Is it just me?

Janmary

Hello from a newbie. I have a couple of health problems, had a quintuple by-pass 4 years ago - Specialist did a wonderful job so am as well as can be expected for a 77 year old. Then TKR last year - again brilliant job, no probs.
That's the good news - but I still have permanent back pain, can only walk short distances and stand for about 10 minutes then I have to sit down/collapse! I use a mobility scooter to get about and here comes the rub; is it just me who has trouble finding suitable holidays? I now travel solo so have to organise as much as possible in advance, trains, planes etc. So far so good, have done 4 trips to Portugal on a solo basis - 3 good, 1 a nightmare (didn't research thoroughly enough.) Plus many with a friend who now can no longer join me. I am told I should now book "Disabled" holidays but I am NOT disabled, I just have a few issues (or that's how I see it). I do not need hoists/lifts/special beds etc. I need either a small hotel or self catering accommodation/NO steps/a lift to upper floors that will take a scooter, somewhere to charge the battery, near to amenities/shops that I can get to on a scooter in UK or Europe - now is that too much to ask????? Don't laugh, it is a nightmare. Of course I would rather travel with a companion, but until that day.........
Thanks for reading this whinge, makes me feel rather ashamed when I read what so many of you have to put up with, so with apologies, any advice/comments would be appreciated. Janmary

[Deleted User]

Hi janmary
Welcome to the forum, you will find everyone friendly and informative.Just choose a forum and start chatting you will soon be getting replies.Chit Chat and LWA are our most busiest and well read.
All the best Christine

stickywicket

Whinge? Good heavens, JanMary, you clearly need lessons in whinging Hello and welcome

I'm not laughing – honestly – but I am smiling in recognition of your frustrations and your stout insistence that you are not disabled. Keep on thinking that way.

Unfortunately...well, two unfortunatelys really....the superfit who run the world would disagree plus, as I've discovered and I'm sure you have too, 'disabled' is an umbrella term which can be both useless and misleading. I often find 'disabled' hotel rooms have everything at a low level for wheelchair users. Not exactly helpful for those of us not in wheelchairs but with multiple dodgy joints. And my arthritic fingers can often not handle the locks on 'disabled' toilets.

I truly admire you for daring to travel solo to foreign parts with a scooter. I have enough problems with UK hotels. I always explain that, due to my mobility problems, I need a ground floor room or a lift. Once I was given a ground floor room but not told the restaurant was in the basement. Once I was assured there was a lift – it was a service lift and, by the time the chap showing me to my room and I had reached the first floor we knew each other intimately :shock: :oops: Abroad? Well, we have a son in L.A. so our annual visit to him constitutes our holiday. Rarely without incident but at least I have two stout chaps on hand to help me.

The only site I can think of that might be able to advise you is www.disabledgo.com . Yup, that dreaded word 'disabled' again but they do have a lot of info and one would hope it is up to date. Good luck!

ouchpotato

I can only echo what Sticky said about whinging! Believe me, that's not a whinge - possibly someone who has no mobility challenges would think so, but walk a mile in someone else's shoes and all that! I'm with you, firmly in the 'I'm not disabled' camp, despite the fact that I have OA in the spine and hips which makes it impossible for me to stand or walk for more than ten minutes, twenty on a good day, so I am still resisting a wheelchair for those occasions where I would need one. Fortunately it is winter and days out are a mere germ of a thought at the moment!
As for holidays, I haven't been able to afford one for a few years (single mum, one income blah blah) but I can imagine it being a bit of a nightmare with mobility issues. I can only suggest thorough research into individual hotels/amenities to help you choose. Is there no website where less able bodied people review places? If not there should be!

dreamdaisy

I regard myself as disabled because I am, it's an inescapable fact and has been for some time. I'm nowhere near as disabled as Stephen Hawking but more so than many a Paralympian. So what? :? They have their lives and I have mine. Yes it could be better, it's nowhere near as good as it used to be, its quality will deteriorate because that is the nature of the disease but things are as they are. In no way shape or form can I be regarded as able-bodied but I am still able to do things because I have adapted, adjusted and equipped myself to be able to do so, just as you have. I bought a scooter last September but no way will I take it away with me because it is a behemoth - it has to be to cope with our gravelled drive. I have a wheelchair for holiday use and a rollator for every-day.

I am now 57 and twenty years in with this nonsense. I needed two knees but was refused due to my extreme youth aged 52, how flattering! Keep doing your research, keep going away, keep living as much as you can to get the most out of what your life has to offer. I wish you well. DD

barbara12

Hello Janmary and a warm welcome form me
I really understand what you mean about not being able to stand or walk for long..I have back probs after having 2 THR..and no you are not whinging..al I can is good on you looking for holidays..the disabled badge is hard to wear but I have now got use to it..I do hope you can find suitable holiday and meet new people and have a good time...please let us know how you get on...