Here's some encouragement and a good example that all who want to travel can do so. The ever cheerful Špela Sanabor, who's studying to be a librarian at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana and has cerebral paralyses, is a really good example that nothing can stand in a way of what you want. As for her problem – what problem? She just takes the wheelchair along with the suitcase and her passport.
Most young people today love to travel. What do you think? Do you love to travel?
Špela: »To be perfectly frank with you, if I forget the two things – having my handicap and never having too much money on my account, I got to say - absolutely! I’d love to go some place every week. Ever since I was a little girl my parents tried to show me that there’s a completely different world, not like our daily routine and I kind of got addicted to it.«
I know you’ve travelled a lot. Could you share which your favourite destination is and maybe an anecdote from your travels?
Špela: »Currently my favourite destination is the city of Prague. I’ve been there twice and would always like to return. Stories from my travels… yes, there’s always something going on. It was really funny when me and a few buddies from the faculty in Bratislava wanted to go to a pub in the middle of the city. The “problem” occurred with the step at the entrance. I saw three guys and just gave out a yell. When they came closer, I’ve asked them if they could carry me over the step. They obliged and without any problem carried me and my buddy – also in the wheel chair – into the pub. So we were in and ordered the drink and enjoyed the evening. Nothing out of the ordinary. Those who know me, will know I tend not to turn away. Sometimes I do hesitate for a while, but my friends usually convince me to go on. And it’s always good I do, as I’m never sorry for going ahead!«
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What’s it like with accessibility? Do you tend to find out before travel, if there the place is accessible and friendly to disabled?
Špela: »I’ve travelled with my parents and also while in elementary school, and later on in high school as well as during my studies. I always pointed out to my transport wheels, that got replaced by the electrical wheel chair in time. We always found an accommodation that was suitable for the number of people going and was accessible for wheel chairs. On various excursions and field trips I also had an assistant that helped me during the day (while sightseeing and with accommodation).
It was mostly the same as with my parents. They were looking for a suitable hotel that had wheel chair access. The biggest difference was usually on the airport, where we had to wait for the security to take me to the airplane, while with most field trips we were only taking a bus so there were no special procedures.«
What was it like with the accommodations? Are they suitable and is handicap accessibility well thought off?
Špela: »Until now, I’ve had only one bad experience and it happened somewhere in Budapest. The rooms there were not suited to be accessed by the electric wheel chair. They had an elevator, but it was too narrow, so I was barely able to fit in. Everywhere else there were no problems and the facilities were suitable for disabled people.«
Do you think your disability hinders you with your travels?
Špela: »No, I wouldn’t say that. I haven’t such a feeling. It just takes a bit longer to organize as this is the key to the whole travel. Basically I must make sure about their accessibility and explain to them my needs and wants, so that there’s no uncertainties later on.«
I know you’ve been to far off places such as Egypt, Turkey and Tunis. Those journeys involved airplane travel. Did you have any problems connected to that?
Špela: »That’s manageable also! Every time I announced to the organizer – a few days in advance – that I’m travelling with a wheelchair and they’ve passed the information forward to the airport. I recommend this is mentioned ahead of departure and passengers in wheel chairs should most defiantly arrive at least two hours earlier, so they can check in the luggage in time and give the well prepared staff enough time to make all the necessary preparations. My experience is good, it’s always been like clockwork, when they took me to my place and put the wheelchair among luggage, so I’ve waited for others to board the plane and we were off. Off course the airport of departure must announce to the destined airport that there’s a handicapped person among passengers so they can make suitable preparations. So for instance in Egypt they were ready for me and simply put me and the wheel chair on the truck.«
Was it an easy decision to go and travel, or did it take convincing by family and friends?
Špela: »It’s always easy to decide to travel somewhere. I must, however, always be ready to make adjustments because of the group I’m with. It means a lot to me, to travel with people that I can trust and that I believe in. In such cases I know that when we go on field trips, excursions, vacation, or just simply go wandering around, we’ll have a great time and make many unforgettable memories together.
Do you maybe have some message or advice for people who unlike you haven’t managed the courage to travel?
Špela: »Select a destination, where you want to go – everything else can be arranged through various organizations around Slovenia. It’s similar with faculty excursions and study trips. When you’ve got a destination selected, talk with colleagues about the accommodation, which will be suited and accessible for the wheel chair. When everything is ready book the place. You also must keep in mind that places you plan to visit – as a group – will have to be accessible to you and tell the guide about your needs so that modifications in programme can be made. You’ve only got one life, so: risk, chose and enjoy the beauty of the world.«
Špela is finishing her studies at the department of informatics and libraries. She’s a unstoppably positive person what sees beyond any obstacle. She also writes poems, has a steady job and works in many projects. With her ideas and positive disposition she supports students around her and through projects and presentations of the past two years she’s been raising the level of awareness about the needs of the students with disabilities.
Volunteer Tina
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