Foreign Travel

[Suefromwakey]

Is anyone able to give me any tips and advice on foreign travel please?

Insurance – up to now we have been using CHUBB who say they do not want to know of any “Undiagnosed Medical Conditions” – so although we are pretty sure what my husband’s diagnosis is going to be he has not technically been diagnosed with anything – maybe I am stretching a point here?

I would like for us to go away for Christmas, which we have done for some years, every time we go off I think this is the last time but as a carer I would welcome the break from the usual stuff at home, anyhow I have come across what appears to be a fabulous hotel in Los Christianos,Tenerife – totally for disabled and Carers. You name it you can hire it.

Previously we have used the Ambi lift at Leeds but this time my husband won’t be able to get his foot above the lip on the door of the plane – has anyone used the “Transfer Wheelchair” which I understand will take him from the Ambi Lift to his seat? We will also need this service at the other end – anyone used it in Tenerife?

If we still have to isolate when we get back so be it – he hardly leaves the house anyway – I am desperately trying to hang on to what was our “Normal” otherwise he’s just sitting in his chair doing jack, (he mostly still has upper body strength.



Any tips gratefully received,

Sue

[Deb]

Hi Sue,

Well done for wanting to continue with travel... we are just weighing up the risks of COVID on the plane but are tempted to just go for it !

We have flown many times from Leeds Bradford airport and have been impressed by their special assistance. I cannot weight bear at all so use the ambilift in my power chair and then am lifted ( sometimes by two hunky men !) to an aisle wheelchair which they take to my seat. It's a narrow chair but they manoeuvre it over the lip of the door. I have not flown to Tenerife but I've found the assistance in Spain to be excellent. I don't want to tempt fate but my power chair has always been waiting in the lift.

I have used the ehic card In Spain when I've needed a doctor but we have annual insurance with all clear. They will insure with MND although you do need to be very honest about your husband's health. We have to update them every time ive seen a doctor or had a clinic visit. Covid insurance is not covered however.

Good luck Sue and let me know if I can help at all.
Love Debbie x

[richard]

Sue. My insurance is with All Clear. The premium was a fraction of others. Just Travel wanted over £1000 for a two week Caribbean cruise and four days in the US. All Clear wanted about £400 and that was an annual policy with MND fully disclosed! Of course you never know how good they are until you need to claim.

Richard

[richard]

I have been fortunate and have travelled a lot. My last trip, last month, was the first time I needed to use the narrow on board wheelchair, up until then I have used my scooter to the plane door, or Ambi Lifts when we use Ryan Air and with help slowly walked to my seat. Now I cannot lift my feet at all so it’s the narrow chair. Airport staff have been great.

My biggest concern is using the loo. Short flights are OK as I avoid drinking but I need to do a 9 hour flight, obviously twice and that worry’s me.

Richard

[Barry52]

Hi Sue,

I concur with Richard that all clear insurance is the best value for money and you can arrange it online. I have used them for several years now and they were quick to settle my claim for treatment for a broken nose when I fell in Peru.

Based on my experience the best airline for service is Jet2 and I understand they operate out of Leeds/Bradford. Obviously the service at each airport is down to the ground crew and it can be difficult abroad. I use the ambulift service and the aisle wheelchair easily copes with the small lip at the aircraft door.

I hope you find the perfect holiday and if you have space in your suitcase make room for me.

Barry

[Suefromwakey]

Thanks for your responses everyone, now my husband is saying he wont go - he's worried about the seating, if he gets a window seat he wont be able to shuffle from the isle towards the seat, if he gets an isle seat he's worried someone using the window seat will want the loo and he wont be able to get up to let them out, its a quandary, how does everyone else manage?................as long as there's no delays he can manage without the loo for a fight to Tenerife.
Its looking like Christmas as home I think.

Sue

[Deb]

Hi Sue,

As far as I know the person with limited or no mobility has to have the window seat. This is in case of emergency as we wouldn't be able to move so others can get out. They don't seem too concerned about how we would get out but to be fair neither am I !

I am able to slide across the seats slowly to the window but I have seen a lady who had no arm strength use a frame which slid across.You can request it from the airport's special assistance.

It's a hassle to travel with lots to organise so it depends if you both think it's worth it. We use Ryanair and Jet2 from Leeds and both are fine although I think Ryanair sometimes try to rush you. I couldn't rush however much I tried so I don't let it bother me.

Love Debbie x

[GaryM]

Sue, have a break in a spa hotel instead. You'll both enjoy the pampering.

[richard]

Sue. Yes traveling has its challenges but don’t stop doing it. The end result is worth it. Richard