A South Londoner is on a mission travel the world having already travelled to 60 countries and shares his experiences with Muscular Dystrophy UK.

David, 28, was diagnosed with miyoshi myopathy, aged 19, just before moving to Amsterdam to start university. He’s always had a passion for travelling and wants to be the first person with muscular dystrophy to visit every country in the world.

David talks on the Muscular Dystrophy UK: Muscles Matter podcast, run by the leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions, and wants to encourage other disabled people to embark on adventure.

David, a physiotherapist, from South Croydon said: “As a teen I was fairly fit and active. I loved running, playing cricket and football. My mobility started to change in my later teenage years. I got diagnosed with the condition just as I was about to start university.

“I now need to use mobility aids, either one or two walking sticks to help support me. Despite this, I’m passionate about travelling. I travel as often as my annual leave and finances allow.”

David talks about what travelling means to him: “For me, I enjoy waking up for an early morning flight and all the fussing at a busy airport. I love meeting new people, experiencing new food and embracing new cultures. When you’re in a new destination it’s about fully emerging yourself, so using the public transport system. Although not all countries are accessible.

“The more that we travel, the more that we learn about the world and the more we can share empathy for other people and other cultures. I think it’s so important for everyone to travel. It allows people to get out of their comfort zone and just break up your, days, your weeks, your months with experience and really open your eyes to the world.”

David has found that the special assistance service that some airlines offer has been useful: “Whenever I’ve travelled, I’ve found the special assistance has been generally very useful – with some airports being better than others. So, it means I can avoid climbing the stairs or will be the first or last one off the plane. I’m lucky to be able to travel with my wife, amazing friends and parents who also help to support me.”

David talks about some of his experiences on his travels and how this has made an impact: “During my travels I’ve had such positive experiences as a disabled person. I think the more that the world sees disabled people travelling, the more that the world is going to cater to disabled people. Countries are going to realise that not only do we need to cater for disabled tourists, but how can we better manage our own disabled people? Because unfortunately there are countries and governments that don’t prioritise that.”

He shares these positive tales of his travels that will stay in his memory: “Last year, I was in a restaurant in Cairo and I had a fall. There was a step, but the colour was the same all the way around and I didn’t see it. The staff were super friendly and apologetic and helped me. A couple of days later we visited again, and they had marked the step with yellow tape. That’s when I realised that me going to that restaurant has actually made it more accessible.

“My wife is half Malagasy and I had the absolute pleasure of spending some time on a farm
in Madagascar a couple of years ago. There was a huge staircase up to our bedroom. I often struggle with stairs at the best of times, but I thought it would be fine. However, there was no handrail, so the staff were helping me the best they could. By the time I woke up in the morning, there was a handrail that had been fitted.

“Just imagine if we do get more people in wheelchairs, more blind people, more deaf people travelling, how much the world is going to open up and see these disabilities and be more catering towards them. I’m hopeful that anyone who’s disabled that travels now is going to have a much easier experience in 10 years time. However, for that to happen we need to get the ball rolling now.”

David wants to continue his travels and would recommend that others do the same: “If I could have one message for anyone who feels that they’re too nervous to travel because of their disability, 100% do your research, make sure you’re prepared, but just definitely go.”

The fifth podcast episode hosted by Becca Torricelli also features Ross Hovey, who both have spinal muscular atrophy. The trio discuss the challenges they face when holidaying, offer tips and advice on flying with a wheelchair, getting around foreign countries, and what they look for in accessible accommodation, as well as what they enjoy most about travelling.

Tune into the Muscular Dystrophy UK: Muscles Matter podcast on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Amazon Music and more.

If you would like support, contact Muscular Dystrophy UK’s FREE helpline on 0800 652 6352 (open Mon – Thu 10am – 2pm) or visit musculardystrophyuk.org