If you've regularly been reading my blogs or follow my Instagram account you know that I've mentioned having nerve damage in my feet. More specifically I had Morton's Neuroma in both feet, and surgery resulted in me being permanently handicapped. I sincerely thought that any travel aspirations I had were dashed, and for a couple of years I tried accepting that as truth. I couldn't though, so I had to figure out a way to still be able to travel. While I've come to terms with the fact that there are some things I truly won't be able to do, I've figured out a way to be able to see and do everything else that I've wanted (with LOTS of planning).
I've tried numerous shoe inserts and different brands of shoes, and I've found that Skechers seem to work best for me. Added bonus- they're extremely lightweight so I usually pack one other pair of shoes, like boots, just to switch it up if I'm not doing a lot of walking one day.
Traveling with bum feet also means that I have to plan every thing I do every day. It sounds daunting but luckily for me I'm a super planner! In all seriousness it can be a little overwhelming at first, but for me it was always about making sure that I get to see and do everything I want at the particular destination, so I start by making a list of those things and then plan the trip around it. I schedule out everything I want to do by day, and allow an extra day (or 2 depending on the length of the trip) to do absolutely nothing. I have a tendency to push myself too far because I'm so excited once I get to the destination, so I end up needing down time to recuperate. It also gives you some flexibility if you aren't feeling well, the weather is crap, or you just want to have a chill day.
I also book my hotel/Airbnb as close to public transportation as possible. I've found that typically trains or subways are best. If you can find a place that's close to both a subway and a bus station that's optimal. I try to find locations that are also in the general area in which I plan to spend the most time- it helps cut down on the cost of transportation when I can walk (which is really important for someone like me who'll need that money for more transportation later).
I've been traveling solo for years now, and one of the perks for me personally is not having to worry about anyone else and their plans. Sounds selfish I know, but it can be challenging sometimes to get other people to really understand what it's like to have nerve damage in your feet. Would I love to take a 2-hour walking tour of a city, followed by a visit to a museum and then lunch at a fantastic restaurant another mile away? Yes. Can I actually physically do that? No. I can not stress enough the importance of making sure your travel companions fully understand your limitations. One thing I've tried doing is making a list of things you both (or all) want to do, then make my personal schedule that I referenced above, then share it with them so that they have an idea of how much I can do in any given day. It's not about being selfish and/or trying to dominate the trip, it's about being honest about your limitations. Worst case scenario, you go your own way a couple of times on the trip and meet up later for dinner or an adventure the following day.
Bottom line- Don't let any sort of handicap/physical limitation hold you back! It's worth all of the planning and organizing, I promise!
