Never a Dull Moment When We Fly by Derek Garner

I have just returned from my fifth holiday in New Zealand visiting my son and his family.

I have always had problems with the transfer to and from my wheelchair to and from the aircraft seat and have suffered as a result and have always spoken to the companies at length to explain my needs with very limited success. This time I picked Qantas as a result of a website promoting wheelchair friendly travel. I spoke to Qantas staff and explained my situation and also my interest in their new Eagle hoist. At every stop on my journey I was met by staff who had obviously been told about my flight and were expecting me. I was handled with courtesy and respect and was looked after at all times.

Several staff members pointed out to me, unprompted, that they no longer used the hoist as two strong men were more efficient, which proved to be the case. Dubai was my worry after a bad experience there some years ago but they were excellent with one man allocated to my care during the time I was there. At Heathrow a special transporter machine was brought to the plane and I was moved from the plane via this machine from Term 3 to Term 5 by Gary and Omar. Brilliant. In the flight from Sydney to Heathrow on an Airbus 380 my wife and I finished up with two seats on the middle block of four the other two were unoccupied by accident or design, so my wife could lay down and have a sleep.

It was obvious to me that Qantas had told their staff at all points where I was due to be, of my disability. This is really all I have ever asked airline companies to do but Qantas actually have done it and I will use them again and would certainly recommend them.

The BA shuttle from Manchester was 90 minutes late leaving so we missed our Qantas connexion at Heathrow. Fortunately we were eventually offered a Virgin Atlantic flight to Auckland via Shanghai.
When we got to the plane my wife was told that they had found two seats together and we were put into business class. Ten hours in luxury, my how the other half live. We had a very pleasant trip I can assure you.

I have been to New Plymouth in New Zealand five times and the last leg from Auckland is in a twin prop small plane accessed from the runway.  They transfer me from my chair onto the aisle chair on the runway then push me into a cage attached to a fork lift truck. They then raise the cage to the entrance of the plane and push me in. Sounds odd but it does work very well. Reverse the procedure at New Plymouth. Apart from losing both our suitcases, the flight there and back were as good as it gets if you are in a wheelchair. I can’t praise Qantas enough for their attention to detail.
Upgraded to Business class, presented with champagne and a large single malt, hoisted on a fork lift truck, lost cases, missed flights.

Never a dull moment when we fly.

Alicante Holiday August 2016 by Dawn Wilbur

Hi lovely people! 

I’m Dawn…a little bit about my life with the Neuromuscular Centre which has played a major role for the past 22 years …. in a positive way, I hasten to add. I moved to Cheshire from Kent (my husband and I did not know a soul in Cheshire – scary!) and fortunately discovered  the NMC - situated only 4 miles away! Lynne Groves, Gordon Styles, Woolley and Cundall family (“the originals”) soon made us feel welcome and had me organized with physiotherapy sessions (cannot express how euphoric those treatments felt considering I had not received any physiotherapy for 19 years prior!)….hydrotherapy, office work, fundraising events and incredible, lifelong, friendships soon blossomed :) with many, many more amazing friends connected to this unique, innovative centre of excellence!

Anyway, if anyone is still awake! ..…I’d like to tell you the practicalities/niceties of my holiday experience to Alicante in August 2016; from a mother of a teenager (woteva!) point of view … oh, also, forgot to mention! I use a dual controlled, powered wheelchair for mobility and hoists for transfers – here goes… 

Alicante is the capital of the Costa Blanca with a mixture of historic buildings, beautiful beaches and serene harbour.  

A superb shopping centre with a huge choice of fashion shops, department stores, restaurants, and bars. 90% of the Cathedral can be viewed from a chilled, seated, eye level. Santa Barbara Castle overlooks spectacular views of the City and Mediterranean Sea - accessible via a levelled tunnel and manned lift. Beaches have wooden slatted ramps for wheelchair/pushchair access and one beach has special aqua-chairs to take you in to the sea.

