- Joined
- Jul 29, 2017
- Messages
- 3,933
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 07/2017
- Country
- US
- State
- OR
- City
- Southern Oregon
There’s no place like home.
The idea of being too disabled for ADA occurred to me at a recent stay in an “accessible” vacation rental. The “standard” ADA accommodations that I’ve observed in public facilities, hotels, and vacation rentals seem to include a barrier-free entrance into a building. If there are steps, then placement of a ramp or elevator allows access.
“Handicapped” bathrooms typically have a single grab bar on one side of the toilet and occasionally a grab bar behind the toilet. There is generally extra space for maneuvering in a handicapped toilet stall or bathroom. The toilet height is usually standard. The sink may have room for a wheelchair to pull in underneath. Showers typically have grab bars but may or may not be roll-in. Sometimes a shower bench is provided but the height may or may not be adjustable.
But ALS is a progressive disorder and one size does not fit all. Though ALS tends to start out with a functional deficit in one area, the magnitude and scope of disability grows over time, occasionally to the point of total paralysis. Somewhere along the way, “standard” ADA accommodations may no longer be adequate for a PALS.
In my recent vacation stay, the “handicapped-accessible” rental was a beautiful home that had the standard ADA accommodations plus a roll-in shower. However, I needed help getting off the bed and off the toilet (even with the portable toilet stand and toilet riser I brought from home), and there was barely enough room in the bedroom for both the power wheelchair and rollator. I doubt the space would be adequate for a pwc plus a Hoyer.
It occurred to me that I’ve become too disabled for ADA, and that saddened me.
I know some people bring along or rent portable lifts, commode chairs, and hospital beds. I’m curious what solutions people have come up with for travel and to hear others’ frustrations and experiences. I’m also venting and ranting.
I realize there may be a point at which overnight travel becomes impossible.
The idea of being too disabled for ADA occurred to me at a recent stay in an “accessible” vacation rental. The “standard” ADA accommodations that I’ve observed in public facilities, hotels, and vacation rentals seem to include a barrier-free entrance into a building. If there are steps, then placement of a ramp or elevator allows access.
“Handicapped” bathrooms typically have a single grab bar on one side of the toilet and occasionally a grab bar behind the toilet. There is generally extra space for maneuvering in a handicapped toilet stall or bathroom. The toilet height is usually standard. The sink may have room for a wheelchair to pull in underneath. Showers typically have grab bars but may or may not be roll-in. Sometimes a shower bench is provided but the height may or may not be adjustable.
But ALS is a progressive disorder and one size does not fit all. Though ALS tends to start out with a functional deficit in one area, the magnitude and scope of disability grows over time, occasionally to the point of total paralysis. Somewhere along the way, “standard” ADA accommodations may no longer be adequate for a PALS.
In my recent vacation stay, the “handicapped-accessible” rental was a beautiful home that had the standard ADA accommodations plus a roll-in shower. However, I needed help getting off the bed and off the toilet (even with the portable toilet stand and toilet riser I brought from home), and there was barely enough room in the bedroom for both the power wheelchair and rollator. I doubt the space would be adequate for a pwc plus a Hoyer.
It occurred to me that I’ve become too disabled for ADA, and that saddened me.
I know some people bring along or rent portable lifts, commode chairs, and hospital beds. I’m curious what solutions people have come up with for travel and to hear others’ frustrations and experiences. I’m also venting and ranting.
I realize there may be a point at which overnight travel becomes impossible.