Thank you so much for this video! I'll be visiting Barcelona next summer and I am new to having a wheelchair. I also have ME/CFS and I will need to take it slow. Seeing the part about the beach made me emotional and I have added it to our must do list! Thank you!
Pippa, thank you so much for your videos. I'm just starting my chronic illness journey (have been very unwell for six months and likely to be diagnosed with PoTS and ME/CFS) and it honestly brings me so much relief to see someone like me living their life and having fun with their friends. I'm starting to think about mobility aids (which is scary even though it shouldn't be) and your content is a big part of feeling confident enough to do that. I'm so glad you had an amazing time - you really deserve it.
Thank you so much for this lovely comment and your kind words! I'm so sorry to hear about your health situation and remember that feeling of fear so well - be patient with yourself and take stuff one little bit at a time. Hope today's as kind of possible to you, and thank you for making mine!
Thank you so much for this video. My dad is new to his chair, only uses it to travel has been on two trips so far. He was very nervous taking a chair to Europe and this video was gold in easing his nerves. Also I am so happy you had such a wonderful time at the beach. ❤❤
I'm happy you enjoyed your time in our city! The metro can be a bit overwhelming for wheelchair user sometimes in the older stations with retrofited elevators (maybe you'll have to take 3 different ones to get to the platform) and these double doors are simply CRIMINAL the first time xd. The newer ones are simply a normal doors but a bit wider, and they're much nicer and easy to use. I've always heard buses are prefered by local wheelchair users though, as you don't need to take the elevators, there's no possible issue with the platforms gaps like in the metro, etc. Oh, and the Tram is fully accessible too! Moving through the hilliest parts of the city can be a nightmare, that's for sure. Didn't know about the beach accessibility, really cool, and very interesting and well made video!!! Edit: 40:56 That's the sad reason why in most places they require prove that you're disabled. There have been cases of people making up a chronic illness to get free things, lower prices, etc. That's why in most places they require medical prove, specially when the disability is less visible like you're pointing out here. But after proven, there are usually no problems at all with anyone.
I’m planning a trip in August with my two daughters ( 22 & 25 yrs old ). My Fibromyalgia has become worse where walking long distances makes me collapse and after sitting to rest I can’t get up. I look normal but it’s an invisible chronic illness. I’m not sure how to plan my visit.
@@lrsco I'd recommend you to take the bus instead of the metro, as it's easier to find a place to sit there and still gets you everywhere you want. Also, don't be ashamed to ask for a seat. People will mostly assume that if you're asking it's cause you need it. They'll probably not give their seat if you don't ask for it though; this is sadly getting more rare with time... If you can't move a lot, it would be also a good idea to stay near the places you want to visit. If you're going to the typical places, that'd be near the lower half of Passeig de Gràcia and the Gothic Quarter. It's important to avoid the hilly areas of the city if you can't make huge efforts, like Nou Barris and Sarrià. There are still buses and metros that can get you to those areas of course, but I don't think it'd be a good idea to having to go there every day to the hotel. Lastly, take into account that lots of locals go out on August and the city gets full of tourists, so that can either be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on how you see it. I'm so sorry I can't help you more, but I'm not an expert on the matter. Wish you the best the next months and I hope you enjoy our city! :) Edit: and if you want discounts and tings like that, remember to get your medical certificates/disability card with you and there shouldn't be any problems, I think :)
I have seen the beach wheelchairs a number of times and my nearest beach has one. Plus sand wheelchairs which is what i need! Just haven't managed to get there yet. I live in Scotland. 😂 I now really want to go back to Barcelona (and hire a power chair). I actually said I could live there!! Once i can travel further than 1hr from home without needing a hotel to rest in before and after any activity... Thanks for the vlog. When I was in Barcelona I didn't get inside Sagrada Familia. The footage made cry.
I'm always watching for the local market, to buy some produce. Even for those without allergies, having access to a healthy snack like an apple or some good bread, can save you from buying a bag of snack food or sugary treats.
Thank you for sharing these trips. I'm going away later this year and I'm terrified my electric wheelchair might get damaged or my medication confiscated. I hadn't considered renting a chair while away! Your previous videos and blog gave me renewed confidence to book a weekend away at Yorkshire Wildlife Park earlier this year (which was excellent) after a near-disastrous inaccessible trip to Cornwall last year. A beach wheelchair would have been a dream.
Thank you so much Ross, your comment made my morning! Renting is definitely something I'm likely to do again in the future, and YWP is great. I'm actually considering a trip to Cornwall next year, do you have any recommendations?
