By: @monytodoterreno
Planning to go on a trip is planning to get moving and movement, as the composer Jorge Drexler sings, is a fundamental part of life itself. He describes it in a wonderful way: “We are a species on a journey, we do not have belongings but luggage, we go with the pollen in the wind, we are alive because we are in motion.”
It might seem that the trip/movement begins with the road, in transportation like a bus or plane, but I think it actually begins in the idea itself, in that desire to move and get to another place regardless of whether it is near or far.
If the desire to move is characteristic of living beings, what do you think happens or what do people do who, due to some situation external to us, are limited to executing that vital movement? In my case (like that of a large percentage of the world’s population), for example, a disability.
Just as a brief parenthesis, as I have talked about in past collaborations, disability is related and perceived due to physical and social barriers, and not with the diversity of our bodies.
Having a disability, to exercise this movement I use a wheelchair, for me the chair is a wonderful tool that allows me to move around. Even when I can’t get to many places (because there are places/transportation that are not very accessible), I try to move with my hands or ask for support.
Throughout my travels I have been identifying items that make movement easier for me and that, together with my chair, allow me to enjoy the road and make me all-terrain, for now there are 10 and I share them here:
1. Alcohol o gel antibacterial: By using my hands all the time on the wheels, I use it a lot if I go somewhere to eat and I don’t have access to the bathroom to wash my hands or disinfect the toilet because I inevitably sit in public bathrooms, it is simply something that is not missing in my bowl
2. Earphones: I use them as hands-free so I can make calls while I’m on the way somewhere and listen to music and podcasts.
3. Bottle with airtight lid for water and thermos for tea or coffee:
These are my favorites because to transport water (and not buy disposable bottles) I carry a bottle to refill, remember that in the Alanxelmundo store they have some super practical ones because they are foldable. I also carry a thermos for coffee or ice cream extra when I leave work or walk on the street.
4. Gloves: Although sometimes I forget, they are very important, for the cold since the handle on the tires is made of metal and also for the heat so as not to burn my hands when braking, I have several types, made of non-slip fabric and fingers that They work with your cell phone, even the basic fingerless gym ones for when it’s hot.
5. Cangurera: I only use it when I’m on vacation, to go to work I have a bag that I hang across my shoulder, I don’t use handbags because I either carry the bag or push the chair. Whether it’s a fanny pack or a bag, it’s practical to have keys, money, glasses, cell phone, etc. within reach.
6. Backpack and reusable cloth bag: In the backpack I carry the water bottle, jacket, and larger things that don’t fit in the fanny pack. The reusable bag is one of those that takes up almost no space when closed, but when open it can carry quite a few things. I carry at least one with me in case the backpack is not enough or on the plane I want to quickly pack the sweater or anything I have in my hands and hang it on the chair.
In my daily life I always carry these two because if, for example, I go to the store for the pantry, I put everything there. They don’t know how powerful it is to know I can carry things and move without worrying about not being able to carry them in my hands. That’s why they see me everywhere with my backpack hanging from the chair.
7. Small folding plastic seat: I only carry this when I go to bathe in places that will not have adapted bathrooms, such as beach destinations. I admit that this seat does not apply to all wheelchair users because I have a great advantage of not having legs and having mobility in my hands, I can carry my own weight and jump to another seat, in addition to the fact that a small seat is Enough for me, the joke is not getting the wheelchair wet and at the same time not having to sit on the floor to take a bath.
8. Luggage rope/ribbon: Any tape, hook or rope that allows me to tie or grab things to the chair is helpful, for example on my last trip I only had hand luggage (the name itself says so) which is difficult for me to carry with me, what I did was I put it on the part of the chair where my feet are supposed to go, but when I moved it fell, so I tied it very easily with a suitcase belt type that I bought at the airport and it worked super well.
9. Hat clip: I hardly use it, but it is practical for when I want to wear a hat and if at some point I take it off I don’t have to carry it in my hands, with the clip I grab it from my backpack or clothes and that’s it.
10. Cell phone and umbrella holder: I have not bought the latter, but they are in my plans to be able to use Google Maps and follow directions while I walk and the umbrella for when it rains, since it is difficult for me to hold it while I walk, which I have done in a hurry in the middle of the rain is to put it in my top, this helps, however it is impractical when I wear tight clothes, it is uncomfortable and it moves a lot, so I want to try this bra that can be grabbed from a tube on the chair. I’ll tell you if it works.
I know that these tips are not for everyone and are focused more on wheelchair users, plus everyone has different tastes and needs. In the end, what I want to share is that in the face of lack or discomfort, there are many ways to enjoy moving and traveling on that journey called life.
Tell us about some of your tips for items that cannot be missing on your trips.
Source: https://alanxelmundo.com/10-articulos-indispensables-para-mantenerte-en-movimiento/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=10-articulos-indispensables-para-mantenerte-en-movimiento
