Need some Advice for my Little Person Client

[Cruise Arizona]

I have booked a dear family friend on our group cruise next year on the Celebrity Solstice to Alaska. She has a rare form for dwarfism that not only makes her just 3'11, but also causes orthopedic problems. It has hardly slowed her down and she's an inspiring woman.

 

Any tips you might have for cruising with limited mobility and little person stature are very much appreciated.

 

We went back and forth about weather or not to get her an accessible state room, but the ones on the Solstice are all toward the front elevator. Since the Ocean View Cafe, MDR, Cellar Masters, and our group activities will all take place aft, we thought it was more important for her not to walk log distances and we got her a 1B on the pop-out with the bed by the door.

 

Celebrity will be supplying her with a shower chair and she will bring along a folding step stool.

 

We are debating on a scooter, and trying to weigh the pro's and cons. She goes to concerts at big arenas as home, walks in the grocery store and mall. She said she just might need a break going the length of the ship. She knows her husband would prefer not to have the scooter.

 

Any advise on scooters, cruising with limited mobility, or as a little person would really be appreciated. I really want to help this lady who is like family to my parents to have great first cruise to celebrate her 4oth anniversary.

[xxoocruiser]

I have booked a dear family friend on our group cruise next year on the Celebrity Solstice to Alaska. She has a rare form for dwarfism that not only makes her just 3'11, but also causes orthopedic problems. It has hardly slowed her down and she's an inspiring woman.

 

Any tips you might have for cruising with limited mobility and little person stature are very much appreciated.

 

We went back and forth about weather or not to get her an accessible state room, but the ones on the Solstice are all toward the front elevator. Since the Ocean View Cafe, MDR, Cellar Masters, and our group activities will all take place aft, we thought it was more important for her not to walk log distances and we got her a 1B on the pop-out with the bed by the door.

 

Celebrity will be supplying her with a shower chair and she will bring along a folding step stool.

 

We are debating on a scooter, and trying to weigh the pro's and cons. She goes to concerts at big arenas as home, walks in the grocery store and mall. She said she just might need a break going the length of the ship. She knows her husband would prefer not to have the scooter.

 

Any advise on scooters, cruising with limited mobility, or as a little person would really be appreciated. I really want to help this lady who is like family to my parents to have great first cruise to celebrate her 4oth anniversary.

 

 

Given that your client is a little person a standard rented scooter may not meet her needs. Reason being that little people generally need a smaller scooter relative to their over height and leg/arm extension. Though the tiller hand control can be adjusted inward it's questionable if the person could still reach the controls. Additionally the seat height usually is adjustable but can be adjusted so that her feet can firmly reston the platform base which is needed for safe operation of the scooter ? Has your client ever used a mobility scooter before ? Suggest you contact either http://www.carevacations.com and or http://www.specialneedsatseas.com and to determine if they have a scooter to meet your clients need. Would be unfortunate to a rent a scooter only to find out it does not safely meet the needs of your client.

Edited June 4, 2014 by xxoocruiser

[mdvlprof]

scooter + regular stateroom = not a good fit. Staterooms are too small to easily get around a scooter.

 

And getting around a scooter that has been left in a hallway..:mad:.. More than once, we've had to go to 'other' side and go around to get wheelchair-bound DS back to the stateroom.

[jpcello]

My sister uses a scooter called a Luggie. She is not a little person but the scooter folds to the size of a carry on suitcase and weighs about 50 pounds. It is very portable and might even work in a regular room, if that's what your client wants. I would also suggest your client reserve an accessible cabin.

 

Personally I think she will enjoy her cruise more using the scooter. Ships are big and just getting from one location to another (for example going from the MDR to the show or casino could be a good walk). She'll also be able to use the scooter on excursions.

[xxoocruiser]

My sister uses a scooter called a Luggie. She is not a little person but the scooter folds to the size of a carry on suitcase and weighs about 50 pounds. It is very portable and might even work in a regular room, if that's what your client wants. I would also suggest your client reserve an accessible cabin.

 

Personally I think she will enjoy her cruise more using the scooter. Ships are big and just getting from one location to another (for example going from the MDR to the show or casino could be a good walk). She'll also be able to use the scooter on excursions.

 

A mobility scooter must be properly retrofitted for a little person to safety used. The manufacturer of the Luggie does not sell a smaller version . Standard mobility scooters are not a practical or safe option for a little person. At the cost of approximately $2,000 and than the cost of finding a company to property retrofit to make is safely usable for a little person the Luggie is far to expensive of an option.

 

After much research have found only 3 manufacturers of mobility scooters that sell a version specifically for little people.

• Amigo
  
• Pride
  
• Travelscoot - this is also a costly option but at least Travel scoot sells a junior option and no additional retro fitting should be needed.
  

 

Given that both Carevactions and Specialneedsatseas rent Pride Scooters, the best option is for the OP to contact both of this companies which I previously advised in my post #2.

[mexico8]

A mobility scooter must be properly retrofitted for a little person to safety used. The manufacturer of the Luggie does not sell a smaller version . Standard mobility scooters are not a practical or safe option for a little person. At the cost of approximately $2,000 and than the cost of finding a company to property retrofit to make is safely usable for a little person the Luggie is far to expensive of an option.

 

After much research have found only 3 manufacturers of mobility scooters that sell a version specifically for little people.

• Amigo
  
• Pride
  
• Travelscoot - this is also a costly option but at least Travel scoot sells a junior option and no additional retro fitting should be needed.
  

 

Given that both Carevactions and Specialneedsatseas rent Pride Scooters, the best option is for the OP to contact both of this companies which I previously advised in my post #2.

 

On behalf of everyone that benefits from your replies and all the time you take to answer on this thread, let me say a big THANK YOU. I am so impressed with your thoughtfulness in providing so much information. You obviously have a very kind nature and are also very, very clever to boot.

 

Wendy

Edited June 9, 2014 by mexico8

[xxoocruiser]

On behalf of everyone that benefits from your replies and all the time you take to answer on this thread, let me say a big THANK YOU. I am so impressed with your thoughtfulness in providing so much information. You obviously have a very kind nature and are also very, very clever to boot.

 

Wendy

 

Wendy

Thank you for so much your kind words. You too are a very thoughtful person.

 

Most of my life I was abled bodied and than along comes a diagnosis of MS that forever has changed my life. Having always been a strong independent woman I was determined to still do the things I loved !. Traveling being very high on that list. So I researched and researched and researched and continue to travel solo . Have it down to science.

 

Researching has become second nature to me. All I'm doing is sharing the efforts of my research with those that might find it beneficial. Not doing anything special.

 

Additionally I do volunteer advocacy at both the Federal and State levels for those regarding disability issues. I also have a great-nephew that is special needs child who inspires me to do the things I do. Often say that I have a plethora of useless knowledge to share. Glad that you find my postings helpful.

 

Have a great week !

Pat