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SCI Forum Reports

 

Getaways: Local & Abroad

May 4, 1999

Being paralyzed doesn't mean you lose the urge to travel, but it does make travel a lot more complicated. At this forum, a panel of experienced travelers with SCI shared some of their favorite vacation getaways, as well as travel tips to help you avoid problems that can spoil your fun.

Aaron, who has C4-5 tetraplegia, shared a cardinal rule of trip planning: don't talk to the people in the 800-number reservation office about accessibility. They are usually located far from the hotel you're asking about and can't give accurate accessibility information. Aaron learned this the hard way. When he checked into the room he booked last summer in Vancouver, BC, Aaron was chagrined to discover that "their definition of a roll-in shower wasn't the same as mine."

Aside from the frustration of going three days without a shower, Aaron gave high marks to the city of Vancouver, BC, calling it "one of the most accessible cities in the world. I didn't find any place I couldn't get into." Stanley Park, one of Vancouver's prize attractions, has a completely accessible three-mile trail and "incredible views," Aaron said, and the favorable exchange rate makes Vancouver a reasonably priced vacation spot for Americans.

While in Vancouver Aaron sailed with the Disabled Sailing Association, located in the Jericho Beach Sailing Center. "They have little sip-and-puff sail boats that high-level quads such as me can pretty much control alone," he said. For his first sail, the instructor controlled the sails while Aaron was at the helm. "The sailing helpers were really nice and take good care of you," he said. For sailing information, call 604-222-3003.

Billy, who has C6 tetraplegia, rediscovered the joys of downhill skiing at the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) in Winter Park, Colorado, calling it "the number one place in the world for disabled skiers." An expert skier before his injury, Billy learned to use a bi-ski, which has a bucket seat attached to two skis and provides more torso support than the mono-skis used by paraplegics. "Be prepared to fall a lot when you start learning," he said. "A helmet is strongly suggested." Lift ticket, equipment, and a full day of instruction cost him $80. Recently Billy purchased his own gear-a $2,000 investment-so he can ski anywhere.

People with all kinds of disabilities come from around the world to ski at Winter Park. "If you want to ski, they'll rig something up for you," Billy said. "The possibilities are endless." For information, call NSCD at 970-726-1540 or 303-316-1540, or visit their website at http://www.nscd.org.

Ann, who has L1 paraplegia, uses the Internet to find accessible travel accommodations. She does a search for the destination, locates the visitors bureau, and gets a list of hotels, which she calls directly with very specific accessibility questions. "Asking if a place is accessible is pretty useless, because most non-wheelchair users don't have a clue about your needs," she said.

On a trip to Long Beach, Washington, Ann stayed at the Lighthouse Motel, in their new, fully accessible condo-type unit with wide doorways, a large bathroom, roll-in shower equipped with hand-held sprayer and fold-down seat, and accessible kitchen cabinets. Pets are allowed at the Lighthouse. Call them toll-free at 1-877-220-7555 for information and reservations.

The town of Long Beach has a long paved boardwalk along the beach suitable for wheelchairs. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, and the accessible Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is located in nearby Fort Canby State Park. Call the Long Beach Visitors Center at 1-800-451-2542 for information about attractions and activities.

Even though it was a stormy November weekend when Ann visited Long Beach, "the ocean is always nice, no matter when you go there."

Nick has traveled to Hawaii several times since his C5 injury. Streets and sidewalks are all accessible, and some beaches have paved walkways. Nick recommended the Parkshore Hotel on Oahu, the Lahaina Shores on Maui, and the Outrigger Hotel on Kauai, and suggested working with a travel agent to find accessible accommodations and vehicle and equipment rentals.

After you arrive on the islands, hotel personnel can help you find tourist attractions and book activities such as snorkeling and sailing trips, Nick said. Several panelists recommended carrying spray bottles or wet towels to cool down in the heat, and extra wraps for staying warm in air-conditioned facilities.

For Bob, a C6 tetraplegic who has traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, Australia, and the Caiman Islands, expecting the unexpected is part of the travel experience - "that's what makes it enjoyable." Mexico was especially challenging due to inaccessible bathrooms, cobblestone streets, and lack of navigable ramps. If you need to use a pharmacy, you must know exactly what you want in Spanish, he said. The weather, however, is good, the people are friendly and helpful, and prices are low. Bob's travel policy is always to travel light and maintain a go-with-the-flow attitude.

Every year Bob treats himself to a week at Sol Duc Hot Springs, a resort located in Washington State's Olympic National Park. "Two of the four pools have ramps and pool chairs for transferring," he said. The resort has restaurants, professional masseuses, and lodging. Campgrounds are located nearby. Call 360-327-3583 for information.

Steve, who has T2 paraplegia, recommended Kalaloch Lodge, on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, for a cozy family weekend getaway. There are three accessible cabins with roll-in showers, and accessible trails and beaches are nearby. Call 360-962-2271 for information.

Last summer Steve took a kayak camping trip with Disabled Sports USA Northwest to Desolation Sound in Canada. The group of disabled and non-disabled participants took this four-day trip following a series of kayak lessons, first in pools, where they practiced capsizing and making wet escapes, and then in Puget Sound. Equipment was adapted for each participant. A man with C6 tetraplegia had an outrigger on his kayak for stability and wore gloves rigged with Velcro to grip his paddle. A powerboat served as the support vehicle, carrying all the gear. Participants camped in tents, cooked outdoors, and fished from their boats. For information about Disabled Sports USA Northwest trips such as these, call 360-676-0134 or 206-467-5157.

Kirk, who has C6 tetraplegia, presented information about Park Village, a membership resort in Leavenworth, Washington that features accessible condo units. He showed slides of the facilities and handed out detailed information about the units. For information about membership or short-term rentals, call the resort toll-free at 800-405-7938.

Information was provided on the following:

Rent accessible vehicles on your travels through Accessible Vans of America (800-282-8267).

 

Tips For Travelers With SCI