[Blind-rollers] New To List, Have Questions?

[AgapeDEW at aol.com]

Deneice,
 
I have a Jazzy electric wheelchair and I use a roller cane tip which i make 
 a complete half circle in front of me when 
traveling.  It folds up for storage.  I got it from the Blind  Association 
that contracted Dallas Lighthouse for Blind to teach me  mobility.  It has 
helped me a great deal to have a mobility  specialist.  Please try to get 
these services.  
Regarding traveling, you must notify the airline ahead of time that you  
will be traveling with electric wheelchair.  They will do a manual security  
check of you and your chair verses going through the checkpoint.  It is  
recommended that you take your book on your chair because older models of  
electric wheelchair required the battery be taken apart and checked but the new  
gel batteries, it is not necessary.  The airport personnel were so grateful  
for my book I keep in my  back pocket of chair.  They can only take  your 
electric wheelchair to the entrance of the airplane.  They have an  airport 
one that is thinner that can help you to your seat.  I was able to  use the 
seats to walk the short distance to my seat.  Always pick the outer  seat on 
the airplane if you have a problem 
with mobility going side to side in a seat.  I cannot do this so I  need an 
outer seat.  I had a very pleasant flight using both USAIR and  Southwest 
airlines with their special accomodations.  Try not to get  layovers or plane 
changes if possible.  Have them help you to your next  plane if you do have 
to change planes.  Expect to tip them $5-$10 to get  you to your 
terminal...they work for tips and low wages supposedly.  
Hotels:  Many hotels have a handicap accessible room which means NO  
smoking and No animals (which is fine with me because I have asthma.)  It  has a 
handicapped drive in shower and its great to be so independent.  Some  have 
push door buttons outside.  If not, ask the clerk to mark the top  front end 
of your door security card with a piece of tape so you will know which  way 
the card goes into your door lock.  For those with continental  breakfast, I 
found this totally intimidating because I didn't want to sit and  feel my 
way through the stuff on the breakfast bar.  But this hotel I  stayed out was 
so accomodating, that the first day, the desk clerk came and told  me where 
everything was and they cleared a chair from one table so that I would  
have accessibility every morning.  
 
Transportation from airport:  This can be a problem cuz most hotels  have a 
van that will pick you up at the airport but have no van ramp etc to get  
your chair in.  You must arrange ahead of time with the event (perhaps they  
can help you decide that since the event is a convention for blind rollers 
and  surely they have those answers.  I do not have those answers.)  I am  
currently facing that dilemma as I am trying to visit grandchildren in PA.   I 
may contact the local Blind Association and see if they have a van or 
public  transit in their town that will be able to pick me up at airport.  
Calling  ahead and asking questions is good because the more you know, the more 
you feel  empowered.  Remember the luggage issue at airport.  They are 
limiting  or charging for checked luggage and counting the carryon's now.  Your 
chair  does not count as luggage and they cannot charge.  Good luck and I wish 
I  could go also to the convention but I have had two grandchildren born 
that I  have not seen for almost 3 yrs and I need to try to persue getting to 
PA very  soon before my heart breaks lol.   Best wishes....deb
 
 
In a message dated 5/13/2009 12:02:16 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
grannydee214 at sbcglobal.net writes:

Hello  List,

I have been reading post for a while but this is the first time I  have
posted anything.  I am so glad that there is a place for us to go  and find
out about things.     I do have some  questions,  I am in a motor chair now,
and am trying to figure out  what kind of cane I will need.   What is the
best type of cane to  use  when using a motor chair.   I am hoping to  get
some  O and M,  but that may take a while.    And  another question is  (
this may be a dumb question )   But I am going to try to go to the 
convention
this summer,  How hard  is it to go through the airports with your chairs,
and how do you get from  the airports to the hotels.  I guess you can tell I
am very new at  this.   

I want to Thank You in advance for your  Help.

Deneice Hopper              

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