From ‘Donna Giles’

“Now the season for going away on holiday has well and truly started many people will be getting ready to either access sunnier climates in a different country, or hope that the
weather in the UK is kind to them and gives them lots of warm and sunny days.

For those of us that are arranging a holiday with our loved ones that have extra needs this
can take a lot of planning, and that is probably the most important aspect of ensuring that
time away from our usual environment is an enjoyable one.

Of course, the main consideration for everyone, whether they care for disabled relatives or
not, is the expense involved. However, anyone who does have to take into account extra
considerations will tell you that holidays that cater specifically for those with disabilities,
accommodation that is accessible or particularly those that provide care support all cost
more than the average family trip.

Not only does the accommodation cost more, but it is also more difficult to find as there is a
shortage of properties that are accessible. This means that planning for a holiday will take
more effort and time to find.

We have always found that once we think we have found suitable accommodation, it is
important that we liaise with whoever runs the property, and this will depend on the type of
property it is. If it is a self-catering cottage or villa, we contact the owner before booking to
ensure that the property will meet our needs, and if it is a hotel, we contact their reception
to try to ensure that we can have 2 rooms close to each other, with at least one of them
being listed as an ‘accessible room’ with an accessible bathroom.

We have to make sure that there are suitable activities in the area, just like every other
family, but we also have to make sure all those activities are accessible for a wheelchair
user. Why do so many places that offer children’s activities not realise that children can be
full time wheelchair users too? Now that Nathan and Cerys are older, and therefore prefer
adult interests it is easier but I can still remember how frustrating it would be to arrive and
discover that the children’s activities were upstairs. Even now, despite the general
improvements, not everywhere has thought of those with higher mobility needs. If you have
a young child, it may be that you will also try to find a beach that includes the option to hire
a beach chair to allow for easier access to the sand. Dragging a manual wheelchair along the
sand is not easy, and yet it is such a great sensory opportunity to allow them to feel the
sand and sea on their hands and feet that it is worth the effort it takes.

A specially designed chair for the beach makes life so much easier for the carer’s making that effort.
Obviously, an important part of maintaining a person’s dignity is being able to meet their
personal care needs, and one of the biggest challenges can be showering – more than once
there have been 3 of us in a shower together, one of us doing the actual washing, and the
other holding on to our child whilst they sit on the very small bench seats provided that
require a fair amount of stable balance to remain upright on! Nowadays we try to ensure
that a shower chair is available. Toileting can present a similar challenge, making sure that
there is enough room to transfer and that there are bars either side of the toilet.

Toileting outside the accommodation presents the same challenge everywhere – finding one big
enough to accommodate 2 carers plus a powerchair, and that also has a bar on the back of
the door to ensure that the faculties are appropriate for the differing methods used by each
of the people requiring them – it is definitely not a case of one size fits all!
Nowadays many people visit resorts further afield and this involves flying to their
destination. Again, we have always tried to plan this part of our journey as much as we can
by contacting the airline and ensuring that we are known to passenger assistance.

All airports recognise the sunflower lanyard for those who have invisible disabilities, and get
those with mobility requirements on board the aeroplane first. The subject of how
equipment used by those with disabilities is treated by airlines is often in the news. It can
feel that you are sending it off into the unknown and just pray that you will receive it back in
working order. There are currently several high-profile campaigns focusing on this problem
and the idea of people being able to fly in their own chair, and it will be interesting to see
what changes these will lead to.

Insurance, both for equipment and personal health, is generally more expensive for those of
us travelling with disabilities, but we have always felt that it is essential and use an
insurance company that specialises in covering those with extra health needs.

Finally, unless the accommodation booked is one that specialises in providing care for
disabled people (usually those that are older, I have not come across one that takes
children) then all the caring will be done by the relatives. Whilst this is harder work, for us,
the fact we get to spend time together as a family outweighs everything else. However, I
know this is not the case for everyone and there are many people who do not get a holiday,
nor any respite.

Our family has been lucky enough to travel both here and to different countries, and we
have always tried not to let the fact we have 2 wheelchair users and someone with a
complex cardiac condition stop us. All the planning and researching is worth it to get to
spend time in each other’s company enjoying ourselves.