The Disability Diaries (The Life of J1) : The Holiday - Ahoy Matey

Now we have taken the plunge and booked our Exciting Adventure to Florida next year there is still much researching and planning that is needed.

The flight seat is top priority and I think it has now come to the point where we are going to need to go and view what is on offer to ascertain what is going to be the best option for J1.  At this point in time I have concerns and I hope by going to actually see them they will be quelled.  For anyone wondering why this was not looked at before booking the flight - the answer is - it was.  We saw the picture of the seat insert to the chair and thought wonderful and fantastic.  Then, however, we got further details and it transpires that even though it should go up to a child age 11/12, because of the double hip operations J1 has suffered - which makes his hip width rather large - it will not fit him.  This leaves us with the adult option.  Thus, we need to go and check it out.

After much 'Google Map' time with my mum, I think we are happy that the hotels and areas that we have chosen as our destination are suitable with plenty of things to do for both adults and the children alike.  One of the activities we found is something that my mum has wanted to do for years (kid at heart my mum) - Go on a Pirate Ship.

A Pirate Ship you may ask?  Yes A Pirate Ship.  And at the beach you can do just such a thing.  After looking at the Captain Memo Pirate Ship website we couldn't see any information about whether it was wheelchair accessible.  What we did see however was an email address.  Pinging them an 'Ahoy There!' email outlining J1's accessibility issues in the morning I did not expect such a quick and friendly response.  

The same afternoon I obtained a reply stating that the ship would welcome J1 with open arms.  Was the wheelchair manual or electric, manual is easier to navigate around the ship.  Do not worry, they assured us, the crew is fully trained and can entertain children of all ages and abilities (or disabilities).  They advised us to go on a morning cruise as these tend to be quieter, thus allowing J1 easier movement around desk.  Book a few days in advance and we'll be having our faces painted pirate before we can sing an old sea shanty before you know it!

What a refreshing response this was.  I am so used to hearing, sorry we can not accommodate.  Or parts of the venue will be accessible but not all.  So now we are all really looking forward to this, and we have decided that if we go early enough into our week at the beach, if we love it we can always book and go again a few days later.

Ohhhh-Arrrrrrhhhhh Matey's!