28 replies to this topic

[Heretic]

Hi,

I started having this discussion in the chat room, but I would like to broaden it out to others.

So, I am 43yo and 5 years into SCI from transverse myelitis, T5-C6, paralysed chest down. I have always enjoyed the outdoors, mainly sailing and fell walking, but it always involved camping. Mrs Heretic feels that we need to leave all that behind, get on with a more comforable lifestyle, have more comfortable holidays, but I always enjoyed the camping, and it's cheap. She's a little afraid of us being put into a difficult situation. So I'd like to convince her that it is not only possible, but not too difficult. I don't want her to feel that she will have to do all the work.

The mains things are, how am I going to sleep? What about when the ground is sodden (we are int he UK after all)? How do I dd things like packing, pitching the tent, etc? Toileting?

We talked, in the chat room, about the fishing chairs/beds from www.gooutdoors.co.uk, which look promising. Question: How high are they from the ground at their full height?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks
Heretic

[nomis]

Last times when I was camping I'd sleep on an airbed. To get out I'd transfer up on to a chillybin/eskie/cooler then in wobbly fashion to the w/chair. I liked the adventure of camping but it was a lot of work.

[dukimen]

Heretic, on 16 May 2011 - 09:53 AM, said:

Any pointers would be appreciated

I know what you mean, I enjoy rounding around too. I am T7. When go with my ATV bike for overnight I use this http://cgi.ebay.de/O...=item5ae0819c53
I am 100 kilos and it works for me. About 40 cm high.


Yes, toileting is more tricky. For a day or two is not problem. For situations if I go with the car or mobile home and don`t know for sure about toilet I`ve just bought http://cgi.ebay.de/w...e=STRK:MEWNX:IT Haven`t tried yet.

Do you know for this site http://www.eurocampi...&area=0[gehandicapt]=1
Choose "disabled", choose your region.
I went to Greece (with mobilehome) in 2009 with some camps from this list in my Garmin. Not 100% but WC, shower work somehow. I am sure its even more precious for West Europe

FYI this site http://www.gitotel.c.../handicapes.php
For you maybe France, I intend to go to Toscany this year (hopefully)

[Snakeye]

I have spent my life in the woods and love camping but alas no more...can't sleep on the ground or that is to say... get up from the earth, so I "camp" by going to a handicap accessable lodge or cabin at state parks and fish from docks or the bank, never boats.....Not very challenging or rustic but do-able and one can still get a bit of the "natural" exsperience.....

[ajl338]

I do lots of camping. I sleep in an inflaitable airmattrise made my alpkit.com. Its more comfortable than my own bed.
Lots of campsite have accessible toilets and showers, especally if you pick one that takes caravans as well as tents, smaller ones not so. If they allow caravans there are paths to get about on. If you are not going on your own then if you do get stuck its no big issue.

I have been wild camping out of a canoe, the most difficult issue is toilets. because i cant crouch down to go i have a cheap canvas folding camping seat with a hole in the seat cut out as my own personal loo.

ann

[dancin' johnny]

Heretic, on 16 May 2011 - 09:53 AM, said:

We talked, in the chat room, about the fishing chairs/beds from www.gooutdoors.co.uk, which look promising. Question: How high are they from the ground at their full height?

Thanks
Heretic

Mine is out in France at the moment so I can't measure but I know it will go as high as the cushion on my chair for an easy transfer across.

[roo]

hi there theres loads of big tents about,these days with a porch on them and easily to put up you want 1 with flexable carbon rods go to a camp shop and look great for ideas i use a double air mattress when went camping you can get some good 1s these days that are high from the ground i bought mine from argos think the name was hippo air mattress ,tthere are loads of camping site's with disabled shower blocks so toileting & showering is no problem am not in the uk at the mo and all my info is there, so cannot pass on the camping sites that are suitable what i did was join the caravan club and they sent a book listing all the sites in the uk which are suitable for disabled plus you get discounts on camping sites if you are a member off the caravan club, best of luck
Roo

[madhouse73]

[Am going to keep eye on this .enjoyed camping before hand and am trying to work out how to carry on doing it now .The Tent put up is whats stumping me the most if have not got one of my older ones with me . I need tent big enough to sleep minimu off 3 ir all come theres 5 of us mind if all cmaping thats fine I can supervise the teens can do .Just need a big whip to keep them going

[dangerousdave]

I love my camping / rally's weekends
I'm L2
Whatever others are - the problems are the same
Tents sleeping toileting
If it's the first time or first time since SCI

Who can you take
Go back to basics

Choose tent and sleeping arrangement to suit you and your AB's
Then choose a camping site with disabled toilet and showers
To find a good one in GB just go to a caravan park

That will give you plenty of experiance and questions and answers to decide if it's for you next time

So stop thinking about it - Do It

[Heretic]

Hi,

Many thanks to you all; there are some really useful and encouraging responses. I think it is all possible; it just a matter of convincing the other half. She isn't as 'can-do' as I am; never has been, its a character trait. I remember when I first wanted to start camping, many years pre-SCI. She really wasn't keen. BUT, the weather was good and we had a lovely time. If the weather hadn't been good I dong thing whe would have done it again. Of course, now, if the weather's bad, it'll be a whole lot messier then before, what with muddy wheels and all. I reckon I should try it with more willing friends first, perhaps my sailing buddies, who are an adventurous bunch. I also reckon camping aboard a boat is a way to go (see, for example https://www.youtube....h?v=cV0S16WntSg, I used to do that sort of thing, except crossing the channel of course), perhaps aboard an open canoe - no need to get out much, just journey... That just leaves the question of transfers; one step at a time though...

