Travelling with a stroke survivor

Hello. I hope I may help you in a small way. I am the stroke survivor . My husband and I have travelled only within Tasmania. We have done this by finding accomodation set up for the disabled. Fortunately now I am mobile with help of a stick. Now have use of hand and arm so I can help my husband  pack up etc. our vehicle is loaded up with my walker. Toilet seat riser pillows and so the list goes on. My husband says going away "must be like organising a army campaign. We too like a change of scenery once a year.  We like the East where we can look at the sea and walk on the beach. That means finding the beach with good access for me. Local holidays appeal because I cannot sit for great lengths of time without moving..The idea of a long flight does not appeal. Happy holidaying. Jenny 

Hi Jenny, thanks for your comments and it's great that you've recovered the use of your hand and arm.

Hi,

This might help too. It is a list of places where you can hire beach access wheel chairs

http://www.achievableconcepts.com.au/Aust%20website/beachchair_hire.htm

Hi,

Travelling can be done post stroke, but needs lots of extra planning.  I'm lucky to be functionaly independant so other than making sure I book disabled access hotel rooms, I don't have to change too much.  It seems to be the only way to be sure of getting a hotel room without a shower over a bath.  I also have to think about things like airport transfers and distances between where I'm staying and what I want to do.  At home I use a modified car as my primary mode of transport, so when I'm away that means walk/PT or taxis to get around.  so far I've not found any hire car company that caters for modified vehicles in any way.  If I ever win tatts setting up such a hire car company is one of my goals (not going to happen as I don't buy tickets)

I did a very successful trip to Central Australia on the Ghan with friends last year and I'm off on a 3 week mediteranian cruise on my own in just over a month.  I'm not leting this thing stop me from doing the things I want to do.  I also took myself to the Canberra National Folk festival one year, and stayed in the on site tents.  Although for that one I arranged for friends who were also going to be there to help me with packing, setting up inside the tent and lifts to/from the airport etc.

When I'm travelling alone(or even with friends) things like wheeled bags are a neccesity so I can get myself around airports or hotels, although you can get assistance at the airport itself if you arrange it ahead of time, I tend to be stubborn though so I often prefer to push my limits and be independant

Wow congratulations to you for your travel determination. I would love to, but been told I can not cross over any time barrier so that counts most places out With flying. I only drive when I really have to as 2 out of 5 specialists do not want me to drive. Going to try for a bit of a road trip early next year with 2 if my children in L'a so to build up their hours n not too much driving for me. Just hope the aniexty can handle it.

I would get so cross if I was told no driving and minimal flying.  I'm very lucky as medically I'm stable so there's no reason not to fly or drive (well no more reason than for any person).  I would cope better now with not being allowed to drive as I'm living in the city center and able to walk quite well now.  When I had my stroke I was living in the hilly outer suburbs, with no public transport (not even a bus) within my walking distance, so driving again was something I was determined to achieve, and I had to fight a bit with the OT about it, but she agreed in the end.  Just be very careful with supervising the children's Ls.  If you are disqualified from driving, or do not hold a full licence you may not legally be able to be the supervising driver, and it may affect your insurance cover too. 

http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/Global/Publications/For%20individuals%20families%20and%20carers/Prepare%20for%20take%20off.pdf

The link above is to a document produced by the WA government called "Preparing for take off. Air travel tips for people with disability." It's full of good stuff and things you might not have thought of.