In June 2007 I set off for a week in the Cyprus sunshine, returning on July 3rd. It was my second time in Cyprus - the first was back in May 2006. As you probably imagine, it was a HOT one...
Unlike last year when getting to Gatwick Airport where we flew from was a bit of a trek (last year I got there and back by train and, on arrival, I slept for four lonely hours in the waiting area at the airport!), this year it was a breeze. My friend Sam went as my "helper" and as such drove us to the airport and back. I have always fancied my own chauffer, but in all seriousness I can't tell you how much easier this made things. We booked a seven-night stay in BA's long stay carpark costing £56. This carpark, being the cheapest, was a seven-minute bus ride from the terminal, but it was all wheelchair friendly as promised.
At the airport I met with my other travelling buddies - a mix of other disabled friends and carers. There were sixteen of us in total - ten flew from Gatwick and six flew from Bristol airport. Most of those who had disabilities had ataxia - either Friedreich's or cerebellar. My friend Matthew, who has Friedreich's ataxia, organised the flights, accommodation and inventory while we were there for our group -- so a big thank you to him.
As somebody who can't walk at all, I have never found planes a problem - once in the departure lounge staff are available and more than willing to assist with transferring into an 'aisle chair' in which you are taken down the aisle of the plane to your seat, and once there staff will again help with transferring onto the plane seat. However assistance should always be booked over the phone before flying.
We stayed in C & A Tourist Apartmentsin Polis which is about an hour away from Paphos. Cristos, who runs these apartments with his family, has Friedreich's ataxia himself (the same disability as I have - a bit of a coincidence considering how rare it is) and is a wheelchair user too. Thus, all apartments are completely accessible, with rails in the bathroom, roll-in showers, lower sinks, and our room was spacious and had its own kitchenette. However for your first trip I would recommend no longer than a seven-night stay as if the adaptions don't suit you then at least you're not completely stuck. Matthew and I have both decided that the adaptions in the bathroom no longer suit our specific needs and therefore we found transfers really difficult. This is a very subjective thing - undoubtably others find the adaptions absolutely perfect.
The swimming pool had its own hoist for easy access, and many of the sun beds were raised to allow for an easy transfer. Equipment is available to hire, and I hired a bed rail to help with transfers, turn in bed (and to stop me from rolling out!) and a powerchair. However I did find the cost of hiring this equipment a bit high maybe - the bed rail cost £30 to hire for seven nights. I'm dead sure I could buy one of my own for less and pack it in my suitcase. The powerchair cost £100 for seven night's hire, which I don't think is a bad deal.
Anyway, back to Sam. When I went to Cyprus last year I decided that I could get more out of my holiday if I was to take help. Sam and I used to work together at the time and she kind of fell into it I think when I was talking about it at work one day. This was the first time I have been anywhere with somebody there to help me out. I was apprehensive about this; in the back of my mind I realise that my ataxia progressing means that no longer can I enjoy the kind of independence I always have. On the other hand, sod that, at the end of the day you just do what you have to do to make the most out of things, and I certainly found this holiday less physically demanding.
I have to say, because of the extreme heat, I struggled and physically I was probably 50% of what I usually am. I definitely wouldn't recommend taking holidays to this kind of climate to another disabled person and I wouldn't do it again. Last year we went to Cyprus in early May and the difference was remarkable - I would definitely recommend May as apposed to June/July! Half of the time I couldn't even be arsed to make conversation, which isn't like me at all!
As such I had to rely on Sam far more than I had anticipated which I admit was hard, but Sam was really amazing and I want everyone reading this to know that. When I'm at my best I could probably test the patience of a saint, but on this holiday where I found the heat so wearing I appreciate that I probably tested Sam, who has no experience in looking after disabled people whatsoever, to the limit! Sam, thanks so much; you did a grand job, were marvellous and as I said, I hope you're very proud of yourself.
I used the powerchair I hired for most of every day - I really valued the freedom it gave to me. The apartments where we stayed were about five minutes away from the town square. Here we ate in one of the many restaurants there most nights. Cristos has campaigned with great success to get this area wheelchair accessible and most places have ramps and friendly and helpful staff are on hand to assist you.
Polis and its surrounding area is beautiful and everyday we were out and about somewhere enjoying it. Cristos's dad drives one of their two wheelchair accessible vans, on each of which one wheelchair user can transfer to a seat and two more can travel in their chairs. One day we went out on a wheelchair-accessible glass-bottom boat which took us out into the Mediterranean Sea, which was absolutely stunning. The boat had a hoist too, so wheelchair users could take a swim in the sea.
We also walked on the recently-completed beach ramp to Latchi. The beach ramp is basically a flat concrete pathway stretching from Polis to Latchi and allows wheelchair users to take a stroll along the beach. It took us over an hour to get to Latchi, which is a long trek in such heat, but we all had some good food when we got there and it was an effort worthwhile.
The day before we came home we went shopping! First to a sweet shop where I stocked up on nuts, Turkish delight and honey (all presents - honest), and then onto an indoor market in Paphos which was great. Sam and I went our own ways and I had a very happy wonder around, buying CDs, perfume, jewellery and much more. Beware however that driving a powerchair in such places is only for the confident or plain stupid - the aisles are packed with things and busy with people and I not only managed to knock some china off a shelf which I was forced to pay for, but I also managed to drive my powerchair off a ramp. I probably fell about two feet but lucky the wheelchair went one way and I went the other, so it didn't land on top of me (the one advantage of not wearing a seatbelt). The things I'll do for a bit of attention...
We had a great time in Cyprus, but I wish it wasn't quite so hot because it made it hard work for both Sam and I. We've all decided that, as we've been to Cyprus twice now, it's a case of been there, done that. For our 2008 holiday we shall be looking into other options, but cheers to Cyprus: you've served us well...