The journey that changed me: Amit Patel

The journey that changed me: Amit Patel

Author Amit Patel tells us about his favorite trip, what remains on his bucket list and how traveling has changed for him after his vision loss

Amit Patel was born a racing driver. As a teenager, he almost drove himself (and two of his friends) into a pond on a rickety motorcycle. Around the same time, he joined his local Air Training Corps squadron and took to the skies every chance he got. When he finished his GCSEs he celebrated by jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet.

Amit with Kika

So it's no wonder that the job he eventually got was an adrenaline rush. After studying medicine at Cambridge, Amit qualified as a trauma doctor. He spent six months volunteering with the Red Cross in India, traveling from Mumbai to remote northern villages before returning to England to work in emergency medicine.

Then, at the age of 33, a year after marriage, Amit lost his sight within 36 hours. He suffered a heartbreaking loss of confidence and found himself unable to perform everyday tasks - a devastating blow to a man who thrived on extremes.

With the help of his guide dog Kika, Amit slowly regained his independence, a journey he recounts in Kika & Me: How an Extraordinary Guide Dog Changed My World. To mark the paperback release, we spoke to Amit about the journey that changed him.

What is the message you hope readers will take away from KIKA & ME?

Whatever you are going through, know that you are not alone. The first step to getting through is asking for help, and with good people around you anything is possible. I bear witness to this.

Tell us about a trip that changed you

After graduating, I spent six months traveling around India with the Red Cross, supporting rural health clinics with everything from vaccinations and exams to vision tests. I was off the grid and really got to see a side of India that I had never experienced before.

I met people who worked hard and had little to show for it, but were truly content and happy with their lives. As cheesy as it may sound, I've never been the materialistic type, but it really gave me a whole new perspective on what happiness means.

How did traveling change for you after losing your eyesight?

When I lost my sight, I lost my ability to work and travel, both within the country and around the world. Traveling was a big part of my job and at that point everything stopped completely for me. I was barely able to leave the house on my own, let alone go anywhere on my own. My first solo public transportation ride with my white cane was one of the most stressful and mentally draining rides I've ever taken.

Traveling is more challenging for me now. I need to think things through and plan more before I go anywhere. I used to like to throw a few things in a bag and book a flight for a weekend on a whim. Now I have to plan every step of my trip, including notifying the airline and airport that I'm traveling and need assistance, booking taxis in advance, figuring out maps and local transportation before I even get to a destination.

With NYC's grid system, you have to cross the street every few minutes, but when it's normal for vehicles to stop in the crosswalks, it's almost impossible to cross safely. Lack of dropped curbs, inconsistencies in tactile paving and vapor vents make NYC difficult🤯 pic.twitter.com/18gKDo59oZ

– Dr. Amit Patel (@BlindDad_Uk) November 6, 2019

Kika does not dare to go on the road if there is a vehicle at the intersection

I haven't even started preparing my guide dog Kika for the trip (there's paperwork and vaccinations galore). It may sound less glamorous and fun, but I've made it work, from family holidays in the Canary Islands to a solo trip to New York with my son and Kika. I won't let vision loss stop me from doing what I want to do.

Which trip would you like to repeat?

My wife Seema and I went to Morocco before I lost my sight and we both loved immersing ourselves in the culture, language and food. I would like to come back now. I think I would appreciate the atmosphere, smells and senses so much more. I'm not one to sit around on the beach, so now would be perfect to explore the souks and discover new foods!

David MG/ShutterstockTempting street food in Morocco

Do you still have a dream destination that you haven't visited yet?

Most of our travels revolve around food. Eating and drinking my way through a destination is a perfect vacation for me and my dream destination is a family trip to Mexico. I'm trying to encourage both of my kids to become foodies so we can continue eating our way through the world! Starting with Mexico and hopefully one day in Japan too.

Are you a planner or a spectator?

I used to be a see-how-we-go type of person, but apparently that doesn't work so well for me anymore. I have to organize myself better, otherwise my guide dog Kika wouldn't be able to come with me. Gone are the days of hopping on the Eurostar to visit friends in Brussels or Paris for the weekend. Due to changed EU entry regulations for pets, which unfortunately apply to work assistance animals, I now have to plan at least three months in advance.

What was your most important travel experience?

People thought I was crazy for it, but taking my then three-year-old son to New York alone was my best travel experience. Not just because everything went well, but because I proved to myself that as a visually impaired parent, there really are no restrictions on what you can do or where you can go.

Amit PatelAmit with his son and Kika

Hotel or hostel (or camping)?

Hotel across the board.

After all, why travel?

There is so much of the world we know nothing about, so much to see and learn. Traveling also makes you much more appreciative of the world around you. Right now, the urge to travel is stronger than ever, for escapism, to clear your head and discover new experiences. I feel that traveling cleanses the soul and leaves you feeling reset and refreshed. I can't wait to get on a plane again as soon as it's safe.

From the challenges of traveling blind to becoming a parent for the first time, Kika & Me is the moving, heartwarming and inspiring story of Amit's journey to losing his sight and how a guide dog changed his world.

Mission statement: Riyas.net/Shutterstock

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