Lots of our riders are excited to hit the paths after they obtain their GRIT Freedom Chair, however do you know we now have a number of riders who bought the all-terrain wheelchair for cruising the excessive seas?

We’ve had numerous individuals ask in regards to the performance of the Freedom Chair on a cruise ship, largely as a result of some cruises have been constructed earlier than the ADA acts, and actually, “whereas all cruise ships (even foreign-flagged ones) crusing in US waters must be compliant with the US People with Disabilities Act (ADA), there aren’t requirements particularly addressing cruise ships, which implies that some strains do greater than others” (Supply: Cruise Critic). You possibly can learn extra about every particular person cruise line right here, and proceed under to listen to some first-hand expertise! 

That will help you navigate the world of cruises, we introduced in one in every of our riders, Natalie, to share her experiences of cruising with the Freedom Chair.

GRIT: What’s your incapacity, and the way lengthy have you ever been dwelling with it?

Natalie: I’ve mitochondrial illness, so my physique can’t produce sufficient vitality for every thing to perform. Some days I can stroll, others I can’t. I’ve been dwelling with “mito” for 8 years however have solely been identified for five of these years. For a very long time, it was a thriller sickness that left me in mattress more often than not. Now that I’ve realized to handle it, I’m sometimes in a position to go exploring in my GRIT Freedom Chair.

GRIT: What number of cruises have you ever been on?

Natalie: I’ve been on two, plus I’ve one booked for this October and one other for subsequent November. It’s undoubtedly one of the best ways to trip, particularly for these with disabilities. The place else are you able to go from pool, to water park, to 5-star restaurant, and again to your room, with out actually going wherever? It actually works out. For in regards to the value of only a lodge on a land journey, a cruise delivers lodge, journey to unique places, unbeatable meals, plus tons of actions and reveals. It’s actually probably the most bang for my buck. I’m trying ahead to 1 per yr for the foreseeable future, alternating between {couples}’ cruises one yr and household cruises the following.

GRIT: What’s your favourite factor in regards to the Freedom Chair?

Natalie: I like the exercise. I used to be not in a position to train (and was even informed to not) by medical doctors after I was first identified, however now they’re seeing that train is a crucial instrument in managing this illness.

Due to my Freedom Chair, I’m able to get out and train with out worry of falling or passing out.

GRIT: Why did you select to buy the Freedom Chair? 

Natalie: It was actually a no-brainier for me. I reside out within the nation, the place an everyday guide chair simply doesn’t reduce it.

The Freedom Chair makes the distinction between sitting round ready for somebody to be out there to take me locations, to being fairly unbiased.

GRIT: Did you have got any hesitations about bringing the Freedom Chair on a cruise?

Natalie: I used to be nervous, particularly with the width. I did loads of studying about handicap-accessible routes on the boat so I’d know how you can get round. Cruise ships are type of like a pre-ADA world. They only don’t suppose when constructing these ships about accessibility points. There will likely be locations you simply can’t go.

GRIT: What have been the professionals of the Freedom Chair on the cruise ship?

Natalie:  I cherished with the ability to get out by myself and never depend on others to “take” me locations. It was unbelievable to get out at every port and do some tourism in my chair. It was nice to have the ability to hop curbs and never be slowed down by the very deteriorated sidewalks in port. It could not have been doable in an everyday chair.

The obvious professional [was that] I had no bother wheeling down the seashore within the sand. I did use the sand tires; they have been nice! It was somewhat work inching via smooth sand, however moist sand was no drawback.

GRIT: Had been there any challenges of getting the Freedom Chair on the cruise ship?

Natalie: ELEVATORS! The elevators are regularly very crowded and I had loads of issue with individuals simply having no respect for others. The chair suits high-quality in a lot of the elevators, although I discovered that the glass foyer elevators have been smaller and harder to make use of.

[Another con was the] crowded decks and eating rooms. The employees will assist to make a path, however the teams of tables and chairs and the location of lounge chairs on the pool deck can turn into an issue.

GRIT: What would you say to any person who’s contemplating bringing a Freedom Chair on a cruise? Any useful suggestions? Something to keep away from?

Natalie: Do it, however be prepared for just a few inconveniences. My largest recommendation is that this: On the primary day, choose a deck and keep on it. Everybody goes exploring that day and a number of other occasions I used to be pissed off to tears ready for 10-12 absolutely packed elevators to move earlier than I might lastly match into one. After the primary day, it will get a lot simpler. Be at liberty to ask for assist, as there are at all times employees members round who’re glad to assist.

Make sure you e book a handicap-accessible cabin. If you happen to don’t, you may be disassembling your Freedom Chair within the hallway as a result of it received’t match via the door of a typical cabin.

Additionally notice that the hallways the place the rooms are might be very small. On days when baggage is positioned out within the corridor, it may be very troublesome to get via. Fortunately, most handicap rooms are very near the elevators so you possibly can zip as much as a extra satisfactory deck earlier than shifting towards the entrance or again of the boat.