Anyway, thanks all.

Heretic

[knightrider]

I've been camping twice since SCI, loved it, well apart from the sun waking me up around 5am and roasting my tits off. Setting up the tent can be a pain in the ass but you get there in the end especially if there's an AB with you which in most cases there will be lol. I didn't sleep on an airbed, coz i hate blowing the damn things up, so i just slept on a foam camping mat thing, it was ok, just a lil weird sleeping on a hardish surface again. Guess i'm too used to sleeping on my comfy bed at home.

I wouldn't mind going again sometime as my tent is brand new. Only off putting thing is finding a decent campsite that has disabled facilities and not a campsite ontop of a huge hill haha.

[roo]

knightrider, on 17 May 2011 - 01:52 PM, said:

I've been camping twice since SCI, loved it, well apart from the sun waking me up around 5am and roasting my tits off. Setting up the tent can be a pain in the ass but you get there in the end especially if there's an AB with you which in most cases there will be lol. I didn't sleep on an airbed, coz i hate blowing the damn things up, so i just slept on a foam camping mat thing, it was ok, just a lil weird sleeping on a hardish surface again. Guess i'm too used to sleeping on my comfy bed at home.

I wouldn't mind going again sometime as my tent is brand new. Only off putting thing is finding a decent campsite that has disabled facilities and not a campsite ontop of a huge hill haha.

haha well if you want i'll let you ruff it in my big garden in your new tent :-)

[madhouse73]

dangerousdave, on 17 May 2011 - 10:46 AM, said:

I love my camping / rally's weekends
I'm L2
Whatever others are - the problems are the same
Tents sleeping toileting
If it's the first time or first time since SCI

Who can you take
Go back to basics

Choose tent and sleeping arrangement to suit you and your AB's
Then choose a camping site with disabled toilet and showers
To find a good one in GB just go to a caravan park

That will give you plenty of experiance and questions and answers to decide if it's for you next time

So stop thinking about it - Do It

Am now booked to camp in August(going to try it ) though it a softy camp as know be plenty of AB people around .We normally meet up each year but the caravans are not adult wheelchair accesiable so tent it is .But be plenty of wheelchair accesiable stuff as is a skiuk camp and who wants to bet they beat me in races.

Will need to look at mattress so maybe idea of double blow up good ,have tent that sleeps 4 and i stick teens in their own 2 man .How do people find wheelchairs and grass mix ?

Edited by madhouse73, 17 May 2011 - 02:29 PM.

[Heretic]

madhouse73, on 17 May 2011 - 02:27 PM, said:

Am now booked to camp in August(going to try it ) though it a softy camp as know be plenty of AB people around .We normally meet up each year but the caravans are not adult wheelchair accesiable so tent it is .But be plenty of wheelchair accesiable stuff as is a skiuk camp and who wants to bet they beat me in races.

Will need to look at mattress so maybe idea of double blow up good ,have tent that sleeps 4 and i stick teens in their own 2 man .How do people find wheelchairs and grass mix ?

Ground might be a problem, especially with my 1" marathon tyres. And if the ground's soft that ads more resistance. I can usually get over grass, but I usually choose not to; the extra resistance of soft ground can be a pain.

A few years ago, before my SCI, we went to a Eurocamp in Brittany, France. Expensive but dead nice and I'd love to repeat it. With one of the beds mentioned it should be easy.

H

[Tinbasher]

Check out "Teardrop Trailers" on Google. I am thinking of building one of these.

You could also try one of the Camping Pods.

Tin

[SarahR]

My husband and I do back country camping with horses, where we pack everything in. It's a lot of work, but very rewarding. Thankfully my husband is really into it and and does most of the work! I sleep on an airbed and can get back into my wheelchair from the ground, though it isn't easy at all. The wheelchair is fold-able and we strap it onto a horse:







I have a folding toilet seat that works great for me, if we are going with a group we bring a separate tent for it so us girls can all share it and have some privacy.

[Heretic]

Lovely pictures, and it looks really nice. Having a man look after a woman is (usually) easier than vice versa, and my wife, while tall, is of slender build, and I'm not really. So we don't have that advantage. I'm really made up for you; it looks like you have a lovel time.

Cheers
H

[SarahR]

Yes, I do see your point, and agree that often it is easier to be a disabled woman with an AB man. I'll bet you could easily put this tent up though:







Heck, I think *I* could put that tent up!


