Holidays

[Bailando]

Hi

My husband was diagnosed in November2020. He can still walk in the house with a walker and get up stairs slowly. With the end of lockdown approaching I am dreaming of a holiday while we still can. The main thing we need in holiday accommodation is a walk-in shower and few stairs/steps-.... and preferably a balcony with a beautiful sea view!!!! Does anyone have any suggestions home or abroad of suitable holiday accommodation for MSA sufferers

Thanks for any ideas ... if you are happy to share

[Tusker1953]

Hi

It's a great idea to have a holiday while you still can. The last holiday my husband and I had was to a National Trust self catering holiday property on the Roseland Peninsular in Cornwall. It was called the Captains Quarter and although not the most attractive place from the outside it was wheelchair accessible with walk in shower. My husband was in a wheelchair and I was able to wheel him outside to sit in the sun and look at the stunning view across the Carrick Roads to Falmouth. It is quite isolated and obviously not everyones cup of tea but it suited us perfectly. Good luck with your search.

Best wishes Jan

[Bailando in reply to Tusker1953]

Hi Jan

Thanks so much for this - it looks lovely.

I have just realised that it will probably be extremely difficult to get something for this year as everywhere will probably be honouring Covid cancellations from last year when restrictions are lifted!

However hoping we will still be up to some travel next year - so difficult with this illness to predict the future it seems but fingers crossed.

Thanks again

Sharon

[Becky46]

Hello,

Holiday whilst you can, don't wait for next year. MSA is a relentless road of twists and turns, book something to put something positive on that road to look forward too for both of you.

Cornwall is beautiful in all the seasons especially autumn. September when school has returned is often cheaper and less busy.

All the best

Becky

[Bailando in reply to Becky46]

Thanks Becky

I think you are right - September would be a good time. Would also love Italy perhaps ......whilst we could still manage a plane (with assistance I think)

[Yanno in reply to Bailando]

Jackie and I travelled extensively with her in a wheelchair prior to Covid. The wheelchair assistance people at the airports were in the main superb. Of course there's always the exception - Iceland where one of just two wheelchair lift vehicles was off the road and Turkey where they loaded the plane for the return flight before we managed to get off!! Most of the time however we got on or off the plane and through immigration quicker than everyone else.

[Bailando in reply to Yanno]

Thanks - we too were big travellers and loved to go away for extended periods to explore a country or an area. Ideally we would love to get a villa somewhere in September and take the kids (adults now) but so difficult to know in advance if suitable in terms of shower and steps, uneven surfaces etc. Let me know if there are any places you particularly recommend.

Take care

[Bruce7 in reply to Bailando]

Hi Pending on your budget! Florida Villa/ House weather nearly always great,

We used to have a place out there going 4-6 times a year, That's all gone now happy

memories though.

[Bailando in reply to Bruce7]

Yes Florida would be lovely - perhaps in our winter and I imagine the Americans are good at disabled provision. I think we will wait until they get their Covid response sorted tho!

[Annietutt in reply to Bailando]

Hi. I can’t offer ideas for any specific suitable destinations as we resorted to cruises when Tony’s mobility decreased. However, when it got to the stage that he could not get on a tour bus we found that a lot of big cities have companies that do private, accessible tours in wheelchair vehicles. The one we did in Lisbon was superb. We were the only passengers and so everything was at our pace. The fact that we were in a smaller vehicle also meant that we were able to access parts of the city that the tour buses couldn’t get to. On a previous cruise another passenger raved about the accessible tours they had done in St. Petersburg, particularly to the museums.

On flights to our son in Spain we always chose front seats so it was near the toilet for Tony and access onto the plane was easy- no struggling down the aisles. We also learned (after several trips where we paid) that if you book airport assistance by telephone, rather than online, you do not have to pay to book a preferred seat.

Do it while you still can. I don’t think Tony will manage any more travel abroad and it is such a loss to our lives. I hope this helps.

[Bailando in reply to Annietutt]

Thanks so much Annie. You are such a great source of advice. How is your wetroom going? The plumber should be with us within the month! We have gone for the Gerberit loo and the Apres shower dryer - fingers crossed it all works out!

[Annietutt in reply to Bailando]

Everything is installed at last. The Geberit toilet has been tested by the plumber but we have not tried the body dryer yet. There is still some decorating and finishing off to do in the bedroom and grab rails to fix beforeTony can get in there. Another couple of weeks hopefully. I’ll let you know how it goes.

[writerinlimbo in reply to Becky46]

Agree with Becky. Don't delay. In his year since diagnosis my husband has gone from walking with a rollator to being unable to use a wheelchair or travel in a car. It's different for everyone of course, but don't assume time is on your side.

[Bailando in reply to writerinlimbo]

Thanks so much.

I agree - just hoping quarantine, covid rules and travel insurance don't stop us!!

[bluenose100]

My wife could not walk but we went abroad

Couple of times most hotels have disabled

Rooms as long you got a wheelchair

Airport will take you on and off plane

Go do everything together

Good luck

[Bailando in reply to bluenose100]

Thanks - yes I think we should go for it - Covid permitting. Do you have any suggestions of specific places you thought were ideal. Realise now that a view is important as we probably won't be out galivanting much - Nick finds the wheelchair uncomfortable for long periods

[MSA1]

Irton House Farm, Cumbria.

[Bailando in reply to MSA1]

That looks lovely. As a child my dad had a boat on Ullswater and we spent many holidays camping there. Now we live in London it is quite a journey but probably worth it I think!

[Floosie5uk]

Hi there! My husband has suspected MSA and seems to be at a similar stage to yours. We’re dreaming of holidays and have been looking at hiring a motor home. Surprisingly they are not as expensive as I thought (£65-80 per night in low season) in Ireland then you’d be best to pay €10 per night to use the safe parking areas that they have mapped out. We fancied the Wild Atlantic Way which runs from Donegal to Cork (north west to south west) so we’d be guaranteed good sea views but not sure about the sun! You could just choose a small section. But Italy sounds a wonderful ides too. Good luck and enjoy the planning . Sue

[Bailando in reply to Floosie5uk]

Thanks Sue

That is a good idea. I will look into trying it our for a few days and then we could go for longer if successful

[chester2107]

we took my parents (dad with msa) to tenerife , he was getting unsteady in his feet , so hired a mobility scooter , it’s quite flat there so easy to get around , can’t remember the hotel name but it was in playa de fanabe near costa adeje booked through tui, up a hill (there was a shortcut from the pool) we had actually booked it when we was more mobile , but they happily swapped rooms for one with a walk in shower

there is a website called disabled access holidays , they have loads of accessible holidays , definitely worth a look

elaine x