Wheelchair Van Trips: Plan Carefully Before You Start the Engine
Guess I'm naive.
I thought buying a used wheelchair van would solve our transportation problems.
No more taxi reservations, waiting for the taxi to arrive, or paying high fees.
While these things are true, I've discovered that trips in our wheelchair van require detailed planning.
We live in Minnesota and weather can be an issue.
The night before a van trip we get the latest weather report, particularly the wind chill.
Severe wind chills in the 30 below zero range can freeze flesh.
The medications my husband takes also make him cold, another issue to consider.
If you have a wheelchair van, or are thinking of getting one, these tips may help you.
1.
Dress in layers, if necessary.
Winter arrived a month early in Minnesota.
Residents are grumbling and dragging winter gear out of closets.
My husband wears a sweatshirt that is easy to get on and off during medical examinations.
The next layer is a fleece sweater.
His final layer is a winter coat that weighs about 10 pounds and keeps him warm.
To make things easier, he wears it backwards.
2.
Check the gas.
You may have forgotten to fill up or are running low on fuel.
Personally, I don't like the fuel gauge to be lower than one half.
When I go grocery shopping, I stop at the gas station on the way home and fill up the van.
We bought it two weeks ago and the dealer said it had new oil and antifreeze.
3.
Position the van correctly.
Our driveway is sloped and my husband prefers to board the van where the driveway connects with the street.
Unfortunately, if I don't pull up properly, the ramp will open only half way due to the rain gutter.
I have to position the van in a way that allows the ramp to clear the gutter, a tip I learned the hard way.
You may have to adapt your approach as well.
4.
Check your electronic keys.
Our first trips in the van were uneventful.
Not so with current trips.
The electronic key control for the ramp isn't working.
Fortunately, I know where the emergency button is and can work the ramp with it.
The key may need new batters or have to be replaced.
5.
Allow twice the time.
Helping a disabled person takes more time.
In my husband's case, the back wheels on his electronic wheelchair tend to swivel in the wrong direction.
Getting the wheels straight can take a minute, or five minutes, ten minutes or more.
So we start getting ready 45 minutes or an hour ahead of time.
6.
Be kind to yourself.
I hate to admit this, but several tips have taxed my patience.
By the time I have gotten ready for the trip, helped my husband load, taken him to our destination, and brought him home again, I am exhausted.
This is why "Be kind to yourself" is my last tip.
I am learning to be more patient with myself and my husband.
You may want to start out with a short trip, such as going to the grocery store, and then get more adventuresome, going to an art museum, or the movies, or a craft show.
Once you get the hang of it, wheelchair van trips are convenient and fun.
Best of all, you are with the person you love so much.
I thought buying a used wheelchair van would solve our transportation problems.
No more taxi reservations, waiting for the taxi to arrive, or paying high fees.
While these things are true, I've discovered that trips in our wheelchair van require detailed planning.
We live in Minnesota and weather can be an issue.
The night before a van trip we get the latest weather report, particularly the wind chill.
Severe wind chills in the 30 below zero range can freeze flesh.
The medications my husband takes also make him cold, another issue to consider.
If you have a wheelchair van, or are thinking of getting one, these tips may help you.
1.
Dress in layers, if necessary.
Winter arrived a month early in Minnesota.
Residents are grumbling and dragging winter gear out of closets.
My husband wears a sweatshirt that is easy to get on and off during medical examinations.
The next layer is a fleece sweater.
His final layer is a winter coat that weighs about 10 pounds and keeps him warm.
To make things easier, he wears it backwards.
2.
Check the gas.
You may have forgotten to fill up or are running low on fuel.
Personally, I don't like the fuel gauge to be lower than one half.
When I go grocery shopping, I stop at the gas station on the way home and fill up the van.
We bought it two weeks ago and the dealer said it had new oil and antifreeze.
3.
Position the van correctly.
Our driveway is sloped and my husband prefers to board the van where the driveway connects with the street.
Unfortunately, if I don't pull up properly, the ramp will open only half way due to the rain gutter.
I have to position the van in a way that allows the ramp to clear the gutter, a tip I learned the hard way.
You may have to adapt your approach as well.
4.
Check your electronic keys.
Our first trips in the van were uneventful.
Not so with current trips.
The electronic key control for the ramp isn't working.
Fortunately, I know where the emergency button is and can work the ramp with it.
The key may need new batters or have to be replaced.
5.
Allow twice the time.
Helping a disabled person takes more time.
In my husband's case, the back wheels on his electronic wheelchair tend to swivel in the wrong direction.
Getting the wheels straight can take a minute, or five minutes, ten minutes or more.
So we start getting ready 45 minutes or an hour ahead of time.
6.
Be kind to yourself.
I hate to admit this, but several tips have taxed my patience.
By the time I have gotten ready for the trip, helped my husband load, taken him to our destination, and brought him home again, I am exhausted.
This is why "Be kind to yourself" is my last tip.
I am learning to be more patient with myself and my husband.
You may want to start out with a short trip, such as going to the grocery store, and then get more adventuresome, going to an art museum, or the movies, or a craft show.
Once you get the hang of it, wheelchair van trips are convenient and fun.
Best of all, you are with the person you love so much.
Source...