Honest Reflection: What Camping on Jekyll Island Taught Me About Accessible Travel

Upon arriving in the sleepy historic beach town of Jekyll Island, one of Georgia’s beautiful barrier islands, it is immediately obvious that you are in for a unique experience. Historic buildings, ancient trees draped in Spanish moss, and endless paths winding along brackish marshlands line the road that circles the island. Hotels, eateries, and beaches of every kind welcome visitors from all over, offering everything from budget-friendly stays to luxurious accommodations reminiscent of the aristocrats who once vacationed there.

Everything slows down on Jekyll Island. The main roadway carries a 35 mph speed limit, and it is common to find yourself driving behind tourists leisurely exploring the island by golf cart or bicycle. There is a charm to the island that feels almost untouched, and it is easy to understand why so many families return year after year.

But this article is not simply a review of Jekyll Island. It is a reflection on my experience there and, more importantly, a guide to evaluating your travel choices when living with a disability or chronic illness.

The mission of Vacay Ability has always been to encourage people to travel regardless of varying abilities. However, there is also value in honest reflection and realistic planning. Sometimes the key to successful travel is not pretending limitations do not exist, but learning how to work with them.

Recently, I traveled to Jekyll Island with my husband, daughter, and grandson for our annual camping trip. Camping is something my family genuinely enjoys. There is a peace and simplicity to it that we do not find elsewhere. So when my daughter asked if we wanted to return for the second year in a row, I immediately said yes.

The hesitation came afterward.

I am currently dealing with a significant back injury and disc herniation. I am waiting for a motorized wheelchair, have been unable to work, and have several ongoing medical concerns. As the trip approached, I began wondering whether this was something I could realistically handle.

Instead of automatically canceling the trip, I used a decision-making process that I now call the A-M-S Method. This simple approach helped me evaluate what I could still enjoy, what needed to change, and what I needed to let go of for the sake of safety and health.

A — Accommodate

Accommodating your disability means adding support for tasks or activities that may no longer be manageable independently. For example, during past camping trips, I slept on an air mattress. My daughter still comfortably sleeps on a small mattress in the tent. In my current condition, neither option was realistic for me. To accommodate my needs, I purchased a camping cot that provided additional support and made sleeping possible.

Other accommodations for this trip included bringing a cane, walker, and mobility scooter. These tools allowed me to participate in activities while reducing pain and instability.

Accommodations look different for everyone. Some travelers may need wheelchair assistance at airports, accessible hotel rooms, dietary accommodations, refrigeration for medications, or sensory-friendly environments. Others may require extra time, frequent rest breaks, or transportation assistance.

The important thing is to identify your area of need and actively plan for solutions ahead of time. Most travel experiences can become significantly more accessible with preparation and communication.

M — Modify

Modification means changing part of the experience without giving it up completely.

For example, instead of taking a long hike through uneven terrain, you might choose a shorter, flatter trail that still allows you to enjoy nature safely. Instead of spending an entire day walking through a theme park, you may schedule a midday rest break or rent a scooter.

Modifications are often small changes that make a major difference. They allow you to continue participating while reducing unnecessary pain, exhaustion, stress, or risk.

Common travel modifications may include:

• Choosing direct flights instead of layovers

• Scheduling rest days during vacations

• Renting mobility equipment at destinations

• Selecting accessible transportation and lodging

• Avoiding overstimulating environments or peak travel times

  
  

Modifying your plans is not “doing less.” It is adapting the experience so you can still meaningfully participate.

S — Stop

This is likely the hardest part of the A-M-S Method. Sometimes, despite accommodations and modifications, a particular activity simply is not safe, practical, or worth the physical cost.

On my trip to Jekyll Island, I did not go onto the beach itself. While my family enjoyed the shoreline, I stayed under a covered pavilion and spent some time relaxing in the air conditioning of the car. Would I have preferred to be on the beach with them? Absolutely.

In hindsight, I probably could have arranged a beach wheelchair with additional planning. But at that moment, I did not have the physical or emotional energy to manage another complicated process.

And honestly? That is okay too.

Choosing to stop or skip part of an experience does not mean the entire trip is ruined. My family only spent about an hour and a half at the beach, and I still enjoyed the overall trip tremendously. I participated in meaningful family memories, explored new places, and maintained my health and safety.

When deciding whether to stop an activity, ask yourself:

• Is this safe for me?

• Can this reasonably be accommodated or modified?

• Is the physical cost worth the experience?

• 
  

If the answer is no, it may be best to choose something different.

The Reality of Accessible Travel

Using the A-M-S Method allowed me to continue participating in a family tradition despite significant medical challenges. It helped me approach travel realistically instead of emotionally reacting with either “I can do everything” or “I can do nothing.”

The truth is that accessible travel sometimes requires additional planning, expense, flexibility, and patience. There can be moments where accommodations feel inconvenient or emotionally frustrating. But there is also incredible value in continuing to experience life, connection, and adventure in ways that work for your body and mind.

Disability may change how we travel, but it does not automatically mean we stop traveling altogether.

Common Travel Accommodations

• Wheelchair and mobility assistance

• Accessible hotel rooms

• Priority boarding and seating

• Mobility equipment rentals

• Service animal accommodations

• Dietary and medical meal accommodations

• Visual and hearing accessibility supports

• Accessible transportation

• Disability access services at attractions

• Medical equipment and medication support

Common Travel Modifications

• Choosing direct flights instead of layovers

• Using mobility scooters or wheelchairs at attractions

• Scheduling rest days during trips

• Selecting accessible lodging and transportation

• Avoiding overstimulating environments

Travel may look different with a disability or chronic illness, but different does not mean impossible. Sometimes the key is simply learning how to accommodate, modify, or stop when necessary — and giving yourself permission to do all three.