Accessible Travel: Navigating the World

In my recent international travel supporting FIBA in the delivery of Referee Instructor teaching and learning, I (Simon Kirkland) was fortunate to be posted to Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur in particular. I wanted to highlight some learning from the experience.

I became visually impaired about 8 years ago, and the life-changing experience has been sometimes challenging, stressful and amusing as well.

I take advantage of accessible travel, and in the large airports, it's an absolute godsend for finding my way around. However, I sometimes feel I have imposter syndrome when being transported in a wheelchair and sensing people looking at me as I sail through passport control, thinking, "What's wrong with him? " Even though I am happy to walk, they put me in a wheelchair! These people are incredibly fit and do over 20,000 steps a day.

However, visual impairment does bring amusing moments. When asking for directions, almost everyone helps. They will say, "Down there, turn right, and you will see it..." Now, I won't; that's the point of me asking. All in all, the smaller airlines are incredibly helpful and supportive.

Cultural Insights from Kuala Lumpur

In my delivery of teaching and learning, I deliver to a range of people from differing cultures, which is just great fun and challenging. This time we had Referee Instructors from 13 countries ranging from Mongolia, Japan, China, Korea, Thailand and, of course, New Zealand and Australia. All learning to be better instructors of referees. Cultural competence and awareness are key as having a discussion about the King with Australians is very different if you come from Bangkok and has very different consequences.

However, one of the Australians was a genuine Brain Surgeon. Had long conversations with him and how he described Brain surgery as generally straightforward! Mainly, as it's been done before and it's all about the planning. However, we were talking about one of his students who wasn't getting how he explained things. This came after a session on delivery approaches and how people take in learning. He said following that session he would try a different approach. So, I can literally say I have trained a Brain Surgeon, sort of.

Working internationally has downsides, mainly the flight schedules and getting used to a time zone only to return. I am not seeking sympathy here, however, the upsides of learning from different cultures and respecting them is a real-life learner. The local national Federation always takes us out for a meal before the first day of delivery. The Steak in Uruguay and pasta in Italy take a lot to be beaten! However, we were the Malaysian Basketball Federation's guests and were entertained in a local restaurant in downtown Kuala Lumpur. The rotating table brought noodles, rice, and calamari, which my palate was fine with. However, Swordfish and stingrays were a challenge! What do you do: have a go or politely decline and upset your hosts? Well, I went for Swordfish and encouraged my other European colleagues to try the Stingray, which they duly did.

Embracing Life After Visual Impairment

When I became visually impaired, I disappeared into myself as the challenge and life expectations were significantly changed. However, grabbing life by the horns and seeking to experience new things, knowing other people were far worse off, was the change in mindset I needed and don't regret taking up the opportunities.

But please don't tell a visually impaired person "You'll see it when you get there".