Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to hop on here and share an update about how my trip to Sudbury went as someone who just travelled alone for the first time as a power wheelchair user.

Firstly, I want to say thank you to everyone who showed me support on my original post it means a lot to me to have support from people who understand and have been through it too in some way or another…

I am happy to report that the bus trip there and back was phenomenal! The staff at both the Timmins and Sudbury stations, as well as both bus drivers were amazing and took very good care of me and helped calm my nerves about travelling alone and they were very helpful, listened to my concerns, and were very accommodating and supportive with zero issues!…my main concerns were missing my bus/not knowing where to go, and not being able to keep my duffel bag with me in the bus were I could see and access it if needed…The staff were very kind and were able to take me where I needed to go and the drivers themselves would tell me when it was time to board the bus and come get me to take me to the bus.

What surprised me the most was that even strangers were willing to help me and not once did I feel unsafe or that I was going to be injured…which proved to me that my family was very wrong and that maybe the world isn’t as bad as they made me believe, that people will and DID help me! In fact, everyone I encountered during this trip wether it was staff members for the bus stations, hotel staff, taxi drivers, or strangers were kind and supportive and helpful! 🥰…Nobody even batted an eyelash that I was carrying a relatively large stuffed turtle 🐢 ( My main comfort item from my long distance partner…I’ll attach a picture of him to the post🥰), rocking/ and or pacing around, and stimming with my hands from time to time which is something else that I was really self conscious/worried about.

The issues I ran into during the trip were with the accessibility of my hotel room which I will attach pictures of…the hotel I stayed at was the Microtel Inn & Suites . Even though it was labeled as a wheelchair accessible room was very small and tight and hard to maneuver around in a big electric chair. Also, the queen size beds were very high and hard to transfer in and out of as someone who is only 4ft 10”, and usually has to pivot transfer…getting in and out of bed (but especially in), was very difficult and risky/dangerous but I had no other option but to raise my chair and get as close as I could and side transfer without a transfer board (as I don’t have one given I don’t transfer like that), flop over and hope I don’t fall…it took a lot out of me physically and mentally and I’m very sore today…on the second night at the hotel I tried to enquire about the possibility of a room with a more accessible layout and bed but the staff member said that there was no room with lower beds and even she thought it was ridiculous that the room and beds were the way they were and that it should not be labeled as wheelchair accessible…cots were available but then I would have had absolutely no room to move at all, the girl felt so bad that there was nothing she could do 😞🥺…There was no issues with the bathroom as it was big and spacious with plenty of grab bars, a lower sink and mirror that tilted, and a roll in shower with plenty of bars (although it should be noted that there is oddly a little lip to the shower area), or the door to get in and out of the room as the door was automatic and had a push button on the inside of the room to get out. Do to the lay out of the room it was difficult to reach and access some things properly. I couldn’t even have the included breakfast because I couldn’t reach the food items as they were set too far back on the countertop and I would have gotten burnt had I tried to open or get food…also the area where the food was set up was small and crowded so I didn’t even bother with it. I have stayed at this hotel 2 times in the past for medical appointments but then I wasn’t alone and even then it was difficult…I just didn’t realize how difficult it would be by myself and I didn’t know of any other places that would be better options 😅

If anyone has any suggestions on hotels with better accessible rooms and or tips/tools that would make travel and reaching things, transfers, etc easier for next time I would need to go to Sudbury or just anywhere in general that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks 😊🫂

See last photo for a picture of Andreas the emotional support turtle 🐢 (named after my partner who gave him to me)

P.S. If there is a group on here specifically for tips/tricks and or tools recommendations for disabled travellers that you can point me in the direction of that would be great 😊