Sunday 17 September 2023

Roll around the world

 


When Corey Lee went to his first job interview after college, the manager immediately said he wouldn't be able to do the job because it involved a lot of travel. He thought Corey would not be able to travel because he was a wheelchair user. 

Corey decided to launch his own website about accessible travel to show wheelchair users how to travel easier. Today Corey works as a travel writer and has travelled 41 countries. He travels for 6 months every year and writes and plans his next trio for the next 6 months. He is hoping to inspire others like him to "Roll around the world."

Corey has spinal muscular atrophy and started using a wheelchair when he was 4 years old. He says at school the other kids were confused and asked him lots of questions about his chair.

Corey says he liked travelling to Barcelona best because all the public transport is accessible and there are accessible beaches.

Travelling with  a wheelchair does come with challenges, Corey's advice is:
"Start small and local. Do research ahead of time about accessible bathrooms, taxis, restaurants and hotels. Once you've built up your confidence, take a short flight. And always expect some sort of trouble. Stay positive and you'll have a memorable experience."

He says, "Life has a funny way of working out!"

- why do you think the manager at Corey's job interview said he wouldn't be able to do the job?
- Was he right?
- what law in the UK today means this should not happen in the UK today? (Equality Act 2010 - who else is protected under the Equality Act?)
- Why do some people think a wheelchair user is unable to travel? How would you respond to that assumption?
- Corey could have applied for another job, but instead he started to be a travel writer. Why do you think he did this?
- why does he use the words, "Roll around the world"?
- why did children at school ask Corey about his wheelchair? Is it ok to ask questions?
- what does accessible transport mean? Is public transport accessible where we live? 
- In his advice to other wheelchair users, Corey suggests starting small; what does that mean and why is it good advice?
- Corey says travelling with a wheelchair does come with challenges- what challenges might Corey face and how do you think he overcomes those challenges?
- "Stay positive and you'll have a memorable experience"- explain this
- "Life has a funny way of working out!" what does Corey mean by this?
- what do we say about disability at our school?
- what can we learn from Corey?
- Why is this about No Outsiders?


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