This is great. I wish I found you a few weeks ago. My old school friends and I having been planning a trip to celebrate our 40th’s next year. They were a,l looking abroad and I felt like I’d ruined it, because I said I really can’t walk far etc and need things accessible, so we’re staying in the uk. I feel like such a burden and that I ruin everything for folk. I’m at the point of seriously thinking of investing in a power chair. I have hypermobility joint syndrome, fibro and cfs/me. And whilst my legs work, and I can walk, after only a few minutes I’m either exhausted or in pain. So instead of being housebound, I see that it may open my world up. I just feel like such a fake and making a fuss and being lazy. Thanks for your vlogs, i stumbled across you yesterday and making my way through them. But this volg has made me quite excited that I could go away with my husband.❤
I've only just spotted this comment but wanted to say thank you for your kind words and send some love/empathy your way. I can completely relate to some of the experiences you've described, but your happiness and comfort matters just as much as anybody else's - so please don't be afraid to do things in a way that works for you. You're not a fraud and your access needs matter 🫶🏻
Thank you Pippa, this is excellent. Im so pleased you had a wonderful time away and very grateful that you share these really insightful tips and experiences. ❤
Thanks for the video! I am doing my first Europe trip as a wheelchair user. Rome, Naples, Barcelona, Palma and La Spezia. A little anxious even though ive been booking accessible trips as my job for over 5 years. I am quadriplegic so I cant walk but this video is pretty much the same stuff im doing for the day by accessible vehicle! Thanks for sharing it.
Soglad you had such a positive experience! In general lots of places in Spain are the same. They are very good with disabilities and take food allergies seriously. Much more so than thd Uk in both regards!
thank you again for the video very informative. I have been to Barcelona a few times for work but haven't been to the main airport as normally have to go somewhere else after for meeting and such. I would like to leave my wheelchair at home but just fear that the wheelchair I could rent might not be the same as in it could be harder to push or have the wrong type of wheels and the stress of that stops me doing it, even though I do stress every time my over £2,000 chair is on plane. I also find airport abroad are not quite as good for assistance and UK. been to Gatwick and Heathrow many times and always get look after great. the last time I had airport assiassiants was when we went to lanarote and the lady there wouldn't let my Dad push me (as he was voulentiered as my wife had the twins.) he tried and she was like no your on holiday start enjoying it was so funny.
Thanks for watching! Totally get you, there's risk involved either way so it's all about making the choice that's right for you. We had a similar experience in Tenerife last Christmas, my Mum went to push me but the assistance lady bulldozed off down the concourse with me before she had the chance 🙈😂
Thank you Pippa for the video. My wife and I will be visiting Sangrada Familia next month. We have already purchased the handicap tickets online already. We will be taking her portable mobility scooter to help although she can walk for short distances. We have a couple of questions for you: Where is the handicapped entrance? We have heard it is the rear entrance. We saw that you were very prepared to prove your disability but did they actually ask for proof? We were simply going to make a copy of our handicap parking placard and hope for the best. What is your recommendation? Again, thank you for taking the time to make this video.
This video made me cry. I haven't been able to go to the beach for a few years now because of my chronic illness/disabilities something like that and being somewhere like sounds amazing. I wish the world as a whole treated disability in the way you have described. I happen to luckily live somewhere fairly accessible but I am /very/ aware it is not like that outside of where I live. I want to go to the beach again :( Time to book for Barcelona! (lol) sadly Japan comes first... I wonder if they have disabled friendly beaches??? (its a trip im planning even if im not financially there yet) I used to live in NYC prior to needing mobility aids (I didn't start having mobility issues until last year when I already moved here) and now in Australia where is SO much more accessible. NYC is horrible for disability access. I have no idea how you'd get on the train if you can't leap! (im not joking!) some stations have a pretty big gap and alot do NOT have elevators and if they do they usually smell or out of service. (I had bad knees at some points,fibromylagia and later on with POTs I learned all of this the hard way) And my usual neighborhood the sidewalks were all uneven, cracked, etc... When I had covid (2nd time) I needed oxygen at home when I got out of the hospital and when I would hail cabs on the street with my portal oxygen tank no one would take me or worse uber drivers would cancel when I would immediately tell them just incase (I needed somewhat assistance, I have fibromyalgia along with me/cfs wheeling that thing around all day was making me flare up so badly which my support workers could NOT understand how hard it was to wheel it around but thats all my insurance would cover that was the first time I was visibly disabled. And IN NYC where covid hit worse than any other state to boot so naturally people thought I had the plague lol fun times. It very expensive too I couldn't really ride the subway at the time because of it but my insurance did cover taxi's for appointments through insurance so thats nice. but going out for fun was out of the question lol) I'm so happy you've had a good experience!
