7 replies to this topic

[Jazz]

Hi, I'm new to the site & hope it's ok to post a question? I've been on many "disabled friendly" holidays with my hubby and am finding it more & more difficult to find places that actually have 2 grab rails around the toilet one on either side. I need both arms to lift myself up I don't have any balance so need to hold on for that prob too. We went to Dubai last year for hubbies 50th and the hotel proudly showed us our disabled friendly room, on checking the bathroom the wc only had 1 grab rail, how do people get off the damn loo using only 1 arm? The management were mortified when I asked how was I supposed to get up using 1 arm? Don't get me wrong I am grateful that more & more places put grab rails in their bathrooms but its as if its a half hearted effort by just having one rail and that it will do. I travel now with one of those things glaziers use to stick to and lift heavy pieces of glass but they only stick to porcelain tiles & not all places have those LOL. Is there such a thing as a portable toilet rail that is lightweight and comes apart to go in a suitcase and assembled for use when you get to your destination? That would totally solve my problem lol. Anyone got any ideas please?

[Survivor35]

http://www.grabitonline.com/ Jazz, check this site out. I am also in the market for these, I just did a google search and this was the first to pop up. I need these due to the fact that I am due to be making a trip to my brothers house, and he does not have the grab bars installed, he has offered, but I do not want him making such a permament change to his house if not needed.... so, I'll keep looking, if I find a better design, I'll post that, too.

[DaveP]

There are grab rails that are removable, with suction pads.

This is a very touchey and difficult issue to resolve, to everyone's satisfaction - and I've never seen a bathroom in a hotel that would suit everyone's needs!

I've worked in "accessible tourism" for almost 15 years and "adapted bathrooms" are a very difficult issue to resolve so that it suits every one's needs.

The first thing we disabled must accept is that we often get too comfortable and accustomed to our home environments, that have been designed just for us, as individuals. Therefore, when we end up in a hotel where the bathroom is set up differently, it can often appear "unsuitable" for us.

[Simon]

Hi
I tend to agree with Dave here. We have a villa we have been renting to disabled people for 6 years now, we do have grab rails on both sides of the toilets in 2 ensuite bathrooms but it is very difficult to meet the needs of all the different types of disabilities we get. We have Paras, many Tetras, MS, Fredricks Ataxia, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Arthritis, Muscular Dystrophy to name our most common disabilities. We try extremely hard to meet everyone's needs but occassionally it isn't possible.

One thing to be careful of with the suction type grab rails is if the tiles on the wall aren't fixed correctly (not enough adhesive), you may find the tiles give way. If you attach it and put some weight on it and see the tile flexing, try moving it to another tile.

Simon

[Jazz]

Thanks for your feedback, yes I make sure that my grab thingy is stuck properly before I put any weight on it. My point is really that I don't mind having help in the shower or getting in or out of bed but I do feel that I would at least like to pee on my own without having help to get myself up into my w/chair with my knickers round my knees lol, could be a girl thing!

Jazz

[tocanepauli]

Hi Jazz
Just read your post and I have a question for you - we are just in the process of setting up an inner village disabled suite in France and have looked at all the grab rails etc that are available. I have also seen the frames that sit around the toilet (removable) and am contemplating investing in one of these - how do you find these units? And do you feel comfortable with them? Thanks if you reply. regards Pauli

[guido]

Just thought I'd add this link to this thread: mobilegriffe


They are too expensive but they are far and away the best suction grips on the market, and each time I see them at a fair or look at their website, I see they've taken their product further.

[Jess67]

That is funny with the different disabilities, I get a little grumpy when I get a motel room and it has two grab bars. One of them is in the way for my transfer. With a screw driver my problem is usually solved. That might be a problem for you though. Hope the best.