Access All Areas Podcast (Episode 2 – Mental preparation)
In this episode we will be exploring the idea of emotional preparedness and building resilience for travel.
Access All Areas Podcast (Episode 2 – Mental preparation)
Travel is often an activity that provokes feelings of anxiety and questioning capability in disabled people. This is often as result of the barriers and challenges that present themselves during travel, causing difficult and sometimes traumatic experiences. We will be talking with our guests Lou and Gary, and exploring how to prepare emotionally for travel; toolkits to build resilience, strategies to employ, improving capability to tackle challenges. We will reflect on how these approaches can empower our members for a future full of travel – be it home or away.
Transcript
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Meet our guests
Hi, I’m Gary Dawson and I’m a support network manager at Spinal Injuries Association. Aged 19, I was an electrician’s apprentice and enjoyed clubbing, riding sports bikes. But his life changed in the blink of an eye, when I came off my Suzuki as I slowed down approaching traffic lights. The bike fell, following me along the road before crushing my body against a car.
Adjusting to life after injury certainly has had its struggles but through a lot of trial and error, I have been able to go on to live a fulfilled life. I’ve travelled around the world and hand-cycled all over Europe for the SIA, played wheelchair basketball, and love my job here at SIA. Travelling, working, even day to day tasks can only be achieved if my travel needs are met.
Hi, I’m Lou Tempest. I was injured 14 years ago on a night out with some friends when I fell over in the street and broke my neck whilst at university. I have been involved in the SIA for years, initially starting out as a peer support volunteer, and now as a counselling and wellbeing coordinator supporting people with spinal cord injury to overcome the mental health challenge they face after injury.
I absolutely love to travel, I love to see new places, I love to escape from my everyday life, I love to spend real quality time with my partner and my family, and travel is one of my biggest hobbies. I don’t particularly travel to very adventurous places, and instead I go to the places where I know that I can relax and recuperate.
Disclaimer: Please note that the content of this podcast reflects the personal opinions and experiences of the speakers. It should not be considered medical advice for professional guidance consult with a relevant expert. SIA has no affiliation to any commercial entities spoken about or highlighted as part of the content of this podcast series. SIA is not in a position to endorse or recommend individual products or entities participants views are based entirely on their own experiences and they are speaking as separate entities.
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