Nothing should prevent you from seeing the greatest sights the world has to offer — even limited mobility. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our articles about how to prepare for airline travel, what to pack and even destinations that make it easier for wheelchair users to visit. Once you’ve got all your plans and travel buddies accounted for, it’s time to talk about your traveling device.
Depending on the destination you’ve chosen, different upgrades to your wheelchair can make a huge difference. Here’s what you should consider when planning a trip and how even minor adjustments can help make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
A Comfortable Seat
First and foremost, you need to ensure your comfort. If you’re not comfortable in your chair, then it’s hard to imagine enjoying days on end traveling and exploring. Furthermore, without proper protection, you open yourself up to sores and agitation.
If you haven’t updated your cushion in a while, consider purchasing a new pad for your forthcoming trip. Of course, be sure to break it in before departing so you won’t have to worry about the pad not fitting your comfort level.
Getting Around
Once you’re all settled in, it’s time to consider your mobility. It may feel risky to bring a power wheelchair on a flight, but check our tips to help your wheelchair travel safely on an airplane. For extra security, we manufacturer travel cases which make it easier to maneuver through airports and ensure no part of your device suffers damages while traveling.
Note: it isn’t a bad idea to bring a backup battery for your chair, just in case you exert a lot of energy during your trip.
If you’re traveling with another wheelchair user, why not work together? Items such as the random tandem help generate locomotion for multiple chairs or strollers if you’re traveling with children.
Easier for Others
While traveling alone certainly has its own merits, nothing replaces the joy of sharing new experiences with a friend or loved one. If you’re traveling with a companion, some handle extenders will make it easier for them to push while allowing them to stand upright to help reduce strain during a long day of sight-seeing, that way you can share the effort and rest when needed.
With just a few adjustments, you’ll see that upgrading your wheelchair into a traveling companion enables you to traverse the globe in comfort. These small changes make a big difference when you’re away from home and separated from your daily rituals.
If you’re wary of the risk that comes with bringing your chair on a trip, don’t forget, you don’t have to put your daily chair through the wear and tear of travel. We design and manufacturer travel wheelchairs specifically to help users navigate difficult terrain and to ensure you always have what you need to enjoy the best the world has to offer.
** This post was originally published on https://travelwheelchair.net/blogs/posts/how-to-upgrade-your-wheelchair-into-a-traveling-companion