Avoid trial and error by planning accessible travel ahead of time
After a recent trip, we now know what to look for when vacation planning
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My husband, Donnie, and I and our children just returned from a family vacation. We had a wonderful time, but I wish I’d done more research beforehand to make things a little easier. While I always feel like we do a fair amount of planning, once we’re away, there are several things I wish I’d thought of sooner.
For example, our entire extended family ended up at a delightful mini-golf course. Donnie and I have always loved mini-golf, and we try to hit up a course with our girls while we’re on vacation. From the entrance, it looked like the course would be a fairly easy one, and the attendant guided us toward what was supposed to be the easier route. We thought that sounded perfect, so we grabbed our clubs and headed out to the 18 holes. But we realized pretty early on that while the holes themselves were probably easier, the walkway was definitely not for the faint of heart. Several steep stairways made it challenging for Donnie to navigate, due to his pulmonary fibrosis.
Thankfully, he managed the course fine, and we had a great time golfing with our family. As we returned the clubs, we saw a sign that mentioned that one of the courses was stroller-friendly. Immediately, we wished we’d noticed that earlier, as it would’ve been the best route for us to take. Next time, we’ll know what to look for.
Another consideration we’ll keep in mind in the future is the type of resort and the amenities that are offered. The waterpark resort where we stayed on this trip was enormous, and we were in a family condo with several family members. While the rooms were fantastic, the walk to the waterpark was an absolute hike. A round trip to the waterpark, arcade, or any other activities was about a quarter of a mile. While that might not sound like much, doing that walk several times a day was pretty exhausting for Donnie, especially since his polymyositis, a muscle disease, has been acting up lately.
We’ve already started planning a trip to a different resort where the rooms are located next to the waterpark area. Instead of staying behind a few times due to exhaustion, Donnie will be able to join us in the pool, which means so much to us. The short walk also means he’ll probably be able to manage without his supplemental oxygen (per approval from his doctors), and he can leave the portable unit in the room instead of risking it being damaged or stolen.
I also think we could improve Donnie’s access to fun activities by choosing places that offer motorized scooters. Occasionally, he’ll use a mobility scooter when available, and it really helps him save his energy for what matters most: enjoying life and spending quality time with his family. I had no idea you could rent motorized scooters, but I found a website that does that.
Since we’ve been home, I’ve started looking into more accessible destinations. A quick Google search led me to WheelchairTravel.org, which offers a list of wheelchair- and mobility-scooter-friendly cities and attractions. I also found a site that specializes in oxygen equipment rentals and setup for travel, and another great site that lists mini-golf courses that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Not every hole at every course is accessible, but this is a great starting point!
All in all, we had a wonderful trip and made a lot of fun memories with our family. We’re already planning our next family adventure, and I know that with a little more research, it’ll be even more fun for all of us. I’d love to hear about your family’s favorite destinations and the steps you’ve taken to make the most of your vacation. Please share in the comments below.
Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.
Marshall Peterson
Since I’ve had this fibrosis, I am a big believer in electric wheelchairs. I have is a fold up which can go into the back of the SUV easily. We went to Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn and went through the entire thing for about a half a day. And I could not have done it without the chair. Otherwise, I would have to stop and rest quite often.
They are quite costly but necessary in my situation if I want to go anywhere.
Margaret Morgan
Fascinating and thought provoking and practical. Thank you. My challenges centre around nintedanib dosing and time zones! One pill every 12 hours. Hmm. So take pill at 7.30 pm next dose will be 7.30 am and must be with food. Ok. But flying to UK, so next dose due at 7.30 am becomes 2.30 am UK time and with food!! Then rinse and repeat on return ! Aaahhh . Same obvs if flying east to west in US. My brain frazzles!!!