Why DiscoverAble

Hey there, I’m Sonia Groot, the founder of DiscoverAble.

DiscoverAble was born out of the countless challenges my family and I have faced while trying to enjoy a simple vacation. My mother, Sheila, has multiple sclerosis and relies on an electric wheelchair to get around. Traveling together with her has always been an adventure—though not always the kind you hope for.

Let me share a few stories that highlight the struggles we’ve encountered on our trips:

London: The Room That Wasn’t Quite Right

Once, in London, we checked into a hotel room that was supposed to be wheelchair accessible. The room barely had space for Mom’s wheelchair. She was stuck on one side of the bed—unfortunately, the wrong side—making it difficult for her to transfer to the bed. To top it off, the bathroom had a bathtub, something Mom couldn’t navigate. For the entire week, she couldn’t use the bathroom properly. Despite all my careful research, that trip turned into a whole ordeal.

Berlin: The Tiny Elevator Fiasco
Then there was Berlin. We booked a place that claimed to have an elevator. Well, technically, they did. But when we got there, we found it was so small that Mom’s mobility scooter barely fit. Trying to turn around and exit? Not a chance.

Amsterdam: The Camping Disaster
Most recently, in Amsterdam, we tried camping in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest). My parents have converted their van into a camper, and we were looking for a site with proper wheelchair facilities. When we asked the owner to show us the restroom and shower, they arrogantly insisted everything was up to standard but refused to let us check. Despite us sharing that facilities might meet standards on paper, they don’t always work in real life.

These stories are just a few examples of what we’ve faced—broken promises of accessibility, inadequate facilities, rude responses, and even blatant discrimination.

Honestly, it’s exhausting and frustrating. My mom shouldn’t have to sacrifice her comfort and dignity just to do something as simple as enjoying a day out. Living with a disability is already tough enough without society adding more barriers.

I believe the first step toward change is awareness. Knowing a place’s limitations helps us prepare. But the next step is making real change happen. By documenting these barriers and holding businesses accountable, DiscoverAble is here to make a difference.

I’m committed to ensuring my mom—and everyone else—can travel without these extra burdens. Together, we can create a world that’s accessible to everyone. If you want to get involved, leave a review, or share your own experiences, just hit one of the buttons below.

While you’re here, take a look around DiscoverAble. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be booking your dream vacation next!

Catch you in the next blog!

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