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Travelling....
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How much planning and preparation does it take if you want to travel somewhere? What do you consider when planning to visit another town/city or country?
I (Mrs KC) am in the process of planning a solo trip to Toledo. The fact I have to plan around disability access is doing my head in and it's also becoming bloody expensive. For example:
1) The (discounted) accommodation that is suggested by the language course I'm going on is not wheelchair accessible, so I've booked myself into a (more expensive) accessible hotel.
2) I have to get some kind of bag with a week's worth of kit from Manchester to Toledo. This will involve transiting through airports (why are there no direct flights on the right days?!) and through Madrid and using the train. There's a wonderful solution that clips onto the back of a wheelchair - that'll cost me £350 minimum.
3) Toledo is a medieval city. It's mainly cobbled. Cobbles and wheelchairs don't mix well. So, I can get myself a FreeWheel attachment that'll make it easier. Another £375 please, PLUS extra because of course, my wheelchair footplate is one of the few that is not instantly compatible and needs extras to modify. I must remember to pack a set of Allen keys 
4) Not an expense, but a concern. KLM seem to suggest they won't bring my wheelchair back to me for the transit through Amsterdam. I don't want to rely on some random person to wheel me to the toilet or "help" me buy a coffee. The golden rule of my wheelchair is "don't fucking touch" - I never want help and will actively avoid asking for it. Independence rules supreme, but I might have to be pushed around Schiphol and I don't like it!
5) The excursions - I've not even got as far as checking those out - there'll almost certainly be things I can't access but I'll just have to take it on the chin.
6) The restaurant where the inclusive "menu del día" will be served. Will I be able to get in? Who knows because I can't check. I don't know the name of it. What do I do on Day 1 if I can't get in?
7) Spanish trains & booking assistance - good job I speak Spanish. I wonder, will the bus from Barajas airport to Madrid city centre be wheelchair accessible? I'll soon find out or will have to pay €€€ for a taxi.
Do you have to think about so many things when planning to travel? Does it cost you extra to make things do-able for you? |
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No it doesn't and I'm sorry that this is the case for you. All I have to worry about is passport, tickets, toothbrush. Mr N has limited mobility but as long as he doesn't have to walk far everything is accessible to him.
My dad is partially sighted, if he flies he needs airport assistance which can be patchy but is free. When my mum was able to travel she needed assistance on trains but they often forgot, |
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By *eisty LadyWoman
over a year ago
Count Your Blessings Cottage, Gratitude Grove |
I’ve given up on the idea of travelling abroad as assistance it too complicated with hidden disabilities.
It’s hard enough when I travel in the UK, there are accessible rooms but often I struggle to find ones with sockets next to the bed, wet rooms etc - and when they do have accessible rooms they’re sold out super fast
I was temporarily in a wheelchair last year, in a club lads thought it’s good fun to kid nap me and do wheelies or spin me around - erm no it’s not |
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"I’ve given up on the idea of travelling abroad as assistance it too complicated with hidden disabilities.
It’s hard enough when I travel in the UK, there are accessible rooms but often I struggle to find ones with sockets next to the bed, wet rooms etc - and when they do have accessible rooms they’re sold out super fast
I was temporarily in a wheelchair last year, in a club lads thought it’s good fun to kid nap me and do wheelies or spin me around - erm no it’s not"
Yes, properly accessible hotel rooms are few and far between. When we were looking for a hotel for the recent Manchester social, we discovered that some hotels only offer accessible rooms at premium prices. The hotel had cheaper rooms on offer, but not accessible. If you "wanted" (no, needed!) a wheelchair accessible room with wet room, you had to pay for the third tier of room, which was about £50 dearer than the first tier. I think that's scandalous.
And trying to find accessible hotels in the Lake District/Penrith when we play away matches for wheelchair basketball is just ridiculous
Anyway, I'm going to persist with my adventure to Toledo, though it might be the first and last time  |
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Oh, and people moving your chair and "kidn@pping" you in clubs - fucking hate it. It's why I stopped dancing on the public dancefloor at the pre social (note, no Fabbers were involved, only random members of the public). |
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By *avie65Man
over a year ago
In the west. |
I was in Madrid a couple of weeks ago OP, but it used the Metro to get into the city.
