How can I find out about holidays?
Taking a relaxing break is vital to everyone's well being. Whether going alone or with a friend or relative, a trip away from home offers a chance to have a rest and recharge your batteries, explore different places and meet new people.
Most people with MS will need to consider their MS when making plans – even if it's only when shopping around for the best deal on travel insurance.
Before insuring someone, travel insurers will usually want to be confident that adequate preparations have been made, so it pays to start planning in plenty of time.
Some people with MS find their symptoms get worse in the heat. Of course, there are ways to try and stay cool in hot countries (air conditioning, cooling vests, for example), but you might want to consider the climate of your destination if the heat affects you.
These days, many hotels advertise accessible rooms. But if you want to book these rooms, it can be helpful to speak to the hotel and get further details – will the ‘accessible’ room be suitable for you and what you need?
Remember the journey too. It can be a long way from the airport check-in to the plane. You might want to borrow an airport wheelchair, or to arrange to be driven through by the airport staff. All of this would usually need to be pre-booked with the airport and possibly the airline you fly with as well. If you travel by train, does the train you are using cater for your needs and how much needs to be pre-booked? If you need assistance at stations, you might need to pre-book this as well as the tickets.
Many people travel with medications. Consider the storage and transport of these. For example, some drugs can only be out of the fridge for a certain length of time. Airlines and airports usually have strict rules about travelling with medications, so check on these with both before travelling. The manufacturer of prescription medications may have more information on travelling with their particular drug. A doctor’s note is often needed if you carry medications with you, so you might need to get in touch with your GP some time in advance.
It may be possible to get a grant to help cover some of the costs of a break. Call the MS Society grants team on 020 8438 0700 for more information about this.
There are organisations that specialise in holiday information for people with disabilities:
Before insuring someone, travel insurers will usually want to be confident that adequate preparations have been made, so it pays to start planning in plenty of time.
Some people with MS find their symptoms get worse in the heat. Of course, there are ways to try and stay cool in hot countries (air conditioning, cooling vests, for example), but you might want to consider the climate of your destination if the heat affects you.
These days, many hotels advertise accessible rooms. But if you want to book these rooms, it can be helpful to speak to the hotel and get further details – will the ‘accessible’ room be suitable for you and what you need?
Remember the journey too. It can be a long way from the airport check-in to the plane. You might want to borrow an airport wheelchair, or to arrange to be driven through by the airport staff. All of this would usually need to be pre-booked with the airport and possibly the airline you fly with as well. If you travel by train, does the train you are using cater for your needs and how much needs to be pre-booked? If you need assistance at stations, you might need to pre-book this as well as the tickets.
Many people travel with medications. Consider the storage and transport of these. For example, some drugs can only be out of the fridge for a certain length of time. Airlines and airports usually have strict rules about travelling with medications, so check on these with both before travelling. The manufacturer of prescription medications may have more information on travelling with their particular drug. A doctor’s note is often needed if you carry medications with you, so you might need to get in touch with your GP some time in advance.
It may be possible to get a grant to help cover some of the costs of a break. Call the MS Society grants team on 020 8438 0700 for more information about this.
There are organisations that specialise in holiday information for people with disabilities:
Vitalise (formerly Winged Fellowship Trust)
The Winged Fellowship Trust provides 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
Tourism for All
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
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
