How travelling with Fibromyalgia made me a better travel agent for people with disabilities
By Paula Hansen, World Accessible Holidays
Fibromyalgia is one of those conditions that can be hard to explain until you live it. From the outside I might look fine, but inside my body can feel like its been hit all over with a baseball bat.
Pain can be constant or it can spike without warning, it’s different day to day. Fatigue is not just tiredness for me, it is the kind of exhaustion that makes even simple decisions hard to take.
Mix brain fog and travel into the mix and you can end up feeling as if you just don’t want to bother.
But I have learned something important.
Travelling with fibromyalgia is possible, it just needs a different approach.
Not a dramatic one, and not a perfect one, but a realistic one that gives your body what it needs so you can actually enjoy being away.
The biggest shift: permission to travel differently
For years I thought a holiday had to look a certain way. Early starts, full days out, making the most of every minute because you have paid for it.
Fibromyalgia taught me that pushing through usually comes with a price tag later. Hitting it hard one day means being able to do very little for days afterwards.
Now I plan with one simple goal: reduce the chances of a flare, and if a flare happens, make it manageable.
That mindset change has made travel much easier. It has also shaped how we plan holidays for our clients, because many people we support are dealing with fatigue, chronic pain, fluctuating energy, and conditions that are not always visible.
My non-negotiables when I travel
Medication and pain relief: plan for real life, not best case
I don’t just pack medication, I plan it. I take enough for the whole trip, plus extra in case of delays.
I keep it accessible, because rummaging through a suitcase when you are already in pain is the last thing you need. I also keep a simple routine: when I take what, and what I do if pain starts climbing.
That might be a top-up dose at the right time, a heat wrap, a short walk, or lying down for twenty minutes.
The point is that I am not making decisions in the middle of a flare.
Temperature management: small tools, big difference
Temperature changes can be a trigger for me, especially when I am sitting still for long periods. I always travel with cool and heat neck wraps because they can take the edge off quickly.
I also dress in layers so I can adjust easily, whether I am in a car, on a plane, or waiting around.
Breaks and movement: I don’t stay in one position too long
Sitting for too long can make my pain worse, and once it ramps up it can be hard to bring back down. So I build movement into travel in a gentle way.
If I am in the car, we stop. If I am flying, I stand when I can, stretch lightly, and change position often.
This is not about doing a workout. It is about keeping my body from stiffening into a flare.
Rest is part of the plan, not a failure
If I need to sleep, I sleep. I used to fight it and then pay for it later. Now I treat rest like a tool.
Sometimes that means a nap after arriving. Sometimes it means a quiet morning. Sometimes it means going back to the room while everyone else stays out.
The holiday is not ruined because I rested. The holiday is protected because I rested.
Pacing: I do things in smaller chunks
I try not to stack too much in one go. Instead of thinking in full days, I think in chunks: travel, settle, rest, then do something enjoyable.
Even on a travel day, I plan for the fact that the journey itself uses energy. That approach works whether you are travelling by car, plane, train, or coach.
The principle is the same: your body needs recovery time built in.
Choosing accommodation when fatigue and pain are part of the picture
When people hear ‘accessible travel’ they often think only about wheelchair access. That matters hugely, of course, but accessibility is broader than that.
If you live with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, fatigue, migraines, Long Covid, or other conditions that fluctuate, the right accommodation can make the difference between coping and enjoying.
Here are the things I look for, and the questions we ask for clients too:
A layout that does not require long walks just to reach meals, reception, or the pool
Lift access where needed, and minimal steps within the property
A room that supports rest: quiet location if possible, comfortable bed, and the ability to control temperature
A bathroom set-up that reduces strain, with enough space to move safely and comfortably
Seating that is actually supportive, not just something pretty to look at
None of this is about being fussy. It is about reducing the physical load your body carries all day.
How my fibromyalgia influences how we book holidays for other people
Living with fibromyalgia has made me a better listener. It has also made me very aware of how often people are dismissed when their disability is invisible.
When we plan holidays for clients, we do not just ask, “Is it accessible?” We ask, “Accessible for what, and for who?” Because someone might walk, but cannot stand in queues.
Someone might not use a wheelchair, but cannot manage long distances. Someone might look fine, but needs rest built into the day or their pain becomes unmanageable.
So we plan differently:
We treat people as individuals and work with customers to understands their needs
We choose locations and accommodation to match customers specific needs
We reduce uncertainty by confirming details in advance, rather than relying on assumptions
We think about pacing, transfer times, and how tiring the journey will be
We look for options that allow people to dip in and out, rather than having to commit to full-day activities
We prioritise comfort and practicality, not just what looks good on a brochure
We build in a Plan B, because peace of mind is part of accessibility
We do the work so our customers don’t have to
These make the difference between a holiday that drains you and a holiday that restores you.
Learn more about World Accessible Holidays at worldaccessibleholidays.co.uk
