Travelling with a wheelchair or other mobility aid adds another level of challenge and stress. From lost or damaged equipment and medical supplies, inaccessible bathrooms, or the inability to stretch and move on long haul flights. There are wayyyy more things to consider when travelling with a disability. These are helpful guides for tried and true tricks to help alleviate some stress. As well as product reviews for adaptive equipment that may make things easier.
Tips + Tricks
Hotel Room Accessibility Considerations for Wheelchair Travelers
There is a lot more to consider when booking accommodations as a wheelchair user. Everyone has unique needs when it comes to accessibility requirements. Keep in mind these may not be applicable to each individual. It can be useful to make a checklist suited to your specific needs or comfort levels. Here are some accessibility requirements to consider when booking a hotel room or accommodations when traveling:
Overcoming Fear of Traveling as a Wheelchair User
Travelling can be scary for anyone. You are in unfamiliar, unpredictable environment; all the while, dealing with new customs and cultures. One of the biggest fears to overcome when travelling is the fear of the unknown. Unfortunately when a wheelchair or other mobility aid is added into the mix, these concerns can multiply ten-fold. However, the greatest rewards are on the other side of fear. You can never know what lies in store 100% and sometimes, as Murphy’s Law, if it can go wrong it will go wrong. With this in mind, although you cannot anticipate or plan for every catastrophe, it can help to formulate some contingency plans to keep up your sleeve just in case.
Staying Cool in a Wheelchair: Tips for Beating the Heat
The spinal cord is responsible for regulating body temperature through the nervous system. Normally, when the body becomes too warm it triggers blood vessels to dilate, and sweat glands to release fluids to cool down the body. Damage to the spinal cord can interrupt this process. After injury the body’s temperature regulation is thrown off and many people no longer sweat, or sweat way less. It can become particularly dangerous if one is unable to cool down, and can cause spikes in blood pressure or a pounding headache, blurred vision, or unconsciousness. Here are some solutions I have found to keep cool and beat the heat:
Travel Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner
These little tips and tricks will make your next trip a breeze.
From packing and organizing before you leave. To enjoying a relaxing and stress-free journey. Tips for getting the most out of your time once you arrive on location. As well as, creating meaningful memories and mementos that last a lifetime.
I have got you covered! Here are my all time favourite travel hacks:
Useful Apps and Resources for Wheelchair Travelers
Technology has made travel exponentially easier compared to the days of paper guide books. This sentiment is especially true when it comes to planning wheelchair accessible adventures. Here are some useful apps and resources to plan your next escapade. From map and transportation apps. To communication, accommodation and trip planning apps. As well as, convenience and automation apps. Plus some helpful links and resources for wheelchair travelers.
Product Reviews
30 of the Best Accessories, Tools and Gadgets for Wheelchair Users
Wheelchair life is by no means easy, but I hope that these things can help out a bit!
Here’s a list of few things that were really useful to me after my injury and things that I use every day to make things easier. Hopefully they will be helpful to you or a loved one as well!
From adaptive tools, to accessories and wheelchair attachments. Plus everything in between.
Motorcycle Style Electric Motor E-Bike Attachments for Manual Wheelchairs
Having an electric assist motor is a must for every manual wheelchair user. It is nice to give your arms a break every once in a while, and it definitely opens up terrain options. It provides a huge increase in freedom in terms of distance and hill grade, and allows you to enjoy more activities such as bike rides, or long walks with others. Plus it keeps your hands dirt free and you aren’t wearing down your gloves trying to muscle through rough terrain. This review will focus on “motorcycle” or “scooter” type attachments which clamp on to the main frame of your wheelchair.
Moving Booster Electric Push Assist Attachment
The moving booster attaches to the wheelchair axel and provides some extra push assistance when needed. When not in use it can be powered off, and while it adds a bit of extra weight and sticks out slightly in the back, it is barely noticeable when powered down. The unit provides powered push assist, allowing you to save your energy and enjoy your surroundings. Keep in mind, you still need to use your hands to steer. It is an affordable alternative to the big name brands and speed is modulated with a control knob with 4 settings: park, low, medium and high. It goes from a slow walking speed to a speed walking/jogging speed.
WheelBlades XL (Caster Wheel Ski Attachments)
Snow and ice are an inevitable part of the winter months in Canada. Navigating snowy and icy terrain poses an extra challenge for wheelchair users. Bumps and uneven surfaces can cause wheels to spin out, or get stuck. Which makes it difficult to get traction. When coupled with extremely cold temperatures, this can turn into a potentially serious problem if you are unable to get indoors or if you get stranded in a parking lot. This is my independent review of the WheelBlades XL caster wheel ski attachments so you can decide if this product is a good fit for you.
