I’m seeing a favourite band tonight, at a venue in London. It’s been a hell of a day to reach the hotel – train to Ingatestone, coach to Newbury Park, then tube to Liverpool Street. A big unexpected change from a train directly to Liverpool Street.. and I have to navigate it all again tomorrow.
I was very fortunate in that I got chatting to a lady who was on her way to meet her Autistic son, so she kept me company, and kept me calm through the uncertain middle portion of the journey. She told me about travel with assistance, which I think I will book for the return journey – I’m very much wishing I had decided to bring my sunflower lanyard. I thought I didn’t need it, because I expected a straightforward set of journeys which I feel comfortable with. I won’t make that mistake again. I did at least bring a stick, to help my fused spine* cope with so much walking and standing.
From Liverpool Street I travelled to South Kensington, to visit the National History Museum. The train, coach and tube had all been full to the brim, and the museum was no different. I’d visit again, but not on the first day of February half term! (I’d also plan to be carrying less). Despite that, it was cool to see some fossils. Absolutely had to visit the dinosaur section first, to honour my childhood special interest. I then went on the mammals section, and saw the marine fossils. The scale is unbelievable.
I used my ear defenders that a patient on the psych ward got me when she realised I was Autistic. That, coupled with the walking stick works pretty well to signal that you’re disabled, which tends to mean that any railway staff, or hotel staff take a gentle, calm approach. I also got offered a ground floor room, which reduces the walking after standing all night at the concert so I was very grateful.
I’m glad that I have enough experience with London and travelling to be able to take on this type of trip on my own. The unexpected change was very anxiety provoking, but I checked the details of the changes, followed the crowd and found someone to help, and so, I coped. Possibly a sunflower lanyard would have enabled me to ask for extra support from the railway staff, and I definitely want to try it next time I make a similar journey.
*I was diagnosed with infantile scoliosis at age 3, and had a spinal fusion to correct a 50 degree curvature in my thoracolumbar spine at age 20.
PDA fae 