Vacationing is often difficult when you have a child with special needs, isn’t it? As much as we all need a vacation, actually pulling one off can be quite an undertaking.
Whenever I want to take my children away, even if it is only for a weekend, I need to know if the place we are going will be handicapped accessible. Will the hotel have grab bars in the bathroom, and will the bathroom be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair? Will the room itself be large enough for all the equipment that must travel with us?
Where are the medical facilities and how long would it take the EMTs to respond in the event of an emergency?
One of our favorite places to vacation is Hatteras Island, North Carolina. I can find an accessible house to rent there, and most of the newer homes have elevators and accessible swimming pools. But because the Island is so far from any medical facility, I worry constantly while we are there.
I also enjoy the mountains, but have yet to find a mountain cabin or hotel that is accessible enough.
And then there is all the equipment that must be packed and taken on vacation. Spontineity is a things of the past once you have a child with special needs. I have a large van but even it is fully packed even if we are just going away for a weekend trip.
So, I’m curious. How do other families plan and execute vacations? Are there places you have found to be more accessible than others? Do you have any tips on how to make vacation preparation go a little smoother? What things do you do to make the vacations ‘work’ for your family?
Any and all tips are most welcome 🙂
Deborah can be found writing here at 5MFSN every Wednesday, and can also be found at Pipecleaner Dreams.