Do You Need a Wheelchair?
How to determine if you need a wheelchair or scooter while traveling, what types are available, and how to obtain one. Also, I'M OPEN FOR BOOKINGS!
The nurse in the neurology department gasped, a hand clasped over her mouth. “You can walk?? But you are in a wheelchair!”
I was in the plastic transport chair that most hospitals have available. It was a flare day, and I didn’t have the energy to walk the yards-long winding hallways it took to get from the garage to the ninth-floor neurology center for my migraine injection appointment. So, instead of wasting my spoons, I decided to utilize the transport chairs for what they were meant for. To transport. I did not, however, need it to go the ten feet from the examination room to the bathroom across the hall. That was only a few steps, and I could easily walk it. So when I asked the nurse if I could use the restroom and got up to go, she stared at my newfound ability to walk in amazement.
She was witnessing a miracle.
To us in the disabled community, it is obvious that not everyone in a wheelchair has lost their ability to walk. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception among the general public (including, apparently, healthcare workers who should know better). This misconception makes it harder for those of us who don’t always need a wheelchair or scooter to ask for one when we need it. What if people think we are faking it? What if we actually could walk the distance, and we are taking the device from someone who needs it more? What if we bring a wheelchair, end up not needing it, and it ends up being a hindrance (gets in the way, gets damaged, prevents you from going into inaccessible places, etc.)?
If you are asking yourself these questions at all, then you probably need a wheelchair, scooter, or another assistive device. People who can walk comfortably do not ask themselves these questions. They don’t wonder for a second whether they can walk the streets of London or walk down a long pier. It just happens. In my opinion, it is always better to have something and not need it than to be stuck without it, especially when it comes to mobility devices, and especially when you are travelling somewhere you don’t know.
Because of this, I always recommend my clients pack for their worst days. If you have a chronic illness or condition that has made walking long distances at any point in the past few months difficult, rent a scooter or wheelchair. What type of wheelchair? Where can you get one? Can you use another assistive device instead?
Let’s discuss.
Part 1: The Types: Wheelchairs, Power Chairs, Scooters, and More
Aka the most likely available to rent. Other impressive hybrids can also sometimes be available (such as a collapsible scooter), but the majority of rental places will at least offer these options. They usually come in three sizes based on body weight: standard, heavy duty, and geriatric. The cut-off weight for each size depends on the brand.
Transport Chairs
If you’ve ever been wheeled out of the hospital, you have probably used a transport chair. Transport chairs are the lightest options, weighing only around 20 pounds. They are also the easiest to store. However, you will need someone to push you, since the chairs do not have the wheels that allow you to push yourself. Due to their small wheels, they do not travel well over larger cracks and bumpy surfaces.
Manual Wheelchairs
This is the classic wheelchair, and what most people think of when they think about mobility equipment (it’s even on my logo). Manual wheelchairs can be folded like transport chairs, but due to their large back wheels, they may not be as easy to store. However, the large back wheels allow the person in the chair to self-propel, eliminating the need for a second person. I do not recommend manual wheelchairs if you have an energy-limiting chronic condition like chronic fatigue, since pushing yourself will involve moving your upper body muscles. As someone with POTS who gets tired easily, these are usually my last resort.
Scooters
Scooters are a great option for people who cannot walk long distances, are easily fatigued, but would still like the independence that a manual wheelchair provides. You are propelled by a battery instead of manual labor. This makes it easier to travel on bumpy surfaces. Whether or not the scooter fits through a doorway depends on the doorway and the scooter. Unlike the previous two options, most scooters can’t fold like the other manual options, so if they do not fit in a doorway, then you may have to leave them outside. Thus, scooters involve extra planning to make sure your destination can accommodate them–such as making sure you have an accessible room with the right dimensions or calling ahead at restaurants.
