Flying with a wheelchair

Getting around in a wheelchair poses obvious problems and trying to fly in one is impossible unless it has wings. However, if you are more down to earth, thankfully the systems in place to help the disabled enjoy the same rights to aviation as everyone else mean that international air travel is possible.

In the past, it was, apparently, very difficult with all sorts of practical and expensive barriers. However, the attempts of a certain well known discount airline to charge wheelchair bound users for the privilege of boarding their aircraft sparked a challenge in the EU courts. As a result, there is now a requirement for all airlines operating in Europe and all European airports to make sure that the disabled can travel at the same price as everyone else and with as little hassle as possible.

Sharon explains: “I´ve just been back to London to visit my children and I am very happy to say, as always, that the airport at San Javier, Murcia, Spain, has a wonderful team which helps the disabled. They help me with everything, including check-in, passport controls, security and luggage. They even escort me to my seat on the plane.

“I can´t walk up the steps of the aircraft. Sometimes there is a ginormous thing that is like a container that goes up and down like a lift with plenty of room for me and my wheelchair. It comes up into the galley of the aircraft at the front. I only have to stagger to my seat. Normally, there is a row of three for me and Phillip. I slide over to the window seat and get my headphones on with my favourite old time music and usually doze off.

“At other times, I go in a special wheelchair with a very secure harness that goes over my shoulders, so I am fully secured into the chair. It sort of crawls up or down the steps. I can´t see how it works but it is obviously some special thing. It doesn´t give me any feeling of insecurity whatsoever, which is surprising.

“My wheelchair is always waiting for me on the tarmac at the other end. Once I´m in it, I am wheeled to collect my bag and then taken through the various passport control and other things to the exit.

“I know it must be a pain in the neck having to put up with people like me who can´t do the simplest tasks for themselves. But I must say a big thank and you well done to all the people I meet at the airports and on the planes. Everybody is so helpful and kind. And patient. They are all so lovely.

“It is bad enough having to travel as a disabled person but it would be absolutely impossible without the help of so many friendly people.”

"On my return flight home a few days ago I sat next to my newest friend, Pam. She lives in Los Alcázares, by the sea. Like me, she had been to London to see her children and she pointed out her house and car just before we landed. Pam has lived in Spain almost as long as I have and loves it. Which is not surprising with all the sunshine and blue skies.”

"I had an extra special treat this trip. When I was waiting to board at San Javier I had my first ever go on a massage chair. It was fantastic, like balls running up and down your back to help relax you and give you a good old work out. I was pleased that I entertained nearby passengers who were laughing their heads off at me laughing. I´ve told Phil, I want one of these chairs for Christmas.

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©Phillip Bruce 2009.

Cake and sunshine are all you need

The simplest pleasures are best, such as sitting at a pavement café on a sunny spring morning.

We had traveled to Murcia City, the capital of Murcia Province, Spain, in order to deal with some bureaucratic paperwork and, once free of the crowded government offices it was time for a coffee. We headed with friends Liz and Graham for the Café Roses, which is on the south bank of the Segura River, just over the old bridge at the end of the wide Gran Via that cuts through the centre of Murcia. The bridge was started in 1718 and there is a neoclassical shrine to the Virgin on the south bank which opened in 1839. A short way past that, on the right hand side of the road, there are several cafes with pavement tables.

We sat at the Café Roses and ordered milky and black coffees and then went inside to study the treats on offer. Choosing is always a problem with so much to tempt and so many calories to worry about. Sharon chose a chocolate layer affair with shavings of dark chocolate on top and added a strawberry flavoured mousse and sponge cake for good measure. We decided to share everything and a big fluffy puff pastry thing with a round of meringue was added to the order, together with a pastry covered with sweet sugar gel onto which pine nuts dusted with icing sugar were densely packed. On the savoury side, a giant croissant filled with cheese and ham and a small, long, pizza topped with a rasher of bacon completed the spread.

We sat outside under the shade of a large umbrella and watched the world go by. Of course, we all complained about the calories to come but when the dishes were brought out the spoons and forks were soon hard at work. When the wreckage was being picked at more coffees were ordered and we sat back, gossiped and watched the world go by.

Across the street a large water sculpture featured two huge pots. The top one was filled with water which streamed from a pipe and when full it turned over and disgorged into the lower pot. Murcia City was founded by the Islamic invaders in when they swept through Spain. They brought with them sophisticated irrigation techniques, including water wheels, hydraulic mills and channel systems to bring precious water to the fields, often planted with the oranges and lemons which they also introduced from the Middle East. Next to the old bridge, on the river itself, is the city´s hydraulic museum – Museo Hidráulico Los Molinos del Rio, set in an ancient water mill.

But we had no time for museums today and, instead, just enjoyed the sunshine.
Diagonally across the road the edge of the Floridablanca garden could be seen, with its imposing stone arched entrance displaying the armorial bearings of the Count of Floridablanca who gave it to the city – the first public garden in all of Spain. There are large and stately trees and in the summer the park is filled with roses. We decided to visit another day.

There were just a few smidgeons of cake left and it would be a shame to waste them.

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©Phillip Bruce 2009.