Becca wrote:
>
> Many of us, here, have cruised with Lori K., who travels alone and she
> uses a wheelchair (ditto with Mary F.). If Lori can not get off the
> ship, she enjoys the swimming pool, the hot tub, she plays trivia games,
> she watches the ocean go by as we sit around and chat.
Both ladies are class acts, as you say. We also use a 3-wheeler for
Mrs. Nonny and I agree with much of what's been posted. I have a few
thoughts that might be of direct or indirect benefit to the person
making the inquiry. Of course, these are just my opinions, so others
might disagree.
The lightest, safest and most maneuverable device is the 3-wheeler.
It's far handier than even a wheel chair. You can buy a darned good,
rugged, dependable and functional 3-wheeler for $530 on Amazon.com. The
one we have, after having had several, is the TRAVEL PAL. I could go
into my reasoning for this specific recommendation, but suffice to say
we like it enough that we just bought a second one to keep as a spare
for if/when the first one dies and in the meantime, to keep in the other
car for lunches out.
With a wheel chair, many people require someone to push them. With a
3-wheeler, you are independent except for times that would require help
despite the method of conveyance. If you are totally bound to the
wheelchair or 3-wheeler, then you will have very limited opportunities
going ashore. Yes, tender ports present more problems than docked
ports, but even docked ports have steep gangways on occasion or gangways
that are not smooth, but like stairs that have treads that flatten out
as the slope decreases. Even with the smooth gangways,, the ramp up to
it or at the shoreline might present problems.
What I strongly suggest you avoid (assuming that you can from a medical
standpoint) are the big scooters, motorized chairs or devices requiring
wet cell batteries. Get gel cells at the minimum and NiCd or Lithium
ion or Lithium Polymer batteries. They're light, hold one heck of a
long charge and the battery doesn't have to be disassembled and packed
away when traveling by air. The larger chairs can turn on a dime, but
unless there's a medical necessity for one, I'd sure save the weight,
add maneuverability and safety by going with a 3-wheeler. If you Google
about them, you'll find a lot that Tobie and I have written in the past
that might be of use.
If your conveyance can turn sharply and is >22" wide, then the chances
are good you could get by with a regular cabin. Mrs. Nonny can move
about some by holding onto furniture, walls etc., so the smaller size of
a non-handicapped cabin can sometimes be a benefit with closer access to
things like the bath. If you require a roll-in type facility, then you
obviously need the handicapped cabin.
You'll find that on most ships, nowadays, the inside corridors, cabins
and public areas are flat and accessible. The only times we've had some
problems is when Mrs. Nonny goes from inside to outside. There, you
might find steep ramps, thresholds or heavy non automated doors.
In a dining room or even the buffet area, there are plenty of staff to
move the wheelchair or scooter to a nonobtrusive area once you dismount.
Most cruise lines will also volunteer (or you can request) that
steward accompany you at the Lido buffet to get food, carry it to your
table, and to help you into your seat. . . or move aside a chair so you
can wheel to the table.
--
Nonny
Nonnymus
I'm not who you think I am. I'm not who
I think I am. I am what I think you think I am. |