Power Chairs
If you are reading this article because you are wondering whether or not you need a wheelchair, then power chairs are not for you. Power chairs are for people who regularly use them at home. If you need a power chair, you will know it, because you will probably be in one or have one nearby right now.
Joy on the Beach (JOB) Wheelchairs
These wheelchairs are for, well, the beach! The air-filled wheels are easy to use on sand. The device is also waterproof and can be lowered into the water and used as a flotation device. It can be broken down into a bag. However, some public beaches allow you to rent them right on the water, like Ocean City, so you don’t need to worry about traveling with it. The only downside is that these are only good for the beach. Using them for a stroll around town isn’t advised.
Part 2A: How To Figure Out Which One You Need
Figuring out which device is best for you depends on where you are going, how you will be travelling, what your level of mobility is, and how comfortable you are. If you are going to Europe and dealing with their cobblestone sidewalks, a scooter may be better than a transport chair, since a transport chair’s small wheels will make it difficult to maneuver. However, if you are going on a plane to get there, you will need to make sure that the battery in the scooter is acceptable. According to the FAA, lithium-ion batteries cannot exceed 300 watt hours. Some people are also uncomfortable taking more bulky equipment on planes due to the fact that it can be easily damaged. Meanwhile, if you are going to be on relatively smooth surfaces or will be travelling in tight spaces (like tiny sedans or train cars), it is better to get a transport chair or manual wheelchair that can fold.
It will also depend on what your level of mobility is (keeping in mind to think of your level of mobility on your worst day, not your best). If you expect to need to use it rarely, a transport chair may be better since it is easily portable. But if you expect to use it more often, you may want a manual wheelchair or scooter so your travel partner doesn’t have to constantly push you. Whether you feel more self-conscious in a scooter than a transport chair or vice versa will also factor in.
It’s a lot to consider, which is why it is always better to have a travel agent help you.
Part 2B: Can I Use Other Assistive Devices?
Yes! I always recommend bringing whatever you use at home with you. But if you would like to rent assistive devices that require standing, like rollators or canes, instead of a wheelchair or scooter, make sure you won’t be affected by long distances or a lack of seating to the point that your vacation will become unenjoyable. In my opinion, it is much better to over-prepare than to under-prepare.
In some situations, bringing a cane along with another assistive device can be more practical than bringing a single assistive device alone. For example, in September, I will be going on a cruise to Quebec City. Quebec City has those narrow, cobblestone streets seen in Europe, but it also has beautiful shops that most scooters can’t fit in. So I can go into the shops without leaving the scooter outside, I decided to rent a transport chair instead. Will the transport chair work on the cobblestone streets? Probably not, but I will also be bringing my cane with a seat. My hope is to be able to use the manual transport chair during our ports with less European infrastructure, so by the time we get to Quebec City, I will have enough energy to (slowly) use my cane and seat. Is it perfect? Not at all. But I decided that this would be the most practical solution.
Part 3: Where to Rent
If you are going on a cruise, Special Needs at Sea and Scootaround are two suppliers that will have the assistive device ready for you onboard the ship. No need to take it with you on a flight and worry about damage. If you would rather have it before you leave home or during a flight, they can also ship the device to either your home address or a hotel. However, this depends on the location. Both companies offer similar services, but Special Needs at Sea also offers an “ultra-light” scooter that folds.
For land trips or cruises with complex itineraries (such as departing one port and ending at another), most local stores that sell assistive devices also rent them out for a daily fee. You can find these stores either in your local area or your destination by Googling “Medical Supply Stores in insert city here”. One day, I hope to stumble upon a list. Unfortunately, I can’t find one, and there are also no stores that are abundant enough in the States to be worth mentioning.
That’s it for now. I hope this at least gives you a good overview of the type of devices available and which ones you should start looking at for your next trip. As always, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. I’m happy to help discuss your options and book rentals for you. Just reach out!
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These are GREAT suggestions and useful information. I didn't know there were companies that will have a wheelchair or scooter waiting at the ship!