You may have seen people going to exotic places with wheelchair users. You probably felt jealous because you couldn’t have fun with your loved one in a wheelchair!
Well, it’s difficult and intimidating to travel with someone in a wheelchair. But like them, you too can have a gala moment with your neighbor with reduced mobility.
However, you should follow these tips for a smooth and enjoyable journey!
1. Speak in advance with the hotel room manager
You should make sure the hotel has wheelchair-friendly accommodations when looking for hotel rooms.
And as for the rooms, you’ll want to make sure they’re wheelchair accessible.
Remember that “affordable” can mean totally different things to different people. For example, as far as you know, the hotel manager may think that a wheelchair-accessible room should only have a toilet with a handlebar above the shower. So be very specific in your needs.
Also, if you are specific on which side of the bed the patient wants to sleep on (as with patients with hemiparalysis), make sure there is enough room on that side.
2. Talk to airlines
You should check TSA guidelines when booking your flights. Additionally, the TSA, or Transportation Security Administration, offers several support programs for people with different medical conditions.
Indeed, in 2021, airlines transported more than 532,000 passengers in wheelchairs.
Thus, professionals will be able to help you maneuver the wheelchair inside the airport and also on the plane.
In many special cases, the person in the wheelchair may not be able to move their limbs comfortably.
So, talk to the disabled services section of the said airline to find out if it has a different section for the disabled or not. If they don’t have one, talk to their customer service.
3. Bring travel supplies
If you travel by car rather than by train or plane, you will have to drive for long hours. This means that you will have to make several rest stops.
But just like hotels, not all rest areas or gas stations are wheelchair friendly, even if they claim to be.
You can plan your trip in advance and check which rest areas will be comfortable for you and the wheelchair patient.
You can help the patient there if you see a large enough toilet along the way. Also, do not hesitate to ask people at these stops to help you. Most of the time they will be more than happy to help you both.
4. Prepare an emergency kit
No matter where you travel, it’s a good idea to carry emergency supplies for your wheelchair in case it breaks or gets damaged.
In addition to a first aid kit, prepare a wheelchair emergency kit containing basic items such as tape, bubble wrap, Allen keys and extra screws.
You never know when the wheelchair could be damaged or the screws could come loose, especially if it experiences turbulence during flight or travel.
If handing over the wheelchair to cabin crew or similar authorities, ensure that the wheelchair manual is securely attached to the wheelchair. That way, the authorities will know how to properly deal with him.
5. Carry necessary medical and emergency equipment
In addition to carrying the usual first aid kit, it is important to bring other medical equipment and devices that the patient may use on a day-to-day basis.
For example, if they have to take a lot of pills during the week, you can organize all the pills in a pill box and take them with you.
Also remember to pack PEG tubes, tube feeding supplies, pumps, and bags.
If you think you’ll forget these things, write them down on your cell phone or set the alarm.
You can also carry a neck pillow or bucket for patient comfort. If they’re feeling sick or car sick, bring along a bunch of motion sickness bags too.
You should also think about investing in phones for people with disabilities. So if you leave them at the hotel to explore, they can easily connect with you when they need to. It works especially if they can’t handle regular smartphones.
6. Give each other time
If this is your first trip with someone in a wheelchair, you will understandably feel nervous and overwhelmed.
However, keep in mind that while this is a new experience for both of you, it doesn’t have to be physically or mentally exhausting all the time.
Remember to calm yourself down with deep breathing and take time to maneuver your wheelchair when you are tired.
Remember to take care of the person in the wheelchair, especially if they don’t like to sit for hours. In this case, you can take more frequent breaks in between.
Although the whole trip may become a little longer this way, you will both be much more comfortable.
Conclusion
Traveling can be exciting, but there are some important things to remember when traveling with someone with special needs. Therefore, calmly take care of your beloved and be sure to have fun!
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