The Travelling Para

As sAs someone who travels regularly as a wheelchair user, I tend to keep a close eye on developments in this space. Every so often, a video pops up that gets everyone talking, and while it’s genuinely encouraging to see the direction things are heading, it’s important to separate what’s being tested from what’s actually…

I’m genuinely proud to share that a video I had the privilege of contributing to has now been embedded into Qantas’s global Ground Operations training module. This training is used by ground handling teams around the world, the people responsible for loading and unloading aircraft, including our wheelchairs. For me, this is far more than…

This morning, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking at the South West Disability Expo in Liverpool at the Whitland Centre. The last time I was there was approximately 50 years ago, when I was swimming in the lead-up to the High School State Championships, representing Camden High School, and I rolled away feeling both grateful and…

Lessons, Systems, and the Right Equipment This trip back to Auckland carried a significance far beyond the flight itself. Having lived there for more than 30 years before my accident, Auckland is where I still believe my heart lives. This was my eighth return journey since becoming a paraplegic, and the fourth time I have…

I arrived at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport with that familiar mix of optimism and vigilance that comes with flying as a wheelchair user. And I’ll say this upfront: check-in went surprisingly smoothly. While everything was ticking along, I asked the Air New Zealand attendant a question I’ve learned never to skip. Would having a Dangerous…

My First Big Overseas Trip as a Paraplegic: What I Learned (The Hard Way) This comes from what I wrote during and after my first major overseas trip since becoming a paraplegic, an experience that was, all at once, exhilarating, exhausting, emotional, frustrating, and undeniably worth every moment. This wasn’t a quick weekend away. This…

Airbus & Aircraft-Wide Innovation for Wheelchair Users The future of in-chair flying (why it’s hard… but absolutely doable) One of the biggest fears many wheelchair users have about flying isn’t the flight itself; it’s boarding, transfers, and the risk of wheelchair damage. So the question many of us ask is simple: “Why can’t I stay…

Flying as a Wheelchair User (When You Can’t Walk or Stand) Flying as a wheelchair user when you can’t walk or stand can feel intimidating, especially the first time. The good news is that it’s absolutely possible, and once you understand how boarding works, the process becomes far less stressful. This guide explains exactly how…

Before you fly, have the names and contact details of wheelchair repair and sales companies close to the airport you’re flying from (and landing at). Because if the worst happens, and your chair is damaged, you don’t want to be stuck in a hotel room, an airport, or a strange city trying to work out…

A really positive update to share today. I’ve just had a Meet & Greet via Microsoft Teams with Virgin Australia, and I came away feeling genuinely hopeful about the direction they’re heading in when it comes to disability and accessible travel. I met with Lucy Lawie (Head of Strategic Programs, Product & Customer Strategy) and…