The journey that has changed me: Amit Patel

The journey that has 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 loss of vision

Amit Patel was born as a racing driver. As a teenager, he almost (and two of his friends) drove into a pond on a rickety motorcycle. At about the same time, he joined his local squadron of the Air Training Corps and flew into the ventilation on every opportunity. When he ended his GCses, he celebrated by jumping from an airplane at a height of 13,000.

Amit with kika

So it is no wonder that the job he finally got was an adrenaline boost. After studying medicine in Cambridge, Amit qualified as a trauma doctor. He spent six months as a volunteer at the Red Cross in India and traveled from Mumbai to remote villages in the north before returning to England to work in emergency medicine.

Then, at the age of 33, one year after marriage, Amit lost his eyesight within 36 hours. He suffered a heartbreaking loss of trust and was no longer able to cope with everyday tasks - a difficult blow for a man who thrown on extreme.

With the help of his blind dog Kika, Amit slowly achieved his independence, a journey of which he tells in Kika & Me: How an extraordinary blind dog changed my world. On the occasion of the paperback publication, we talked to Amit about the trip that changed him.

What is the message that the readers in your opinion will take from Kika & Me?

Whatever you go through, you know that you are not alone. The first step to get through is to ask for help, and everything is possible with good people around you. I testify.

Tell us about a trip that has changed you

After graduation, I traveled through India for six months and supported rural health clinics with everything, from vaccinations and studies to eye tests. I was out of the grid and could really see a side of India that I had never experienced before.

I met people who worked hard and had little to show but were really satisfied and happy with their lives. As kitschy it may sound, I was never the materialistic guy, but it really gave me a completely new perspective on what happiness means.

How did travel change for you after you have lost your eyesight?

When I lost my eyesight, I lost my ability to work and travel, both in the country and all over the world. Travel was a large part of my work and at this point everything stopped completely for me. I was hardly able to leave the house alone, let alone go somewhere independently. My first solo trip by public transport with my white stick was one of the most stressful and mentally exhausting trips I've ever done.

Travel is more challenging for me now. I have to think through things and plan more before I go anywhere. In the past I liked to throw a few things into a pocket and booked a flight for a weekend out of a mood. Now I have to plan every step of my trip, including the notification of the airline and the airport, that I need travel and help, booked taxis in advance, find cards and local transport before I even reach a goal.

With the grid in NYC you have to cross the street every few minutes, but if it is normal for vehicles to stop on the zebra crossing, it is almost impossible to cross safely. The absence of reduced curbs, inconsistencies in tactile paving and vapor deductions make NYC difficult🤯 pic.twitter.com/18gkdo59oz

- Dr. Amit Patel (@blinddad_uk) November 6, 2019

Kika does not venture onto the street when a vehicle is at the intersection

I haven't even started preparing my blind dog kika for the trip (there is paperwork and vaccinations in abundance). It may sound less glamorous and funny, but I got it running, from family vacations in the Canary Islands to a solo trip to New York with my son and Kika. I do not let myself be prevented from doing what I want to do.

Which trip do you want to repeat?

My wife Seema and I went to Morocco before I lost my eyesight, and we both loved to dive into the culture, language and food. I would like to come back now. I think I would appreciate the atmosphere that smells and senses so much more. I'm not anyone who sits on the beach, so it would be perfect now to explore the souks and discover new food!

David Mg/ShutterstockTempting street meal in Morocco

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

Most of our trips revolve around food. Eating and drinking through a travel destination is a perfect vacation for me and my dream destination is a family trip to Mexico. I try to encourage my two children to become a gourmet so that we can continue to eat through the world! Starting with Mexico and hopefully one day in Japan.

Are you a planner or onlookers?

I used to be a Seh-Wie-Weer, but apparently it doesn't work so well for me. I have to organize myself better, otherwise my blind dog Kika couldn't come with me. Gone are the days when you climbed into the Eurostar to visit friends in Brussels or Paris over the weekend. Due to changed EU entry-rate requirements for pets, unfortunately under the work assistant animals, I have to plan at least three months in advance.

What was your most important travel experience?

People thought I was crazy about it, but my three -year -old son to bring my three -year -old son to New York was my best travel experience. Not only because everything went well, but because I have proven myself that as a visually impaired parent there are really 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.

Finally, why travel?

There is so much of the world that we know nothing about seeing and learning so much. She also makes traveling much more appreciated for the world around her. Right now, the travel rank is stronger than ever, for escapism, to get your head free and discover new experiences. I have the feeling that travel cleans the soul and feels back and refreshed. I can't wait to get back on a plane as soon as it is safe.

From the challenges of the blind to the first parents - Kika & Me is the moving, heart -warming and inspiring story of Amit's journey to the loss of his eyesight and how a blind dog changed its world.

Mission statement: riyas.net/shutterstock

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