Multiple questions for DS

[LHC]

I am taking my dear son who will be 23 on a 10 day Holiday Panama Canal Cruise this year. It is a huge undertaking as he is a right side hemiplegic from a traumatic brain injury car accident at the age of 18. That said, he can stand, pivot and take steps utilizing a specialty splint but for any distances a wc is necessary.

He uses an electric wheelchair at home (which we have taken to WDW, Indianapolis for Tennis, around in the US) but it weighs 250 and the charger is 50 lbs and it is super wide. QUESTION NUMBER ONE: That said, which travel wheelchair do you recommend we purchase? I can push him for excursions off the ship etc. but would like to load him in the travel wheelchair if possible, as getting him to step up into a bus if not lowered would be a bugger.

QUESTION TWO: How do you go about shipping clothes to and from the ship? If it is just the two of us, we can each carry a back pack (his attached to chair) for flights, but me transporting him and luggage through an airport would be a nightmare.

QUESTION THREE: On Half Moon Cay (Holland American) do they rent water wheelchairs? Would it be best to rent a cabana?

Question Four: Is the Panama Railroad accessible?

I will do more questions later, I am sure.

Thanks,

Linda

[tlm]

I can answer your question about Half Moon Cay and the cabanas as we rented one last January. I have severe breathing problems and I'm now on oxygen (I wasn't at the time) I thought the cabana would be good for me but I would never rent one again.

 

I didn't have a wheelchair with me and I'm not sure about renting one of the beach ones...not sure it would help.

 

A shuttle took us to the cabanas but they dropped us off a long way from our cabana. It was a really high step to get into the shuttle.

 

To get to the cabana you have to go down a hill either through deep sand or by stairs. Once there it was impossible for me to leave as I couldn't get back up the hill. We had to pay the cabana boys to take me back to the tender on the little truck they use.

 

If you give me your email I can send you some pictures of what I'm talking about.

 

Toni

[CaptData]

For excurtions you will need a folding wheelchair with big wheels. (ultralight suggested for easy of use and cabs).

[CaptData]

For excurtions you will need a folding wheelchair with big wheels. (ultralight suggested for easy of use and cabs).

 

For easy I would rent the electric scooter from CareVaction or Scootaround. They will deliver to the cabin. This will free up some luggage for you.

 

I travel by myself with both my scooter and wheelchair. I also carry 2 pieces of luggage which I check, Two elbow canes, a transfer cane, .a camera case and and overnight bag and purse. Here is how I manage, first I always get a porter so I do not carry anything (I tip good). Once I have check in, I use my scooter to get round. I carry my carry-on and my camera case and purse. I except the assistance offered by the airline Flight Attendents. When we land I find a porter before I get my luggage. They help load it into cab. I go to hotel and they bring it inside (I always stay at hotels that by bell people). I go to my room and relax, sometimes I will go to the restaunt and sometimes I order in. The next morning (cruise start day) I get the bell person to load up and get the cab. I arrive at the port and hand over what I can not carry. I board and when the stuff arrives I unpack and enjoy the vacation. I reverse everything for going home.

 

You can not in most cases have your closthes delivered to the cruiseline unless you are on a world cruise.

[CaptData]

Half Moon Cay does have beach wheelchairs. They are not for your use there only to get you from point A to B. I would rent a clamshell (sun cover) rather then the Caban.

 

There is another problem here. This is a tender port only. This means that you get in a small boat (one of the lifeboats) and travel to the port in this. You get off on the dock then walk to the beach which is right there. The crew do assist those in wheelchair but not big scooters. This is why you need a travel chair (folding kind). They will carry him onto the tender and off. You will have to tell them exactly how to do this so as to not cause further injury.

 

If you can assit your son into the water I would suggest that you rent a life vest and a mat. This will cost about $20.00. He would enjoy lying on the mat in the water. then you can get him back up to the clamshell have him rest while you find the guy with the Beachwheel chair then head back to the ship.

[Splinter]

There are companies that will ship your luggage, but not all ships will accept it (due to security issues) and it is VERY expensive. We take a LOT of stuff with us when we fly or cruise, but we just plan on using Skycaps at the airport (get one at curbside, and then when getting off the plane, ask the cabin steward to call ahead for one for you about 30 minutes before arrival), and we use the porters at the curb found at nearly all ports. Be sure to tip them (usually $2/bag).

