Disabled caravanning

[Martin24]

Just a thought, if anyone wants to share tips and advice to help others in their quest to keep caravanning. We're waiting to sort out access, internal slopes and ramps and extra grab handles. Won't be done by Feb half term but hopefully we'll be sorted just after.

 

[emmerson]

We saw one on site with an extra wide door and electric lift. The lady also had a specially built wheelchair which fitted between the seats. She wheeled herself onto the lift, into the van, spun round and backed up to the front of the van! Snag was the cost.She would not disclose how much, just said it was an awful lot.
We're fortunate that Herself can still walk a few steps, sufficient to get around the van, and walk the dogs on a good day.
I'd like to see some pics when its done,please Martin.

 

[Martin24]

Will do, the mobile electric step lift I was looking at last year, just to stand on, was £1800. We decided against that at the moment as we have no idea how long I will still be able to stand. If we knew it was ten years then we might have considered it but a lot to spend for what is an unknown and could only be one season.

The specialist vans we've seen so far tend to be fairly basic base vans and priced at the upper end of the market. But lets face it mobility suppliers will charge £30 plus for a bottle of aqua kem.

 

[emmerson]

As we have discussed Martin, "disabled" is spelt £sd!

 

[Gagakev]

Wish you luck Martin and hope you can get it sorted sooner rather than later, (and it doesn't cost you the earth).
Take my hat off to you, happy vanning.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

yeah same here Martin good luck mate, disability is so awful in a van that was designed for the able bodied, it is the reason we gave up and sold the van, there is just not enough room inside for a chair, while her indoors could walk a bit we managed, but once that ended, that was it.
there is some light there though as she is in hospital right now having the hip removed that didn't work and a new state of the art one fitted, in 6 weeks we should know if she can stand again, and the wheelchair confined to the shed,
there is still the scooter when she goes out so that's a bonus as long as she can get about the house, that will do.

it is too late for us to think about another van, keep going as long as you can mate.

 

[emmerson]

Good luck to Mrs C- Y with the op Colin.Like you, Herself is coping at the moment, but she comes up to the BIG 0 birthday this year, so things are unlikely to get better. We'll keep going as long as she wants to.

 

[Hutch]

A BIG , well done to you lads and Lasses, who are obviouly still wanting to get out and about and willing to enjoy carravanning, with disabilitys and problems, one day we shall meet up somewhere.

Hutch.

 

[Martin24]

Hutch,
I've done this all my life and all the time I can get into the van and Jenny can do all the jobs and the towing we will keep going.
I will never forget the one time my Grandfather cried in front of me was the day the caravan went. It'll be the same here.
Fingers crossed we can keep going for a good few years yet, we're comparative youngsters on the field still.

 

[Mel]

If you can get the adaptations to overcome the challenges of caravanning with a physical disability then caravan holidays offer a great deal to families with children with disabilities. I know a number of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders or learning disabilities who chose caravanning because it offers the routine and familiarity that the children need. Also many foster carers choose caravanning as it provides a manageable holiday for traumatised children, again because of the familiarity of surroundings. Plus you can decamp and move on if your child ( or you) are struggling.
Mel

 

[extrucker]

Hi, we've got a Frystar caravan that has complete wheelchair access. The door is 30 inches wide and has an aluminium ramp. The ramp that came with it was a bit heavy, so we replaced it with one that folds up completely and is fairly light. I can still push my wife up the ramp and she can wheel herself around inside. It has everything you would find in a normal van, except a shower. We would like a newer van, but they are like hens teeth. And to buy a new van, then get it converted, is like buying another van on top. But at least we can still get away. We are hoping to go down to Spain this year. Regards Ray.

 

[emmerson]

Way to go, Ray!

 

[LizziePope]

That sounds great, Ray.

And for anyone else looking for tips and advice for caravanning when you have disabilities, there's a feature on this in the April 2016 edition of Practical Caravan, on sale a week today.

 

[Surfer]

Another aspect that is difficult for someone with mobility problems and using a caravan, is find out information where they can go and whether a mobility scooter can be used to get around. It can be difficult to find out where Disabled bays in a town are located instead of you driving around endlessly hoping to find a spot somewhere.
At many places of interest you are limited in what you can do and see which is fair enough, but sometimes you arrive at a place and there is no way you can even use a mobility scooter to get inside the gate ro door.
Even if you are only on elbow crutches or use a walking stick, the stairs just to get into the place is a big No No. This is not advertised on the many websites for places of interest like castles or houses. We don't expect to be able to get up stairs inside the castle or house, but do sort of expect to be able to enter the grounds etc.
People who are lucky enough not to have mobility issues can walk in the countryside, but many of these paths cannot be used by someone who has mobility problems. We do not expect countryside paths to be altered just because a minority of the population have mobility issues, but it would be nice if it was indicated that a path was suitable for a mobility scooter and for how far you could use the scooter before having to stop and turn around. On some sites I cannot even accompany the wife when she takes the dogs for a walk as the ground is too boggy or you cannot get onto the dog walk field due to the type of gate used. Plus of course some sites have sleeping policeman humps which can be an issue to negotiate on a mobility scooter.
It would be nice if some magazine could take into account people with disabilities when reviewing a site or a place of interest.

 

[Martin24]

I agree with you surfer as far as the sites go but we tend to use the accessibility websites and local authority websites for walking routes as they are usually quite detailed and in depth as to who can go where. It is usually the access to the route that mucks us up, stiles, kissing gates etc. If only these could be overcome and replaced so many more places would be opened up for everyone.

I've been looking at a wonderful 4x4 wheelchair that would open up the countryside and coast for us much more and we could almost lead a normal life but at £13500 it's a dream at the moment.

Alas we're in the minority and the majority make the plans and designs.

 

[Martin24]

Alas extrucker, no one has replaced fry's and indeed now the site is now used to sell motorbikes. They were the last more affordable option that I'm aware of. Everything now is very expensive and not always relevant to people's needs.

 

[Surfer]

I agree with you surfer as far as the sites go but we tend to use the accessibility websites and local authority websites for walking routes as they are usually quite detailed and in depth as to who can go where. It is usually the access to the route that mucks us up, stiles, kissing gates etc. If only these could be overcome and replaced so many more places would be opened up for everyone.

I've been looking at a wonderful 4x4 wheelchair that would open up the countryside and coast for us much more and we could almost lead a normal life but at £13500 it's a dream at the moment.

Alas we're in the minority and the majority make the plans and designs.

Yes the entrance to many placs does pose a problem. I saw an advert for those 4 x 4 mobility scooters, but way out of our price range even to hire. You would need a trailer behind your vehicle to transport one so might as well get a quad bike which may be cheaper.

 

[Martin24]

It would fit in the boot thankfully with a hoist BUT either the dogs or children would need to be left behind. I wonder which I'd choose? :evil:

 

[extrucker]

Alas extrucker, no one has replaced fry's and indeed now the site is now used to sell motorbikes. They were the last more affordable option that I'm aware of. Everything now is very expensive and not always relevant to people's needs.

I did approach Adria to see if they would make anymore vans for disabled people, they did reply but said they wouldent. Regards Ray.

 

[Parksy]

Disabled caravanners could add their reviews here giving details of how site layouts and facilities affect people with disabilities.
I'm sure that the reviews would be taken into account by fellow disabled caravanners when choosing a site