hi all, any information about holidays abroad with PSP - especially in france?

[gwend]

1st time on the forum , my dad has PSP can barely walk and my mum cares for him. They are french and live in france - I would love to help them get away - but the french ( I am french so I can say it!) dont seem to know what to do with people with disabilities..... any experience or tips for a successful - even short- trip away from home to clear their heads - thank you!

[easterncedar]

For what it's worth, since I don't know what kind of travel your parents might want or how disabled your father is, I'll say that we had an excellent couple of trips last year. Although his neurologist last spring suggested that we wouldn't be able to travel as we'd planned, we made it to the west coast of the US for a week in the fall (we're on the east coast) and then took a trip to Ireland. My guy can walk some, but not for long. He used a cane then. The airports were VERY easy once we asked for help, and we were provided wheelchairs and assistants who took us through the security lines, and transport in the electric carts that whizzed us along very comfortably. Mostly I drove us from place to place, and that was fine. We rented a cottage with one floor in Ireland, and that was great. I was worried about how we'd manage, and it wasn't always easy, but I'm so happy we were able to do it. I hope your parents get a vacation. It can be so restorative to have a change of scene. Easterncedar

[dorothy-thompson]

Dear Gwend

If they wanted to visit the UK for instance, I suggest you go on the web and check out companies that deal specifically with disabled holiday accommodation, then find out all you can about disabled access on public transport (very patchy), if your dad hasn't already got one, get the French equivalent of our BLUE BADGE which allows disabled parking in dedicated parking bays, access to museum and gallery car parks where they have them and exemption from the congestion charge (at least we are).

The Blue Badge has been one of the few positive experiences we have had since my husband was diagnosed with PSP in 2010, forgot everything the medics say, with PSP you quickly learn that you're mostly on your own.

All airlines have a duty to give assistance with travel if requested and our experience of travel to New Zealand in 2011 when my husband was more able and more mobile was very positive, especially in Hong Kong!

Last year we managed a really lovely family holiday in Suffolk by booking self-catering accommodation with ground floor bedrooms and facilities, again we booked on the web.

It is not easy but it can be done. But this year in all honesty maybe different because my husband has deteriorated so much, I am looking to get him into respite care as I have a chance to go to Poitiers, ironically.

Whatever you decide I hope it works for you all.

Take care and regards

Dorothy Thompson

[Kathryn]

I can only agree about the French and facilities for the disabled. We have a small house in France , it is now impossible for my husband to go there as his mobility is very limited. However the last time we were there, I booked overnight stops for the journey in modern chain hotels where they had rooms which were on the ground floor and wheelchair friendly. I don 't know where your parents on but we stayed in Le Touquet on the way home in a nice hotel, not on a commercial estate, with a balcony that overlooked the beach. My French friends are amazed at how much we can still do here with my husband in a wheelchair, but I miss our long stays in France,

Bon courage

[Heady]

Hi, I agree with the replies so far. Travelling by plane is very easy, just ask for wheelchair assistance, it's great, you miss all the queues. We travel from the UK to South Africa regularly and have found everyone to be extremely helpful, nothing as been to much trouble. The air hostesses have always helped my husband get to the loo, so I can get a bit of rest. When there, we go away on road trips, which, while tiring for me, again makes life very easy. S just sits and watches the world goes past and for a few precious hours, I don't worry about him falling, which I can tell you is bliss!!!

I haven't been to France since S has had PSP, but I would have thought it will be easy to travel around. They are in the EU after all and have to abide by their disabled laws. There are always plenty of places to stop for toilet breaks, much better than anywhere else in the world! Tell them to just go for it, it's no harder than staying at home, you just have to be a bit more organised. They say "a change is as good as a rest", I certainly find that true.

Happy travelling.

Heady

[Hidden]

It all depends how disabled your dad is and whether / or not your mum can physically cope with it. Also it depends weather / or not you mum can drive a car. And finally it is all about money. In our case I am the carer and my wife is the patient and I can easily physically deal with the situation. My wife can still support herself, but cannot walk unassisted and for any walk we need to use the wheelchair.

We have just booked a two week's holiday in France in Villecroze / Var which is very close to Tour Tour. We have been in that area many times and we love it. As of the beginning of May temperatures can be as high as 30 degree Celsius and normally good weather is assured in that area of France. We booked for two weeks from 17th May, which is still pre season. We have a cottage with swimming pool outside the village in a quiet position and surrounded by a big enclosed garden. We found this at cheznous.com

We pay € 840 for the two weeks.

We drive there from the UK, as we have always done with a stopover on our outward journey and our return journey. Again not difficult to find suitable accommodation. We prefer to find a Logis de France hotel who always have wonderful food.

If you cannot or do not want to drive all that way, then another option is to fly to Nice with Ryanair e.g. and rent a car. From there it is not to far to whatever your final destination is.

In the VAR there are many excursions one can make, but as I said before it all depends a bit on the physicality and ability to deal with the physical aspects.

I want my wife still to enjoy as much as possible the time she has and no effort is too much for me. And although she cannot do any more the walks we used to do, to see the area, or to just enjoy a day at the pool in the sun and read a book is all we need for her to enjoy such a holiday

[toyota11]

Hi Gwend. We have been taking as many holidays as we could before my wife's situation makes it too difficult. Like others we have found flying to be very easy provided that you ask for disabled help when booking. They can lift you to the doors if necessary. We have cruised a lot, the larger cruise lines have the best disabled facilities and there are always willing staff on hand. Try a short cruise first. Disabled Holiday Directory in UK can arrange holidays for you.

Peter.

[jimandsharynp]

Try Google. Something like "handicap travel" or "handicap tours" or "Handicap assisted tours". I looked into this for Ireland and was amazed at the possibilities.

Jimbo

[gwend]

thank you all for your kind words - yes there seem to be possibilities out there so I will definitely look at this closer