LOUGHTON: Woman tells of inspiring round-the-world trip (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LOUGHTON: Woman tells of inspiring round-the-world trip

2:48pm Thursday 10th February 2011 in Epping Forest News By Clare Hardy

A WOMAN who suffers from a debilitating condition has published a book on her inspiring round-the-world trip against the odds.

Nicky Dalladay, 48, of Brooklyn Avenue, Loughton, was diagnosed with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis at 21 and uses a wheelchair.

But it did not stop her going on the trip to Hawaii via eight other destinations.

She had given up her job at a firm in The City in 2005 after her multiple sclerosis worsened and a fall put her in hospital.

Her husband David, 62, took early retirement to look after and the couple were at home together when an invitation to an old friend's wedding in Hawaii came through the door.

“I spoke to my husband and he said we should make it more of a trip around the world,” said Mrs Dalladay.

“He is behind me with everything. He makes my dreams happen and he's very supportive.”

The couple planned a three-month trip, starting at Bankok in Thailand and taking in Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Mrs Dalladay said she was surprised at the attitudes people in different countries had to her disability.

“In Vietnam, they carried me up and down and there were no health and safety rules, which is refreshing, because in today's society, it's the bane of our lives,” she added.

“In America, they said they couldn't help me onto a coach because of health and safety, which was surprising. You think it's going to be a civilised country more than able to cater for disabled people.”

Once home, she wrote her story from notes she made on a Dictaphone while on her travels, and called it My Travels With Wheely, after her wheelchair, which broke in San Francisco after being manhandled by airport staff.

“I think it highlights that we should never put anything off, as we never know what's round the corner,” she said. “My condition is very frightening and I don't know how much worse it's going to get.

“I've always wanted to carry on doing as much as I can for as long as possible.”

The book is available from www.authorhouse.co.uk priced £8.80.