Go to
the library and take out books and videos on places that interest
you.
Send
away for information packages regarding interesting destinations.
Check
the travel section of your local newspaper.
Talk
to friends about their travel experiences and favourite places to
visit.
After
performing your research, decide exactly where and what you wish to
see, and start making plans.
TALK
TO YOUR TRAVEL AGENT
After
you decide the destination you wish to travel to, discuss all of your
needs with the travel agent. It is the travel agent's job to accommodate
you to the best of their ability. If you have certain needs or pre-requisites
that must be met while traveling, inform the travel agent right away.
Here are some things that you might wish to discuss with your agent:
HOTELS
The
special accommodations that you might personally need.
There
are hotel rooms designed for those with disabilities. Have your travel
agent find out exactly what this means and what these rooms have to
offer. If you are interested have your agent get some sort of written
confirmation.
Check
out walking distances between your would-be room and the hotel amenities
(i.e., the pool, laundry, restaurant etc.).
Are
there elevators available or are there only stairs between floors?
Can
you have a ground floor room?
Is there
accessible transportation to and from the hotel, the airport, train
etc.?
Are
there tours available from the hotel?
Is there
a pool or a hot tub available and if so what are their temperatures?
Is there
room service?
What
type of beds does the hotel have to offer? Some hotels offer waterbeds,
therefore get your agent to enquire about which type of bed you find
most comfortable.
Is there
a laundry service on the premises? If there is, this could mean that
you may not have to carry as much clothing, thereby making your suitcases
lighter to carry.
TIPS
FOR DIFFERENT MODES OF TRANSPORTATION
AIRPLANES
Those
with disabilities are often accommodated by being able to enter
and exit the airplane first. Have your travel agent inform the
airline that this is what you wish when he/she is booking your
flight. Also make sure to confirm this accommodation when checking
in pre-flight.
Make
sure that your travel agent requests seats that offer you optimal
leg room and close proximity to the lavatory.
Ask
your travel agent to find the easiest, most direct flight route
thus avoiding stop overs and the hassles of changing aircraft.
Consider
traveling mid-week and off holiday times.
Try
to travel as light as possible, however ensure that you pack the
absolute necessities that will make your vacation as comfortable
as possible.
WHILE
ON THE AIRPLANE
Make
sure to elevate your feet as much as possible to avoid swelling
in your legs and ankles.
Your feet and ankles have a tendency to swell while flying, so
do not remove your shoes as you may not be able to get them back
on again.
Drink
a lot of water.
Use
an inflatable "travel" cervical pillow to correctly
position your head and neck.
Change
your position often to decrease stiffness and swelling. Get up
and walk around at least once every hour.
Perform
stretching exercises of your hands, neck, knees and ankles.
Try
to wear loose fitting comfortable clothing and make sure to carry
a sweater as it gets cold at high altitudes.
Relax!
Try
listening to comforting music.
ABOUT JET LAG
Travel
upsets your natural bio-rhythms so make sure to take it easy and
baby yourself.
Your
regularity can be disrupted so make sure to watch your diet. Eat
lost of fruit, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals.
Pre-flight,
make sure to consult your physician and pharmacist about your
medications and how they will be effected when crossing time zones.
INTERESTING
FACT: Your biological clock responds to light and therefore you
can use "light" to reset your body clock before the
trip. Therefore prior to the trip prepare your body for different
time zones by beginning your day earlier or later.
ANOTHER
INTERESTING FACT: If you fly from East to West, try to stay
outside in the natural light for several hours on the afternoon
you arrive. When traveling from the West to the East, try to get
out in the sun early in the morning to reset your clock.
CARS
Plan your route carefully and do not drive for more than eight
hours.
Get
out and stretch at least once every hour.
Adjust
your seat to maximum comfort.
Use a lumbar roll or personal back support.
Use cruise control when ever possible
Wear
loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
If renting a car, ensure that everything is power operated.
SHIPS
/ CRUISES
Have your agent ensure that there are ramps available for boarding
and exiting the ship.
Have
your agent contact the cruise-line to ensure proper accessibility
on the ship (for instance are there elevators between the floors
instead of stairs).
BUSES
Greyhound
and Travelways provide accommodations for those with limited mobility,
therefore have your travel agent check into this for you.
Get
someone to help you with your luggage.
Get
up and stretch/move around at least once every hour
AFTER YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR DESTINATION
You
will need to "decompress" after your journey, so take
a nap or a relaxing bath.
Make
sure that you allow time for resting and breaks.
Keep
up your stretching and exercise routines while on vacation.
Try
to watch your diet and alcohol intake as these might interfere
with your medications.
GENERAL
TRAVEL TIPS
Ensure that you purchase travel insurance / medical insurance.
