Easy Access Travel Newsletter March 2023✈️ ⚓ ♿

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debra@easyaccesstravel.com

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Positive handicapped black lady in wheelchair enjoying wonderful summer morning outdoors. Happy disabled African American woman having great time at city park. Urban lifestyle

Spring Forward Daylight Saving Time Begins

March has not been the best month for me. I began having some pain wearing my left prosthesis and this led to an infection and five days in the hospital in early March. I'm now seeing a wound care specialist in Dallas. I feel fine but I'm not able to wear my prosthesis so rolling through life these days. It will be a little while before I'm back on my feet and will need new prosthetics as well. Keeping busy booking travel and training my new associates.

We are off to Greece in October, 2023. I only have ONE accessible room remaining as I had several people who had expressed previous interest. However, we can accommodate some travelers who do not require accessible accommodation and are just looking for a leisurely paced trip. Please contact me for more information regarding itinerary and pricing.

Parthenon temple on a sinset. Acropolis in Athens_ Greece_ This picture is toned.

Where We Are Going...

Are You Coming With Us?

At the current time, we have our land trip to Greece for 2023. We also have our 2024 Accessible Texas cruise on RCCL's Harmony of The Seas out of Galveston. We still have one accessible Jr. Suite and a few more accessible balcony staterooms available.

We are actively booking individual travel and look forward to helping you plan your next vacation!

Royal Caribbean's ICON of THE Seas is coming in 2024!

Royal Caribbean changed the face of cruising when it introduced OASIS Class ships and they are about to do again with the ICON Class. If you have the time, check out a YouTube video of this absolutely amazing cruise ship. I can't even imagine some of the features this ship will have. Icon of The Seas is being touted as the ultimate family cruise experience. Interested in being one of the first to sail on her? Call now to reserve your cabin. RCCL is enjoying record breaking sales for the inaugural season in 2024.

ROLLIN WITH RAY

I was recently introduced to Ray Cerda by Jim Wallgren, long time client of mine. Jim and Ray both became quadriplegics as teenagers. They met in college doing wheelchair sports and are best friends. Jim is an avid cruiser and has been trying to convince Ray that he would love cruising. Well, Ray will be going on his first cruise with us next March on our Accessible Texas Cruise. Like Jim, Ray has also written a book about his journey, Life I Didn't Expect. I read it and highly recommend it to all of you. It's available on Amazon. It's an incredible story of courage and perseverance and never giving up.

Ray recently retired from being the head of the Irving Park & Rec Department and is now hosting a bimonthly podcast, Rollin With Ray. He recently invited me to be on the show. You're all invitied to Click here to watch our interview...

If you like it, watch the other episodes and subscribe to his channel.

TSA CARES...

If you've ever attended on of my Travel Talks, you know about TSA CARES. You can call them at least 72 hours before travel if you have concerns about the security process. The following was sent to me by a client who received this from the Spina Bifida Association.

TSA CARES is for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or someone with special circumstances that may require assistance during the screening processes. The family who utilized this service was greeted by a TSA agent just for their family, bumped up to the front of the line and helped guide their entire family through the line (family of 5). Keep this in mind if you’re traveling anytime soon.

I just had another client experience TSA Cares and they were amazed at how well the process worked.

For more information click here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support, please request at least 72 hours before need, the phone number is (855) 787-2227.

This illustration depicts a barefoot woman holding a tray with her shoes and necklace at an airport security checkpoint.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Congratulations to two of my long time friends and colleauges. Both are major influencers in the world of Disabled Travel. John Sage and Eric Lipp, have been appointed to the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board by U.S, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. In this role, they will provide the Secretary with advice and counsel on issues and concerns that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry.

John is owner and president of Accessible Travel Solutions and Eric is the founder of Open Doors Organization. Eric has also been instrumental in the formation of Global Repair Group, my go-to for all damage done by airlines to mobility equipment.

New Trips for 2023 & Beyond...