My husband wants to get a Coleman Instant tent for this summer. It isn't as 'instant' as the above tent, but it might be something I could get going myself as he tends the horses in the backcountry. I always feel about as useful as a rock when we get to our destination and I sit there watching him do all the work. There are a lot of these 'instant' type tents on the market now, some are small and some are pretty big with no threshold where you could wheel right in and have room for a few cots.

Edited by SarahR, 24 May 2011 - 03:18 PM.

[Heretic]

Cool tent. I have a 2-person Kyam from years ago which is also very quick and easy to pitch. What I need to get right is getting from the floor to my chair or, as discussed previously, work always at chair height.

Does anyone have any bright ideas on the best way to get from floor to chair?

Cheers
H

P.S. I'd love to see camping pictures from anyone else!

[SarahR]

Could you use a small foot stool (or even a small cooler) to lift yourself up on, then into your chair?

[Heretic]

SarahR, on 24 May 2011 - 04:26 PM, said:

Could you use a small foot stool (or even a small cooler) to lift yourself up on, then into your chair?

That's what needed; a half-way house. I'll think it through.

[baldfatdad]

I'm a T6. 30 years ago when I was first hurt I use to camp with my 4 year old. Dome tent. I made a box that was about half the height of my chair. Put a toilet seat on it and a plastic bag inside. Kept that up until about 15 years ago. I have seen, but never used a toilet that fit in the receiver hitch on a Jeep/truck. On the rivers they use those big orange drinking cooler that have a screw on lid, with a toilet seat on top. They throw them in the dumpster when they come off the river.
I now use a motor home and volunteer with the forest service in the summer.

[ZEN12many]

Hi
I've camped in my Van (too small inside) and a rented RV (way too much trouble and expense). If I camp again, I have decided to get a shade structure with sides but no bottom (tent with no bottom). I plan on setting it up on the asphalt driveway where you would park your car (if at a park that has campsites). This way I can easily wheel into and out of the tent.

For bathroom, I always set up some kind of privacy area near the tent for peeing. I always use the park facilities for everything else.

For the bed, a double high air bed should be usable. They almost always lose a little air, so be prepared to fill it up each evening before bed.

Rodney (ZEN12many)

[Tetracyclone]

A wife who is not keen for camping is indeed an impediment. I heartily encourage you to go with some other AB friends who ARE into it, and who might get a kick out of helping you.

Meanwhile get the Missus out for walks in nature of a Saturday afternoon.

[highlander38]

hello, I am a new to this site but have had some experience camping. I will try and give some info from my experience camping. The tent I use is an quechua pop up tent (they come in different sizes ) http://www.decathlon...tents-13801414/
I also us an air matress which has an inbuilt electric pump (intex)http://www.amazon.co...ASIN=B002MR5YZA
again these come in single or queen size. When I am on a site which has no electric I use a power inverter plugged into the car cig lighter, usually the air goes down a bit by morning but just blow her up through the electric pump. As for the toilet I either use on site or if not accessible I find one in nearest town . If you would like to have a bit more comfort then hostels are a good alternative with some sites having wheelchair facilities and camping options. The other option is bunkhouse or camping barns there is a couple with wheelchair access


http://www.independe...telguide.co.uk/
http://www.lakelandc...rm-camping-barn
http://www.elenydd-hostels.co.uk/

this is just a few with wheelchair access I have found if you search you will find more

anyway hope this helps

Does anyone know if someone is selling a disabled campervan or motorhome or anyone got 1 as to give me some ideas

Anyone interested in travelling together please get in touch I enjoy travellling alot and would be interested in meeting others interested in travelling
anyway hope the info helps

[highlander38]

here is a picture of the airbed I use. I slept under the stars on this night, no need for a tent

http://imageshack.us...icture2063.jpg/

[dangerousdave]

At this moment in time with my leg in plaster
I shout at 2 passerbyes
They hook under my armpits
And lift me into my wheelchair
Off floor and onto wheelchair in no time

[dianna318]

Well I go camping 4-6 times a year. I can do short distances with forearm crutches and have an easier time getting up to my chair. Tall air mat is good. I have popped a few from flopping down on them. For a toilet I use a toilet seat you get at camping supply places that snap onto any 5 gallon bucket. I use a kitchen trash bag liner with a little water and pine sol in it. But I have a 96 Bronco that I mostly sleep in when camping. Plenty of room as I am most always by myself. But I have lots of stuff for comfy camping like a small propane oven with 3 burner on top. I do love a good breakfast when camping.

[dianna318]

This is my fav outdoor chair. It goes in a bag like other fold/bag chairs, a little longer, a bit heavier but about the same diameter.

I use all the time on the porch to sit outside and when camping. It gives me a place to lay back of my bum outside the tent. It's a recliner that works just like a home recliner, just hold the arms and push your back into the backrest. You don't have to put a poll under to hold up the foot rest.

I have a cushion from outdoor lounger to make it more comfy!

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