Hey Pippa, Thank you so much for this vlog!!! I have Spina Bifida from birth. I like you. I am ambulatory mobility scooter user. I can walk but not far distances. I also have a crutch that I use to help me walk better. Your Vlog couldn't have come at a better time as I was thinking of planning a holiday for just myself in Barcelona in and around my birthday on May 26th 2024. I have learned so much for example metro's brilliant accessibility for disabled and also the accessible beach tooo❤❤❤ Also the company from whom you rented your power chair. However I was wondering if I could rent out a mobility scooter out there instead of a power chair and if the prices were similar??🙏🏼🙏🏼 I would be very grateful if you could let me know. Thank you so much once again and I truly look forward to seeing your next vlog🤗💝♥️💖🙏🏼👍🏼👌🏼
Hi pippa , doesn’t know if your EM makes you exhausted with external stimulus (people, sounds, light,etc). I was wondering if so, how do you managed that kind of exhaustion when you are traveling?
Thank you for watching! It definitely does, though I'm very lucky to have experienced slow improvement over the years so some of the things that were once intolerable for me are much more tolerable for now. The key for me is not overloading each day and planning in frequent 'quiet time', whether or not that's while physically resting, so that I can pace my mental exertion as well as my physical exertion. I also carry sunglasses and earplugs in my bag, and use my eyemask and noise cancelling headphones when sharing a hotel room with others!
Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
Thank you so much for this video! I'll be visiting Barcelona next summer and I am new to having a wheelchair. I also have ME/CFS and I will need to take it slow.
Seeing the part about the beach made me emotional and I have added it to our must do list! Thank you!
I had to come and watch, after enjoying your Málaga video! So wonderful about the accessible beach! Thanks for all the helpful information! 🙏❤
Pippa, thank you so much for your videos. I'm just starting my chronic illness journey (have been very unwell for six months and likely to be diagnosed with PoTS and ME/CFS) and it honestly brings me so much relief to see someone like me living their life and having fun with their friends. I'm starting to think about mobility aids (which is scary even though it shouldn't be) and your content is a big part of feeling confident enough to do that. I'm so glad you had an amazing time - you really deserve it.
Thank you so much for this lovely comment and your kind words! I'm so sorry to hear about your health situation and remember that feeling of fear so well - be patient with yourself and take stuff one little bit at a time. Hope today's as kind of possible to you, and thank you for making mine!
Thank you so much for this video. My dad is new to his chair, only uses it to travel has been on two trips so far. He was very nervous taking a chair to Europe and this video was gold in easing his nerves. Also I am so happy you had such a wonderful time at the beach. ❤❤
I'm so glad to hear this, I hope he has a brilliant time!
I'm happy you enjoyed your time in our city! The metro can be a bit overwhelming for wheelchair user sometimes in the older stations with retrofited elevators (maybe you'll have to take 3 different ones to get to the platform) and these double doors are simply CRIMINAL the first time xd. The newer ones are simply a normal doors but a bit wider, and they're much nicer and easy to use.
I've always heard buses are prefered by local wheelchair users though, as you don't need to take the elevators, there's no possible issue with the platforms gaps like in the metro, etc. Oh, and the Tram is fully accessible too! Moving through the hilliest parts of the city can be a nightmare, that's for sure.
Didn't know about the beach accessibility, really cool, and very interesting and well made video!!!
Edit: 40:56 That's the sad reason why in most places they require prove that you're disabled. There have been cases of people making up a chronic illness to get free things, lower prices, etc. That's why in most places they require medical prove, specially when the disability is less visible like you're pointing out here. But after proven, there are usually no problems at all with anyone.
I’m planning a trip in August with my two daughters ( 22 & 25 yrs old ). My Fibromyalgia has become worse where walking long distances makes me collapse and after sitting to rest I can’t get up. I look normal but it’s an invisible chronic illness. I’m not sure how to plan my visit.
@@lrsco I'd recommend you to take the bus instead of the metro, as it's easier to find a place to sit there and still gets you everywhere you want. Also, don't be ashamed to ask for a seat. People will mostly assume that if you're asking it's cause you need it. They'll probably not give their seat if you don't ask for it though; this is sadly getting more rare with time...
