Riding for the disabled – Gwen & Paul’s Story March 2009

My husband Paul was diagnosed with MS about ten years ago and as his mobility has deteriorated it has been increasingly difficult for us to go on the kind of outdoor holidays we used to enjoy. I looked on the internet for activity holidays for people with wheelchairs and saw one for a riding holiday in Arizona. We had both been keen riders and for a time Paul attended riding for the disabled. Unfortunately he had to stop as he could no longer dismount safely.

I doubted very much that this advertised holiday would be suitable but rang Have Horse Will Travel anyway. Emma assured me that this particular guest ranch would definitely be able to get Paul on and off the horse, how much he could do once mounted would have to be seen. After some discussion with Emma, she put together an individual itinerary for us and organised all the details down to the taxi!

For our first 3 nights we stayed in Las Vegas at the Flamingo hotel, right on the Strip! Our room overlooked Caesars Palace and Las Vegas was a total eye opener, more over the top than we could have imagined, lively and busy and colourful. The casinos were amazing, huge and gaudy and busy 24/7. I thought I would have to have a small go on the slots, but after I had spent a whole $5 I was so bored I had to give up – the last of the big spenders.

Emma had booked us a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon and we were to be picked up at the hotel. What we didn’t expect was the long black stretch limo and driver awaiting us – wow! We were so amazed, we had expected a taxi!  The helicopter flight was awesome, much smoother than I expected. And the Grand Canyon…… what can I say, we were boggled by it, it was huge and deep and has to be seen to be believed.

On the Sunday we travelled to the ranch. This was about 2 ½ hours away, through what at first glance, seemed dry and barren scenery. The ranch itself was as different from Las Vegas as it could possibly be – quiet, isolated, calm and above all friendly and welcoming. Carrie and Dan made us feel at home straight away and throughout our stay nothing was too much trouble for them. They have such a “can do” attitude as does every member of staff, that they make you feel anything is possible.

I really did not think they would get Paul onto a horse and even if they did he would not be able to go outside the arena. To the great joy of both of us they did get Paul mounted, on a very patient gelding called Cochise. The first time Paul just went round the arena but as he was able to stay in the saddle unaided he was taken round the perimeter of the ranch. As he hadn’t ridden for over 3 years he soon tired but the big grin on his face when he came back was something special.

I enjoyed my first ride as well, just a walking ride to allow the wranglers and Carrie to decide what type of ride and which horse would be most suitable. Jef, the wrangler on my first couple of days there was super. Once he found out I was interested in the natural history of the area he went out of his way to point out different lizards, birds, plants and a lot of other information about the area. The horses were all well mannered and easy to ride. I found the first saddle I used uncomfortable, much to my surprise, as western riding always looked so much more relaxed than English. However the second day I rode a different horse with a different saddle and it was a completely changed experience as it was every bit as comfortable as I had hoped. Neck reining was a whole new process too and took a bit of getting used to, but the horse I rode was quite unflappable and didn’t get upset at my occasional lapses into riding with a direct rein, he just ignored me!

Once the Carrie knew what we were able to do I went out on some quite fast rides. There are some wide sandy washes in the area, safe and perfect for loping (cantering to me!) and we could lope for long distances, much further than I am used to. Up close the desert is not as barren as it first seems, with many small wild flowers, cactuses of various persuasions (some very fierce) and my favorites the Joshua trees. To our great pleasure Paul was able to accompany us on the start of each ride. A couple of members of staff always walked with him and he would ride out for 20 minutes or so before turning back. He could have done the same in the afternoon, but as fatigue is a major problem he usually stayed at the ranch, often surrounded by the ranch dogs who were pleased to have someone there to make a fuss of them when the staff were busy.

The weather was sunny but surprisingly cool, so riding was very pleasant.

However it got quite windy in the afternoons and on the Thursday a real sandstorm blew up. Carrie and Dan said it was only the second time they had experienced such a bad one since they set up the ranch. Most of us passed on the afternoons ride, it was like being sandblasted and quite unpleasant, although a couple of people did go out. Unfortunately the wind was so strong that it lifted the covers from the pool and hot tub which quickly filled with sand and debris. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of Dan and his team that they had them cleaned out, refilled and working as normal by Saturday morning.

The food was of the same standard as the rest of the holiday – 3 full meals per day, freshly cooked (OH the Ribs… and the warm fresh cookies….. the deserts…….)and as much as you wanted. There were some really brilliant other guests, mealtimes were great and often it was hard to drag yourself away from the table to enjoy the after dinner entertainment.

I can’t praise this holiday enough, it was magic. For any former riders out there who can’t ride now because of mobility problems this place was perfect and if you can ride it’s just as great. Our heartfelt thanks to Emma for sorting it all out and helping us through some minor hiccups. We loved it!

Wheel Away Disabled Travel – Sarah Fuller

Sarah Fuller, founder and author of Wheel Away Disabled Travel – Hong Kong discusses accessible travel in Hong Kong. (Courtesy of ATV)

Disabled Dating Service – Should You Go For It?

The disabled dating service is one among the gigantic number of dating services found on the internet. Online dating is rapidly growing in popularity because it is easy and the success rates are extremely high.

This kind of dating service, however, is not only for those people who have disabilities. They can be used by care givers, professionals, family and friends and all those looking for a well-matched friend or partner, who may happen to have a disability. Most sites have something for every one of them.

Matchmaking and dating are two of the most obvious services that are offered on these websites. Certain websites offer introduction services while some are directed at long-term relationships and for the purpose of finding marriage partners. The higher the payment made to access the different levels in the site, the more thorough and informative the search would be.