I went over to Barca where I got the bus to the airport and from memory there were a couple of steps to get onto the bus.
I used Renfe a couple of times when I was there and I've been to Toldeo a couple of times, again they had at least 2 stairs to get into the carriage. |
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"I was in Madrid a couple of weeks ago OP, but it used the Metro to get into the city.
I went over to Barca where I got the bus to the airport and from memory there were a couple of steps to get onto the bus.
I used Renfe a couple of times when I was there and I've been to Toldeo a couple of times, again they had at least 2 stairs to get into the carriage. "
Thanks. The Titsa buses in Tenerife have steps up but they also have a hidden ramp system to allow wheelchair access. The driver has to operate it with a key. My last trip (able bodied) on the train from Madrid to Toledo was that it was fairly level access. They will have to have a ramp system somewhere because Spanish law requires disability access on public transport, as far as possible. It's just a good job I speak the language and can ask for help... |
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By *piderBunnyCouple
over a year ago
Back of Nowhere and Beyond |
If I were to do abroad travelling these days I'd be lucky enough to not have the problems you face, and I'm grateful for that.
Previously, yes. Access issues, luggage issues, people being twats with the wheelchair... I can absolutely relate.
Add to that the fact that when I was on wheels I was also a lot bigger than now, and so I had a wider (and weirdly that meant longer when folded) chair than usual, and it became even more tricky.
You rock Mrs. I may have mentioned that 
Oh... and that's a lot to do with the fact that I'm too scared of the world to consider a solo trip even without the issues and cost you're facing. So I'm in awe.
Posh  |
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By *eisty LadyWoman
over a year ago
Count Your Blessings Cottage, Gratitude Grove |
"I’ve given up on the idea of travelling abroad as assistance it too complicated with hidden disabilities.
It’s hard enough when I travel in the UK, there are accessible rooms but often I struggle to find ones with sockets next to the bed, wet rooms etc - and when they do have accessible rooms they’re sold out super fast
I was temporarily in a wheelchair last year, in a club lads thought it’s good fun to kid nap me and do wheelies or spin me around - erm no it’s not
Yes, properly accessible hotel rooms are few and far between. When we were looking for a hotel for the recent Manchester social, we discovered that some hotels only offer accessible rooms at premium prices. The hotel had cheaper rooms on offer, but not accessible. If you "wanted" (no, needed!) a wheelchair accessible room with wet room, you had to pay for the third tier of room, which was about £50 dearer than the first tier. I think that's scandalous.
And trying to find accessible hotels in the Lake District/Penrith when we play away matches for wheelchair basketball is just ridiculous
Anyway, I'm going to persist with my adventure to Toledo, though it might be the first and last time "
…
I like to go to seaside resorts and finding anything that doesn’t have stairs and is accessible is a nightmare
B&Bs are out, I prefer these but they don’t have lifts
I hope you have a lovely trip, you shouldn’t have to be paying silly sums of money to enjoy yourself doing the same thing that everyone else can easily enjoy without all of those hidden expenses |
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Thank you! I've bitten the bullet and booked flights. KLM's method to book assistance is bloody ridiculous too - I'll have to phone them tomorrow. Even the likes of Ryanair let you book it online during the ticket buying process.
Booked my AVE train tickets, requested assistance.
Bid on a "used" special wheelchair suitcase thingy and await replies from suppliers about how I might connect a FreeWheel or FrontWheel to my Swiss chair
It's expensive |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I've given up taking my family abroad because of problems as you described. Then there's the added problem of toilet and seating in a plane. I have to dead lift my child (Quadraplegia) into a airline seat while being watched by 200+ others.
Fortunately the wheelchair is a manual however it doesnt fold which is a big problem for some airlines (looking at you Ryanair).
KLM was one of the better airlines we travelled with, they boarded us first in Birmingham to schpol.
Ryanair wanted us to weigh and measure each bag we used for medicines and the wheelchair then had the cheek to try and charge us.
