As you may already know, traveling as a person that uses a wheelchair can have many challenges. First and foremost, we worry about flying to the destination, from fear that our wheelchair will get damaged. I mean, if we don’t have our wheels, our independence is stripped away from us and that would only make the rest of our trip not too fun. But what if I said you could travel miles and miles away without any fear of finding an accessible toilet, without worrying about hotel accommodations meeting your needs, and without the worry of your chair getting damaged along the way?
Traveling in an RV can actually erase all of those worries and fears and help you relax and spend time having an amazing vacation, stress free! Wheelchair accessible RV’s are available now for purchase and they can include a lift, a roll-in shower, and accessible furnishings inside. And did you know that if you’re looking for an RV rental, accessible RV’s are often available for rent through sites like RVshare, where you can rent directly from owners of RVs?
Whether you’re planning to purchase or rent an accessible RV, I have compiled a list of seven reasons why RVing is perfect for people that use a wheelchair. So, buckle up and lock those wheels for a few minutes… in this article, you’ll discover why wheelchair accessible RVing might be the solution to all of your travel worries.
Visit multiple destinations without getting on a plane
Just imagine rolling along the open road in an RV in your own wheelchair, seeing the sights of the mountains, the tall trees, and breathing in the fresh air along the way. It would beat the hassle of the airport check in, the security pat down, the dragging of the luggage, the ever dreaded aisle chair, and then the uncomfortableness of a long flight any day. These are all reasons that the whole flying experience can be monotonous, but worrying about our chairs getting damaged is the worst! Riding in an RV is the easiest, less stressful way to see multiple destinations. You can map out your journey or just drive aimlessly and enjoy the views right there in your own wheelchair and see it all from the window or park, get out, and explore if you choose. That’s the beauty of wheelchair accessible RVing, it is simply your choice to see what you want and as much as you want in a day!
No packing and unpacking when changing destinations
The whole packing and unpacking process can be a tedious one. After all, who wants to drag luggage around from hotel to hotel just to see a couple of different cities? And as a wheelchair user, that most often comes with some medical equipment to drag around as well. By traveling in an RV, it is a one-time packing and unpacking show. You can get in, unpack, and settle in, placing everything just like you want it. Then you will have things handy at your disposal no matter where your travels take you. Visiting a new city tomorrow? Okay, your clothes and toiletries are already ready to go, so just leave that empty suitcase stored away in the closet!
Accessible toilet 24/7
When traveling, finding an accessible toilet can sometimes be a hassle. And even when you do find one, the accessible stall may not be wide enough to accommodate the transfer, or have the grab bars where you need them, or even be clean for that matter. That is a huge perk of traveling in an RV that includes a toilet. The toilet goes with you! This is a huge relief, literally! Being comfortable in your own space and being able to have access to the restroom in your own home away from home is one way that travel can be much less stressful.
Cooking your own delicious meals
When traveling in an RV, you won’t have to worry about deciding on where to eat and worrying if the table will be the right height to accommodate your wheelchair or even if it will be accessible for you to eat there. Cooking in the RV can be very rewarding. It is your space, your kitchen, and your food that you have selected to enjoy. One thing that I loved the most during my RV trip a couple years ago was cooking out on the grill. I love smelling the aroma of the nearby camper’s grills and then my own grill once I have my charcoal just right. I don’t know exactly what it is about preparing your own food, but it does make you appreciate it once it’s done and everyone is happy and sitting around the table together.
No worrying about hotel room accessibility
As a person who uses a wheelchair, you know the anxiety that opening the hotel door brings about. You can roll in to find that the room is either perfect for you, or more often than not, that the bed is either too high or too low, or that there is way too much furniture in there blocking your access to maneuver around. Finding the perfect hotel can be a needle in a haystack sometimes, but when traveling in an RV, you know what to expect every single night of your trip. You have what you need, where you need it, and you can expect this same awesome experience every single time that you travel to a new location.
Make new friends
Campground life consists of a group of people with similar interests. They all love to travel, stress free and in their own space. That being said, when RVing, the campground that you decide to park in for a good night’s rest can be one of the best parts of your journey. The community of RV’ers are relaxed and enjoying life just like you are and are willing to join together and help out if needed. When I traveled across Florida in the Winnebago Inspire AE, other campers helped us back in to our spot, offered extra charcoal for our grill, and even brought over a couple drinks to welcome us in. It was such a fun time to kick back and share stories with them of where they were from and where they were headed. This is something you just can’t experience closed up inside of a hotel room.
Unwind and relax
Finally, the biggest reason to travel in an RV as a wheelchair user is to relax and unwind. Having your own space in your own RV is stress free. This gives you the opportunity to forget your worries of the whole travel experience and just sit back, relax, and contemplate enjoying life. Your family can surround you in the RV and your time can be spent not worrying about the accessibility issues that travel brings, but can be spent laughing and spending quality time together with one another instead.
Whether you decide to travel in an accessible RV that you purchase or decide to rent one instead, you won’t be disappointed with your decision to enjoy life. Wheelchair accessible RVing can be the answer to your travel nightmare fears and can give you the experience of a trip that you have long desired with your family and friends. So, wait no longer and get that RV rolling. Your mindset and health will thank you for it.
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