Accessible Travel in Fiji: Ash’s Story

Bula, I’m Ash — I was born in Fiji and have called these beautiful islands home for almost my entire life.
Fiji is known for its breathtaking scenery, rich culture and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. For most of my life, I could move freely through it without thinking about stairs, pathways, parking spaces or whether I could reach the beach.
Until December 2024, I was healthy, active and enjoying everyday life with my wife and our two young children. Then, everything changed.

The Morning My Life Changed — One morning, I woke up and noticed that my legs felt strange. My wife and I even laughed at first about how slowly I was walking.
By that evening, I could no longer walk or stand. I could not even sit up without help.
By the following day, I was completely paralysed. I could not breathe on my own, swallow or even blink.
It was the beginning of the longest and most frightening journey of my life.

My Guillain–Barré Syndrome Diagnosis — I was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, commonly known as GBS. It is a rare neurological condition in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves.
My diagnosis was a variant called acute motor axonal neuropathy, or AMAN. In my case, this meant that recovery was expected to take much longer.
I spent three weeks in an intensive care unit in Fiji. When my condition was not improving, I was medically evacuated to Australia, where I spent another four months in intensive care.
A ventilator breathed for me and kept me alive.
As I slowly began to improve, I moved into months of rehabilitation. I had to relearn how to speak, move and complete many of the simple tasks I had previously taken for granted.
There is currently no known cure for GBS, although medical treatment can reduce its severity and support recovery. For me, healing required specialist care, rehabilitation, determination and time while my damaged nerves slowly recovered.
More than a year later, that recovery continues.

Returning Home to Fiji — When my family and I were finally able to return home, we were incredibly happy—but we were also nervous.
I was still completely dependent on a wheelchair, and our home had not been designed for wheelchair access. We also knew that many public places around Fiji were not accessible.
Before I became sick, I rarely noticed these barriers. Now, I could see them everywhere.
There were restaurants and shops that could only be reached by climbing flights of stairs, with no ramp or lift available. Accessible parking spaces were difficult to find.
Even something as simple as taking my wife and children to the beach—an activity we once enjoyed without a second thought—suddenly became extremely difficult or impossible.
These were things I had never needed to consider before. Now, they had become some of the greatest obstacles in my everyday life.

Seeing Fiji Through a Different Lens — My recovery has continued, and today I rely on my wheelchair much less than I once did.
However, this experience has permanently changed how I see the world. It has also given me a much deeper respect for people who do not recover as I have, or who depend on wheelchairs and mobility support every day.
Accessibility is not only about wheelchair users. It also matters to people living with temporary or permanent mobility challenges, travellers with disabilities, families with young children, older visitors and people travelling with elderly parents.
A destination may be beautiful, but everyone should also be able to experience it safely, comfortably and with dignity.

Why I Support AccessibleFiji.com — That is why I am proud to work with AccessibleFiji.com.
Accessible Fiji is helping travellers identify accessible places and experiences across the country. It is also advocating for genuine inclusion and encouraging Fiji’s tourism industry, businesses and communities to consider the needs of every visitor.
The goal is not simply to point out barriers. It is to shine a light on the places making positive changes and help travellers make informed decisions before they arrive.
Whether you use a wheelchair, live with a mobility challenge, travel with elderly parents or simply require additional support, you deserve the opportunity to experience the beauty, warmth and culture of Fiji.

Planning an Accessible Holiday in Fiji

Accessibility can vary between islands, hotels, vehicles, attractions and tour operators. Before booking, travellers should contact providers directly and ask specific questions about their facilities.

Consider confirming:

Explain your individual mobility and support requirements clearly. Asking detailed questions before travelling can help the provider recommend the safest and most suitable options.

A More Inclusive Fiji
Fiji has so much to share with the world—our islands, culture, communities and genuine spirit of hospitality.
My hope is that accessibility becomes part of how we plan our buildings, tourism experiences, transport services and public spaces from the beginning.
Accessibility is not special treatment. It is about ensuring that people are not excluded from the everyday experiences that others may take for granted.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience Fiji. Together, we can help make island life enjoyable, welcoming and accessible for all.