WPC, Portland

[M_rosew]

Have just booked my place at WPC in September. Excited (and nervous) to travel so far! Anyone else going?

[laglag]

I'm thinking about going, but I too wondered if it would be too much & it's probably only a 5 hr. trip for me, depending on layovers. Have you been to one before? My husband & I have wanted to vacation (or holiday) in the Portland area sometime soon so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to combine the two. Where are you staying?

[Hikoi in reply to laglag]

Do it

[M_rosew in reply to laglag]

Hello laglag, no not been to anything like this before! My flight will 13 hours to Portland, plus all the check-ins etc. Have booked at Quality Inn which seems handy. Hope to see you there if you decide to go. We're planning to spend holiday time in Oregon and Canada after WPC.

M

[NanCyclist]

We live in Seattle. Earlier in the summer I'm thinking of riding my bike in the 200 mile Seattle to Portland bike ride (STP). We have booked for the WPC. Montreal was fabulous so I expect Portland will be another step forward. The whole area is worth an extended visit so come and join us!

[paddyfields in reply to NanCyclist]

Post vanished! Briefly: Anyone from the UK/East midlands area going? After what date do you lose your deposit. Buddy system only accessible after you have booked.

Love to go but as a reasonably fit 76 yearold, single female there is always the thought "what if I get taken to hospital and they don't adhere to my meds regime?

[M_rosew in reply to paddyfields]

Hello Paddyfields, I live in West Midlands. We haven't booked flights yet but plan to fly from Brum. I think the deposit is ok till September(?) Let us know if you decide to go.

M

[M_rosew in reply to NanCyclist]

Thanks for the encouragement. See you there!

M

[Adele_D]

Yes. Excited!

[Ryan]

Hi to anyone attending WPC 2016 who is a little apprehensive. You might want to consider our buddy program! After registering there is a link to acquiring a buddy, pre Congress to share information and planning to meet up in Portland. It might work for you, just give it a read at WPC Buddies Program: When you register for the ‪#‎WPC2016, you can sign up for the Buddies Program. Learn more: wpc2016.org/buddies Good luck and I hope to meet you there. Ryan

[M_rosew in reply to Ryan]

Hello Ryan, thanks. I've put my name down for a 'Buddy' at WPC.

M

[Ryan in reply to M_rosew]

You won't regret it. See you in Portland!

[soup]

I am not only going, I am one of the Buddies Programme Coordinators. The programme began in Montreal three years ago and many people found it reassuring to think they would 'know' somebody else even before they arrived.

This year the Buddies will have better ways of communicating during the conference and a chance to chat, online, before they go.

Paddyfields, You could get ill in any country and not have your med schedule adhered to but in Montreal there was a lot of training on offer for hotel staff etc which helped smoothed the way.

[M_rosew in reply to soup]

Hello Soup, thanks. I've applied for a 'Buddy', sounds like a nice idea. I'm looking forward to WPC although the journey there is rather daunting. I have flown into Portland once before and found the immigration process very trying.

M

[Ryan in reply to soup]

An excellent reply Soup. Thanks for your involvement. It is a terrific program!

[hopedope]

My husband and I have thought it some. We haven't traveled anywhere except to visit our children since 4 years ago because of surgeries. We have already been to Portland though.

[paddyfields]

This is all very encouraging, not to say exciting. I have mostly travelled abroad as a single on walking holidays and had no sooner accepted that long-haul trips were out than the Congress popped up and an opportunity to go to China with my Tai Chi class. Never say die.

I don't usually do private messages on forums but this might be the time . I will check out Birmingham as its no distance from Northants. where I am.

[soup]

If you find travelling by air, and the hanging around in airport queues daunting think about booking assistance. My sister is deaf and with bad arthritis and they took care of her a treat. Look into it.

[M_rosew]

I can endorse Soup's advice to book 'assistance'. I allows you to go slowly through security, and be transported onto the plane and between terminals at stop-overs.

(Last time I flew without assistance I was required to put my shoes and walking stick through the luggage X-ray, so barefoot and stickless I bumped into the walk-through scanner - bells rang and chaos ensued!) It's so much easier with help!