 

Be sure to get a folding, lightweight manual wheelchair (with two large wheels and two small casters), NOT a so-called transport chair (with 4 small wheels). The latter will not be easy to use on uneven unpaved areas, or over curbs or up a step or two in port. If he can transfer, I would plan to take cabs instead of buses or vans and see things on your own. A light weight wheelchair with quick-release hubs is easiest to get in and out of a cab trunk, and also will be in the light range. Check out some of the chairs at http://www.spinlife.com for some good ideas.

 

There is no lift available on the Panama railroad. He would have to be able to negotiate several steps. I have heard there is little ashore that is accessible there.

 

Have you looked into getting a travel wheelchair charger for his power chair? What brand/model is it?

 

Take both the manual and power chair if you can. They both can go on the plane, and he will have much more freedom on the ship in the power chair. Use the manual chair ashore. (we don't like to call them electric chairs in CA...we used to off our criminals that way!!! LOL!).

[etoile]

I'm pretty sure CC had a feature about shipping your luggage ahead to the ship, but I can't find it now. Meanwhile, here are some helpful links about shipping luggage:

http://www.luggageforward.com/

http://www.gonomad.com/traveldesk/0601/shipping-luggage.html

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/8/17/84347/7011/travel/HOWTO%3A+Ship+Luggage

http://www.luggageconcierge.com/

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06218/710913-37.stm

[LHC]

First, Thanks for all the help.

 

It is amazing that when I ask experts (OT/PT/Equipment Companies) for information on travel wheelchairs I got all kinds of information (none as helpful as the above info). I have seen travel chairs with the four smaller wheels and without your input would have thought them fine.

 

I really want to get him in the water (he does well in aquatic therapy) Can you imagine being in the Caribbean and not at least getting your feet in the beautiful water? That is why I was asking about the aqua trak wc rental at Half Moon Cay. He can manage regular stairs with his splint and assistance but not more than 4-5 at a time. Do you think I would be able to get him on the Half Moon Cay Glass Bottom Boat Excursion? Anyone done this?

 

At his age, sitting in the sun, melting and baking will probably not happen, so my thoughts were arrive, do a tour or get a massage for him, lunch in the open, some time in the kiddie end shallow water and then back on board.

 

I have been on the tenders. Does Holland America have an adapted one for wheelchairs?

His splint helps him walk but it is not water usable...so once that is off he cannot help me with his right side. Also, once we are down on the sand or in the water, I can drag him out but might need help getting him up into a chair for transport...is this doable?

 

His wheelchair (electric) is a XRanger I had not thought about asking for a travel charger but will ask the Rehab Company that works on it. I just know that the one at our house weighs in at >50 lbs. It only has to be charged about every 3 days.

 

As for the luggage and stuff...I tip well and I am normally an overpacker, but for this trip, minimal will be necessary. He require a good bit of stuff as I am sure most of you understand. Condom catheters for night time, pull ups for night (just in case), splints, quad cane, gait belt, loose/oversized clothing, paper tape, multiple medications and bottles for those, etc..so I thought in order to prevent possible loss of his luggage from a layover in Atlanta, shipping his stuff directly to the ship, as well as mine might be a better alternative. We would care his meds and a few things we could not live without but if his suitcases did not show, we would be in a world of hurt. As for me, not so bad, I can wing it.

I do tip well for help, as all help with Greg is so appreciated. As for his transfers etc, it is best to tell people thank you for offering to help but we do better doing it ourselves. I am always afraid that someone else would get hurt and or drop G! Not worth it in my book (remember I am a RN too, that helps).

 

I thought the Railroad would provide him with a neat excursion good views with little need for ambulation. How many steps are we talking about and how tall? That is always the question.

 

Splinter,we electrocute and over medicate you to death at our prisons. I will check out the wheelchair site as that is not one I have researched. Did anyone try to get your insurance to purchase one? If not I have a medical flex account that I can get the funds out of from my work.

Tim, my email is lindahcanada@hotmail.com

Etoile, thanks for the shipping info. I will read each one. Has anyone used Fed-ex and shipped to the port directly? Is this something HAL could give me address and number of dock at Port Everglades so we could ship them directly there?

Captain Data thanks for the input.

 

I appreciate all your help. More questions to come I am sure...