We stayed at a Melia Hotel TRYP Alicante Gran Sol - accessible rooms which catered for medium sized wheelchairs, lifts were not very particularly spacious, restaurant and all employees were extremely helpful when required.  

MobilityEquipmentHireDirect.com  T: 0800 994 9000 hired a portable hoist for hotel which was in situ on arrival.

WheelchairAccessibleHolidayTaxis.com  T: 0800 622 6000  transfers ran smoothly: driver extremely helpful (took my headrest on the airplane)… dread being bobbed around in the back of a taxi like a nodding canine. 

Manchester T3 changing room is at departures only (as far as I know) gate 53 around or that area. I am flying in June so I am trying to liaise with airport access team to provide a portable hoist for arrivals.

Home Farm Holiday Park Anglesey by Karen Pritchard

Set in scenic countryside on the East coast of the Isle of Anglesey. Located in a tranquil and quiet setting well away from any roads, making it extremely suitable for safe family holidays, yet only 5 minutes from several sandy beaches and stunning coastal walks.

Last year we purchased a caravan to travel on our holidays and short breaks during this year.
I have been to Home Farm a couple of times and I feel I must share this little gem of a place.
We try to locate our caravan near the disabled facilities, which are lovely and clean - the bathroom I visited, consisted of a shower area, toilet and sink. It is very spacious and very warm. They do provide a chair to sit on whilst showering but I would enquire about a sturdier chair if you require this.

On booking, I would confirm that all your needs are met. There have been times I have not done this at locations, and it’s a stress you don’t need whilst trying to enjoy your holiday.
Park Facilities

• Reception with an extensive supply of tourist literature plus a basic essentials and accessory shop
• Wifi
• Luxury award winning toilets - with free hot showers, hair dryers, separate disabled and toddlers and baby areas
• A fully equipped laundry room, with automatic washer, drier and iron
• Dish-washing sinks with free hot water.
• Electric hook-ups (16 amp)
• Safety surfaced outdoor/indoor adventure play area with TV and pool tables • Outdoor recreation and ball game area
• Tennis Court
• Pitches ranging from grass to gravel - and from basic electric to the fully serviced pitches
• Extensive off-site exercise area for dogs
• Free ice pack service
• Motorhome service station
• Park monitored CCTV system
• Secure barrier entry/exit
• Tourer storage with tow on/off facility

As a family, we enjoy the luxury of the quiet and rural setting.

New York - Here We Come by David Tucker

My wife has always wanted to go to New York, we have been to Florida but never the Big Apple.

We discussed our holidays and thought lets go for it. I have never taken a wheelchair on a plane before, but I booked my power chair on and away we went. I booked business class, and was worried about getting out of the seats. My condition is a weakening of the thighs and arms so it is difficult to rise from a sitting position. I have an up easy seat assist which I put in my power chair and I used this on the aircraft seat. It was a bit uncomfortable but I managed the 7hr journey ok.
On arrival at JFK I was met with my chair and assisted through homeland security. We had booked an adapted transfer vehicle for me and my chair, and taken to our hotel in Times Square. We were amazed at Times Square, the lights, noise etc . The accessible room in the Hilton, where we were staying was nothing special, only 1 pull down grab rail at the side of the toilet, disappointing, but I managed with my wife’s help.

The following morning we went across to the local Diner, for breakfast, wow more like
breakfast, lunch and tea all on one plate.  We signed up for an open top bus tour 3 days for the price of 2. On checking this I found that most of the Buses had an automatic ramp that came out of the bus entrance for wheelchairs prams etc. This made life easy and we visited the Rockefeller Centre, Grand Central Station, and Central Park. We visited the John Lennon Memorial Strawberry Fields in Central Park, which was very moving. The tour also took us to the Empire State Building and we enjoyed the views from the top. I was advised to book the trip to the Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island in the UK which I did and it was a good job i did as the queues for the Ferry went on for ever.

Another  visit was to the Ground Zero memorial and this is a must for anyone visiting New York. We also managed to take in 3 Broadway Shows courtesy of reduced ticket prices via the half price ticket booth on Times Square. We were told to go to the front of the queue which we did and so had first pick of the shows.