March 3-10, 2024 Accessible Texas Cruise!

Yes, 2024. We will sail on RCCL's Harmony of The Seas, round trip Galveston and visit Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan. Galveston has opened their new 100 Million Dollar Cruise Terminal and parking structure and they are ready to greet passengers.

Please call for pricing and availability. Cabins are already selling very quickly so call now to have the best choice.

We are anxious to begin planning group trips for 2023. We are currently taking reservations for our land trip to Greece in October, 2023. We should have details and pricing soon so stay tuned.

We are also in the very early planning stages for a trip to Iceland in June 2024.

Remember, you don't have to wait for a group to travel. We are happy to plan a trip just for you!

Keep reading our monthly newsletters to know when new groups are announced.

Let me know if anyone is interested in a trip to South Africa...

Complete details for all trips on our website www.easyaccesstravel.com

Click on Group Trips

elderly lady riding on a mobility scooter with child

Let's Stay Healthy in 2023!

Have You Received Your

Vaccine(s) Yet???

Time To Get Your Omicron Booster Shot!

and your flu shot...

While we know that not everyone will get vaccinated, we believe very strongly that this is the right thing to do. We need to come together so that all of us feel safe.

It is more important now than ever to get vaccinated and protect against the Omicron Variant. Being vaccinated and boosted is not a political statement, it is common sense.

I had an upper respiratory infection around Thanksgiving. Happy to report that it was NOT Covid or Flu and I'm fully recovered after a round of antibiotics and cough medicine.

SENIOR TRAVEL TIPS

The majority of my clients are seniors and sometimes require a little more TLC and extra planning. Read the following article for some good advice.

Be sure that all senior travelers are fully vaccinated and travel with their original proof of vaccination card.

Make arrangements in advance for wheelchair assistance at airports and cruise ship terminals.

Always carry medications and valuables in your carry-on. Do not pack in your luggage.

Purchase Travel Insurance.

Click below for more tips...

Senior Travel Tips

Abilities Expo has a full schedule of shows in 2023. Please visit their website for locations and details: Click here...

We Do Individual & Group Travel

Do you know that we actually plan more trips for individuals than we do for our groups? We love when you participate in our groups but please remember to call us when you want to plan a vacation for the two of you or with a group of friends or family members. We can most likely plan any type of vacation you want and we will be sure to address all your accessibility requirements and needs. We so enjoy doing the research for you and look forward to planning that next trip just for you! Also, if you see one of our groups that you would like to do but perhaps the dates don't work, give us a call. We can usually duplicate the same trip just for you and your travel companions.

Need a Scooter?

We can help!

SNG has an online store where you can purchase masks, gloves, thermometers and other medical supplies.

shopspecialneedsgroup.com

Do you need to rent a scooter or other mobility equipment for your next cruise or land trip?

Be sure and let us know and we can make arrangements for you through Special Needs Group.

Standard and heavy duty scooters, wheelchairs, hospital beds, hoyer lifts, lift chairs, oxygen and more are all possibilities for you when you travel.

ABILITIES EXPO

For 2023 schedule of shows and to register:

VISIT ABILITIES.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION & WORKSHOP SCHEDULES. GET THE LATEST INFO ON ALL PRODUCTS THAT ENHANCE THE LIVES OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES.

Travel tips inscription on the blackboard. Jar with money for a travel_ airplane_ maps_ passport_ and other stuff for adventure on the table

Please reach out with a phone call or email anytime you have travel related questions. We are always here to help and look forward to speaking with you.

I've been presenting my Travel Workshop via ZOOM for many support group chapters across the country and would be happy to do one for your group as well.

Send me an email and we can get it scheduled.

Do you have a travel tip you'd like to share? Send it to us debra@easyaccesstravel.com and it may be in the next newsletter.

Stay healthy, Stay well, Start planning your next vacation,

Debra Kerper

(951)202-2208

debra@easyaccesstravel.com

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