are complete opposites !!

Then there’s equipment? How would that work ? Has anyone tried this ?

You see this is me…. !!! Being sick doesn’t change who you are it just causes so much fustration because you can’t be who you want to beanymore and you feel you have lost your identity because you do .

You have to reinvent yourself but I’m still kinda struggling with that as I’m planning on shedding the weight I’ve put on and somehow get back to doing the things I’ve loved or at least be outside, outdoors having adventures with the people I love.

Or can anybody think of any other adventures that can be done on a cheap budget? For example travelling around the English coast or something?

Back to my dream, does anyone think it would be possible to go travelling with children around Europe using mobility scooter/wheelchair.

I’m interested to hear about anyone who is in similar circumstances and has maybe tried travelling.

I’m also interested from hearing from companies about their products they have to make it easier for families like me to travel.

Travel companies what offers/ facilities can you provide. Often for example to go off road one needs a large mobility scooter yet there are restrictions on sizes . Can you accommodate elsewhere on the train.

That brings me back to the same problem we always have suppliers of all terrain mobility vehicles that you can use on public transport?

I’m excited to hear back from people with their views, advice and experiences…

Thankyou

Joanne

#Samefamilynewadventures