Going on Holiday
"I wasn't going to let anyone tell me I couldn't go anywhere I wanted just because I had MS. It's true that it takes more organising, but isn't planning the whole fun of going on holiday?"
Everyone needs a holiday! Just because you have MS doesn't mean you stop wanting to get out and see some of the world. And if you are interested, there are many different holidays available to people with MS including activity holidays, self-catering, cruises and all-inclusive packages.
There are issues that you need to be aware of when planning a trip, but with the right preparation you can go just about anywhere.
- Consider the climate of your destination, as heat and humidity can sometimes make symptoms worse.
- It is also a good idea to ensure that accommodation is user friendly and facilities are appropriate before making a commitment to a certain hotel. All good hotels are set up for people with mobility problems. Other needs may also have to be considered, such as refrigerators for medication.
- If you find travelling tiring, airlines can help you arrange special facilities for the journey, such as wheelchairs at the airport.
For some people with MS, a trip abroad poses more potential problems than it would for other travellers. Arranging insurance cover can become a real priority. The Multiple Sclerosis Society Insurance Services offer comprehensive travel insurance. Find out more about insurance on the main MS Society site. Jump to: Help and Support
Help and Support
If and when you decide to go on holiday, it may be possible to get a grant to help cover some of the costs. Call the MS Society Grants Team on 0208 438 0700 for more information and to find out if you are eligible.
There are also organisations that specialise in holiday information for people for whom travelling is more challenging:
Vitalise (formerly Winged Fellowship Trust) is a national charity providing holidays for disabled people and breaks for their carers, based on individual need. They run breaks in the UK and abroad for physically disabled and visually impaired adults.
Call 0845 345 1970 or visit www.vitalise.org.uk
Tripscope is a nationwide travel and transport information service for people with impaired mobility. They offer information about any aspect of travel, whether planning journeys involving private motoring or public transport.
08457 58 56 41 or visit www.tripscope.org.uk
Tourism for All can help plan holidays in the UK and abroad. They can also provide information on equipment hire.
Call 0845 124 9971 or visit www.tourismforall.co.uk
Wheelchair Travel offers vehicles on self-drive rental. They have vehicles both to carry and be driven by a disabled person. Self-drive rental Minibuses/Minivans with lifts are also available, as well as cars with hand controls and left-foot accelerator. These services are available to people visiting or living in the UK. They also organise tours of London and other cities for wheelchair users.
Call 01483 233640 or visit www.wheelchair-travel.co.uk
Ability2Travel can help those who want to travel but who need some assistance. They offer a broad range of services including registered care assistants with experience of travelling in the UK and abroad, help with preparing accommodation and transfers, as well as assisting tourists with disabilities visiting the UK.
Call 01536 501298 or visit www.ability2travel.com