10 replies to this topic

[scatty14]

Hi,

Please can you tell me how you all manage to go on holidays, that is physically. Do you always travel with a companion/family/ friend etc. Do you employ a carer/travelling mate to get away? How do you manage to get away on your own if that is possible.

I am desperate to go away, at first thought maybe a cruise would be the answer but then realised after reading the small print that persons that need to use a wheelchair are not allowed to travel alone. To be honest I know I need help anyhow. I currently have a self propel wheelchair an upgrade from the 'attendant' wheelchair but I cant self propel my arms are too weak etc. It really just so I can change my position/angle etc as I was fed up of being positioned badly by others.

My life has changed dramatically over the last4-5 years well since being disabled. I no longer have a hubby, the few friends I have are not in a position to go away due to family commitments etc.

Do you employ assistants for holiday cover?

Please help me learn how I can travel and get back some of the independance I use to have.

I am fairly independent, I just have help with household chores, getting out and a little help with dressing etc.

How many of use advertise for help? How much do you pay for someone to go away with you per week??

Please respond, my last message attracted zero responses!!???

[sherbs]

Hi Scatty

I no longer have a husband and live on my own. Luckily i have a sister who is 1 yr older than me, so we go on trips together, it helps that we get on great. Also parents live in ireland, so thats a good excuse for a trip to see them. Have you any relatives that you could travel with or a best friend with the same interests, even if you travelled with a relative and didnt necessarily hang around with them all the time, as you say you are quite independant. What about parents, they are often good companions to travel with, even if its just to help getting to the destination. I'm not sure about PA's, maybe you could contact your local countil website and search for disabled holidays, they may have a system that "buddies" you up with someone else in a similar position.

Wishing you good luck.

[scatty14]

sherbs, on 10 December 2011 - 08:53 PM, said:

Hi Scatty

I no longer have a husband and live on my own. Luckily i have a sister who is 1 yr older than me, so we go on trips together, it helps that we get on great. Also parents live in ireland, so thats a good excuse for a trip to see them. Have you any relatives that you could travel with or a best friend with the same interests, even if you travelled with a relative and didnt necessarily hang around with them all the time, as you say you are quite independant. What about parents, they are often good companions to travel with, even if its just to help getting to the destination. I'm not sure about PA's, maybe you could contact your local countil website and search for disabled holidays, they may have a system that "buddies" you up with someone else in a similar position.

Wishing you good luck.

Thanks for you reply, like you I no longer have a hubby and live alone, sadly my only sister that was one yr younger than me died a few years back. My parents emigrated to live in Portugal 18 years ago. Always had a turbulent relationship there, anyhow my FATHER in his 70s had a stroke earlier this year, so my mother has enough to deal with. I have just come back from visiting them over a few days as I cant help physically just be supportive by being there.... someone for my mum to chat too etc. My father doesnt really know me anymore, he has dementia a side product of the stroke.
My adult son took me to see my parents. The Travelling was a bloody nightmare. My son struggled with his baggage and mine whilst trying to push me at the same time to check in.

There has got to be an easier way to travel?? How do you manage with your baggage even if you have a carer??

Surely there are disabled people that do manage to go it alone or employ a carer etc???

Friends err few and far between since being disabled, I dont get out much so have not had the opportunity to make new friends, I lost a lot when I became disabled and hubby left etc [we worked in the same place] The friends I do have have commitments so cant travel etc.

Edited by scatty14, 10 December 2011 - 09:17 PM.

[ORIGIN]

Hello - as a C5/6 tetra, I simply take a carer with me. Doing this, it is possible to travel pretty much anywhere. SIA, SPINAL INJURIES ASSOCIATION, can advise on agencies able to provide such specialist, short-term care. Bon voyage! Peter.

[megatrig]

why not give the Back Up Trust a go?

It is outward bounds but is a great experience and an eye opener! Not a relaxing holiday though.

Carers are there to help as much as needed!

http://www.backuptrust.org.uk/Home

[Edinburgh Colin]

megatrig, on 17 January 2012 - 05:13 PM, said:

why not give the Back Up Trust a go?

