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Special Episode: Wheelchair Travel


In this episode:

Are you a woman who likes to travel but wants some help going solo or independent:

Give a listen for guidance.

FAQ is:  I’m going to retire soon, and I don’t like traveling by myself. Can you give me some pointers for doing this?

Today’s Special Destination is: Wheelchairs and travel

Today’s Mistake- Skis that disappeared from the truck.

Travel Advice:Rent your vehicle with caution 

I hope you enjoy this episode.

Connect with Dr Travelbest

Website

Drmarytravelbest.com

Mary Beth on Twitter

Dr. Mary Travelbest Twitter

 Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page

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Clubhouse: Travel Best Women

 

 


Check out this episode!


FAQ: I’m going to retire soon, and I don’t like traveling by myself. Can you give me some pointers for doing this?

Answer: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. There are many people who wish they could retire, but are delaying it because of finances or circumstances.

For you, maybe you want to start on a small trip that would be one or two days only by yourself and find out how you like this kind of travel. You would go somewhere and spend the night, but drive home the next day and not know anyone at the place you visited. It’s a big step for a lot of people, seriously.

 However, once you try it, you may find that you really enjoy your own company, your own schedule and your own quirks. So if you want to rise early and get a jump on the next day, you can do that! If you want to sleep late, you can do that, too. Or you can take a nap in the middle of the day if you want. See what I’m getting at? You don’t need to be on someone else’s schedule and you may love that! This is step 1 solo travel, and it’s an adventure, YES it is. I give specific advice in my soon to be released book on how to, what to, where to, etc. In the meantime, I hope you have some great first steps and let me know how it went.

 

Today’s special episode is on: Wheelchairs and travel

 

Wheelchair dependent travelers need to know that their chairs will be handled well when they travel.

Planes present issues for many wheelchairs. It’s a bumpy ride for many in a wheelchair.

 

Buses and trains accommodate wheelchair customers, but planes have separate legislation.

Tiny lavatories are hardly for full bodied passengers. Those with less abilities are frustrated. They don’t strap down chairs. They have to transfer to a skinny airplane aisle chair and remain seated for a long flight.

 

DOT handles this responsibility.

Mishandled chairs are more common than you think.

Disability rights advocates want to speak out about this issue.

Baggage handlers should be smart about these items.

Scooters and Motorized wheelchairs are often damaged, leaving the passenger helpless to get around.

 

Source: The Middle Seat, Scott McCartney, WSJ Dec 3, 2021

 

What are airlines doing? Creating special lifts, aisle chairs are only 18 inches wide. Bruises hips. Getting off and on the toilet is had and takes several crew members to shield for privacy.

All Wheels up raising money to research carrying chairs on airplanes,

Strapping down wheelchairs. Evacuation tests for the 90 seconds. Cabin floors may not be strong enough for the 400-pound customized chair plus occupant.

Safety, comfort,

Dignity.

To prepare for the trip:

Call ahead and add the wheelchair added to the reservation, including dimensions, weight, and special handling instructions, remove everything possible, like cushions, controls, etc., have an extra key, mark the lift points as well as where not to grab.

Use the front closet for storage.

Tape instructions on the chair for rolling operation. How to unlock, put in neutral and engage power movement, label the type of batteries on the chair.

 

 

 

Today’s Mistake-Skis that disappeared from the truck.

I was in Sun Valley, Idaho for a week of fantastic skiing and on the way to the airport, my ski bag was lost. It was missing and never found. I don’t know how that could have happened, as I’ve been skiing a long time and never heard of this. I hope whoever got my skis had fun with them. Do know that you could lose them and so be prepared if that happens to you. The good part was it happened at the END of the trip, not at the start. This could happen to anyone, and I hope it’s not You.

 

Today’s Travel Advice- Rent your vehicle with caution

If you are renting a car, be careful of extra fees. These days, when you rent a car, you find that there are more extras than ever before. If you have good auto insurance, you don’t need the extra coverage they try to scare you to purchase. Watch out for hidden fees at the end of the purchase, before  you check the box. Some firms give you a discount, but the charge is not refundable. So if your plans change, your flight is cancelled or you get delayed, you could lose your money. Look carefully at the bottom line and the small print. The buyer needs to be more aware than ever.


 

Connect with Dr Travelbest

Website

Drmarytravelbest.com

Mary Beth on Twitter

Dr. Mary Travelbest Twitter

 Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page

Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group

Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram

Clubhouse: Travel Best Women


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