Traveling with a wheelchair.

                                         

Being in a wheelchair for the past 6 years has been challenging in so many different aspects. One of them is traveling by plane. When I had to take my first plane trip being wheelchair-bound, I was very excited to see one of my best friends in Texas. However, I never thought about the difficulties of traveling with a wheelchair until that moment. That’s when I started researching on how to travel with your wheelchair by plane.

Soon after booking my ticket, I contacted the disability office of the airline I was flying with. They assigned me an ADA seat, which usually is in the front of the plane, or near the exit doors where there is more legroom. I was surprised by how easy and helpful they were to accommodate me.

Secondly, you should let them know if you need assistance. Airlines provide you with an agent to help you from the check-in area to your seat. Because I am independent and I like browsing the stores before getting into the plane, I do not like to request this service. You have two options to check in your wheelchair. One is to check it in at the check-in and they provide you with an airport wheelchair, or you use your wheelchair until you get into the gate, and once you arrive at the bridge you transfer into the aisle wheelchair.
 

I prefer the second option. There are usually two people that help you transfer from your wheelchair to the aisle wheelchair and push the wheelchair inside the plane to your seat. Meanwhile, another agent puts a tag on your wheelchair and brings it down to the cargo. Always remember to save the tag they give you in case something happens to the wheelchair!

Once you get into your seat, they remove the isle wheelchair from the plane, but there will be one waiting for you in the bridge once you arrive at your destination. Usually, when I travel, I keep my ROHO cushion with me and use it on the seat for long flights or when the seats are not very comfortable. I would also suggest you keep on the overhead bin all parts of the wheelchair that are removable and might get lost. I had to learn it the hard way.

Once you arrive at your destination, an agent will bring your wheelchair in the bridge and once you get out of the plane with the isle wheelchair, you can use your own.
If the airline loses some part of your wheelchair, make sure to file a claim and they will contact you as soon as possible. They will either send you the missing part or refund for the damage.

Have a safe flight!

Beaching with a wheelchair

                                                

                                           

                                             

I love going to the beach. I have always loved swimming since I can remember. Even though I am wheelchair-bound, swimming gives me the freedom my wheelchair does not. It came to a great surprise to me that I could find a wheelchair accessible beach in New England within a 1-hour drive from home.

One of my favorites (in terms of accessibility) is Nahant Beach in Massachusetts. There are two different kinds of beach wheelchairs available (first come first serve basis). One is a sand beach wheelchair, pictured below. With this kind of wheelchair, you can get into the sand easily and go to the shore. The second type is the floating wheelchair - my favorite. With this one, you cannot only get in and out on the sand, but you can use it in the water.

Besides Nahant beach, other wheelchair accessible beaches I have been to are the below:

Old Silver Beach in Falmouth, Ma
Address:
Quaker Road
North Falmouth MA
(508) 548-8623

South Cape Beach in Mashpee, Ma,
Address:
Great Oak Road
Mashpee MA
(508) 457-0495

Horseneck Beach State Reservation in Westport, MA.

However there are so many other wheelchair accessible beaches that I want to visit. I will link the below websites with more information on beach accessibility.

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/accessible-beaches

https://www.affordable-cape-cod-vacations.com/accessible-beaches.html

Can’t wait for next summer!

Traveling to Las Vegas - a wheelchair paradise!

Yes -  you read it here first! For long Las Vegas is known as the gambler's paradise. I know it for a fact that being in a wheelchair will not stop you from enjoying this city as much. Mainly because most of the attractions - if not all-  are easily accessible from the minute you step out of the plane, to rolling down the Strip or any other activity you enjoy.
Most of the hotels are connected so there is no need to step out on the street. If you need to, each crossroad has a bridge with an elevator that helps you cross the road avoiding going through the traffic.

The hotels offer rental wheelchairs, in case something happens to yours. There is 24-hour wheelchair assistance too - so you can roll in peace.

There are a lot of activities you can do in Vegas. Besides gambling and  the shows that are offered in different arenas there are many cool outdoor activities to choose from:

The high roller observation wheel - you get to ride in the world’s highest Ferris wheel and have a 360 degrees view of Las Vegas. The best time would be during sunset,  that way you can have that day and night experience of Vegas in a single ride, topped with the mesmerizing sunset.

The zip lining at the Rio hotel – This is a sitting zip lining! Ziplining was on my bucket list for such a long time and I thought I had to give it up... but not until I got to Vegas!

The roller coaster at the New York Hotel – This is not your normal roller coaster - this roller coaster wraps around the New York Hotel! There is a lift that brings you to the loading dock of the roller coaster, and there is a specific car where it is easier to transfer.

Paris hotel viewing deck – If you would like to enjoy Vegas at night I would suggest getting a ticket to the Eiffel tower in Las Vegas. You will have a comprehensive view and you can enjoy the Bellagio Hotel Fountain light shows from the top of the Eiffel tower!