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Accessible Travel
WAGSofSCI
Moderator Posts: 384 Moderator
What are some of the best travelling tips YOU could give to someone who is starting off their new life travelling?
Do you have any great or even bad travel stories?
We are still brand new to travelling, and have only gone on one out of province trip since my partners accident, and it wasn't very far. We went across country to PEI when we were only a year into our injury and the biggest adjustment was seeing a small isl chair coming down the ramp, renting a care, and staying in hotels that claimed to be fully accessible.
Also, my partner got sea food poisoning while we were away, which made for an interesting nights sleep or lack there of. I guess we forgot that if one must get sea sick, it sort of had to be in a bucket on his lap. This IS all a huge learning experience for us still and we are 4 years into this life.
Would love to hear some of your best and worst travel stories. Somehow it makes our lives feel less isolating to know that other's have experienced similarities or have some really great advice for our future ventures.
Thanks so much for reading and look forward to reading your responses.
Elena
WAGS of SCI
Do you have any great or even bad travel stories?
We are still brand new to travelling, and have only gone on one out of province trip since my partners accident, and it wasn't very far. We went across country to PEI when we were only a year into our injury and the biggest adjustment was seeing a small isl chair coming down the ramp, renting a care, and staying in hotels that claimed to be fully accessible.
Also, my partner got sea food poisoning while we were away, which made for an interesting nights sleep or lack there of. I guess we forgot that if one must get sea sick, it sort of had to be in a bucket on his lap. This IS all a huge learning experience for us still and we are 4 years into this life.
Would love to hear some of your best and worst travel stories. Somehow it makes our lives feel less isolating to know that other's have experienced similarities or have some really great advice for our future ventures.
Thanks so much for reading and look forward to reading your responses.
Elena
WAGS of SCI
Your WAGS of SCI
(Elena and Brooke)
(Elena and Brooke)
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Comments
Things to consider:
- Airline: Boarding order (Some board wheelchair users first and take them off last on arrival)
Can your chair fit or will you need isle chair
How to tag your chair so you can leave it at the gate instead of checking it
Will there be assistance to carry luggage
- Car rental: Ask to reserve a specific model vehicle to fit wheelchair and luggage
- Hotel: Not all "accessible" rooms have WHEELCHAIR accessible bathrooms. Make sure you communicate what you need.
My first tip for travel is do it OFTEN! The more you travel, the more you'll get used to it and learn exactly what you need. It becomes less of a hassle/thing to have anxiety about and more second nature.
Next, know what your needs are, be ready for things to go wrong, and look at every "wrong" as an opportunity to problem solve. One hotel didn't have a shower chair and didn't even know what they were. I told them exactly what they were, that they could find one at a medical supply store or local pharmacy, and bring it to my room by 5pm. If they didn't, then I'd be happy to go purchase one myself and they could take the cost off my bill and I would leave the shower chair with them as they are required to have them under the law. It worked out great as an advocacy opportunity and I got to tell them exactly which shower chair I wanted! Bonus: I knew no other butt had touched it before mine!
Also, if you're new to traveling, travel to "new" cities first. Places like Miami which are much newer than places like Boston are more accessible because the infrastructure was built for wheels! Boston is full of cobblestones, broken streets, tiny doorways, etc. Miami is well paved, wide spaces, and even has accessible beaches! Likewise, I love going places with accessible trains, like Washington,D.C. - it makes getting around the city much easier and you'll get to see more!