Meetings

I had meetings and meetings over the two days I was in London, one of which is related to Connect Culture. I am excited about this because it is to look at some EU funding to make it possible for a youth exchange with young disabled people.

I remember the first time I went off on my own. I was about 18 – I took a taxi to Kuala Lumpur airport to take a short flight to Kota Baru on the east coast of Malaysia. I was hobbling on my stick and calipers but it was a big step for me. It just takes that much more courage when it is your first time away and that is even more true for a young disabled person. It would be great to be able to show off  London and all it has to offer to some young disabled Europeans. There will be a lot of logistics involved -let alone doing the application for the funding. Luckily I have other people to help me. More details will be given as the project unfolds.

project planning with Ines and Zara

Regent’s Park – hotel and surrounding areas

I stayed in Regent’s Park Holiday Inn this week. It did not have a roll in shower but its accessible room was very spacious and suitable for disabled visitor who have good upper body strength and able to manage a bath transfer. The bath was low. Unless I was told wrong, none of HI hotels have roll in showers but the one in Russell Square has a hoist.

I was reassured that deaf customers have a portable alarm and communication system and televisions have subtitles that can accessed with the remote control. In my own room I couldn’t locate it but they said they would make sure that that happens for people who need that. I found the toilet roll a bit difficult to pick up – the soap dispenser was next to the toilet where I would expect the toilet paper to be. The toiletries were way back in a corner which is difficult to access unless you are seated on the toilet! I had to ask for teabags in my room – this was a surprise to me, given that I was in an English hotel and then when it came, there was no choice of tea.

Regent's Park Holiday Inn accessible room

I must say that both Holiday Inns (at Russell Square and Regent’s Park) had staff that is obviously well trained and helpful. I had thought I was registered at Russell Square and then consequently found out by checking on my account that I was actually registered in Regent’s Park! They would have changed reservations with me quite willingly except that I used a pre paid service (it’s much cheaper).

low level bath

However, the consequence is that I ended up meandering to side streets up to to Regent Park. I think it is an advantage that I am not a native Londoner so I delight in wandering and discovering London. A very helpful member of staff at Russell Square HI   drew me a precise map of how to get to the other hotel and I found myself going up and across University College London and the British Telecom Tower. That afternoon students were very much in evidence and somehow it felt very studenty and not like what you would expect from a busy part of London right next to Tottenham Court Road and Euston Road. I enjoyed looking at the different variety of shops, restaurants and cafes. I saw a bespoke tailor and sofa shops.

at Villandry

That evening my friend and I ate at Villandry which is a French restaurant, bar and foodstore.  The restaurant is accessible if you go through the foodstore. The service is not fast and the waiter made a mistake by forgetting Phil had wanted French onion soup to start with. We both had the Toulouse sausage. It was a bit pricey and luckily Phil and I were not starving and had some business to discuss because the food took some time to arrive.