Boarding process with "invisible" disability

[roastmules]

I will be travelling/boarding with someone with a back injury. They don't have a HC placard since they can walk. They cannot stand, such as in a line without serious pain. We have a wheelchair for some things that would require standing without a chance to sit. 

 

They don't really need the wheelchair on the ship, no lines, really. 

 

Advice for the boarding process/line in a chair, then putting it back in the car? 

[Kwaj girl]

Why not just keep the chair in the stateroom?

[roastmules]

7 minutes ago, Kwaj girl said:

Why not just keep the chair in the stateroom?

Can and might. 

 

 

[LHT28]

Are you going on a very small ship??

There is always  some line at some point where you will be standing

 If a folding wheelchair just take it with you

 

 If you  drop the person near the port building  just ask for wheelchair assistance  the porters will take them to the ship & remove the wheelchair if you feel they will never need one onboard

[mom says]

Another vote for bringing the w/c with you. I can think of several times when you could encounter lines requiring standing. Boarding or disembarking at port stops. Buffet at meal times. Dealing with Guest services or other service desks. Outside the MDR at peak times. If you don't need it, it can be folded and tucked in a corner of your stateroom.

[1025cruise]

I have back pain but usually have no issue standing in lines. In the before times, I would let them know that I couldn't stand for muster (for when it was outside), but now that everyone is doing emuster, its not an issue.

[roastmules]

2 hours ago, mom says said:

Another vote for bringing the w/c with you. I can think of several times when you could encounter lines requiring standing. Boarding or disembarking at port stops. Buffet at meal times. Dealing with Guest services or other service desks. Outside the MDR at peak times. If you don't need it, it can be folded and tucked in a corner of your stateroom.

 

Good point about that guest services line. Might have 5 people in line and take 30 minutes. 

 

[1025cruise]

I'll add its better to have the wheelchair with you and not need it, versus not having it and wishing you did.

[trivimp]

My guy has the exact same issues: severe back pain, can walk OK but can't stand.  We always ask for wheelchair assistance during check-in; a crewmember pushes him through the whole process & across the gangway.  Once he's on board, he's fine with a cane.  If, however, he had an emergency on board, we could contact Guest Services & have them provide a chair for a short period of time (say, while going down to the medical center & back.)  They keep a small number of chairs on board for this purpose.  They also can provide wheelchair assistance during disembarkation, which we use.  

 

Edit to add:  This means I am always the one standing in the buffet line, the Guest Services line, or whatever while he sits nearby & waits for me to get to the front of the line.  Sigh, we do what we must 

Edited November 23, 2021 by trivimp

[kokopelli-az]

I agree with bringing the wheelchair with you and keeping it in your room.   There may be a lot of places that involve standing in line.   Plus, after walking around all day on the ship and/or port, the back issue may be worse than normal and having the wheelchair as an option might be most welcome.  

[JMorris271]

Does anyone have to bring their own toilet walkers that fit against the wall over the toilet.  This provides assistance to those that have to push up and getting on and off of the pot. The ships never seem to have enough hcr's. I have had cruises where I had to plop onto the floor and crawl to get to a bed to push up with.

[kokopelli-az]

2 hours ago, JMorris271 said:

Does anyone have to bring their own toilet walkers that fit against the wall over the toilet.  This provides assistance to those that have to push up and getting on and off of the pot. The ships never seem to have enough hcr's. I have had cruises where I had to plop onto the floor and crawl to get to a bed to push up with.

Have you contacted your cruise line's Access Dept to inquire whether they would have a toilet walker you could reserve and use for your cruise?    

[JMorris271]

On 11/24/2021 at 2:55 PM, kokopelli-az said:

Have you contacted your cruise line's Access Dept to inquire whether they would have a toilet walker you could reserve and use for your cruise?    

No I haven't considered that.  Thanks. I will.

[Uhleashyuh]

i was on the escape 2 weeks ago and have similar issues. I had back surgery and can walk and stand but only for short periods. I bought a walker that has a chair on it so as we waited in lines or i needed a quick sit i could flip it around and sit. It worked quite well. 

[Essiesmom]

The companies that rent wheelchairs/scooters also rent other kinds of equipment.  You might try them.  EM

[GeezerCouple]

5 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

The companies that rent wheelchairs/scooters also rent other kinds of equipment.  You might try them.  EM

 

If it's some equipment that is genuinely needed, then I would prefer to make arrangements for a rental.

What if you get on board, and the ship doesn't have what you need, or says "other people ordered these before you, and we ran out..."?

If that type of problem can be avoided, I'd try to avoid it.

Unless it's something that could wait and be arranged at the next port (?).

 

GC

[GUT2407]

I spent many years in the same situation, rather walk for an hour than stand for 10 minutes, I too vote for taking the chair with you, if not at the very least request wheelchair assistance for boarding

[Joseph2017China]

Transport chairs are both very cheap, and handy, and folds so small you won't even notice it.

[Mizzoupoodle123]

I have a rented scooter on my upcoming cruise.  I normally use a walker that has a seat available.  I am bringing it along for the ports.  I cannot walk that far without pain and I can’t stand in lines without severe pain.  
I am very blessed to have a spinal cord stimulator!  Without it, my world consisted of my bedroom.  The scooter was 385. for 11 nights on the Escape.

 

Sylvia

 

[Slugsta]

On 12/14/2021 at 2:29 AM, Mizzoupoodle123 said:

I have a rented scooter on my upcoming cruise.  I normally use a walker that has a seat available.  I am bringing it along for the ports.  I cannot walk that far without pain and I can’t stand in lines without severe pain.  
I am very blessed to have a spinal cord stimulator!  Without it, my world consisted of my bedroom.  The scooter was 385. for 11 nights on the Escape.

 

Sylvia

 

I'm so glad that your SCS is working for you! Unfortunately, mine didn't so, although I still have the hardware implanted, it is permanently switched off. Renting a scooter is a great idea as it will give you more freedom. I hope you have a great cruise.

[maureencruiser]

On 11/22/2021 at 3:29 PM, roastmules said:

Can and might. 

 

 

 

Should.

[lenquixote66]

On 12/13/2021 at 9:29 PM, Mizzoupoodle123 said:

I have a rented scooter on my upcoming cruise.  I normally use a walker that has a seat available.  I am bringing it along for the ports.  I cannot walk that far without pain and I can’t stand in lines without severe pain.  
I am very blessed to have a spinal cord stimulator!  Without it, my world consisted of my bedroom.  The scooter was 385. for 11 nights on the Escape.

 

Sylvia

 

The Spinal Cord Stimulator did not work for me.I have had surgeries,9 epidurals,acupuncture,physical therapy.I have not been able to walk since 2016.

[Mizzoupoodle123]

I’m so sorry to hear that.  ❤️

[1BDNANA]

On 11/24/2021 at 12:07 PM, JMorris271 said:

Does anyone have to bring their own toilet walkers that fit against the wall over the toilet.  This provides assistance to those that have to push up and getting on and off of the pot. The ships never seem to have enough hcr's. I have had cruises where I had to plop onto the floor and crawl to get to a bed to push up with.

A light weight folding walker will do the in a pinch.  You can keep it folded and put out of the way by the toilet until you need it . And it may be easer to pack.  Hope this helps.

[JMorris271]

On 11/24/2021 at 2:55 PM, kokopelli-az said:

Have you contacted your cruise line's Access Dept to inquire whether they would have a toilet walker you could reserve and use for your cruise?    

Absolutely.