It is outward bounds but is a great experience and an eye opener! Not a relaxing holiday though.

Carers are there to help as much as needed!

http://www.backuptrust.org.uk/Home

Definetly a good idea to experience what you can do!
You will change your view from how can I possibly do that? To so what do I need and how long!
You will learn that nothing is impossible just you need to approach it differently.
It's just a state of mind.
EC

[Chococat]

Just been on the back up site for a perusal. Sounds like what i need, to be pushed out comfort zone. Although ive had sci for years, have only used w/chair regularly for just over a year. Bought it for hol, never shown really how to use it.

Edin Colin. Can i ask is

Soz never finished the post above. Is city course held on the streets of edin? Im from gla....always though edin nightmare to get around. Cant imagine it!!!

[Edinburgh Colin]

Chococat, on 17 January 2012 - 09:54 PM, said:

Just been on the back up site for a perusal. Sounds like what i need, to be pushed out comfort zone. Although ive had sci for years, have only used w/chair regularly for just over a year. Bought it for hol, never shown really how to use it.

Edin Colin. Can i ask is

Soz never finished the post above. Is city course held on the streets of edin? Im from gla....always though edin nightmare to get around. Cant imagine it!!!

Yes it is, I think they may have one in Belfast this year too. The fact Edinburgh is all cobbles, hills and big old kerb stones is why it's held here. I've heard it's really good and I've not done it as it's residential and I could never justify staying in a hotel for sever days when my wife and kids were only a few miles away.
I would encourage you to go for it or a multi activity week if you can, you'll wish you did it sooner!
EC

[Chococat]

Thanks Colin, will def look into it more. I confess i avoid edin due to terrain. Gla much more manageable even tho not perfect.

[Doodle]

Edinburgh Colin, on 18 January 2012 - 01:09 AM, said:

Chococat, on 17 January 2012 - 09:54 PM, said:

Just been on the back up site for a perusal. Sounds like what i need, to be pushed out comfort zone. Although ive had sci for years, have only used w/chair regularly for just over a year. Bought it for hol, never shown really how to use it.

Edin Colin. Can i ask is

Soz never finished the post above. Is city course held on the streets of edin? Im from gla....always though edin nightmare to get around. Cant imagine it!!!

Yes it is, I think they may have one in Belfast this year too. The fact Edinburgh is all cobbles, hills and big old kerb stones is why it's held here. I've heard it's really good and I've not done it as it's residential and I could never justify staying in a hotel for sever days when my wife and kids were only a few miles away.
I would encourage you to go for it or a multi activity week if you can, you'll wish you did it sooner!
EC

I seen that Colin, about belfast! I nearly jumped at the chance, as I have always wanted to visit ireland! No set date yet, but I have a funny feeling it will land on the same dates as my holiday

[Edinburgh Colin]

Doodle, on 18 January 2012 - 05:25 PM, said:

Edinburgh Colin, on 18 January 2012 - 01:09 AM, said:

Chococat, on 17 January 2012 - 09:54 PM, said:

Just been on the back up site for a perusal. Sounds like what i need, to be pushed out comfort zone. Although ive had sci for years, have only used w/chair regularly for just over a year. Bought it for hol, never shown really how to use it.

Edin Colin. Can i ask is

Soz never finished the post above. Is city course held on the streets of edin? Im from gla....always though edin nightmare to get around. Cant imagine it!!!

Yes it is, I think they may have one in Belfast this year too. The fact Edinburgh is all cobbles, hills and big old kerb stones is why it's held here. I've heard it's really good and I've not done it as it's residential and I could never justify staying in a hotel for sever days when my wife and kids were only a few miles away.
I would encourage you to go for it or a multi activity week if you can, you'll wish you did it sooner!
EC

I seen that Colin, about belfast! I nearly jumped at the chance, as I have always wanted to visit ireland! No set date yet, but I have a funny feeling it will land on the same dates as my holiday

I hope that's good news Emms, I wanted to go on the Edinburgh one but it had to be residential which makes sense but as I said ruled me out. Now Belfast?