13 replies to this topic

[KarenK]

Hi, my name is Karen and I have finally put my fingers to the keyboard to join the forum. I am a T12 - L1 injury from a road traffic accident on the 1 December 2003. I was knocked down and dragged 22 feet by an F12 articulated lorry who in turn took my left leg, broke my back and suffered spinal injury. Generally I am well adjusted to my new lifestyle as a wheelchair user though it has taken over 4 years to get where I am today. Life is very good though - I have a wonderful family and family circle who have all supported me through every second.

Talking about flying, I catheterise approx. 3 x day and am able to empty my bladder reasonably myself but given the fact that I cannot walk I have not been able to use toilet facilities on any aircraft. I was wondering has anyone used an aisle transfer seat or ever offered this facility on an aircraft. What ticks me off is that I could use the toilet on board if I had an aisle transfer seat which my husband would manage to help me get to the toilet. I am thinking of purchasing one - have seen one on internet weighing in at 9kg, however begs the question - why do they not have this facility on board? Its bad enough restricting your fluid intake when flying but at the moment I wouldn't travel any longer than 2-3 hours flying. I want to go to New York, cruise the carribbean, visit Boston, New England in the fall - you name it I want to give it all a try!!

Any thoughts on the above would be most welcome - and yes I do go on a bit but am such a chatter box when I get going..... Please help!!

[wbalenov]

Hi Karen!

Glad to read that you are adjusting and ready to get out there and travel. I find most airlines are quite useless when it comes to helping the disabled into the washrooms. Once, I was on an Air NZ plane (one of my fav airlines), but they had advertised that their washroom was friendly. It seemed wide, but they had advertised a special chair (not an aisle chair) to assist us in. I found it disassembled in a closet onboard!! That experience aside, mostly I just dehydrate and hold it in. I wish I had a catheter sometimes.

If you travel with someone, they can help and you should have no problem..just have to arrange the chair to stay on the aircraft, as usually those aisle chairs are with the airport?

Cheers...Walt!

[KarenK]

wbalenov, on Jun 22 2008, 09:13 PM, said:

Hi Karen!

Glad to read that you are adjusting and ready to get out there and travel. I find most airlines are quite useless when it comes to helping the disabled into the washrooms. Once, I was on an Air NZ plane (one of my fav airlines), but they had advertised that their washroom was friendly. It seemed wide, but they had advertised a special chair (not an aisle chair) to assist us in. I found it disassembled in a closet onboard!! That experience aside, mostly I just dehydrate and hold it in. I wish I had a catheter sometimes.

If you travel with someone, they can help and you should have no problem..just have to arrange the chair to stay on the aircraft, as usually those aisle chairs are with the airport?

Cheers...Walt!

North America's Disabled Adventurer.
http://www.bluechairbook.com

Thanks for the reply Walt. Only problem for me is that I wouldn't be able to hold on longer than 3 hours max. and because I am able to empty my bladder to a certain extent myself, I would prefer not to have to be fully catheterised.

Don't mind providing aisle chair myself, just felt it would make life a lot easier for me if I were able to access the toilets provided.

Maybe I should contact airline - what do you think?

[wbalenov]

Hi Karen!

Contacting the airline may be a good start...maybe contact ...

http://www.sath.org to see if they have any ideas?

Edited by wbalenov, 23 June 2008 - 09:08 AM.

[robbo100bike]

I guess its easier for blokes, most wheelies i know just use a blanket and urinate into a bottle or night drainage bag!! I have never been quite that brave.

It seems wrong to have to provide your own aisle chair, i would be contacting airline. Or look for alternatives like using a foley cath for the flight.

[russ1]

You can definately do it on British Airways flights and the flight crew will get out the onboard aisle chair and assist the disabled person to get to the toilet. One of my friends did it when he was with me on a trans atlantic flight earlier this year and I know of others that do this too.

[HiltonP]

robbo100bike, on Jun 23 2008, 11:10 AM, said:

I guess its easier for blokes, most wheelies i know just use a blanket and urinate into a bottle or night drainage bag! I have never been quite that brave.

Don't think of it as bravery, think of it as a necessity!
Dehydrating yourself can result is more grief than it's worth.
Drink as often as possible (but no alcohol), and use a bottle/bag.

If you're travelling with a close friend/family member then they can help with emptying it.
If not then the airline staff will help if needed.