Transport on the other side is also a problem, fortunately with a GP confirmation of disability, KLM and Jet2 usually arrange for private transport to and from the hotel. After that? Usually down to our own legs, Wav vehicles are virtually non existent outside of the UK. |
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Crusader, so sorry to read about the challenges you've had travelling with your child. It's really difficult even as a more able disabled adult so heaven knows how hard it is with lots of extra medical equipment and all the rest.
Weirdly Ryanair have always been fine with my chair, we've had several smooth trips with them. My chair is a Kuschall K4 rigid frame manual. It doesn't fold, other than the back folding into the seat. The frame is fixed. That's KLMs quibble, the fact it's not entirely collapsible. No airline has ever even questioned this before!
I'm normally 100% independent on my wheels so the idea of relying on others and trusting the biggest airport in Europe not to lose my chair between flights is terrifying. I've never travelled on my own with the chair either.
There are some travel companies that organise specialist equipment for people travelling abroad, including WAVs. Their trips are often very expensive but there are charities that fund trips, especially for children. Might be worth a if you're interested? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Yes we have think and plan in a similar way to you.
I totally get the need/want for totally independence but for us booked assistance is a game changer.
The staff have always been amazing and so respectful. |
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"Yes we have think and plan in a similar way to you.
I totally get the need/want for totally independence but for us booked assistance is a game changer.
The staff have always been amazing and so respectful. "
Oh, we always have to book assistance because I can't get on/off the plane without the Ambulift. What's different this time is the suggestion they won't bring my own wheelchair straight to the plane door, as has been the case at every other airport we've been to. They're suggesting they'd keep my chair airside between transfers and I'd have to rely on airport workers to push me through Schiphol. Including getting me to the loo etc. One of my team mates had a bad experience where he was left unable to get himself to a toilet and had to ask random members of the public. This was at Charles de Gaulle. Normally I'd with Mr KC, so less concerned, but this time I'll be on my own.
Also, I'm terrified of them losing/forgetting/breaking my chair the longer it's out of my possession. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Yes we have think and plan in a similar way to you.
I totally get the need/want for totally independence but for us booked assistance is a game changer.
The staff have always been amazing and so respectful.
Oh, we always have to book assistance because I can't get on/off the plane without the Ambulift. What's different this time is the suggestion they won't bring my own wheelchair straight to the plane door, as has been the case at every other airport we've been to. They're suggesting they'd keep my chair airside between transfers and I'd have to rely on airport workers to push me through Schiphol. Including getting me to the loo etc. One of my team mates had a bad experience where he was left unable to get himself to a toilet and had to ask random members of the public. This was at Charles de Gaulle. Normally I'd with Mr KC, so less concerned, but this time I'll be on my own.
Also, I'm terrified of them losing/forgetting/breaking my chair the longer it's out of my possession. "
Oh ok? Could you not contact them and make it clear you need to have your wheelchair? The problem is often they see as a simple issue of transporting you from a to B but not see that actually not having your own wheelchair can cause quite a lot of issues. |
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"Yes we have think and plan in a similar way to you.
I totally get the need/want for totally independence but for us booked assistance is a game changer.
The staff have always been amazing and so respectful.
Oh, we always have to book assistance because I can't get on/off the plane without the Ambulift. What's different this time is the suggestion they won't bring my own wheelchair straight to the plane door, as has been the case at every other airport we've been to. They're suggesting they'd keep my chair airside between transfers and I'd have to rely on airport workers to push me through Schiphol. Including getting me to the loo etc. One of my team mates had a bad experience where he was left unable to get himself to a toilet and had to ask random members of the public. This was at Charles de Gaulle. Normally I'd with Mr KC, so less concerned, but this time I'll be on my own.
Also, I'm terrified of them losing/forgetting/breaking my chair the longer it's out of my possession.
Oh ok? Could you not contact them and make it clear you need to have your wheelchair? The problem is often they see as a simple issue of transporting you from a to B but not see that actually not having your own wheelchair can cause quite a lot of issues. "
I spoke to them earlier and they said it could be requested but not guaranteed and it would depend on getting special permission from airport authorities on the day. It's bizarre because no other airport has ever declined to bring the chair straight to the aircraft door. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Yes we have think and plan in a similar way to you.
