The Paris Traveler

Physically Challenged - Don’t Let That Stop You

by Lynn on June 7th, 2007

I never noticed how helpful and friendly Paris and Parisians are to the physically diabled. I guess it’s just something you don’t notice until you, or someone you’re with, is in need of special attention. That was the case when my mom decided to see Paris for the second time in her life.

For some reason, neither my mom nor I can understand why she only came once to visit me in all the years I’ve lived in Paris. I suppose after the death of my dad, she spent her time raising my younger brothers and sister. In any case, the last time I showed mom around Paris was in 1978 and the only thing she was hoping for back then was my return home. What mom didn’t realize at the time was that I was home.

Last year mom had a mini stroke, but with a lot of will and determination she totally recovered and she made up her mind she was going to see Paris once again! So at the age of 84, this spring I once again showed mom all around the city that I love. As you can imagine, mom isn’t able to walk as she use to and in Paris, in order to see this wonderful city, you need to walk!

My solution, therefore, was to push her all over Paris in a wheelchair, and that’s exactly what we did! It was then that I realized that Paris actually caters quite well to people in wheelchairs. Even in March the queue for many of the touristy places, such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, had lines of people waiting. No problem, the security outside actually approached us and told us to follow them. In other words, no need to stand in line!

Another nice surprise came when we realized that most places charge a reduced fare for people of special needs and their companions. Although mom quickly got into the habit of hailing taxis, she also wanted to experience the public transportation. I was more hesitant about getting her wheelchair up and down when Patrick wasn’t around, but I had no need to worry.

The French, for reasons I’ve never understood, have always gotten a bad rap about being rude and impolite, but I find since I first arrived in 1971 that they have always been kind, polite and helpful. With mom in tow, it was no different.

People came to our aide continuously to help me carry her wheelchair and to help mom herself get on and off the buses or Métro trains. In restaurants and cafés mom’s wheelchair was no problem, as the waiter or the maitre d’ would carefully tuck it away in a corner. Shopping in Monoprix and even going to the cinéma also caused no problems.

I tell you all this because there might be many of you out there that hesitate to take a trip to Paris because you may think it’ll just be too overwhelming being in a wheelchair, or whatever the case may be, but take it from first hand experience, don’t let that stop you! Paris truly is friendly and does cater to your needs.

(Just a little footnote, mom loved France so much, she’s taking French lessons so she’ll be able to communicate with my friends and Patrick’s family next time around!)

Photo Credits: Lynn Rodriguez

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