Going back on 5th March

hi professor, that is a very sad experience. but i guess it is due to management procedure. only they lack some compassion for the handicapped. maybe a letter authority would do so that a representative can buy the ticket in his behalf. that would be a lot more pleasant rather than requiring the handicapped passenger to get it himself. have a nice day. ann

Hello brother, It is hard even here to be disabled, but easier than it is there. As you know, I am disabled and I encounter problems in the community frequently. It isn't only with things that are controlled by the government, but it is attitudes of people in general toward the disabled. There is no one standard for all. Unfortunately, what I see here is more disrespect for the handicapped than anything else. I've pushed, shoved, cursed, and in general treated badly at time, but usually it is not the case. Here there are Federal laws about it. I do not do much traveling except for doctor appointments or on occasion a dinner at a restaurant. You are fortunate to have a close family, mine are not. I have traveled before on buses, and here in our area for local bus service it is quite good for the handicapped. They will send a small bus to your location, pick you up and deliver you where ever you want to go within their area of service, and return you per your schedule with them, if you make the arrangement 24 hours in advance. The cost isn't bad considering the service. I've not had any recent experience with long distance bus travel here and hopefully, never will. IF you need immediate service they do have a cab service set up for the handicapped that will take you where you need to go. Of course, here, we have what is termed ambu-cabs for medical assistance that does not require an ambulance but it is expensive. Now that my husband is well, and we have a newer car, we may do a little more traveling, but I'm sure it won't be much because the cost of gasoline is prohibitive on our retirement income. Thanks for the discussion!

Hello Professor. It was a shame your son could not get you a ticket for the train on a concessional basis. My son is disabled and in a wheelchair. It is hard to book a wheelchair space on a long distance train. I tried doing this on-line one time and it worked. I had already bought the train tickets at the cheapest possible price. I have to book in advance for a long train ride. Only a short distance train ride is okay for a cheap day return ticket. At Easter time the trains in Argentina were booked out for weeks. We had to take long distance buses instead. The prices were quite high. Years ago I booked train rides on-line for California. The cost was low considering it was their winter.

There are so many words for this treatment for all disabled/handicapped people I could write a book! Is your social system setup with laws concerning the disabled? I remember when ours were passed and it makes life easier for everyone, not just the disabled. I don't think there is one family on this earth that doesn't have at least one handicapped person in it! Once our politicians realize and witness how a family member struggles with public right of way, only then action is taken! This is a political fight only. I would write to everyone who has any clout what-so-ever to change or write a new law that allows you to do what ever you please! This is so disgusting to me words could never describe it and what I'm thinking can't be written here, and I don't swear! I'm sorry this has happened to you and your wife.