We both fully enjoyed the trip, the locals were very respectful of me in my power chair and always insisted I went to the front of the “Line” as they call the queue. The only disappointment for me was that they didn’t have separate disabled toilets. They had disabled toilets, sure but these were either in the men’s or ladies, and this was a problem when I needed assistance from my wife, we had to get a security guard to stand in front of the main door and not let anyone in until we had come out.

We thoroughly enjoyed the week, the October weather was kind to us and apart from the traffic chaos everything went well despite our previous concerns and we can recommend the trip.

Where next to you might add, well we have booked a 2 week cruise in the Baltic ending up in St Petersburg in July so watch this space.

Useful Websites - Days Out

Knowsley Wildflower Centre They state visitors are very welcome to bring a carer to assist them free – but to make the best of your visit, please contact them in advance  www.nwc.org.uk

National Trust Their admission policy admits a necessary companion, or carer free of charge.  ‘Access for All Admit One Card’ can be applied for and allows a carer free entry to support a person with a disability.

National Express Their Disabled Coachcard offers a great way to save 1/3 on standard fares to hundreds of UK towns, cities and airports.  The majority of the fleet have a passenger lift, but you should contact them at least 36 hours before travelling.  www.nationalexpress.com/offers/ coachcards/disabled-coachcard.aspx

Toll Concessions You may be able to pay a reduced rate or nothing at some river crossings, bridges and tunnels if you’re disabled.  In most cases, you have to apply in advance to get a concession.  www.gov.uk/driving-medicalconditions/toll-concessions

Rough Guide to Accessible Britain A free, online guide including over 200 inspiring ideas for worry-free days out, reviews, hints and tips by disabled visitors. Provides lots of accessibility information including disabled parking    www.accessibleguide. co.uk

Bruce Trust Specially adapted canal holidays on the on the Kennet and Avon Canal, which flows through Berkshire and Wiltshire  www.brucetrust.org.uk 

Accessible Caravanning by Mark Chapman

Since I was young my family have always had caravans but because I use an electric wheelchair, it is too big to fit in the caravan so I had to sleep in the awning outside.

About six years ago I started to feel the cold more, so we decided that we’d buy a caravan and get it adapted so that I could get inside out of the cold. We had the door widened, a fold up ramp fitted, my dad installed a profiling bed and the toilet was made accessible. Once I was in the caravan we used our portable hoist to hoist me onto the toilet and into bed.

We’ve only ever been away in the caravan around the UK, we’ve been to Silverstone for the F1, Carfest and the London 2012 Olympics just to name a few places we’ve been. However this year we ventured into France, to the Cote D’Azure in the South of France. First we got the ferry over and then on the way down we had three stop offs, the first was   Calais, then Paris, then Lyon and then we

ended up camping in a place called Mandelou - la Napoule just down the road from Cannes. The weather was beautiful, it was very hot just a tad below 36 degrees. Luckily the campsite had its own pool. We took my shower chair so that I could be wheeled into the pool, so I went swimming a few times while we was there. My highlight of the whole holiday though has to be going in the sea. This was possible because all along the beaches there are plages where you can go on the beach, then they have wheelchair accessible beaches called Handiplages, where they have metal runways down to the sea, beach wheelchairs that have giant wheels and floats on and they have disabled changing facilities with showers. We found out that they have these all over the French coast and the beach wheelchairs are free of charge for the disabled. So I got to go in the sea for the first time in 17 years! It was perfect, I could sun bathe and then when I got too hot I would just wheel into the sea. Now that is the life! For more information visit www.handiplage.fr“So I got to go in the sea for the first time in 17 years!”

Holiday in Benidorm

We had a recommendation from Joseph James Cardwell following his holiday at a Service Group Hotel in Benidorm.  Access isn’t just about having the appropriate adaptions, the right training and just the willingness to help are also important.

