Wheelchair Around the World [Paperback]

Patrick D. Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

This inspirational story recounts the international travels of the author and his wife Anne, who was confined to a wheelchair for much of their journey. Complete with photographs and valuable tips and resources, Simpson's work addresses the difficulties faced by physically challenged travelers, while capturing the vivid imagery and personality of the countless places the couple visited. Wheelchair Around the World can make the dream of international travel a reality to people who are handicapped.

Product Details

• Paperback: 386 pages
• Publisher: Pentland Press (NC) (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571970541
• ISBN-13: 978-1571970541
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #819,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Travel > Specialty Travel > Special Needs

More About the Author

Patrick Simpson was born and grew up in Sidney, New York. He was with IBM for nearly thirty years, retiring in 1991 as an Advisory Information Developer. He and his wife Anne traveled literally around the world for a year, even though she was nearly wheelchair-bound by crippling Charcot joint disease in her ankles. Patrick wrote two books about their epic journey: Wheelchair Around the World and Wheelchair Down Under. His third book, Whither thou Goest, was winner of the JADA Press 2004 Nonfiction Book of the Year award. Desert Angels (2011) is his first historical novel, based on the Bannock Indian War of 1878.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, October 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Wheelchair Around the World (Paperback)

I found this book extremely disappointing. The title suggested one would read about the author's experiences as a wheelchair traveler, the obstacles faced, the solutions available, and the recommendations to other such travelers. Instead, the author was healthy, and although his wife had a physical impairment, she did not appear to be disabled (her activities of daily living were not restricted). She did use a wheelchair, but she was not wheelchair-dependent. The book suggested she could walk, climb steps, use normal restrooms, drive, use normal hotel rooms, and public transportation, where a truly wheelchair-dependent individual can do none of these. The book is not focused on `wheelchair travel'; just on `travel'. As such, the title is misleading to wheelchair-dependent individuals who are considering travel, as it presents a rosy picture that I do not find realistic. I am an internist who has been wheelchair-dependent for a long time, and who has also traveled considerably. I am not a pessimist; it can be done, but it requires enormous, pre-trip, homework and planning to the smallest detail, a very large checkbook, and a very strong and very, very loving companion. I just returned from two weeks in Europe and this is some of what I found:

* Transferring from your wheelchair to an aisle chair to get to and from your seat is very cumbersome and time consuming. Allow ample time for connecting flights.
* Airplanes' restrooms are not wheelchair accessible; a transatlantic flight is a real challenge in this sense. A `Foley' leg bag could help.
* My wheelchair was totally wrecked on arriving at our destination. Consider taking a backup.
* I could not find one single wheelchair accessible restroom in London's Gatwick airport. Again, consider the leg bag.
* Access to public transport such as buses, trains, and boats is extremely limited to very new ones with adequate ramps, etc. do your homework before you leave, and not on airport arrival. I frequently had to rely on limo services. Taxis are frequently reluctant to load the wheelchair in the trunk.
* There are steps everywhere and few curb cuts. A travel chair with four small wheels handles much better than your standard wheelchair.
* There are few wheelchair accessible restaurant restrooms. Do your homework.
* Wheelchair accessible hotel rooms in Europe frequently address the toilet but not the bathing facilities. Ask before booking, or bathing will be a mayor obstacle. Usually, the newer, more expensive hotels offer better facilities.
* Cruise ship gangplanks are usually in steps, impossible to manage in a wheelchair. There are bumps and lips everywhere in the floor of most ships. Again, the travel chair is helpful- not the wheelchair.
* Many of the monuments, churches, etc. are simply not accessible and you will have to limit yourself to watching from your vehicle.
* The Americans With Disabilities Act does not apply to Europe. What may be your right in America is merely a courtesy in Europe. Don't expect to be moved to the front of the line everywhere.
* Avoid arrivals at night when services are limited.

Good luck!

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Story, November 3, 2011

By 

Stacey Cochran (Raleigh, NC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wheelchair Around the World (Paperback)

An inspiring story of courage and love. This story will help you to see the world through the eyes of someone else and may even help you to grow emotionally as a person. It is essentially the story of a husband's devoted love for his wife who must spend much of her time in a wheelchair. The couple sets out with high hopes and a lot of love together to see the world.

Lots of compassion and sincerity. I would recommend this for anyone who has ever been a caregiver or is facing a situation where they must give a significant amount of time and energy to someone else. It is helpful to see a story told through the eyes of a devoted husband. I recommend this story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired and courageous, May 21, 2011

By 

Patrick D. Simpson "wheelbooks" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wheelchair Around the World (Kindle Edition)

Wheelchair Around the World is not a detailed travel guide like Fodor's or Frommer's - a book that would require annual updates - it's the heartwarming and inspiring account of Patrick and Anne Simpson living out their not so uncommon dream - to travel around the world after retirement. But they had to cross a major obstacle: Anne - debilitated by a rare joint disease and in spite of nearly overwhelming odds - would have to travel by wheelchair. But Wheelchair Around the World is more than just about a trip: it's about overcoming unforeseen problems as they occur; it's about opening our hearts and minds to God's love in God's world; it's about courage, faith, hope and - yes - love.

Patrick and Anne hope to help pave the way for other physically challenged travelers. This book will undoubtedly entertain armchair and wheelchair globetrotters alike, who will get a sense of these faraway places through Simpson's firsthand accounts. The book also includes several appendixes and an extensive bibliography intended to help other physically challenged travelers plan their own trips with some foreknowledge of wheelchair accessible facilities, hotels and transportation.