England's Ashes has been a disaster but touring Australia with a disability has been too easy'

"My attendance was not in any way predicated on how well England might do in the series making decisions based on the potential success of the English cricket team can only lead to madness. But having been born with a form of muscular dystrophy, the physical requirements of an eight-week tour to Australia were more of a consideration. Although not that much of one. I have always tried to ensure my disability does not affect my life any more than it has to"

"First stop Perth, which after more than 20 hours travelling feels like paradise, although the sensation soon wears off there are clues that the nearest major city is more than 1,200 miles away. In order to assimilate seamlessly I immediately begin eating industrial quantities of smashed avocado and grow a moustache although my refusal to use the phrase too easy at every possible opportunity does give me away somewhat."

"it is perhaps not surprising that, compared with home, the accessibility of public transport everywhere here is phenomenal. Not just distant London dreams, such as lifts everywhere and level boarding a bit easier with things built more recently but also in the willingness of staff to be helpful. Most trams and trains I can just drive my mobility scooter straight on to, everywhere you can't there is always someone on hand ready to deploy a ramp without it seemingly being some great burden."

A freelance journalist born with a form of muscular dystrophy traveled to Australia to cover an eight-week Ashes tour. Attendance was not based on England's expected performance, but the tour's physical demands required consideration. Long travel left Perth feeling paradisiacal at first before distance from other cities was felt. Attempts to assimilate included local food and adopting a moustache. Australian public transport showed high accessibility through lifts, level boarding, and staff readiness to assist. Most trams and trains allowed mobility scooters to be driven aboard, with ramps deployed readily, contrasting with older London infrastructure.

Read at www.theguardian.com