Supporting Wheelchair Users to Travel with Confidence After Injury
The Travelling Para is a free, lived‑experience resource designed to support wheelchair users who wish to travel after injury, particularly when flying with mobility equipment.
This page is intended for:
- Occupational Therapists (OTs)
- Rehabilitation units and hospitals
- Social workers and discharge planners
- Peer support coordinators
- Disability organisations and advocates
All resources are practical, non‑medical, and designed to complement clinical care, not replace it.
About The Travelling Para
The Travelling Para was created by Stuart Hurst, a T10 complete paraplegic and traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor with over 40 years of travel experience.
After sustaining life‑changing injuries, Stuart returned to travel and began documenting the real‑world challenges wheelchair users face, particularly when flying. What began as a personal experience has grown into a trusted resource used by wheelchair users, families, and increasingly, health professionals.
The site focuses on:
- Building travel confidence after injury
- Practical preparation for flying with a wheelchair
- Protecting mobility equipment
- Understanding airline rules in plain language
- Advocacy for dignity, safety, and independence
What These Resources Are, and Are Not
What they are
- Based on lived experience
- Practical and plain‑English
- Designed for patients, families, and support workers
- Suitable for sharing during goal‑setting or discharge planning
- Free to access and distribute
What they are not
- Medical advice
- Clinical instruction
- Airline‑endorsed material
- A replacement for professional judgement
Disclaimer: All content is provided from lived experience only and should be used alongside appropriate clinical guidance and individual assessment.
When This Resource Is Most Useful
Health professionals may find The Travelling Para particularly helpful when:
- Travel goals emerge during rehabilitation
- Patients are approaching discharge
- Clients express uncertainty or anxiety about travel
- Families or carers are seeking guidance
- Peer support discussions include “life after rehab”
Key Resources You Can Share
Ultimate Wheelchair Travel Checklist (PDF)
A step‑by‑step checklist covering planning, wheelchair preparation, airline communication, documentation, and contingencies.
Ideal for first‑time travellers and those returning to travel after injury.
Flying with a Wheelchair, Practical Guide
A comprehensive guide explaining what to expect at airports, boarding processes, transfers, and how to advocate for equipment safety.
Useful for reducing anxiety and setting realistic expectations.
Protecting Your Wheelchair When Flying
Guidance on preparing wheelchairs for air travel, common causes of damage, and what to do if equipment is returned damaged.
Share This Resource With Your Clients
To make it easy for health professionals to share practical, lived-experience travel guidance, The Travelling Para provides a QR code that links directly to trusted, wheelchair-specific travel resources.
By sharing this QR code with your clients, whether they are newly injured, returning to community life, or simply feeling uncertain, you’re giving them access to clear, real-world information that shows travel and life do not stop after injury.
The QR code can be:
- Printed and displayed in clinics or rehab units
- Added to discharge packs or information folders
- Shared digitally via email or PDFs
- Used as a simple conversation starter about confidence, independence, and future goals
It’s not about pushing travel, it’s about opening doors, reducing anxiety, and helping clients see what is possible when they’re ready.
Particularly relevant for powered wheelchair users.
Airline Wheelchair & Battery Policies
Plain‑English summaries of major airline rules, including battery types, size and weight limits, and Dangerous Goods requirements.
Helpful for informed planning and documentation.
We Deserve Better, Advocacy & Awareness (Optional)
An advocacy initiative highlighting the impact of wheelchair damage and the importance of respectful handling.
Best suited for advocacy, education, and awareness contexts.
How You’re Welcome to Use These Resources
You are encouraged to:
- Share links or PDFs directly with patients or clients
- Include resources in discharge or education packs
- Provide to families or carers
- Reference during goal‑setting discussions
- Share internally with colleagues or peer support teams
No permission is required. Attribution is appreciated but not mandatory.
Why Lived Experience Matters
Clinical care is essential. Lived experience adds another layer:
- It fills real‑world knowledge gaps
- Normalises fears and uncertainty
- Helps patients visualise life beyond rehab
- Supports confidence and informed decision‑making
These resources exist to support independence, dignity, and possibility.
Professional Resource Pack (PDF)
A printable Professional Resource Pack is available for teams who wish to:
- Share resources easily
- Provide a single handout to patients
- Include wheelchair travel information in standard materials
Contact & Collaboration
Stuart Hurst
The Travelling Para
🌐 https://thetravellingpara.com
📧 thetravellingpara@gmail.com
Stuart is available for:
- In‑service education sessions
- Lived‑experience talks
- Peer support discussions
- Advocacy collaboration
If you would like to explore how these resources may support your team or clients, you are very welcome to get in touch.