I have the same Hoyer, but I'm not sure how well it folds up. I have some limited space underneath one of my bench seats, but I guess I need to try it out.
I am thinking about going to a family reunion this summer, but if I go and take my mother along I'm going to have to look at renting a recreational vehicle big enough for the whole family that also has a lift. That will be difficult to find. Then again, I do remember someone at the VA having a recreational vehicle, maybe they would be willing to rent it to me for a week or two. As for showering, it's probably difficult to believe, but I don't shower during the winter at all. It's just too cold for me and I never end up warming up if I do so. I just have my PCA give me a really good bed baths and I wash my hair in a basin on my bed. If people would think I'm dirty, they would be completely wrong. Whenever I have been admitted to the hospital, I usually get a shower three times a week, but when I come back home it takes at least two or three bed baths to get back to my normal cleanliness. Sorry for writing so much, but I would also like to know about the bricks under the bed in hotel rooms. I have only traveled one time and in that particular case the disabled room was wonderful. That was, however, on a military base. I was able to use a spare bed that had the bottom completely opened up so my Hoyer could fit under it properly. Thanks for all this information. Q On Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 2:34 PM, bob quinn <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Shell Bell, > > Travel has its challenges, but is do-able. Can be frustrating, but its > worth it for the stories: > > Book: "Able To Travel - True Stories by and for People with disabilities" > edited by Alison Walsh - definately inspiring to hear what others were able > to accomplish, with many lessons and a lot of generally useful info. > > http://www.amazon.com/Able-Travel-Rough-Guide-Guides/dp/1858281105/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268160872&sr=1-1 > > My Essential equipment: > - Fold-up Shower Stool > - Raised Toilet Seat (arm-less) > - Sliding Board > > I always travel with someone to help me transfer and use my own van > (haven't gone by plane yet and haven't rented a van ...though I know they > are available for rent). Ideally I use my portable Hoyer lift though, since > most hotels have blocks under the bed (so there is no "under"), and the > shower chair requires a slideboard anyway. > > Here are some pointers: > > Fold-up shower chair: > > http://www.allegromedical.com//hospital-discharge-favorites-c5000/shower-chair-folding-shower-chair-w-back-p188763.html > > Raised Toilet Seat with Arms (but arms aren't conducive to slideboards): > > http://www.allegromedical.com/bathroom-assists-c517/locking-raised-toilet-seat-with-padded-armrests-p560734.html > > Raised Toilet Seat without Arms (varied heights) > > http://www.allegromedical.com/bathroom-assists-c517/2-4-6-contoured-tall-ette-elevated-toilet-seat-standard-and-elongated-styles-p192759.html > > Hoyer "Advance" portable Hoyer Lift (folds-up for transport): > > http://www.spinlife.com/Hoyer-Advance-H-Patient-Lift-Manual-Patient-Lift/spec.cfm?productID=81056 > > Freedom Wand: > > http://www.allegromedical.com/bathroom-assists-c517/the-freedom-wand-p559409.html > > hope that helps make for some more adventurous future spring breaks for > you, > bob > > At 11:17 PM 3/8/2010, [email protected] wrote: > > >Hi guys~ > >It's spring break and I am still on campus... Long story short: I am a > incomplete quad. but am independent. I wanted to go to the beach but didn't > because: > > > >1. I don't have transportation (there is a bus system) > >2. and mainly because in order to take a shower I need my shower chair. > For those of you > >who use one you know that's is not something an individual can pack up & > take with you. > > > >When you travel or vacation how do you do it? I want/need to go to the > beach. Do hotels have shower chairs available? Is it possible to rent vans? > ( I have my licence to drive a van with hand controls) > > > >It will be 4 years since my accident and I have not been anywhere except > Mom's, the Sleep Inn over Christmas break (that was a nightmare), and in a > dorm room. > >Please tell me how you guys go on vacation, where, how do you do it? If I > am ever going to go it will be by myself. Have any of you pulled this off? > > > >I really need and would appreciate your input, I am tired of "feeling" > alone and want to change. > > > >Thanks > >
