“Who Travels with You?” Being blind doesn’t stop this avid traveler from going it alone

“You’re kidding!” my friend said. “C’mon, really, tell me — who’s traveling with you?”

It was tough for my friend to believe – and once, it was tough for me to believe it, too. Years ago, when a retinal disease robbed me of my sight, traveling alone was last thing on my list of things I’d consider risking.

Everything about the idea scared me. The uncertainty…the risk I’d end up somewhere else…the possibility I’d fall, lose my bags, need something and have no one to ask. All of these possibilities ran through my head.

“Traveling alone for the blind should be banned.” These kinds of thoughts still nagged me, as I called an airline to book my first trip — from Orlando to Bolivia alone.

“I need an escort,” I said, “will you provide one as I change airplanes in Miami?”

The airline rep answered with a matter-of-fact, “Yes, ma’am.”

That was my clue — I wasn’t the only one who traveled in less-than-ideal situations. And I vowed at that moment that fear would be left at home. I’d face that episode with confidence, gusto, courage — and even with a hint of adventure.

Looking back since that first trip, I can say that travel never looked so good. I kiss my husband good-bye at curbside, and hand my ID across the counter. Then the fun begins! I wait for my escort; holding his arm with one hand, I grip the white cane with the other. We walk across the airport… and engaged in a conversation, we follow the exercise through security, and head to my gate.

Once settled there, a “friend” waits for me. I never met him or her before — but after a few moments of chatting, they become, indeed, “my friend.”

The person seated beside me in the plane…the escort taking me to the shuttle bus once I each my destination…the hotel clerk…and even housekeeping personnel, become friends for a moment…or a day. A few of them even become lasting friends.

“Are you totally blind?” they ask. “Were you born blind?”

That usually begins a warm conversation in which I relate the advantages of being blind:

I don’t judge anyone on appearances.

Everyone is beautiful to me.

When I look outside, it’s always sun shining.

In the morning, when I glance toward the mirror, I look “pretty good.”

In the end, I don’t travel alone. I have a whole group of fellow travelers around me: my positive attitude…my passion for adventure…my longing for freedom…my desire to inspire others…and my resolve to find joy in every trip.

But in the decades I’ve traveled from speaking engagement to speaking engagement, the best trip was the my journey from self-pity…to possibilities; from complacency…to opportunities; and from fear…to adventure.

After every trip, I bring photos of beautiful places I saw with my heart: pictures of friends who added to my joy…and open doors for me to show others how to see the best of life – with or without sight.

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Editor’s Note: For more information on travel for the blind or sight-impaired, visit:

*www.traveleyes-international.com, as featured on Rachel Ray: https://www.traveleyes-international.com/allmedia/video/Rachael Ray 2010 Short.wmv.
*http://www.disabledtravelers.com/blog/2011/04/08/disabled-travelers-blind-and-low-vision-travel-special.
*http://www.access-able.com/tips/braille.htm.
*http://www.matildaziegler.com.

Although blind, Janet Perez Eckles has been inspiring thousands with her writing, which is included in 28 books, her keynote messages, and recently with her #1 Amazon.com bestselling, inspirational book, Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta.
You can learn more about Janet at www.janetperezeckles.com.