I totally get the need/want for totally independence but for us booked assistance is a game changer.
The staff have always been amazing and so respectful.
Oh, we always have to book assistance because I can't get on/off the plane without the Ambulift. What's different this time is the suggestion they won't bring my own wheelchair straight to the plane door, as has been the case at every other airport we've been to. They're suggesting they'd keep my chair airside between transfers and I'd have to rely on airport workers to push me through Schiphol. Including getting me to the loo etc. One of my team mates had a bad experience where he was left unable to get himself to a toilet and had to ask random members of the public. This was at Charles de Gaulle. Normally I'd with Mr KC, so less concerned, but this time I'll be on my own.
Also, I'm terrified of them losing/forgetting/breaking my chair the longer it's out of my possession.
Oh ok? Could you not contact them and make it clear you need to have your wheelchair? The problem is often they see as a simple issue of transporting you from a to B but not see that actually not having your own wheelchair can cause quite a lot of issues.
I spoke to them earlier and they said it could be requested but not guaranteed and it would depend on getting special permission from airport authorities on the day. It's bizarre because no other airport has ever declined to bring the chair straight to the aircraft door. "
Thats seems unreasonable to me. |
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"Yes we have think and plan in a similar way to you.
I totally get the need/want for totally independence but for us booked assistance is a game changer.
The staff have always been amazing and so respectful.
Oh, we always have to book assistance because I can't get on/off the plane without the Ambulift. What's different this time is the suggestion they won't bring my own wheelchair straight to the plane door, as has been the case at every other airport we've been to. They're suggesting they'd keep my chair airside between transfers and I'd have to rely on airport workers to push me through Schiphol. Including getting me to the loo etc. One of my team mates had a bad experience where he was left unable to get himself to a toilet and had to ask random members of the public. This was at Charles de Gaulle. Normally I'd with Mr KC, so less concerned, but this time I'll be on my own.
Also, I'm terrified of them losing/forgetting/breaking my chair the longer it's out of my possession.
Oh ok? Could you not contact them and make it clear you need to have your wheelchair? The problem is often they see as a simple issue of transporting you from a to B but not see that actually not having your own wheelchair can cause quite a lot of issues.
I spoke to them earlier and they said it could be requested but not guaranteed and it would depend on getting special permission from airport authorities on the day. It's bizarre because no other airport has ever declined to bring the chair straight to the aircraft door.
Thats seems unreasonable to me. "
And me, but it's happened to fellow wheelies I know, it would seem. It's very weird because many wheelies need their specific seat cushion and specifically sized chair to avoid pressure sores and other injuries. Even short periods on a crappy hard airport chair could cause injury. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Yes we have think and plan in a similar way to you.
I totally get the need/want for totally independence but for us booked assistance is a game changer.
The staff have always been amazing and so respectful.
Oh, we always have to book assistance because I can't get on/off the plane without the Ambulift. What's different this time is the suggestion they won't bring my own wheelchair straight to the plane door, as has been the case at every other airport we've been to. They're suggesting they'd keep my chair airside between transfers and I'd have to rely on airport workers to push me through Schiphol. Including getting me to the loo etc. One of my team mates had a bad experience where he was left unable to get himself to a toilet and had to ask random members of the public. This was at Charles de Gaulle. Normally I'd with Mr KC, so less concerned, but this time I'll be on my own.
Also, I'm terrified of them losing/forgetting/breaking my chair the longer it's out of my possession.
Oh ok? Could you not contact them and make it clear you need to have your wheelchair? The problem is often they see as a simple issue of transporting you from a to B but not see that actually not having your own wheelchair can cause quite a lot of issues.
I spoke to them earlier and they said it could be requested but not guaranteed and it would depend on getting special permission from airport authorities on the day. It's bizarre because no other airport has ever declined to bring the chair straight to the aircraft door.
Thats seems unreasonable to me.
