Have scooter, will travel

Have Scooter, Will Travel - an inspiring and courageous story from Green Theme International Home Exchange Member Jo Chambers

Mobility for me is a problem, but it has never dampened my enthusiam for travel, so when my husband developed a hernia rather than despair because my wheelchair pusher was no longer fit, we went and spent some of the kids inheritance on an electric scooter for me.

We made the decision as we had already agreed on an exchange with a couple and their friends to exchange in August to go to Brisbane. Not having been to Australia before we feel that the Gods were with us as our location was perfect for me. Our exchange home was in Toowong which ment we were 20 minutes by City Cat on the Brisbane River into the heart of the city and 20 minutes by car to Mount Cootah and the Brisbane Forest and National Park plus the main highways to North, South, East and West.

Using the City Cat was ideal for the scooter and enabled us to visit museums, art exhibitions, street markets and shopping plus the outdoor restaurants without the usual hassel of parking and the river itself is a great way to see the city.

We had not only swapped house but cats and car, and the fact of coming home to an animal made it feel very much our own for the three weeks, and our particular cat was the perfect hostess. Our swap neighbours were just the icing on the cake ensuring we saw the very best during our stay and not wasting precious time on things that were not us. A memorable trip was a three night stay at Lake Weyba cottages near Noosa, one cottage is perfect for wheelchair users and as we sat on the veranda at sunset watching the wild kangaroo around the water hole and listening to the frogs and bird song we knew we had made the right choice.

Our stopover in Singapore was great and everyone we encountered was just so helpful and as my scooter is one of the latest light weight ones, we were drawn into conversations with several strangers wanting to know where we and it came from. We have found that my disability has brought the best out in those we meet and I have certainly seen many areas that would otherwise be out of bounds when lifts are only in service areas or private areas of open homes and gardens.

My message to anyone who thinks it is all a bit daunting - go for it - you won't always have the same holiday as everyone else but revel in it and enjoy the differences. We are now thinking where next !

Jo Chambers HE14242
Travel