{"id":18221,"date":"2024-12-09T11:15:38","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T16:15:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nsm-seating.com\/?p=18221"},"modified":"2025-02-25T17:12:21","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T22:12:21","slug":"camping-made-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nsm-seating.com\/journal\/camping-made-possible\/","title":{"rendered":"Camping Made Possible"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Depending on what climate you live in, late fall to early spring can be the perfect time to squeeze in a camping trip, and the Riley family had plenty of advice to offer. Shane and Ainslee Riley live in Maine with their two teenage sons, Liam and Evan, and the Rileys are avid travelers and enjoy camping.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both boys use complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) equipment for mobility, so the Rileys shared plenty of accessible travel and camping tips to help you prepare for your next trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When planning a trip, what are some of the questions you ask or decisions you make beforehand? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to determine what you will travel in that meets your needs. Will your accessible vehicle, if you have one, meet the needs for a long road trip? Will you rent an accessible vehicle or RV? If you plan to stay overnight on your way to your destination, are there accessible hotels or campsites en route? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, be sure to research the accessibility at the campsite you plan to rent at your final destination and its proximity to an accessible restroom. Often non-accessible restrooms at campgrounds are very tricky to get into without a lot of heavy lifting and maneuvering, which also creates a lack of privacy. What is your ability to lift? If you can\u2019t lift very much, you may need to travel with a portable lift to make these transitions easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re driving to your campsite, are there benefits to mapping out your route in advance?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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We find it helpful to map our route and determine where to stay in advance. That gives us the opportunity to ensure we get an accessible room or campsite with appropriate restroom facilities for our needs. We also research the area for accessible activities and figure out how to make activities that aren\u2019t easily accessible doable for us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For wheelchair users and their families and friends, what advice can you offer about selecting a campsite? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select an accessible campsite, but also research to ensure that the area where you will put your tent is flat and you can drive a power wheelchair up to it. Having a lightweight transport chair for getting in and out of the tent\u2014and sometimes into the shower areas\u2014is helpful. Our sons sleep more comfortably on a cot with a sleeping pad rather than on the ground, and that also makes it easier for us to pick them up. Again, depending on your ability to lift, you may want to bring a slide board or lift with you. We also have a tent we can stand up in, which makes transfers, helping with dressing and other tasks a little easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you use a power wheelchair, you\u2019ll want to think about how you\u2019ll charge the battery. If there\u2019s no power at your site, you will need a portable charger or generator of some sort. If you use your vehicle to charge a power wheelchair battery, you risk killing your car battery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When planning activities\u2014the things you\u2019ll do and see on your trip\u2014what are some things wheelchair users and their caregivers should consider? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Research thoroughly. Online information can be misleading, so call ahead to confirm details. Ask about ramp access, transitions and any barriers. For example, some places may consider a 6-inch step \u201caccessible\u201d when it\u2019s not for many CRT users. Specific questions can make or break your plans\u2014especially in areas with variable terrain, like islands with gravel paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A National Parks Access Pass <\/a>can be very helpful too, granting free entry for disabled individuals and up to three guests at all National Parks. We\u2019ve taken our boys to accessible viewing trails in places like Arches National Park<\/a> and Washington D.C., which has excellent accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traveling with your sons, who both use wheelchairs, takes a lot of planning. Why would you encourage other CRT users and their friends or families to travel? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why not? It does require some additional advanced planning and research, but it\u2019s worth it. There may be a learning curve at first\u2014and you\u2019ll discover things you wish you\u2019d packed or questions you should have asked\u2014but you\u2019ll know for the next time. You might face unexpected challenges and have to get creative with your solutions, but as long as you\u2019re together and having fun, it makes for great memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You sometimes travel with one or both of your sons\u2019 service dogs. Any advice for CRT users who might be traveling with a service animal? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Once you know where you\u2019re going, contact your vet to make sure there aren\u2019t additional precautions you need to take or vaccinations your service dog might need. For example, in Georgia, dogs aren\u2019t required to have a vaccination for Lyme\u2019s disease, but in Maine they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any last pieces of advice for fellow travelers or campers? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A disability doesn\u2019t have to stop you from traveling. Just this year, one or both of us have traveled with our sons to Puerto Rico, Hurricane Island and Monhegan Island for school trips, taken a cross-country road trip, camped in Colorado and Utah with the Trekkers, and, most recently, gone to Hawaii for a Make-A-Wish trip. We traveled to Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, throughout New England, New Jersey, New York, Florida and more. We love to travel! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for ramps, lifts or other accessibility products that might enhance your travel plans? Reach out to <\/em>your local National Seating & Mobility branch<\/em><\/a> to learn more about your options.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Depending on what climate you live in, late fall to early spring can be the perfect time to squeeze in a camping trip, and the Riley family had plenty of advice to offer. 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