“In October 2015 I went on my holiday to Spain Benidorm. Everything went ok on the flight, we were picked up on time and taken to the 3 star hotel Helios. Outside and inside the rooms were very clean.  The weather was hot, the food was good with plenty of it and the nightlife stops at 4am, if you can keep up with it. Every day I would go down to the pool in the afternoon and swim for an hour.” 

Joseph was particularly impressed with the support of the lifeguard. While the pool was not specifically adapted, seeing that Joseph was not using the pool, the lifeguard on duty approached him and offered him assistance to get in and out. Being able to swim each day made a real difference to his enjoyment of his holiday. 

Sailing Away on a Caribbean Cruise by Mark Chapman

I’ve recently just got back from a Caribbean cruise, it was fantastic. I went with my mum and dad and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was such a good experience and a holiday I’ll never forget. We’ve been on a number of cruises now, sailing from Southampton back to Southampton. We find it really easy because we take all the equipment we need, ventilator, cough assist, hoist and shower chair in our van and then when we get down there the porters get all your luggage and equipment and put it straight in your cabin for you. So no need to worry, you can just relax and enjoy the holiday. The ship is highly accessible so you can get all over it without a problem, and getting on and off the ship is no problem as there are plenty of porters to help.

The disabled cabins are brilliant. They are twice the size of normal cabins so there is plenty of space for your wheelchair and all your equipment. The en-suite bathroom also has plenty of space. We had a balcony cabin for this cruise and like the cabin, the balcony is twice the size, so you can get out in your wheelchair and have a look out at the sea.

The best thing about cruising though is waking up in a different location everyday and getting the chance to explore a number of different places. This cruise was for 28 days and toured the West Indies and Caribbean, also stopping at Madeira and the Azores. My favourite places were Barbados where we walked to the beach and got some sun beds near a bar, which was perfect. Then Tortola where we got in the only wheelchair accessible taxi on the island and it took us to the other side of the island to a beach. It was picturesque just as you’d imagine of the Caribbean. When we got in the taxi the driver put loads of clamps on my chair and we thought “blimey he’s very safety conscious” and on the way we knew why. He was like Lewis Hamilton, driving up the steepest of hills at full speed he overtook a van and a taxi on a hairpin bend. It was bonkers, who needs a rollercoaster. It was a bit hairy but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

But my most favourite place has to be Saint Maarten because it was a 10-minute walk to the beach and you can go on the beach with your wheelchair, as the sand is very firm. On a previous cruise a few years back we had been to Saint Maarten and the sun bed guy looked after us really well, with good deals on drinks and brought me 2 buckets filled with sea water to put my feet in because I couldn’t get to the sea. When we were leaving he said “next time you come to Saint Maarten come and find me I’ll be right here”! So when we got to the beach we went to find him and he was there, he came running over “Mark, Mark!!!” He remembered us, it made our holiday, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to end our time in the Caribbean! If anyone is thinking about going on a cruise but aren’t sure, just go for it you’ll love it.

Your Rights To Fly - What You Need To Know

The guide offers advice for air passengers: when arranging and preparing for a flight, when arriving at an airport and checking in when moving through an airport, when boarding a flight, whilst onboard and when leaving the plane, details on where to find further information and useful contacts. To download go to: http://www.equalityhumanrights. com/publication/your-rights-flywhat-you-need-know- step-stepguide-disabled-and-less-mobileair-passengers.

Your passport to a smooth journey If you are disabled or have difficulty moving around, you can receive free assistance when you fly to and from the UK and Europe, including on domestic flights. Under European law, this assistance is available to anyone with mobility requirements – for example because of their disability, age or a temporary injury.  This leaflet explains your rights and what to do to make sure you have the best chance of a smooth journey. You can find out more from a free step-by-step guide ‘Your Rights to Fly’, T. 0808 800 0082. Visit: http://www. equalityhumanrights.com/ search/site/your%20passport

Manchester airport guide to facilities for disabled people Manchester Airport has a new a guide for their facilities for disabled people, which can be accessed by visiting: http://www.manchester-airportguide.co.uk/disabled-facilities. html

