Practical, Lived‑Experience Resources to Support Life After Injury
The Travelling Para provides free, non‑medical, lived‑experience resources that rehabilitation units and hospitals can share with wheelchair users who are planning to travel after injury, particularly when flying with mobility equipment.
These resources are designed to complement clinical care, support goal‑setting, and help patients visualise safe, confident participation in life beyond rehab.
Who This Page Is For
This page is intended for:
- Rehabilitation units (inpatient and outpatient)
- Acute and sub‑acute hospitals
- Occupational Therapy departments
- Social work and discharge planning teams
- Community reintegration and transition services
About the Resource Creator
Stuart Hurst is a T10 complete paraplegic and traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor with more than 40 years of travel experience.
Following his injuries, Stuart returned to travel and began documenting the real‑world challenges wheelchair users face — particularly in aviation. These lived experiences have been developed into structured, practical resources that address a common gap identified during rehabilitation: “What does life — and travel — look like after discharge?”
What These Resources Are — and Are Not
✔ What they are
- Lived‑experience based
- Practical and plain‑English
- Suitable for patients, families, and carers
- Designed to support confidence and informed decision‑making
- Free to share in both digital and printed formats
✖ What they are not
- Medical or clinical advice
- Therapy instruction
- Airline‑endorsed material
- A replacement for professional judgement
Disclaimer: These resources are based on lived experience only and should be used alongside appropriate clinical care and individual assessment.
When Hospitals and Rehab Units Find This Most Useful
Teams commonly use these resources when:
- Patients express a desire to travel post‑injury
- Travel is identified as a participation or life‑role goal
- Patients are approaching discharge
- Families or carers request practical guidance
- Peer support or community reintegration planning is underway
Core Resources Available
Ultimate Wheelchair Travel Checklist (PDF)
A structured checklist covering:
- Pre‑trip planning
- Wheelchair preparation
- Airline communication
- Documentation and contingencies
Frequently used as a discharge or goal‑planning handout.
Flying with a Wheelchair, Practical Guide
Explains what wheelchair users can realistically expect when flying, including:
- Airport processes
- Transfers and boarding
- Equipment handling considerations
- Self‑advocacy strategies
Useful for setting expectations and reducing anxiety.
Protecting Mobility Equipment When Flying
Addresses a key clinical concern — wheelchair damage — including:
- Common causes of damage
- Practical preparation steps
- What to do if the equipment is returned damaged
Particularly relevant for powered wheelchair users.
Airline Wheelchair & Battery Policies
Plain‑language summaries of airline requirements, including:
- Battery types
- Size and weight limits
- Dangerous Goods documentation
Supports informed planning and reduces last‑minute complications.
How Rehabilitation Teams Use These Resources
Hospitals and rehab units commonly:
- Share links or PDFs directly with patients
- Include resources in discharge or education packs
- Provide materials to families and carers
- Reference guides during goal‑setting discussions
- Share internally across OT, social work, and peer support teams
No permission is required to distribute these resources.
Why Lived Experience Is Valuable in Rehabilitation
While clinical expertise is essential, lived experience:
- Bridges the gap between theory and reality
- Helps patients visualise life beyond hospital walls
- Normalises fear and uncertainty
- Reinforces independence and participation goals
These resources support hope grounded in realism.
Professional Resource Pack (PDF)
A printable Professional Resource Pack is available for hospitals and rehab units that wish to:
- Provide a single, trusted handout
- Support consistent messaging across teams
- Offer wheelchair travel resources at discharge
Contact & In‑Service Education
Stuart Hurst
The Travelling Para
🌐 https://thetravellingpara.com
📧 thetravellingpara@gmail.com
Stuart is available for:
- Short in‑service education sessions
- Lived‑experience presentations
- Patient or family information sessions
- Collaboration on community reintegration initiatives
If you believe these resources may support your patients or team, you are very welcome to make contact.