Our friend Ashley, of WheelchairTraveling.com, is one adventurous cookie! When I talk to her about her travel experiences, she's fearless, excited, and oh-so-knowledgeable. And... you guessed it... she uses a wheelchair.
I asked Ashely what she thought was the most important tip she could offer to her fellow adventure-seeking, world-traveling friends who also happen to be wheelchair-users, and she said, ever so simply, "Be prepared."
Okay, that's simple enough, right? Sure. But knowing that my version of being prepared is likely very different from hers, I asked Ashley what "being prepared" means? And without further adieu, here's what Ashley wrote:
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| Ashley Olson |
"From the traveling adventures I've already had, there are a few things I’ve learned to take with me; most people who use wheelchairs, whether manual or power, can also benefit from these items. The number one thing you should be aware of is your health. Nothing ruins a well thought out trip like catching a bug, even if it’s the common cold.
"Public areas are known to have a higher concentrated amount of germs, especially any form of public transportation, so protect yourself. Build up your immune system around 5 or more days with a super power multi-vitamin, like AirBorne. Vitamin C is also a great germ fighter and can also be taken on top of this. Get your body stronger before you go to that initial airport or train station. Take these immune boosters on your tip to keep fueling your body’s natural defense system. Plus, it will give you more energy to push yourself to see more while you travel.
"To further fight off a bug that might slow you down, combine the immunity boosters with an antibacterial disinfectant. This comes in many forms: gels, lotions, sprays, and wipes. Use these while you are in crowed areas to preventing the spreading of bacteria. To keep it as clean as possible in the restroom, think about carrying a disinfectant on a disposable cloth, like Wet Ones. You can use such cloths to wipe down the toilet seat and handrails if you are really concerned about germs.
"Keeping yourself healthy while traveling equates to a number of different areas, one is protecting yourself from common illnesses that spread easily (like I mentioned above), but another is subtle and sometimes hard to detect. Without active use of ones legs, people in wheelchairs are prone to blood clots. Blood clots can be a silent killer and, for many, cannot be felt. The most dangerous time for something like this to occur is flying; a drop in cabin pressure further compresses blood flow. Though one should check for "hot spots" as an indicator there are ways to help prevent this from occurring. Think of adding baby aspirin to your body booster combo. Baby aspirin thins the blood which allows it to flow more freely and it’s extremely gentle on the stomach; gentle enough for babies.
"Something else you can do to improve your blood circulation on a plane flight and the rest of your trip is to wear compression socks. These tight fitting socks come in either knee or thigh high and in black, white, and nude. They are virtually indistinguishable from your average sock or stocking. The socks are also available in different pressure levels. It is the tightest around the ankles and gradually digresses, pushing the blood back to the heart. Having your blood flow at tip top shape helps your whole body function better, including healing itself. One can buy compression socks at a local drug store, Target, doctor’s office, or on the Internet.
"The next item that always gets in my suitcase is my Waffle Air Cushion. This portable and waterproof air cushion folds down to the size of a thin undershirt. It‘s most purposeful use is in the shower. Often times a bench or chair that a hotel, for example, provides may be a hard wood or plastic that does not give you enough soft support while you sit and shower. One must be aware of the safety and condition of one’s skin to not get a breakdown. Using the Waffle Air Cushion is generally a good idea even if the bench or chair is padded for sanitary reasons. This air cushion could also come in handy on and airplane or car ride where the seat provided doesn’t relieve enough pressure.
"This may not apply to those in electric chairs or scooters, but for those using a manual wheelchair I highly recommend bringing two Alan Wrenches or whatever tool is needed to remove the front little wheels. This may be needed if the wheels get plugged up with hair or whatnot, making it harder to push; different kinds of sediment, like sand or clay, can also have this effect and erode the metal. Sometimes this build-up may get so bad that one needs to change the bearings, so it’s suggested that you bring a spare pair along with you. Bearings are very tiny and will take up no suitcase space so you will be incredibly happy that you brought them if you do need a fresh set.
"The last suggestion that will make your traveling experience more enjoyable is watching your diet. Foods that your body is not used to can affect a person in different ways, so allow your body time to adjust to the new oils, spices, etc. in order to avoid unpleasant outcomes. Above all else mentioned so far, the grandest thing you can do for yourself to ensure happy travels is to drink lots of water. Water is life and makes everything better. Most people think they get enough water but do not take into account that caffeine is terribly dehydrating. One glass of water and a cup of coffee pretty much cancel each other out, leaving your body dry. Blood is 92 percent water, the brain and muscles are 75 percent water, and bones are about 22 percent water. There’s nothing better you can do for your body than to drink water. Especially when you are traveling, dealing with altitude and climate changes let alone getting a good physical workout (perhaps more so than usual) all makes you dehydrated. This is not just travel advice, it’s life advice, so have a glass now!"
Here's Ashley's check list for healthy wheelchair traveling:
- Airborne and Vitamin C
- Antibacterial Disinfectant
- Compression Socks
- Baby Aspirin
- Waffle Air Cushion
- 2 Alan Wrenches & Bearings
- Diet Consciousness
- WATER!
Thanks, Ashley, for these great tips! We look forward to hearing more about your adventures and sharing them with the rest of our friends!
What are some of your best tips for traveling with a wheelchair? We'd love to hear from you!
HAPPY TRAVELS from CareVacations!
Disclaimer: All information on vitamin supplements, immune boosters, and baby aspirin are simply personal opinions of Ashley, based on her experiences. Some of these items may not be suitable for certain people, and may have adverse effects on people with certain medical conditions and/or taking other medications. All individuals should check with their physician(s) before consuming any of the items listed in Ashley's post.
About WheelchairTraveling.com: Whether it’s a day trip or a long excursion, looking to explore or unwind, traveling in a wheelchair requires advanced planning. WheelchairTraveling.com exists to give you the tools to plan your adventure accordingly. On WheelchairTraveling.com, you will find updates on travel destinations worldwide; reviews on lodging, transportation, and equipment and other wheelchair travel resources. Log in or register on her website to share your personal travel destination or search resources to create your own accessible adventure! You can find WheelchairTraveling.com on Facebook and Twitter (@WheelchairTrav).
