I recently returned from a trip to England and Scotland that went far better than I anticipated. I hadn’t traveled overseas in more than five years and since that time, my neurologic condition, myotonic dystrophy, has progressed and affects nearly every aspect of my life. Doing anything—most especially traveling—requires advanced planning.

Here are some tips I learned that contributed to a more enjoyable experience.

1. Know your hotels.
   Hotels in Europe may have the same name as hotels in America, but the amenities can vary significantly. In Bristol, the room I booked was warm and stuffy when we arrived, and there was no mini-refrigerator. By talking to the manager, we got him to turn on the air-conditioning for our room and agree to keep my food in the hotel refrigerator. Going forward, I will be sure to confirm these two things when making hotel reservations.
   
   
2. Have a plan B for bathrooms.
   The public restroom situation can be daunting. Although old buildings are beautiful, their bathrooms aren’t easy for people with disabilities. The doors are often heavy, and the stall locks vary. I’ve had too many panic attacks in restrooms where I couldn’t unlock the door. Now I’ve adopted a routine. I practice operating the lock before closing the door. If it proves too difficult, I don’t lock it. I’m far less concerned with someone walking in on me than being stuck and having a meltdown.
   
   
3. Carry an insulated food bag.
   I pack easy-to-swallow food like hummus in small containers (3 oz or less) so I don’t have to rely on the airport or airline food.
   
   
4. Keep a stash of Ziploc bags.
   It never ceases to amaze me how handy these are, whether for leftover foods or isolating small objects for easy access in a larger suitcase. Of course, I often require my spouse to un-zip them.
   
   
5. Bring your own utensils.
   At home, I use thick-handled cutlery for my weak hand muscles. I never know what type of utensils will be at a restaurant or on an airplane.
   
   
   1. Don’t forget a disabled placard.
      Even if I won’t be driving during a trip, I bring the placard. It helps represent your needs whether or not you’re still ambulatory or if you have an invisible disability. During this trip, my spouse did all the driving. Unfortunately, one of the hotels did not have a parking lot; they offered, for a fee, a lot three blocks away. Thankfully there was street parking where my placard came in handy.
      
      
   2. Ask for wheelchair assistance.
      I request wheelchair-assistance for all air travel when I book my tickets. I don’t wait to see how I feel on the day of travel. Navigating airports and crowds are daunting even on my best days. When visiting a museum or park I often use a wheelchair if they’re available or, at a minimum, I’ll use my cane.
      
      
   3. Pack earphones.
      At the Roman Baths, which was a lovely museum in Bath, we were offered free audio guides. This felt like a gift until I realized my arm weakness could not sustain holding the guide to my ear. There was a jack for earphones, but I didn’t have any. Next time!
      
      
   4. Inquire about discounts.
      We discovered several museums offer discounts for caregivers. Some attractions even had scooters for rent.
      
      
   5. Be patient and pace yourself.
      I can no longer handle back-to-back attractions in one day. It’s a matter of pacing and appreciating the nuances of a new location and culture.
      
      

Leslie Krongold, EdD, lives in Alameda, CA, where she leads support group meetings for the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. She also writes a blog and produces a podcast series called Glass Half Full.