Getting accessible room without offending anyone

[Tiiiigergirl]

OK here is the deal. The current treatment seems to be working and I was able to go on an outing with my family yesterday and not use George the Purple wheelchair. I still had to use my cane but I have hopes that by our cruise in Sept. I won't really need to use either one.

Here now is the kicker. I overdid the outing yesterday and have spent today in bed. Mostly I think it was the sun. Like an idiot I didn't put sunscreen on. What I'm trying to say is that we are taking George just in case but are hoping that I really don't need it. But just in case, we have a disabled cabin booked. How do I respond to the looks or if someone says something about us using the disabled cabin? They are much larger but at the time we booked it, I was using George just to go a few feet.

 

[SueM in MN]

I haven't been on a cruise, so I can't speak from personal experience, but....

1) It is possible that you will need the extra features of the wheelchair accessible room while you are there, so you have a right to book that cabin.
2) You are taking the wheelchair along (or at least that's what I think you said) so the extra room to store it if you don't use it will be handy.
3) I would bet the majority of people don't even know there are wheelchair accessible cabins and wouldn't know they are any bigger.
4) If the accessible cabin isn't specifically booked by someone with a need, it is assigned to someone else. So why not you?

Go and have a good time and take advantage of your better health.
Sending Pixie Dust to you for a good trip.

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Thanks Sue. Those were the same things I've been telling myself, I just wanted to hear it from someone else.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you need to hear them again before you leave, just come on back.

 

[mamajoan]

Hi, I hope you have a great cruise. If you have not been on the Magic or Wonder before let me tell you the ships are HUGE!!!!
There is much walking to be done. Please take your w/c "George"
{I LOVE THAT} You can always transfer out of it in the dining rooms, theathers, lounges and decks. I did this and it was a life saver. The CM's are great about moving your w/c out of the way too. Also the walk at Castaway Cay is really long. They have sand w/c available to use on the beach if your walking is unsteady or weak.
We did not have an accessible cabin, wish we had had one. We left my w/c in the hall at night. Thankfully we were at the very end of the hall.
If I have learned one thing on this board it is
DON"T give the LOOKS a second thought. You know why you need what you need. You GO GIRL!

Happy sailing,
Joan

 

[softfluff]

I just booked a 7 day cruise on the Magic. I am not in a wheelchair at this time. However, I am ill and not sure if I will need a wheel chair or not. I do know that currently I am unable to stand in the shower. I get weak and dizzy. I will need a shower chair. This can be accomdated in the handicapped shower.

Because I am not currently in a wheelchair I had to get a letter from my doctor saying I would need a handicapped accessable cabin.

When I go to WDW I do use a ECV. I am a large person. Part of that is because of my illness and medcine. I don't get embrassed by it. If I could be a non disabled person I would be. I work hard everyday to improve my condition. But I deserve a life.

However, I do not worry about offending anyone with needing a handicapped room. I wouldn't ask for it if I didn't need it.

From your post I can tell you wouldn't either!!!! Have a great cruise.

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by mamajoan
If I have learned one thing on this board it is
DON"T give the LOOKS a second thought. You know why you need what you need. You GO GIRL!

Joan & Sue said it well! I read these boards for awhile before our first trip after my knee condition was diagnosed. It was comments here that gave me the nerve to ask my doctor for a handicapped parking permit - he filled out the beginning of the form & to rent an ECV to use in the parks. Only you will know day by day how you feel & what you can do & whether or not you will need "George." HAVE FUN!