Linda

[katisdale]

Linda, not an answer to any of your questions but I would highly recommend that you and your son read the book "The Path Between the Seas" before you go on this cruise. This really made the whole experience much more meaningful for me. Is there no way to get to the ship without going through Atlanta? We have had good luck avoiding that by using any line other than Delta (one time in transit through Atlanta was one time too many). Have a great trip.

[Splinter]

Linda, I am a rehabilitation clinical nurse specialist working in SCI rehab, so not only do i travel with my mother, I teach classes for our clients on how to go on cruises.

 

I would not recommend shipping medical supplies (or clothing) to the ship. It is too risky. We take one whole suitcase with my mother's medical supplies, but also splint up a few of everything into everyone's suitcases just in case one gets lost. Her carry-on bag is completely full of her urologic and skin care products. This includes night pads, day pads, catheters, etc. We generally have at least one other bag that is less essential that we check. Be sure to mark it medical supplies as there is no excess baggage charge for this. We do the same with our travel lift and travel shower commode chair that we take. Meds and a few other supplies go in my mother's wheelchair backpack so that they are with us all the time (be sure to take that and the wheelchair cushion as well as the power wheelchair control box off the chair when gate checking it, and carrying them on the plane with you).

 

Coming home, if I have extra Chuxs, I donate them to the ship's hospital. The nurses are always glad to get them, and we don't have to carry them home. We try to plan to have only a few extra supplies going home, which we put in with our clothing, and the medical bag becomes our dirty clothing bag (so we do check it on the way home).

 

Holland America (on most of their ships) have a stair-glide type tender lift that will carry him down to the tender from the ship (this is why they have the weight and width limits). It puts him onto a special platform on the tender that also raises and lowers. It works well as long as it is not too rough. Only certain tenders have the ability to be used with the tender lift. You can see pictures of it here: http://capsante.com/ada/

[LHC]

Splinter,

do you recommend a specific brand or kind of travel wheelchair? It has been recommended to have the two back tires large and then the smaller ones on the front. Greg needs either a solid foot rest or two foot rests as his right leg splint/leg have to rest on a plate.

I have heard from CareVacations and to rent a power wheelchair for the 10 days delivered to the ship and picked up by them afterwards is $315. is this the way to go?

As you have multiple cruisings listed can you recommend any tours at the following ports:

Aruba

Curacao

Puerto Limon Costa Rica

Panama Canal (Gatun Lake)

Thank you for your expertise.

Linda

[Splinter]

Check in our Sticky Topics at the top of this forum for information about specific ports, or do a search. Have not been to most of those ports for many years. I know that there are a couple of companies in Costa Rica that provide lift van tours. I don't know of any in other the other ports you mentioned, but if he can stand and do a pivot transfer, then plan to take the manual chair and hire cabs. This should work in both Curacao and Aruba.

 

In Aruba the small town is not far from the pier. When we were there we just went to the small shopping center, but it would have been nice to take the drive around the island. In Curacao either going into town or going to the aquarium would be the best bets. Both places have good snorkeling, but you would need to find places that are accessible, and I can't help there.

 

Do you actually dock in the Canal? Most ships don't...you just ride along with the narrated tour. It can be VERY hot and muggy there, regardless of the time of year.

 

Of course it would be best to get a chair that is fit to him. Don't you have a PT or OT who can write a prescription for your son's physician to sign? This would be the justification you would need to get insurance to pay for it. The proper seat width, axel placement, depth, foot pedal/plate angle, seat back height and other features can make all the difference in safety, function and comfort. What type of wheelchair cushion does he use? How much does he weigh? A tighter leg rest angle gives a smaller turning radius but he needs good knee range to use that. I take along a gait belt to use as a safety belt and also to strap my mother's legs to the leg rests on cobble stones...otherwise they bounce right off. I would also recommend getting anti-tippers that are removable. Use them except for going up/down curbs or steps.

 

Here are a couple to look at:

 

http://www.spinlife.com/Sunrise-/-Quickie-Breezy-Ultra-4-Lightweight-Wheelchair/spec.cfm?productID=74650

 

http://www.spinlife.com/Sunrise-/-Quickie-Breezy-600-Lightweight-Wheelchair/spec.cfm?productID=203

 

http://www.spinlife.com/Sunrise-/-Quickie-Quickie-LXI-Lightweight-Wheelchair/spec.cfm?productID=218