Vacations for those with limited mobility

Some of the "limited" persons are not as limited as you'd think:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympic_Games

The California college where I used to work held a wheelchair sports camp for kids every summer.

Crowe wrote:
My concern is not about the actual recovery-it is what it is and will be determined accordingly. My question is what do those with limited mobility do? Do you sight-see from the car? Sit on the beach? Use a wheelchair (although this will probably NEVER happen!)? Where and how I guess are the main questions. Alternatives to very active vacations would be helpful. Thanks!

I am finding that photography from the driver's seat (while parked!) is a decent pastime, though not nearly as good as photography while hiking was.

I hunt up "accessible" trails. Sometimes I can walk all or part of them with the rollator or, if they have benches along the way, with hiking sticks.

http://rollinginarv-wheelchairtraveling.blogspot.com/ is a good blog for persons with limited mobility to follow.

Other possible activities if the limited person is able to get aboard: tram tours, train tours, harbor boat tours. Horseback rides? Rafting? Fishing? Museums often have wheelchairs which can be borrowed. Some state parks in California even have beach wheelchairs available.

We limited folk do what we can. Maybe it is not what we would rather do, but it is better than giving up to spend the rest of our lives in a recliner in front of the TV.

Three years ago I blew out the cartilage in my knee. Knocked me clear off my props for sure. I couldn't put any weight on that leg for quite a while after surgery. That did not stop me a bit! Crutches and away I went. Nothing held me down.

We continued camping, I continued driving, I continued hitching the camper to the truck (I just left the hitch in the receiver and never took it out). We are not "active" go-getters any more, we are vegitators, enjoy a nice glass of wine around the campfire, and snuggle a lot! So, mobility was not a real issue, as far as hiking and such. But I did my share of getting around and doing stuff. Nothing stopped me from going anywhere, doing anything. I just hobbled along!

Yea, my wife yelled at me many times, screamed at me to "be careful", and declared she WOULD NOT take me to the hospital if I did something, but .... that never happened!

So you know, let your son just do what he does best over the next few months. At best, just bring along a set of crutches!

My concern is not about the actual recovery-it is what it is and will be determined accordingly. My question is what do those with limited mobility do? Do you sight-see from the car? Sit on the beach? Use a wheelchair (although this will probably NEVER happen!)? Where and how I guess are the main questions. Alternatives to very active vacations would be helpful. Thanks!

I can walk up to about a flat mile using two hiking sticks; these are much more maneuverable in crowds than crutches or my other mobility device, a rollator (a walker with a seat). A rollator is probably too bulky for you to take to Norway if your son does not recover in time, but two hiking sticks could easily be taken along. Or perhaps you could rent appropriate equipment when you arrive?

Will your trip involve a lot of stairs? With railings??? Sometimes with knee problems going up the stairs is fine and down is difficult. If you are going hiking, are trails groomed or rough?

Note on later edit: The above devices are not useful if he is not allowed to bear weight on the knee. A knee roller scooter would be useful for non-weightbearing injuries other than the knee. Ask the PT what types of assistive devices might be useful in your son's situation. Or perhaps consider postponing your trip.

How old is your son? Age can be a determining factor in how quickly one heals from a trauma. Was he active before the injury? Being fit or active also contributes.

Talk to, or have him talk to his PT. The PT should be able to give him a sense of what to expect. You gave a range of 2-5 months. He could be back to normal in 2-3 months depending on age and fitness. And even at 4 months, he should be able to do a lot more than at the beginning of therapy.

Been there/done that/won the t-shirt!

Hoping he's able to heal before then. In 4 months time if he's consistent in doing his PT exercises at home (they give you "home work") he should be able to do okay barring unseen damage. A cane with one of those seats attached is an option if he tires.

OTOH there are options out there even for those who are wheelchair bound.
http://www.disabilitytravel.com/independent/accessible-scandinavia-vacations.htm

I'm active as much as my body will let me be. One big thing is to know your limitation so you don't over do it to the point you are down for the next several days recovering.

Being young and in good shape helps the recovery process a lot. Especially if he fights through the pain and works hard at the PT.