My Olympic journey of some two weeks ended this previous Sunday, and I skipped city simply earlier than the closing ceremony commenced.

I made last-minute edits and despatched final week’s e-newsletter from simply exterior Parc des Princes, the long-lasting soccer stadium in Paris the place the ladies’s soccer gold medal match was held. As I hit ship, I heard a girl say from just some steps away, “Hey! Are you the accessible journey man?”

Certainly I’m, and I used to be delighted to have an opportunity assembly with Wheelchair Journey reader Margy and her husband, who had been additionally attending what proved to be an unbelievable soccer match. Our seats had been in the identical part — within the first row at midfield (the very best seats I’ve ever had at a soccer recreation!) — and it was enjoyable to talk a bit about accessible journey and the Olympic Video games. Should you ever see me at an airport, on the sidewalk, or exterior a soccer stadium, make sure to say good day!

The U.S. ladies confronted off towards Brazil, and notched an exciting 1-0 victory to win the Olympic Gold Medal. The Star Spangled Banner stuffed the stadium, and the flag of america of America was raised. It was an exciting approach to finish my Olympic Video games, due not solely to the wonderful efficiency on the sector, however within the ambiance created by supporters of america and Brazil.

The Olympic Village and Medical Tourism

U.S. Girls’s Rugby participant and Olympic bronze medalist Ariana Ramsey made headlines final week after she realized that Olympic and Paralympic athletes obtain free healthcare providers within the Olympic and Paralympic Village. Her TikTok video sharing the information went viral, and was picked up by media retailers world wide.

Ramsey made appointments with the Olympic Village optometrist, gynecologist, and dentist, the place she acquired care freed from cost. As Sports activities Illustrated reported, Ramsey stated the expertise has impressed her to “struggle for common healthcare.”

The subject of healthcare is a politically charged soccer (rugby ball?) in america, and politicians’ incapability to agree on coverage has left Individuals with a damaged, inefficient and extremely costly healthcare system. Whereas I decline to take political positions on this journey e-newsletter, Individuals on either side of the political aisle agree that the established order is unacceptable.

However for the reason that politics in America are so entrenched, and spots on the Olympic and Paralympic workforce rosters are restricted, what can we do?

Nicely, let me inform you about my very own Medical Tourism story.

There are not any really complete dental insurance policy in america (at the least not that I’ve discovered) and, in the event you require something greater than a tooth cleansing, Individuals routinely count on to pay a small fortune. The price of dental care in America is among the many highest on the earth and, seeing the chance to avoid wasting cash, I traveled to Budapest, Hungary after the Olympics to deal with a number of issues.

The dental observe I went to had a incredible cleansing know-how — Airflow, which eradicated the necessity for the scraping of tooth with harsh metallic devices, and as a substitute used a excessive stress jet stream of water to realize the identical, if not higher, consequence. The practically painless cleansing was accomplished in brief order and, though non-emergency procedures accomplished overseas should not coated by my insurance coverage coverage, it value solely $150 out-of-pocket. I wanted a number of tooth fillings as effectively, and people had been fairly priced at about $100 every — a big low cost from what my native dentist costs (who couldn’t see me till October).

I anticipate returning to Budapest for future dental work, and was amazed by the care and professionalism exhibited by my Hungarian dentist. Within the workplace, I noticed different sufferers from world wide who had been likewise drawn there by the velocity of service and inexpensive value level.

Extra Individuals than ever are touring overseas for medical care — You probably have accomplished so, I’d love to listen to about your expertise!

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The right intra-Europe flight?

I write usually concerning the challenges wheelchair customers face in air journey — every thing that may go fallacious has gone fallacious for me at one time or one other, and among the world’s worst remedy of disabled airline passengers occurs in superior societies. If there have been an Olympic Video games for airways, few could be deserving of a gold, silver and even bronze medal within the incapacity help class.

Airline representatives usually complain to me about how “every thing you submit is unfavorable,” which isn’t true, but it surely displays an perspective that carriers ought to get a pat on the again for doing what the Air Provider Entry Act requires them to do. They’d like me to put in writing about journeys the place my rights should not violated, and ignore tales like these:

You get the purpose. Airways aren’t doing a ok job, so when issues do go “proper” it’s really a giant shock.

Final week, on a Brussels Airways flight from Brussels, Belgium to Budapest, Hungary, I loved what could have been essentially the most seamless flight that I’ve ever skilled in Europe. I had flown the service beforehand and was not that impressed, however this time, they actually shined.

I booked the flight two days earlier than departure and notified the service that I used to be touring with my energy wheelchair. Their response was a bit complicated, and led me to consider that that they had accredited my wheelchair help request, however not my energy wheelchair. (As a short apart, requiring advance discover for any of that is ridiculous and needs to be outlawed by each authorities on the earth.)

After I turned up on the Brussels Airways check-in counter, I used to be amazed that my wheelchair was tagged and I used to be despatched on my means in lower than a minute. Usually, personnel for non-U.S. airways have an entire meltdown on the sight of an electrical wheelchair, however not this agent — she knew her stuff.

On the gate, I used to be allowed to pre-board earlier than all different passengers (an absolute civil proper in america, however not in Europe except it’s a flight departing to the USA), which I’ve discovered to be hit-or-miss at greatest in Europe.

On arrival to Budapest, my wheelchair was delivered to the plane door utilizing an AmbuLift (one of many 6 Instruments Airways Can Use to Stop Wheelchair Harm), and I used to be pushed to the terminal constructing, the place I made my approach to baggage declare and customs. From the time the plane parked, it took me solely 27 minutes to succeed in the airport curb. In comparison with my experiences in america, that’s lightning quick.

Although I had a beautiful expertise with Brussels Airways, there is no such thing as a assure that additionally, you will. The one worth in reporting on optimistic experiences like this one is to obviously doc that it’s doable, although airways’ fixed cost-cutting and their common disregard for the dignity and security of disabled passengers signifies that “excellent” experiences like this one are few and much between.

A number of last ideas

I’m flying house to america right now, and eagerly await a restful weekend that I hope will assist me to lastly beat a chronic bout of jet lag. Subsequent week, I plan to put in writing about my journey to France in larger element — together with some evaluations of lodges that I discovered to be very accessible.

Additionally on my agenda is finalizing the itinerary for the primary 2025 Wheelchair Journey Group Journey, which can go on sale later this month. Make sure to control your inbox!

Thanks, as at all times, to your readership and assist!

Right here’s to an excellent weekend,
— John