I need honest advice

Mass extinction? Oh please, hyperbole much? So tired of the climate zealots - and, by the way, I don't fly. The planet will be absolutely fine, she has survived through far far worse than this. As for humanity, well a few less people on the planet would be a good thing - we are seriously overpopulated and it is THIS which is causing many of our current problems!

Heart felt sympathies x I am not a gran - I am a 40 year old guest here- until recently I was a granddaughter - and I joined to get help with some family problems years ago. You don’t disclose your age or how far you are thinking to travel to the lovely hotel. I agree with the others - you shud do a local trip without airports or air travel to see what you are up to. Air travel is complex and exhausting. Since cOvid, I get anxiety about air travel and I don’t even suffer any physical problems. Even ‘the young’ have terrible problems trying to resume normal activities post covid. Some will never resume their pre-covid lifestyles and that’s ok too. Test your capabilities and tolerance slowly. Take an assortment of travel pillows and home comforts.

Would have tried a short stay near home before embarking on an overseas holiday. Your insurance must be astronomical.

We are wavering about going abroad too. I think we may go on one of Saga’s new ships as they pick you up from your home and deliver you to Southampton.

They are offering some trips around the U.K. as well as a good variety of warmer weather ones.

I had a back injury in 2017 and, to be honest (as you asked) I wouldn't risk it. Any travel can cause my back to spasm - with travel by car/road being the worst culprit. It would be a very long way to get back home in severe pain.

Even a simple day out has changed for me - from being a real pleasure to a challenge (or ordeal). Although I can easily walk for miles locally, any steep hills, steps, uneven ground or awkward manoeuvres can cause problems. Simple things like using the loo or getting settled/comfy in bed can be problematic.

In your case, this year, I'd be looking for accommodation with really good, level accessibility for the disabled, much nearer home.

I see some sensible advice in other posts. I have travelled alone and with someone all over the world and lived abroad etc so enjoyed the chance to try new things etc. However now my back causes me many problems and mobility is not good, and so last year I tried a cruise. I would not dream of going on large ships, not my idea of fun at all. However I went with Fred Olsen, and went the cheapest cabin offer to try it out going to Portugal and Maderia. I had lived in Portugal and like Maderia and am a keen gardener. So it worked well for me. You have your cabin set up as it suits you, there were lifts and rails along the corridors. The staff were all very helpful, the food very good and they had some tables reserved for disabled if you wished or needed to use them. Staff carried my food for me. I have sailed my own boat for many years, and they had a tv in the cabin where you could also have it on to show the deck and the sea etc and could watch coming into port . I tended to be awake very early and went up on an observation deck with my coffee and sat in peace there and enjoyed it. There were of course plenty of options of things to do, and I found having a day at sea and a day going ashore suited me, because I tend to push myself and then regret it. I think the idea of trying out the uk first is very good and if you really love the place you want to visit I think you will lessen your anxiety by trying out uk places. The thing to do is to try an easy trip and have a note book to jot down things that you need to ask about or are important to you. For example a simple one is can you walk in at pavement level to your hotel or are there steps to negotiate etc. What distances are you comfortable walking and how long at a time can you walk or sit at a time. Once you have some idea of these things you can then check with your hotel and see if it will suit you. I had never considered cruising at all, definitely did not want to be with big crowds or on a large ship. However my situation made me look around to see what I could manage and still enjoy my independance, so we have to accept that our goal posts move and we might have to think of different possibilities. I hope you can look at some of these ideas from everyone and gain confidence in travelling again. Wishing you the best of luck

As others have suggested, build up your confidence. Also start your pain killers before travelling.
When you arrive an go to bed, take a sleeping tablet. I buy one a night Kalms or Boots sleep Eazy tablets which come in 2 strengths and have to be bought from behind the pharmacists counter.

Again I occasionally use these at home so that I know what works best and feel confident using them on holiday.

I fell and broke my back last year so understand your dilemma. After a few good/better weeks I’m now laid up again with pain from the injury area. It’s been four days.

I’m guessing that you also have good days and bad days, good weeks and bad weeks? Personally I’m not venturing far from home yet. Fear of another flare up. It might be you could take some strong medication with you? This isn’t an option for me as all the pills I took for pain have caused a stomach ulcer so I’m limited to paracetamol.

Fingers crossed for you

Quokka, I cannot tolerate any oral pain relief medication.
I was prescribed Fentanyl patches for my vertebraic fractures, which are held together with bone cement.
Fifteen years later, I'm still in pain.
It's worth thinking about.

Ff
Sorry thoughtI had posted here goes again
I’m 4 years into stroke recovery and I started going for ashort breaks in a hotel close to home. I too was scared to attempt this and learned the pitfalls of disability and pain
I listed a few things which made things easier and packed them in my brain ready for the next trip. I asked many questions of the hotel, did they have a raised toilet cause you’d never believe some hotels didn’t and I bought a piece of equipment to fit on the toilet so that I could rise comfortably I bought a grab rail so that I could pull myself off the loo I bought a padded lumber support so that I could sit comfortably in any car seat I researched and researched what would best support me on a journey and I went for it.
Perhaps it might best if you go for short stays close to home and then bite the bullet you’ll gain confidence each time you go away,take the lumber support they’re fabulous,,small steps at a time -I wish you well.but don’t sit wondering get on with your life

Some folks will be saying how does she afford these things.
Self directed support pays for respite and the equipment needed Google it see what you can be entitled to.good luck

Hi. I am one of life's cowards. Fear stops me from doing many things, and I hate myself for it. Don't be like me. You don't say how old you are, but if you have taken early retirement you can't be very old, or where this hotel is. Speak to your medical team and physio's and see what they suggest or advise. Try a destination a short flight away first and use small airports. You say you know the hotel, so you will have an idea of the levels of comfort, staffing help and accessibility. Perhaps try a small hotel first. If it will not cause more permanent damage then give it a go. At least that way you will know. Good luck.

Another thought. Have you tried acupuncture? I ask because I had it a while ago. The lady I went to had badly damaged her back in a car accident and had been in permanent pain despite having all sorts of treatment. Someone suggested acupuncture to her. She was dead against it. She was a scientist and didn't believe in " mumbo jumbo " therapies. She finally went out of desperation and could not believe the difference it made. So much so that she trained as an acupuncturist. Just like her, you would have nothing to lose.

Hello Fflaurie firstly I’m sorry to hear you have had such rotten luck. My first thought would be make sure you are well covered by insurance for your trip just in case…..