question for leg amputees

[dennisb66]

I have been trying to book a holiday in the Canaries with Thomson for late February and need a room with wheel-in shower.A flight with medical seats is first reserved then i have to wait up to 5 days for them to confirm through Special Needs whether a handicapped room is available.I have now tried 4 hotels to no avail,what really annoyed me was after 4 days waiting ref. the Conquistador in Las Americas they informed me that they had not reserved any Junior Suites( ie disabled rooms) at the Conquistador.
Yet an e-mail from the hotel confirmed that they had a number of disabled rooms available. Rant over!!!!
Are there any Abers in a similar position who know a better and easier way to book hotels with disabled rooms.?

[jno]

would it be cheaper to book it direct with the hotel, since they have the rooms?

[bednobs]

why do you need "medical seats" on the plane (and what are they anyway?) Are you able to transfer? i am a wheelchair user and andtime i have flown, i just booked normal flights and asked for special assisstance afterwards (they take you to the gate in your wheelchair then get you tothe plane door and if you can walk at all you then walk to the seat, or they put you on a wheely thing take you to your seat then you transfer accross

[marval]

Have a look here and see if it gives any advice/help

http://www.disabledholidaydirectory.co.uk/

[dennisb66]

Jno,thats possible but what if I could not get a flt. to match dates.

Bednobs,medical seats are at the front with extra leg room which wife requires to be able to stand up,also suffers daily from phantom pain,she is in her 70s,Flew once in normal seats 2 months ago and she went through hell,also took 2 of us to help her into aisle.

[jno]

you can only try, dennis - send them another email and ask. But maybe if she's this ill she should just not be flying?

[bednobs]

jno it's probably not a case of "being that ill"; just disabled.

[jno]

yes, could be,, ummmm. But even with disability there may be a point where travel is just more trouble than it's worth.

[arwyn]

The U.K is much more disabled friendly for holidays/hotels than any package holiday company, unless you try to google to see if any companies offer anything to suit you both

[bednobs]

it's a really hard balance to achieve for sure. I didn't go on holiday for 5 years because i was limited by my mobility and when you have the things set up around you for your needs it's a big step to go somewhere wher eyou haven't seen them first hand, but it's really miserable not to go on holiday if you can afford it

[Andyvon]

Please forgive my question Dennis but have you lost one leg or both? If you have lost both then are you confined to a wheelchair? I have seen many people like my great-uncle who lost a leg (smoking) but who get around quite well. I take it from your thread that you have lost both and are confined to a wheelchair.

Things aren't generally as easy for people with disabilities abroad Dennis. You find many people in the UK who don't have any patience or care for people who need extra help but things tend to be a little better than abroad. My wife was hit by a car several years ago and brain damaged which has left her needing full time care from me. My wife lives in the present and she has almost no short-term memory. If she's watching the end of a TV programme she's already forgotten the beginning and she still couldn't find her way home if she got lost. If we go away for a day, a week or two my wife hasn't a clue where we are, nor does she remember we have been away when we get home!

However, we still have day trips and go away for a week or two. I just make sure I keep a very close eye on Mrs A and she knows not to leave me. I always provide her with sheets of paper with her name and address and name and address of our hotel just in case we get separated. Because Mrs A can't speak very well I keep telling her to walk into a shop or cafe and never approach a stranger with her paper which explains that she's a tourist who is lost and can the person please call the local police. They can then call my mobile number or take her back to the hotel. I just hope she remembers that at the time but so far it hasn't been needed as we haven't got separated.

The point I'm trying to make is that it would be to say it would be too risky for us to go away. However, we take the plunge and don't expect to be treated any differently to any other visitor or tourist. We prepare for and overcome whatever problems we find at the time. I am very respe

[Andyvon]

That cut off!

I ended by wondering very respectfully whether you might be expecting hotels and airlines to do a little more than necessary Dennis, unless you are confined to a wheelchair and very debilitated. I so, then please forgive me.

[boxtops]

I think it's Mrs Dennis who is the amputee andyvon, from his second post?

Dennis, your best bet might be trying to book holidays for people with disabilities - something like this site, who say they understand what's needed? http://www.disabledho...uk/search/europe-l27/

[boxtops]

^ PS sorry marval, my link duplicates yours ;-)

[Andyvon]

You are right Boxtops. I really must read these threads better before replying. I keep doing that.

Sorry Dennis. My post should be for your wife then.

[dennisb66]

Thanks everyone for your input,however it has gone slightly off the point I was asking.
My wife had her left leg amputated 14months ago,since then we have been abroad twice,last September and December,everything was perfect including airport assistance,cannot fault them.
The first holiday I booked was with Enabletravel,they were very good but also very expensive.The December holiday I booked with First Choice,£500 cheaper than Enabletravel.
Back to my question,I wondered if anyone knew of an easier and quicker way to book disabled rooms and flights with Bulkhead seats.The extra space seats which one normally pays extra for are free to wheelchair users,(ie.no extra charge) and known as medical seats.
I'm thinking that the only way is to book direct with the hotel and then find a flight,but after the problems many people had last year after booking independently,package holidays appear to be the safest.