Going on holiday can be a fun time for us all. I love to travel to warm sunny destinations where I can sit and relax by a pool or on the beach whilst the children frolic in the water and a gentle breeze gently caresses my factor 50 covered skin. But, what if you are travelling with an individual that hasn’t got full mobility and needs a little extra support to do things.
Some of you may be aware that earlier this year one of my children became ill. Totally unexpected but it resulted in numerous trips to the local A&E’s and also a number of hospital stays too. Sher lost the ability to walk and a child that was very active became one that could do very little for herself literally overnight and for many months to come. In the hospital I would move my daughter around in a wheel chair, at home I could carry her not having a wheelchair of our own.
My daughter she has recovered albeit not fully. Her immune system needs a boost to keep her strong enough to walk by herself. Since this occurred she seems to be more susceptible to catching colds and these affect her physical ability to do things.
I recently came across the #FoldAndGo campaign by Fenetic Wellbeing. This is a company that exists to provide customers with the right mobility products for their individual needs. Having looked at their range of products for those with limited mobility if my daughters mobility does take a turn for the worst, heaven forbid, at least I have a company to turn to that would be able to provide the right products to ensure that we can have her whizzing along even if it is with a walking aid or electric wheel chair.
As holiday season is about to land on our doorsteps very soon I thought that a holiday essentials guide when travelling with loved ones who need a little extra help with mobility might be of value. There are many conditions that affect mobility in the young and old and sometimes we need that pre written check list to help us decide what essentials we need to take. In many cases the items on the list will be the same as the able bodied with a few extra additions.
It goes without saying that in these sorts of cases prior to booking the individual booking the trip will need to make sure that the holiday location is prepped for people with limited mobility – supports in bathrooms, lifts etc.
Limited Mobility Holiday Checklist
Factor 50 suncream – what can I say I am an advocate for safety in the sun. Make sure this is sealed well or in a bag with other items that contain cream or fluids so that you avoid any leakages. If you are travelling on your own grab a smaller bottle. There is no point adding extra weight or taking up much needed space.
Small bottle of disinfectant hand lotion – no need for explanation there.
A walking aid where required. One that folds can save a considerable mount of space. I noticed on the Fenetic Wellbeing site there are light weight options available.
Wheel chair, electric or not depending on needs and budget. These make travelling, around an airport especially so much easier. There are some great folding wheel chairs that make travelling so much easier whether you are going by plane or somewhere more local and driving- the space saving aspect can really help. The beauty of the folding wheelchairs means that even I can put them easily and lift them into to the back of the car as they weigh less than my daughter and far less than the ones we had to use in hospital – which are as hard to manoeuvre as supermarket trolleys!!!
Inflatable head rest – to make waiting in the airport and the flight so much more comfortable. These are pretty tiny and you simply blow it up when needed.
Shower cap. If your mobility is limited it’s hard to avoid wetting your hair depending on the washing facilities at your destination so these are extremely useful and if you use the thin plastic ones take up virtually no space at all.
2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, or small bottles are great way to reduce luggage weight and save space.
My friend uses vacuum compressed bags. These free up so much more space and are reusable.
Use your shoes!!! I know, it’s a genius space saving idea. Stuff your socks, underwear, small tops into and that’ll create more space.
Rolled clothes take up less space compared to folded. They also wrinkle less!
Travel adaptors and light weight power banks are always handy.
Something that many overlook but can make a really difference is having a lightweight roller bag. This makes it easier to transport your luggage and affects your luggage allowance less.
How did I do? Is there anything else that might be handy to help save space when packing?
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Written by Melanie Edjourian.
In collaboration with Fenetic Wellbeing
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These are some great tips – I have to admit I have a folding wheelchair but often rent when I go away as they are sturdier, which is a bit silly really haha.
I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter, I definitely think a folding wheelchair is a good idea as it’s better to have it and not need it than the other way around x
I totally agree. The worst is to need one and no have it.
Great tips these! Holiday planning is hard enough at the best of times without having to factor in limited mobility too.
It sure is. Starting to plan in advance can really help I find.
My husband and I loves to travel but having a baby is hard since we have to limit our baggage. Good thing you gave me tips on how to maximize my baggage. Thanks a lot!
This is a very handy checklist – I remember when your little girl first became poorly, that must have been terrifying for you
It wasn’t a fun time. I’m glad sh is doing better.
Thanks for sharing your checklist which I am sure is going to help a lot of people who have limited mobility. I hope your daughter fully recovers as well.
Thanks so much. It is a work in progress but given time I am sure she will.
My gran needs extra help. We should look at getting a folding wheel chair for her that would really help.
It would be easier to transport one that folds.
Love your holiday packing tips. It’s hard enough packing everything for a holiday when everyone has full mobility, let alone when someone has limited mobility x
It sure is. I like packing in advance as it means I forget less items.
Such a great checklist and it will definitely help a lot of people out there. I always carry small bottles of shampoo and conditioner because of that weight reason
It can make a big difference.
Great tips for those that have mobility issues.
Thanks Kara.
There are some brilliant ideas here, Mel. I have limited mobility and need a special water pillow to sleep on or else my entire neck and shoulders seize up, so what I do is drain the water out to pack it, then fill it up when I get there. It makes my case a lot heavier but it’s worth it so I can actually enjoy my hols and not be in absolute agony 🙂
Louise x
I’m sorry to hear that Louise although that’s a great tip. Thanks so much for sharing, I hope that someone else might read that tip and use it too x
This is a great list and I’m sure it will help a lot of people. We always carry factor 50, even in the UK.
Same here. I use it on myself and my family all year around.
I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. It must have been really scary. We have lots of friends with mobility difficulties so I will ask them for their tips, too.
It really makes things harder when you have limited mobility to do even the simplest of things.
Wow! What a great list. It’s hard enough planning for a trip when you have a family let alone someone with limited mobility so it definitely pays to be organised
Being organised can help sooo much. It really reduces the stress.
I am glad your daughter is doing much better and I do hope she fully recovers. These are great tips for families looking into bringing someone with limited mobility on holiday with them.
Those vacuum bags seem great, I have yet to use them but it does save space. I roll my clothes and find things don’t crease like this
I have a friend who might need this. As far as I remember, her daughter has limited mobility too. I will share this to her.
Sorry to hear about your daughter but glad things are getting better for her! These are really helpful tips and I especially love the idea of stuffing things in my shoes as I never seem to have enough space.
I love the folding wheelchair, my dad was really popular d. We wanted to take him away and be mobile but it wasn’t fesable with a large cumbersome wheelchair
I used to work in a salon and the Phillip Kingsley products are fantastic, not to mention that this post is great for boosting people’s comfidence who have limited mobility.
I’ll have to send this to my grandma for when she next goes on holiday. She’s struggling more and more these days unfortunately!