If you can't move a lot, it would be also a good idea to stay near the places you want to visit. If you're going to the typical places, that'd be near the lower half of Passeig de Gràcia and the Gothic Quarter. It's important to avoid the hilly areas of the city if you can't make huge efforts, like Nou Barris and Sarrià. There are still buses and metros that can get you to those areas of course, but I don't think it'd be a good idea to having to go there every day to the hotel.
Lastly, take into account that lots of locals go out on August and the city gets full of tourists, so that can either be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on how you see it.
I'm so sorry I can't help you more, but I'm not an expert on the matter. Wish you the best the next months and I hope you enjoy our city! :)
Edit: and if you want discounts and tings like that, remember to get your medical certificates/disability card with you and there shouldn't be any problems, I think :)
@@pizzaipinya2442 many thanks! 😊
I have seen the beach wheelchairs a number of times and my nearest beach has one. Plus sand wheelchairs which is what i need! Just haven't managed to get there yet. I live in Scotland. 😂
I now really want to go back to Barcelona (and hire a power chair). I actually said I could live there!!
Once i can travel further than 1hr from home without needing a hotel to rest in before and after any activity...
Thanks for the vlog. When I was in Barcelona I didn't get inside Sagrada Familia. The footage made cry.
It was so beautiful in there, I'll keep everything crossed it will happen for you and you'll be able to see it for yourself in-person one day! 🫶
I'm always watching for the local market, to buy some produce. Even for those without allergies, having access to a healthy snack like an apple or some good bread, can save you from buying a bag of snack food or sugary treats.
Thank you for sharing these trips. I'm going away later this year and I'm terrified my electric wheelchair might get damaged or my medication confiscated. I hadn't considered renting a chair while away!
Your previous videos and blog gave me renewed confidence to book a weekend away at Yorkshire Wildlife Park earlier this year (which was excellent) after a near-disastrous inaccessible trip to Cornwall last year. A beach wheelchair would have been a dream.
Thank you so much Ross, your comment made my morning! Renting is definitely something I'm likely to do again in the future, and YWP is great. I'm actually considering a trip to Cornwall next year, do you have any recommendations?
This is great. I wish I found you a few weeks ago. My old school friends and I having been planning a trip to celebrate our 40th’s next year. They were a,l looking abroad and I felt like I’d ruined it, because I said I really can’t walk far etc and need things accessible, so we’re staying in the uk.
I feel like such a burden and that I ruin everything for folk.
I’m at the point of seriously thinking of investing in a power chair. I have hypermobility joint syndrome, fibro and cfs/me. And whilst my legs work, and I can walk, after only a few minutes I’m either exhausted or in pain. So instead of being housebound, I see that it may open my world up. I just feel like such a fake and making a fuss and being lazy.
Thanks for your vlogs, i stumbled across you yesterday and making my way through them.
But this volg has made me quite excited that I could go away with my husband.❤
I've only just spotted this comment but wanted to say thank you for your kind words and send some love/empathy your way. I can completely relate to some of the experiences you've described, but your happiness and comfort matters just as much as anybody else's - so please don't be afraid to do things in a way that works for you. You're not a fraud and your access needs matter 🫶🏻
Thank you Pippa, this is excellent. Im so pleased you had a wonderful time away and very grateful that you share these really insightful tips and experiences. ❤
Thanks so much for watching Amy!
Thanks for the video! I am doing my first Europe trip as a wheelchair user. Rome, Naples, Barcelona, Palma and La Spezia. A little anxious even though ive been booking accessible trips as my job for over 5 years. I am quadriplegic so I cant walk but this video is pretty much the same stuff im doing for the day by accessible vehicle! Thanks for sharing it.
Oh wow, your trip sounds like it’s going to be amazing! Hope you have the best time, and thank you for watching!
Do you recall the Metro stop you used going to Park Güell?@@LifeOfPippa
@@WheelieAwesomeAdventures I'm so sorry I don't, been sat here wracking my brains but it's gone I'm afraid!
Soglad you had such a positive experience! In general lots of places in Spain are the same. They are very good with disabilities and take food allergies seriously. Much more so than thd Uk in both regards!
Definitely plenty the UK could learn from them! Thank you for watching!
U r awesome. Exactly the kind of real life feedback I was looking for on mobile scooter access for my wife. Super useful info. Thx!
I'm so glad to hear that, thank you for watching!
thank you again for the video very informative. I have been to Barcelona a few times for work but haven't been to the main airport as normally have to go somewhere else after for meeting and such.