And me, but it's happened to fellow wheelies I know, it would seem. It's very weird because many wheelies need their specific seat cushion and specifically sized chair to avoid pressure sores and other injuries. Even short periods on a crappy hard airport chair could cause injury. "
I'm sure what else to suggest but I really hope it works out well for you. X |
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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago
Dubai / Nottingham |
You would think there would be specialist travel agents , if not you should start one! The best business come from solving problems like yours.
Friend of mine is disabled and has little kids so holidays are very hard work. She has a VW transporter that’s been modified and middle seats removed for the wheelchair and mostly just camps and does festivals in the U.K. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"You would think there would be specialist travel agents , if not you should start one! The best business come from solving problems like yours.
Friend of mine is disabled and has little kids so holidays are very hard work. She has a VW transporter that’s been modified and middle seats removed for the wheelchair and mostly just camps and does festivals in the U.K. "
There are specialised travel companies, sadly however they also charge the earth. Even a weekend trip to York was priced at nearly 3x the price of booking things myself.
Going abroad you can easily add on another £1k.
The only plus side really is that they arrange for a disabled access room and a wheelchair vehicle to and from airport.
We can't get charity funding or rather much funding because A) they don't get much donations, it's been a hard few years, B)we work for a living. It's a cliché but because our household income is above a certain amount (think it's something like £18k) we might get a token amount. But never enough to cover the additional expenses.
One charity we applied with, gave us a gift card, but only to be used thru a particular website which was at best £800 above its sister site for exactly the same room/hotel, and that was without transport and adapted room which would be extra. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Yes we have think and plan in a similar way to you.
I totally get the need/want for totally independence but for us booked assistance is a game changer.
The staff have always been amazing and so respectful.
Oh, we always have to book assistance because I can't get on/off the plane without the Ambulift. What's different this time is the suggestion they won't bring my own wheelchair straight to the plane door, as has been the case at every other airport we've been to. They're suggesting they'd keep my chair airside between transfers and I'd have to rely on airport workers to push me through Schiphol. Including getting me to the loo etc. One of my team mates had a bad experience where he was left unable to get himself to a toilet and had to ask random members of the public. This was at Charles de Gaulle. Normally I'd with Mr KC, so less concerned, but this time I'll be on my own.
Also, I'm terrified of them losing/forgetting/breaking my chair the longer it's out of my possession.
Oh ok? Could you not contact them and make it clear you need to have your wheelchair? The problem is often they see as a simple issue of transporting you from a to B but not see that actually not having your own wheelchair can cause quite a lot of issues.
I spoke to them earlier and they said it could be requested but not guaranteed and it would depend on getting special permission from airport authorities on the day. It's bizarre because no other airport has ever declined to bring the chair straight to the aircraft door. "
Bizarrely our biggest issue was at Birmingham airport. We just travelled back from Panama via schpol. We landed,usual panic of everyone getting off even though we had a bridge. We waited for our child wheelchair to arrive from the hold. We waited.. and then some more. The stewardess came to us and said that OCS was there to collect us. "Fine but we need our chair" OCS goes "so you will be fine with your chair?" "Well yes we just need it here" "ok" he promptly disappears.
We wait, 5 minutes pass, stewardess contacts control to see what happening, told OCS is on the way with the chair. 5 minutes. The chair is now on the Tarmac waiting to be collected. 5 minutes. The chief steward contacts the tower. Told OCS are on the way. Nothing. 5 minutes. The Captain and crew are all waiting to disembark. 5 minutes, the 1st officer gets on to Tower. Told OCS were on the way, he gets shorty with them saying that's what was told 20 minutes ago. 5 minutes, nothing. Captain gets on the radio, starts kicking off with control. Told OCS are on the way. 3 minutes the Captain makes a decision. Both He and the First Officer goes down the fire exit of the bridge and collects and brings the Wheelchair up to us. Thanking them we make our way out. I promptly blow my lid at the management. The Captain also puts in an official complaint. Promises were made to investigate, still waiting for the outcome, sadly nearly 4years I don't think I'm going to get an explanation or apology..  |
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