Written by Chillie Falls, April 11, 2023 for AccessAdventure.net
I started using Scootaround scooters nine years ago on Cruise ships. I have also used a scooter once rolling all over New Orleans. To be totally transparent, I have used them for over 6 years, as between the pandemic and my two bouts with cancer, I missed almost 3 years of sailing. The last two + years have been phenomenal as I have now passed 24 cruises since January 28, 2022.
Now I am considering a transition from scooter to power wheelchair, maybe partially at first, but eventually all the way. I am so used to what a scooter does for me on cruises, it will be very difficult for me to change. The overwhelming need is the travel from house to ship and back, plus the added possibility of port excursions where basically there is no accessible transportation for scooters.
Scooters are heavy, at least too heavy for me to pick up and put in my car. I have a light weight one of those, weighs 56 pounds, but is totally inappropriate from what I need on ships. Also, most airlines will not check a scooter without a fee, and therefore have to use wheelchair service to get to planes. Basically, disabled folks are parked near the gate, with no way to access food and beverage, or quickly get to a restroom. Sometimes, for hours at a time.
A light weight power chair eliminates all of that. Without the batteries, the chair weighs 50 lbs., the same as a suitcase. The airlines will allow you to roll up to the door of the plane if one can walk enough to get to a seat. Special arrangements can be made for those that are non-ambulatory. In my case, the airline will either put my folder up wheelchair in the closet, or underneath with luggage, and it will meet me at the door of the plane when I debark.
Conversely, Uber drivers, or cabs, can fit the chair in the trunk, even if they put my suitcase in the back seat with me; or on buses, the chair will easily fit in the luggage compartment.
I would also have the chair in pre- or post cruise hotel stays so I am not stuck in a room with delivered food. Plus can avoid the usually awful wheelchair service at the cruise port to get me to my cabin for my scooter.
Obviously, I would have the option of catching a cab, van or excursion bus for excursions that could handle a wheelchair.
Unfortunately, I am having no luck with Medicare as they would prefer paying for things in the home, but want you to have no life so refuse to pay for things outside the home like portable oxygen or power wheelchairs.
We shall see. A decision is forthcoming.