I would like to leave my wheelchair at home but just fear that the wheelchair I could rent might not be the same as in it could be harder to push or have the wrong type of wheels and the stress of that stops me doing it, even though I do stress every time my over £2,000 chair is on plane. I also find airport abroad are not quite as good for assistance and UK. been to Gatwick and Heathrow many times and always get look after great.
the last time I had airport assiassiants was when we went to lanarote and the lady there wouldn't let my Dad push me (as he was voulentiered as my wife had the twins.) he tried and she was like no your on holiday start enjoying it was so funny.
Thanks for watching! Totally get you, there's risk involved either way so it's all about making the choice that's right for you. We had a similar experience in Tenerife last Christmas, my Mum went to push me but the assistance lady bulldozed off down the concourse with me before she had the chance 🙈😂
Thank you Pippa for the video. My wife and I will be visiting Sangrada Familia next month. We have already purchased the handicap tickets online already. We will be taking her portable mobility scooter to help although she can walk for short distances. We have a couple of questions for you:
Where is the handicapped entrance? We have heard it is the rear entrance.
We saw that you were very prepared to prove your disability but did they actually ask for proof? We were simply going to make a copy of our handicap parking placard and hope for the best. What is your recommendation?
Again, thank you for taking the time to make this video.
This video made me cry. I haven't been able to go to the beach for a few years now because of my chronic illness/disabilities something like that and being somewhere like sounds amazing. I wish the world as a whole treated disability in the way you have described. I happen to luckily live somewhere fairly accessible but I am /very/ aware it is not like that outside of where I live. I want to go to the beach again :( Time to book for Barcelona! (lol) sadly Japan comes first... I wonder if they have disabled friendly beaches??? (its a trip im planning even if im not financially there yet)
I used to live in NYC prior to needing mobility aids (I didn't start having mobility issues until last year when I already moved here) and now in Australia where is SO much more accessible. NYC is horrible for disability access. I have no idea how you'd get on the train if you can't leap! (im not joking!) some stations have a pretty big gap and alot do NOT have elevators and if they do they usually smell or out of service. (I had bad knees at some points,fibromylagia and later on with POTs I learned all of this the hard way)
And my usual neighborhood the sidewalks were all uneven, cracked, etc... When I had covid (2nd time) I needed oxygen at home when I got out of the hospital and when I would hail cabs on the street with my portal oxygen tank no one would take me or worse uber drivers would cancel when I would immediately tell them just incase (I needed somewhat assistance, I have fibromyalgia along with me/cfs wheeling that thing around all day was making me flare up so badly which my support workers could NOT understand how hard it was to wheel it around but thats all my insurance would cover that was the first time I was visibly disabled. And IN NYC where covid hit worse than any other state to boot so naturally people thought I had the plague lol fun times. It very expensive too I couldn't really ride the subway at the time because of it but my insurance did cover taxi's for appointments through insurance so thats nice. but going out for fun was out of the question lol)
I'm so happy you've had a good experience!
If you did this trip again now, would you bring your Whill C2, or would you still rent?
Thank you for interesting Vlog, my son use electric wheelchair i will visit Barcelona in Dec.2023 i want to know is better to me rent a car ?
Hey Pippa,
Thank you so much for this vlog!!!
I have Spina Bifida from birth. I like you. I am ambulatory mobility scooter user. I can walk but not far distances. I also have a crutch that I use to help me walk better.
Your Vlog couldn't have come at a better time as I was thinking of planning a holiday for just myself in Barcelona in and around my birthday on May 26th 2024.
I have learned so much for example metro's brilliant accessibility for disabled and also the accessible beach tooo❤❤❤
Also the company from whom you rented your power chair.
However I was wondering if I could rent out a mobility scooter out there instead of a power chair and if the prices were similar??🙏🏼🙏🏼
I would be very grateful if you could let me know.
Thank you so much once again and I truly look forward to seeing your next vlog🤗💝♥️💖🙏🏼👍🏼👌🏼
The trains are great in spain, and yes good choice hiring a wheelchair and a good price. Damage to your own chair would have cost you much more.
Hi pippa , doesn’t know if your EM makes you exhausted with external stimulus (people, sounds, light,etc). I was wondering if so, how do you managed that kind of exhaustion when you are traveling?
Thank you for watching! It definitely does, though I'm very lucky to have experienced slow improvement over the years so some of the things that were once intolerable for me are much more tolerable for now. The key for me is not overloading each day and planning in frequent 'quiet time', whether or not that's while physically resting, so that I can pace my mental exertion as well as my physical exertion. I also carry sunglasses and earplugs in my bag, and use my eyemask and noise cancelling headphones when sharing a hotel room with others!