The disabled dating service usually spends a lot of time and money in checking the information and thus, it charges its subscribers accordingly. Usually sites that are free do not check the information but others will require that their members provide detailed information about their preferences and themselves. Some highly paid websites, at times, hold personal interviews to make sure that the profiles posted are true and accurate and to allow a scientific matching procedure.

Aside from dating, the resources that many disabled dating service put forward are news updates and articles, talks about legal and safety issues, links to other related websites and tips and guidance on dating successfully. Many sites allow their members a chance to share their thoughts and opinions through social forums, chat rooms and message boards. To add a personal feel to the website, poetry and journals as well as documenting experiences are included.

There are many similar websites on the internet and few disabled dating services add additional resources in order to distinguish them and attract users. Certain sites use humor while others make use of assistance and information on traveling. Certain websites have virtual casino, and some carry out weekly polls. In fact, users may even get the chance to send virtual kisses through certain websites.

Selecting the right disabled dating service can be puzzling because so many services are offered. You can find out why people are using certain website and if it is a good site then you can use it too. Few websites stress on dating only but there are also websites that simply offer help and support to the disabled. In this type of website, dating is merely one form of services that they offer.

There are websites that would help the people to socialize and retain relationships but then there are also websites that would only introduce users to each other. If you are looking for a website where you can get assistance on day-to-day challenges then you can join the websites that offer these services.

Not each and every one of us can be comfortable with online dating. However, there is no harm in trying it out once. Who knows? Maybe you would find your soul mate through a disabled dating service!

Online Disabled Dating Service – Is It For You?

The disabled dating service is one of a huge number of dating services on the web. Internet dating is fast growing in popularity as it is convenient and success rates are encouraging.

The disabled dating service however is not just for those who are challenged by impairments. They are open to family and friends, care givers and professionals as well as those looking for a compatible friend or partner who may happen to have a disability. Most sites have something for everyone on them.

The most obvious service offered on the sites is of course dating and matchmaking. Some sites act as introduction services while others are aimed at long-term relationships and finding marriage partners. Usually the higher is the fee paid to access the various levels in the site, the more intensive and informative the search. The disabled dating service itself puts in a lot of time and expense in verifying the information provided and thus charge the subscribers accordingly. Free sites usually do not verify information while others may require their members to fill in detailed questionnaires about themselves and their preferences. Certain highly paid sites may even hold personal interviews to ensure that the posted profiles are accurate and to enable a scientific matching process.

Apart from dating, the resources that most disabled dating service offer are articles and news updates, links to other relevant sites, discussions of safety and legal issues as well as well as tips and guidance on successful dating. Many give their members a chance to air their thoughts and feelings through message boards, chat rooms and social forums. Journals documenting experiences and poetry are included to give the site a more personal feel.

With so many similar sites on the net, some disabled dating service offer additional resources to help set them apart and attract users. Some sites offer humour, others information and guidance on travelling. Some may have a virtual casino, others may conduct weekly polls – and some may even give users an opportunity to send virtual kisses!

Choosing an appropriate disabled dating service can be confusing with this range of services. Being clear about why one is accessing a site is a start in the right direction. Some services stress the dating component. Others however may be looking to build an online community that offers support and guidance to those living with a disability. For these sites dating is just one of the services they offer. Some introduction services stop short at just that, preferring to let their members interact and find out if they are compatible. But other disabled dating services take a one-to-one approach, offering guidance with socialising and maintaining relationships. For those who just want someone to talk to or those who are looking for help coping with the many day-to-day challenges, these sites are especially useful.

Online dating is not comfortable for everyone. But it is definitely worth at least one try. You never know, with a bit of luck and many clicks of the mouse, a disabled dating service could change your life forever!

What’s a good birthday present to get for a mentally disabled 16yr old

I went to camp with her for a week and her parents gave out an open invitation to her bday party (which only 2/18kids were willing to go).

Any ideas?

What You Should Know About Disabled Access

Having access to buildings and public areas is vitally important for people with disabilities. Not being able to use the bathroom or enter a particular building can be one of the most frustrating aspects of being disabled. It is often very simple to make somewhere accessible for a disabled person and making the small steps toward making it possible is extremely important. Legislation is in place that makes providing disabled access in all public buildings and workplaces essential and increasingly the new build properties are built with disabled access.

It is very rare that a house comes prepared for disabled use. Most housing does not come with disabled access as standard so most people that are disabled have to go about making improvements to their homes on their own. As a result much of the work that is done to the home is bespoke and specific to the needs of the individual concerned. There are some initiatives in place that are designed to encourage developers to include basic disabled access features in new buildings. Things like zero-step entries and wide doors for wheelchair access make houses accessible for the majority of people and as a result more people can travel freely into people’s homes.

Great Britain is one of the best countries in the world for providing disabled access in the home. This is partly to do with legislation that has been passed by parliament. In 1999 a law was passed that detailed seven requirements for multifamily buildings which have more than four units. These seven requirements are:

1) There must be an accessible building entrance on an accessible route

2) The common and public use areas must be accessible to all

3) Wheelchair users must be able to use the doors

4) There must be a complete access route into and through the dwelling

5) Controls must be accessible. This includes thermostats, light switches, electrical outlets and environmental controls

6) Walls in the bathrooms must be reinforced so that they can cater for grab bars to be installed at a later date

7) The bathrooms and kitchens must be useable

The UK has a fairly advanced attitude to creating housing that is accessible for people with disabilities. Sadly the United States has not got such a stringent attitude to the problem. This is because the houses that Americans typically live in are not covered by the law. Most Americans live in single family homes that are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Fair Housing Act. The only houses covered and required to provide access are the government built housing areas which only accounts for a very small percentage of the total number of houses in the United States of America. This means that even new houses do not cater for disabled people and have very real accessibility issues. This means that even new houses face the problems that occur in old houses. It seems like this is in some way not making the most of the opportunity to make things accessible as standard.