The Grand Union Canal

The Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) charity has recently made some major renovations to its wheelchair accessible canal boat the QEF Jubilee. It has been upgraded to further enhance its access for people with disabilities and people with very restricted mobility can drive this canal boat. There are ramps for getting on and off board and lifts into the main inside section.
Facilities include a medical bed, a fully accessible bathroom with a level shower, hoist tracking on the ceilings throughout and charging facilities for powered wheelchairs. The controls are adaptable and can be customised, so that either a wheel, joystick or buttons can be used. For more information Tel. 01372 841148 visit vasd.org.uk/holidays/canalboat-holidays/

Walks with Wheelchairs

walkswithwheelchairs.com is a dedicated website of wheelchair friendly routes in The Lake District.

Holidays - Hafon y Mor, Marton Mere, Blackpool

My family and I (and the dog) went for a three night break away in May at Haven holidays, Marton Mere. It was an accessible, 2 bedroom caravan. The kitchen had lowered worktops and the bathroom had a shower with a seat on the wall in addition to a mobile seat and grab rails. The caravan was ramped and all the internal doors were sliding doors. I booked it through the Bookings Line and explained about my needs to ensure that I had the caravan that would best suit us. We had a lovely break. www.haven.com T 0871 230 2760 For adapted and accessible caravans – Call 0800 072 9496 to speak to the special needs team.

Discounts on anything from mobility aids to accessible holidays

DH Discounts is a new site bringing together a collection of discounts, vouchers and special deals on a wide variety of products and services that disabled people want and need. The site aims to empower disabled people, to shop around, compare products and get the best price. So whether you want to have your bathroom redesigned, or you’re hoping to jet off to an accessible holiday destination, DH Discounts can help you source the best deals that the internet and the high street has to offer. http://disabilityhorizons. com/2015/04/dh-discountsempowering-disabled-people- through-consumer-choice/

Travel Insurance – Thinking about a holiday in 2015

During the Summer I have had several  requests for information about Travel Insurance so I thought it would be a good idea to put together a list of companies that cover pre-existing medical conditions. 

• When you take out a Travel Insurance policy it is your responsibility to declare any existing medical condition. Failure to do so will mean that your condition will not be covered. You will be quoted for a basic policy and then any member that has an existing medical condition will pay an additional premium on top of the basic policy. A policy can include more than one person with an existing medical condition but each person will need a premium policy.
• It is also worth mentioning that a company you used for your holiday insurance this year might not automatically insure you for next year, even though your condition hasn’t changed. 
• Remember too that many travel insurance companies will NOT insure you for an annual trip policy (this means that you could take several holidays in one year) but ONLY for ONE Single trip. 
• It is advisable check what you are covered for and read the small print! Remember policies vary from company to company.

Thinking about holidaying in 2015?
Remember to take out travel insurance as soon as you have booked or even before you book your holiday. This means that if anything should go wrong before your holiday starts your policy should cover you. 

Save time and Money!
Save time and money on travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.  A comparison tool. medicaltravelcompared.co.uk/medical-conditions/travelinsurance-pre-exist

Travel Insurance Companies covering pre-existing medical conditions (just a guide)

•  All Clear Travel Insurance – www.allcleartravel.co.uk * Flexicover – www.flexicover.co.uk * Staysure Travel – www.staysure.co.uk
• Citybond Sure Travel see our e.mail – website!!!! * Columbus Direct – www.columbusdirect.com * Barclays Travel Insurance – www.barclays.co.uk * Just Travel Insurance – www.justthecover.co.uk
• En Route??
• Saga – over 50’s – www.saga.co.uk/Travel-Insurance
• Age UK Travel Insurance – www.ageuk.org.uk

AVANTI Travel Insurance -Specialists in covering pre-existing medical conditions Tel. 0800 620 0659  avanti.co.uk
 
EXPLORER Travel Insurance. Covers medical conditions. Tel. 0800 043 4003
Exploreinsurance.co.uk

Just Travel Cover – www.justtravelcover.com/travel-insurance-pre-existing-medical-conditions