Disability road traveling by truck in Winter and Spring adds extra challenges. But there is no reason to sit at home if you are willing to put in a little more time and effort into the preparation. Obviously I can’t do all of these things on my own but if you are lucky enough to have a partner that is willing to help you over the extra hurdles involved you can still have a wonderful time traveling.
The winter and spring months can bring about some challenging weather to contend with, especially if you are traveling in a truck as opposed to a self-contained van. We have a Dodge pickup truck that we have modified to be able to transport me as well as my very heavy power wheelchair. Although we cannot load the chair into the truck for protection from the elements, we have come up with the next best solution. A wheelchair rack that attaches to the back of the truck by way of the trailer hitch. This has allowed my husband to load me up into the passenger side by way of a Braunability Turny Evo seat and to drive my chair to the back of the truck to load it onto the rack. This wheelchair rack along with the Turny seat has allowed me to be able to travel with him in the comfort of his truck.
Here is a list of some of the equipment we find helpful when traveling in inclement weather. All of these can be bought online through Amazon by clicking on the highlighted name in the list. Full disclosure is that I am an Amazon Affiliate and earn a small percentage if you order something through my referral links.
The first thing I recommend is the wheelchair rack. There is quite a lot to choose from on Amazon. Be sure you read the fine print and purchase the rack that will best fit your wheelchair or scooter.
The second item that is really a necessity is a heavy-duty cover to go over your wheelchair while it rides back there in the rain, snow or dust. Power wheelchairs are tough but they aren’t designed to be waterproof and everyone knows that water and electronics just don’t play well together. So a protective cover is a small price to pay to protect a very expensive piece of equipment.
2. Wheelchair / Scooter Transport Cover
The third handy item on my list today is waterproof luggage. Especially if you are needing to carry it in the truck bed. I really love the Samsonite hard body luggage on rollers. It keeps everything dry. It is easy to clean with a damp rag and because it’s on rollers is very easy to maneuver without having to lift.
Fourth I always have a good quality rain poncho to protect myself and my chair if we get caught out in a rainstorm while sightseeing. You can pick these up just about anywhere but I like the heavier duty ones because they last longer. I keep mine folded up in my wheelchair bag to have on hand at all times.
4. Rain Poncho
There are a few other things that I take on every trip regardless of the weather forecast. Some of these things are absolute necessities due to my level of disability while others have proven to be handy in a pinch.
A transfer board is always smart to bring with you because it makes transferring in and out of the wheelchair, both easier on yourself but also on the person helping you and they are very easy to pack and transport.
A portable Hoyer lift can really come in handy if you’re staying at one of those Hotels with the extra thick and lush mattresses that are too tall to transfer onto. We have had this happen so many times it’s laughable. Trying to get me up onto a bed that is 8 to 10 inches above my wheelchair without a Hoyer lift is next to impossible. Even a transfer board is useless on those occasions.
6. Hoyer Lift
The next item is really a biggie for me personally and I won’t ever travel without it. A rolling rehab shower chair. I have tried leaving mine at home and relying on the one provided at the Hotel and have never felt comfortable. They just aren’t heavy-duty enough and are typically on the flimsy side. I can remember at least two times when I tried to make do with the ones provided by the Hotel and ended up on the bathroom or shower floor needing assistance to get back up. Not fun, potentially dangerous and most definitely embarrassing. Because of my difficulty with transferring I need one that can serve not only as a shower chair but also as a commode. Amazon carries several that fit my needs. Some are made to be self-propelled with big push wheels while others are designed to be used with an assistant to propel you along. Choose the type that best suits your needs.
With the disability come a few other annoying conditions to deal with that require maintenance and attention. Many, myself included suffer from varying levels of incontinence which is always something to consider while traveling for several days. I like to pack a reusable washable bed pad to lay across my side of the bed at night. I feel much better about myself when I know that I’m not going to ruin the Hotel bed or cause the maids to have to clean up after me. You may choose to use the disposable, throw away pads but I really like the durability of the washable, waterproof ones because they can also assist with positioning by being durable enough to pull on them.
8. Waterproof washable bed pads
Traveling long distances by automobile causes you to remain seated in the same position for hours on end. Where others in your party may get out of the vehicle to pump some gas, run into a store for refreshments or to use the bathroom allowing them time to stretch and get a little exercise, the disabled person is often stuck in the same position throughout the trip. That can be dangerous for those of us with compromised circulation. For this reason, I always wear my Compression stockings. They help to keep me from forming dangerous blood clots in my lower extremities which could travel to my heart or lungs and become deadly.
Talking of poor circulation reminds me of how cold natured I have become. It can be contentious managing a long drive when your husband is very hot natured and is uncomfortable without air conditioning and I am sitting beside him on the front seat freezing to death. One of the ways that we have found to combat this issue is to have purchased a 12v automobile heated blanket. My husband can blast himself with frosty air while I can close the vents and wrap myself up into a heated blanket plugged into the 12v D.C. outlet in the vehicle.
All disabilities are different. Some of us need more help than others. I hope some of these products can help make your travels more comfortable as they have mine. If you have tips or products that you would like to share with my readers please be sure and tell me all about them in the comments section.