Carry
your medications in their original bottles.
Carry
medications in your carry-on luggage. This way your medications
are with you at all times and you will not be without them
if your luggage is lost.
Ensure
that you have enough of your medication to last your whole
vacation.
It
is essential that you make 3 copies of the following pertinent
information:
-Your medical history
-Your medications
-Your medication regimen
-Your travelers check serial numbers
-Your Physicians name and telephone number
-The name and telephone number of the family member or friend
at home whom you wish to be contacted in case you are hurt
or injured while on vacation.
*Once you have made 3 copies of this information, make sure
to carry 1 copy in your money belt or on your person at all
times, 1 copy is to be placed within your luggage, and 1 copy
should be given to the family member or friend whom is your
contact person at home. This is to ensure that you will be
taken care of should something happen to you.
Before
leaving, get the telephone number and address of the local
embassy of the country you will be visiting. Call and see
if they have local equivalents to the medications you are
currently taking in case yours has become lost or stolen.
Make
sure to carry absolute essentials, important papers, and things
of value in your carry-on luggage (i.e., money, passport,
credit cards, medications, camera & film, walkman and
a couple of pairs of underwear). This is to ensure that you
will have all of your essentials or valuables with you in
case your luggage is lost, stolen, or vandalized.
Wear
a medic-alert bracelet if one is needed.
Bring
any assistive devices or aids with you to ensure comfort and
functionality - eg. shoe horn, folding easy-grip eating utensils.
Try
to use long handled wheeled luggage as this is easier to manage
then conventional luggage.
Once
again, make sure to inform your travel agent about all of
your needs so that he or she can make this vacation a pleasant
experience.
Find
out what the dress requirements are on your vacation. If there
is no need for formal wear, this will cut down on the amount
of packing and luggage you will have to take.
Find
out what the local prices and the exchange rates are. This
way you can purchase some of your self-care products when
you arrive, thereby decreasing what you will have to pack
and carry.
If
you need assistance, do NOT hesitate to ask for it !
Contact
your public health unit with regards to immunization and the
potential for health problems in the country that you will
be visiting.
If
you are concerned about making arrangements or traveling on
your own, travel with an organized tour group - relax and
let someone else worry about the details!
Ask
your travel agent to arrange for the availability of a wheelchair
once your flight arrives. By being wheeled through the airport
terminal, you will conserve your energy so that you can enjoy
the beginning of your vacation without being exhausted.
Be
vigilant about the risks of consuming water in foreign countries.
Here are some telephone numbers of agencies that specialize
in accommodating those with health needs.
Toronto Handicapped Charter and Tour Services
1- (416) 948-9204
Care Vacations
1- (877) 478-7827
Travel Helpers
1- (416) 443-0583
References
Ellert, G. (1990). The Arthritis Exercise Book. Gentle, Joint-by-Joint
Exercises to Keep you Flexible and Independent. Chicago, IL:
Contemporary Books, Inc.
Starlanyl, D., & Copeland, M. E. (1996). Fibromyalgia and
Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome. A Survival Manual. Oakland,
CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
ASSISTIVE
DEVICES THAT MAY HELP WHEN TRAVELLING
Folding
canes
Specialized
eating utensils (built up handles, light weight, folding for easy
travel)
Cervical
pillow
Cold
packs or hot water bottles
Good,
supportive running shoes
Elastic
shoe-laces
Long
handled shoe horn
Long
handled sponge, hair washer, brush and comb
Button
hooks/zipper grips
Easy
opening pill bottles for arthritic hands (ask at your pharmacy)
Dycem
(a piece of sticky plastic used to make jar and bottle opening easier)
Uni-turner
(used to enable the turning of tap handles in the bathroom)
Waist/Fanny
pack
Money
belt
Rubber
door knob extensions (to enable arthritic hands to turn door knobs)
Key
holder
Pen
grip
Knapsack
(to carry daily essentials while distributing their weight evenly
over the back)
Mini
massager
Splints
and or Braces
Digital
Pedometer to ensure pacing while walking
Digital
thermometer
Lumbar
roll
Aroma
therapy to induce relaxation
Thera-putty
or a foam ball (to exercise hand muscles)
Tensor
bandages
Edema
Gloves (to keep hand swelling down)
Thera-band
(to promote exercise of large joints and muscles)
Ear
plugs (to aid in sleeping if the environment is noisy)
Medic-alert
bracelet
Light
weight blow-dryer
Long
handled wheeled luggage
All of
the aforementioned assistive devices are available at local medical
supply stores. If you are unsure of where to find these local vendors,
refer to either the yellow pages or ask your friendly Occupational Therapist.
Arthritis
Institute Services