[russ1]

Most wheelies I know just put an indwelling in, attach a leg bag, empty into either a night bag (or a bottle but the sealed system of a nightbag is nicer for those sitting around you) as necessary and drink as much as they want.

Seriously though, is cathing in your seat really acceptable if you're sat right next to someone you've never met before? And given the options of using an indwelling or using the onboard toilet instead is it really acceptable behaviour?

[KarenK]

russ1, on Jun 23 2008, 08:04 PM, said:

Most wheelies I know just put an indwelling in, attach a leg bag, empty into either a night bag (or a bottle but the sealed system of a nightbag is nicer for those sitting around you) as necessary and drink as much as they want.

Seriously though, is cathing in your seat really acceptable if you're sat right next to someone you've never met before? And given the options of using an indwelling or using the onboard toilet instead is it really acceptable behaviour?

Thanks for all your comments.

I would rather not be fully catheterised when I don't have to - it usually upsets my whole routine for 3/4 days afterwards and more bother than its worth. Besides I can't imagine emptying my bag beside someone I don't know - bad enough doing in front of people I do know. I have learnt from my accident that your dignity goes out the window most times! I know I can empty my bladder myself which gives me back part of what I lost - I would use the facility onboard an aircraft when I know that all I need is an aisle seat to get me there. Michael, my husband, says he is quite happy to lift me over his shoulder to get me to the loo but even thinking about that I know I would wet myself from laughing before I got anywhere it!

Will check with airline I am travelling with and see what they say - keep you posted.

[macthefox]

Hi Karen
Accessible toileting on aircraft is somewhat hit and miss but Singapore airlines is the exception --- see my note on page 2 of these letters dated 24th Feb 2008. Other than that I am assured that things are improving but time will tell -- I must admit that other than the short journeys I have always found that an aisle chair is on board most airlines once you have regisatered your need but if you cannot transfer a four foot gap or around corners then this does not help. The staff on planes are not the problem they will always try to help but if the facilities are not there, they are not there. Keep asking the questions - use Singapore airlines and add New Zealand to your wish list - you will never regret it. Don't give up or change will never happen
Mac

[KarenK]

macthefox, on Jun 23 2008, 10:05 PM, said:

Hi Karen
Accessible toileting on aircraft is somewhat hit and miss but Singapore airlines is the exception --- see my note on page 2 of these letters dated 24th Feb 2008. Other than that I am assured that things are improving but time will tell -- I must admit that other than the short journeys I have always found that an aisle chair is on board most airlines once you have regisatered your need but if you cannot transfer a four foot gap or around corners then this does not help. The staff on planes are not the problem they will always try to help but if the facilities are not there, they are not there. Keep asking the questions - use Singapore airlines and add New Zealand to your wish list - you will never regret it. Don't give up or change will never happen
Mac

Thanks Mac for your advice. Will add airlines you have suggested!! My husband is having a canary!! I keep telling him about being able to go all over the world now - I think he is getting a little worried....
Karen

[eyelookok2blindgurls]

Air New Zealand , American Airlines , Bristish Airways , And Singapore airlines are pretty good , Singapore even offered to upgrade me to 1st class , and get and extra flight attendant just to attend me on a long haul flight , they even offered me top class accomdation where we changed flights , so I didn't get to tired , free of charge .
I though it extremely nice of them and certainly never expected this kind of assistance it came as a very nice suprise.

[HiltonP]

russ1, on Jun 23 2008, 08:04 PM, said:

. . . seriously though, is cathing in your seat really acceptable if you're sat right next to someone you've never met before? . . .

Is charging you full fare for your seat on the plane acceptable, when they do not provide toilet facilities in-keeping with the other passengers?

[robbo100bike]

russ1, on Jun 23 2008, 08:04 PM, said:

Most wheelies I know just put an indwelling in, attach a leg bag, empty into either a night bag (or a bottle but the sealed system of a nightbag is nicer for those sitting around you) as necessary and drink as much as they want.

Seriously though, is cathing in your seat really acceptable if you're sat right next to someone you've never met before? And given the options of using an indwelling or using the onboard toilet instead is it really acceptable behaviour?

I have never done it. I have cathed on side of road whilst out cycling and thats as exposed as i like to be!! i use leg bag option on flights but I am fortunate enought to be able to walk too. But i know guys whom take the view its a necessity and if anyone has a problem thats their beef!! I guess if they were sat next to children, i think it wouldnt be acceptable.