Wheelchair advise

[lesharona]

We are cruising next month. My Mom has trouble walking

and we have a transport wheelchair (the one with little

wheels) we are thinking of taking with us. What is

the best travel wheelchair to use? I am thinking of

renting one. Is there one that manueveers easily, is

lightweight and compact and folds up?

thanks,

Sharon

[Splinter]

If your mother really wants the most independence, consider renting her a scooter. She should practice with one at home first though. You can rent one from a company like ScootAround and have it delivered to the ship in most ports. It is hard to push a wheelchair (esp. a "travel chair" around the ship with all the carpet, and ashore if have curbs, etc. it is really difficult. A "travel chair" means she is stuck where ever you park her, and cannot even turn it around. Try to rent a light-weight wheelchair with large rear wheels (a Breezy is a good choice) to take with you for the airport and shore trips.

[CaptData]

There is a small scooter that is about 17" wide. They are call scooties by Shoprite or you can look on internet for very small scooters and rent from Scoot-around or Care Vacations. They both have small scooters for rent. If you do not have a Handicap room a regular scooter will not fit in the door but a small one will and some cruise lines are clamping down on scooters in the hallways.

 

Yes, have your mother try a small scooter at home. Do bring a wheelchair (standard, light weight one) for on land and tenders. Travel wheelchairs are no good on ship due to carpeting. Most ports do not comply with ADA as they are not covered under it :eek: . They are their own countries. ST Thomas is covered since it is British/USA.

 

Where are you going. There is advise available for certain ports. See above your question.

[lesharona]

We are going to Vancouver and then cruising the Pacific Coast down to

Los Angeles.

My Mom is not wheelchair bound, so she can walk short distances usually

with her cane. But for sightseeing and walking through the airport and

cruise terminal I feel we would be smart to take the transport chair

my sister-in law got her a couple of years ago. She works in a medical

supply house and has been able to get my Mom some aids to increase

her mobility and make things easier for her. She has the walker with

the seat that pulls down so she can sit if she gets tired. We plan to

go to Alcatraz, and there is quite a bit of walking there. They do have

accomodations there for people in wheelchairs so I think she will do fine

there. My sister in law said today, if Mom was confined to a wheelchair we would

probably want one like the Breezy, but because she is not she feels the

Transport chair will meet our needs and is lot less weight and easier to

take. We do have a handicapped room which will help.

[CaptData]

Canada has the equivalent of the ADA. It's the Disabilities Act. So you won't have to many problems in Canada either. The Cruise Terminal at Canada Place is accessible, as is the airport. There are accessible cabs if needed. Welcome to Canada.